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Favoured of the Crowd (Alvis & Last Breath)

Sev jumped again, moving quickly from his reach. Then watched as he retreated grabbing his shield. She felt the sigh of relief escape her. She sneered at him, "no where did it say I couldn't sell you. If you read Roman script you would have saw that." She slipped off the bed the action letting the sun light glint off the shinny blade of her dagger. "I have no use for you, so please just leave." The words came out harsher then she had wanted.
 
Northman snorted, looked at the glint of metal fromt he dagger. Now he knew what to look for. He sketched a crude bow.
"As the Empress commands." He drawled. He pushed te doors open, and entered the hall, shutting it behind him. The guards started at his sudden appearance.
"How did you get inside?!" One of them demanded. Northman only snorted at him.
"You peopel are sad imitations of protectors. Had I wished it, I could have slain your Empress any number of times without your knowledge." He snarled out. The guard looked as though he was going to draw steel on him, but a flat look from the Northman made him reconsider. Northman walked from the chambers, intent on a place to sleep.

He found a comfortable place on the roof, over the kitchens, the heat rising fromt he ovens comforting. His presence actually seemed to assure the women that laboured inside, as though a hulking monster of a man was welcome to hang around them. The party bothered him. Though not having to make an appearance was fine by him. The problem was that it seemed as though it would be exposing the Empress to a lot of risk without any real gains. He'd let her believe him to remain behind, and ghost her at teh gathering. Most of the places around this city had plenty of places a resourcful man might climb. And from there he could ensure that she remained alive. He settled into place, and let sleep claim him.
 
Two days later, after she had time to really heal from the warriors treatment, the Empress had a smile on her face again. As promised she had left Northman at the palace. The sun was high in the sky indicating it was just midday. She was as always surrounded by guards, six with her at all times the last couple days. Other soldiers walked through the crowd, making sure the peace was kept. Severina crouched down to one of the children running up to her. A fist full of wild flowers, "these are lovely, did you pick them yourself?" Taking a soft pink flower, she pushed it into her own dark hair. The little girl nodded a yes, eye bright as she watch the Empress lace the flowers into her hair. Taking a white one, she slid it behind the girls ear.

Standing back up as the child ran off into the crowd of people. Feeling a slight twinge of sadness that she hadn't conceived a child with her late husband. Walking into an alley she found a fountain, the day was already blistering hot. Dipping her hand into the water, she poured handful over her neck. The area was small, too small for all six guards to join her. As she stood from the fountain, her wrist was grabbed from the shadows. The six men were fast, but not fast enough. "Don't.. all of you just stay," a dagger similar to her own pressed harshly against her throat. "This has to happen, women are not suppose to be rulers." The six stopped holding up hands. "Hold on man, think about what you're doing. You will not survive this."
 
Northman watched the procession leave the palace, and smiled. He muched on the stuffed meat roll that had been given to him by one of the cooks, a wink in her eye. The extra food was always welcome, his frame needing more than a little to keep it in top form. Once the procession was gone, He finished the roll, and set off at a run for the wall. A flying leap carried him far up the construct, and his fingers gripped the bricks hard. He scrambled up the wall, and then slid down the other side. Keeping off of the main streets, he followed the Empress from a street over, until he saw that the buildings became dense enough to let him stay up.

THe party was crowded, and he admit to himself that the guards kept close to her. That was credible, unless...he shook his head as the child approached and left. A child of his peopel could have stabbed a knife into her and been gone underfoot before the guards reacted at all. Children were not always innocents. He kept after her, staying in motion, but low. His frame might stand out a little too well against the fading light of day. When she entered an alley, he cursed. It was cramped, a stupid place to allow her to enter. There were safer places to go. ANd then it happened, the thing he'd been expecting all night. The attempt on her life.

SHe was taken hostage already, blade to her neck. Which was a poor plan with teh style of blade he had. Too shallow in width, it wouldn't make a lethal cut. He'd have to draw it back for a killing strike. THen Northman noticed that there were mroe lurking in the alley, approaching slowly. It was a well planned ambush, the kind that her guards were not trrained to spot and deal with. That left it up to him. He drew out a heavy fighting knife, adn judged the distance and height. It was a risk, but one that he'd take. He dropped the blade, point down, and then laept for the wall of the alley, bouncing from window sill to window sill, marvelling how much easier it was then doing this from bare rock of the moutains in his homeland. He hit the ground in the alley, between the advancing killers and the Empress.

The heavy thunk of the dropped knife, adn his own drop to teh floor, no one else knew what to expect. The fighting knife was embedded in the top of the head of the man holding the Empress, teh blade entirely within his head. He was toppling over, already dead, when teh Northman swung his shield into position, and charged, axe ready.
"Unberogen!" He roared, the same cry he'd made at the end of his fight in the arena, the sound louder int he closed space, echoing from bricks. Blood misted int he air as his axe made a few swift motion. Ready for a swift kill, these would be killers were in no way prepared to deal with a barbarian warrior in their midst. It all ended terribly quickly, and with incredible finality. Spattered in the blood of his foes, Northman made his way through the alley, a stab wound on his leg bleeding slowly. He smiled, his teeth stark white against he red on his face. "Seems I was right to keep an eye on you." He mused to the Empress.
 
The six men advanced slowly on the stupid man. His colors told them he was from a neighboring Empire. This could only mean a war in the near future. The soldier in front held up a gloved hand, "let's talk about this." He felt the tap in his shoulder as the others were pointed out. Moving his hand to the hilt of his sword, his face got serious. "You need to let the Empress go, now." Taking another step he suddenly heard the sound of someone landing in the alley with them. His eyes glanced around quickly, in time to see the new Warrior ascend on the man wielding the blade. Even he flinched at the sound of the knife embedding itself into the mans head. Reaching he grabbed the Empress just as the man fell. Turning towards the five others, "get her out now."

By the time he turned back to assist everything was over, in a matter of minutes. He halted the progress of the men, he looked down the alley. As impressed as he was, the man's pride had been bruised. They weren't ready, because nothing had ever happened. The last attack happened when the Emperor still lived and hadn't married his young wife. "I had that covered," he added, a slight bit of disdain to his voice.

Severina still had a hand to her throat, where the blade had rested. She like the rest of them had gotten a little to comfortable with things. It was stupid to come into this alley, but she needed the break from the crowd so badly. Her eyes traveled to him as he spoke, obviously proud at the fat her was right. "Just... get me back to the palace, we do not speak of this." This wasn't the time to give into her own panic. She was a ruler and needed to act as such. "You five clean this up, don't let anyone back here until it is done." Luck was on her side as he came to stand in front of her. Her hand reached out to help support her. As hard as she tried, the panic was rising. Only the Northman could tell how shaken she was, her hands trembled. "Please... get me back now," she spoke in a low voice meant only for him. Her eyes traveled to his face, hoping to the Gods he would do this one thing.
 
"Of course you did. I could see that." He sneered at the guard. This was not a situation for foolish and stupid pride. He shook his head as he came a little closer to the Empress.

Northman noted the look of her, how she was starting to lose it a little. He'd noted that the crowd was not a safe place, it would be easy to fit another pack of killers into the crowd. And that left only one possible route. He slung his shield and stowed his axe, before drawing out a pair of short knives. He swept the Empress up, and slung her arms around his neck. She was hanging from him, entirely on his back.
"Hang on for the moment. THis is the safest way out of here." He said calmly, leaping up at the wall. The knives let him climb as he sank them into wooden places, climbing the building completely. Once he was on the roof, he sheathed the knives, and swung her into his arms. Carrying her before him, he began to run. He'd need speed for this next leg of the journey.

It was leaping from roof to roof, travelling far faster than if they'd been on the ground, being stopped every few paces by well wishers. Each time the building ended, Northman made a leap to the next, making each one easily. The trip was much faster than the one that led her to the party. He took the buildings easily, each one getting smaller as they reached the palace grounds. He set her down near the gate, and led her within. He waned off guards that advanced, leading the way to the main structure.
"Where did you want to go?" He asked her.
 
The six men stared after the barbarian, no body touch the Empress in such a manner. Sev on the other hand didn't care how she got out of here. She held tightly, more so when he began scaling the building. She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to not think of where she was at that very moment. When she felt him finally on some sort of flat surface, she opened them again. If anyone below were to look skyward they would see the strange sight of Northman carrying their beloved ruler across roof tops.

He moved her to carry in his arms, she arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He would make her regret this action she was sure, she didn't care though. The motions jarred her a little until they came to the palace gates. Set on her feet again, she still held onto him for support. When a guard would attempt to approached he would warn them off, and she would come behind, shaking her head at them. A gesture to tell them not to worry. "My room, I'm not going to last much longer," her hands still trembled as she held onto him.

As she asked they made it to her room quickly, when the door closed with a light thud. She dropped to her knees, her breathing fast as the panic took hold. "We haven't had an attack here since the early years of my husbands reighn. Why would it be different now, after four years of doing the job myself." Her mind raced as she thought of who could do this. She hadn't paid attention to the colors the man wore, she probably should have. "There have been letters, but no actual attempts," her words were not directed at anyone in particular. The only one with her was Northman anyway.
 
Northman knew that she was really just thinking aloud. She was in a bad state, since if it was obvious what was coming to him, she must surely know what was about to happen. Assassins didn't come for just removing a ruler. It was almost without exception a prelude to a war. They were going to be coming. And with the policy of expansion that Rome had maintained, the best and brightest of it's military were on the borders. If the enemy came hard and fast, and tehre was no reason to doubt that, Rome would be in trouble. Entire provinces would collapse under the invasion, and it was impossible to know how many of the enemy had already slipped over the lines, and were laying quiet, waiting for the war to start and make trouble. It was not a good situation.

He knew that he should just stay quiet, but he felt as though he needed to speak. It was his barbarian upbringing, and the way his people were ruled. Each person was given arms to bear, a voice to speak, and encouraged to do both.
"Four years. And in that time your people have grown fat and complacent. Look at tonight. You bring in a good harvest, and rather than sotring it for a later date...you squander it on a feast. They see what my peopel see. This empire has become the empire of painted whores and spoiled children. Make no mistake Empress. They will come again. And they will come again soon." He warned. He looked at the room, as though sighting the best places that they could try and force entry. He'd have to see about adding a few surprises from his homeland to the palace.
 
As The Empress regained her composer, the warrior decided his two cents were needed. She clenched her hands into fist for a moment, then released them. Getting back to her feet she calmly straightened her robe. Took a deep breath then turned on him. "You are free to leave Northman if my people disgust you so. I have already explained this to you. You have nothing holding you here, besides a monetary debt." She could feel her pulse beginning to quicken as she got more angry with him. "And we may have become "fat and complacent" to you, but we don't go around raping royalty. We don't feel the need to prove our strengths by forcing ourselves on females, who are by far not as strong." Walking to her small desk, she fished out the contract. "We can burn this here and now, no debt to be paid. I don't need you here, as important as you think you are. Four years my men have protect myself, and countless more before." She stood inches in front of him now, tempted to slap him in the face. It was less then what he deserved, and she would probably just reap the percussion's of the act.

Severina was no weak woman though, and he needed to know this. He may be stronger in body then her, but she could handle just as much as he. Before she knew it she struck him, "don't ever... talk of my people that way."
 
Northman listened to her rant. Freedom. She was offering it. He could walk away from this place. But he also knew it was months and months away from his homeland, adn it would be hard to make it as he was. He needed time. And as long as he was being honest, he'd found that last assassination attempt...fun. It was good to feel the blood on his face again, adn for a reason more than a screaming rabble. But the Empress...she was close to him, her anger and upset a palpable force. And then the blow hit his face. He didn't flinch. It was a good slap to be honest, but he had been hit by much larger peopel with far mroe intent. But he found it...invigorating. Angry like this, he found that he wanted her again. And he had already made his claim before. He saw no reason not to do so again.

He shot his hand up, catching her face firmly, but not enough to bruise her this time.
"Four years they kept you safe when there was naught to save you from. Not really. And now, the first attempt that is made, they blunder it enough to have left you dead on the stones. Six mroe coming from behind you. In a narrow alley. Your people have no idea how to properly fight in such a place." He said to her with an air of contempt. He felt no less for all of her guards at this point. All of them full of themselves on account of status. And for nothing. He looked back at teh desk, and smiled to himself as he saw it was largely cleared off. He half dragged her toward it, pausing beside it to haul her close and plant a rough, fiery kiss on her.
"You're beautiful when you're angry." He told her, pushing her to the desk, and pushing on her to force her to bend over it.
 
She had expected this, as soon as her hand made contact. Her heart raced but not in fear for what ever stupid reason. "It was my mistake, not theirs," she wouldn't let he speak down about her soldiers. Her eyes tried to follow his, but knew where he was going. The smile on his face told her his intentions. It took but a split second for her to return the kiss. His next words actually made her smile just before he roughly pushed her to the desk, Sev gasped. Her hands splayed out on the desk, supporting her weight as she looked back at him. The heat already traveling from her core to her thighs. He would notice quickly she didn't resist him this time around, instead she went so far as to spread her legs slightly for him.
 
He'd been ready to intercept her arm if she'd drawn her weapon. But as she spread her hands ont he desk, he noted that she widened her legs as well. Well well. This was a different development. His hand came around to slap hard on her ass through the robe she wore, before he bent low, undoing his kilt in a single motion. WHile he was low, he swpet his hand up to sweep her robe high, sliding it over her ass, exposing her to him. He smiled, remembering how tightly she wrapped him. And she'd had a few days to recover from him, so he had no doubt that she'd be ready to go.

"You wanted this, didn't you?" He asked smoothly as he sidled up behind her, a hand falling on her shoulder to make sure that she stayed in place while his other hand lined him up with her sex. He rubbed himself against her a few times, teasing her with the imminent penetration. And then with a single, hard and smooth motion, he shoved himself into her. His hips slapped into her ass, adn he groaned, revelling in the feel of what he was experiencing.
 
The Empress bit her lip taking in a sharp breath as his hand came down. Her fingers flex on the surface of the desk. A frustrated moan as she felt he was taking to long. "Yes.." she hissed as he moved closer. Moaning softly as he teased her with, she was wet. Then he thrust hard into her, she cried out, covering her mouth in case the guards were outside the door already. Her body immediately molded to him, squeezing gently on his member.
 
It seemed that it was true, the stories he'd heard. These 'civilized' women just could not get enough of a barbarian. Northman began to pound into her, each hit enough to send the sound of their bodies into the air, adn he smirked as he noted that each one made the desk slide just a little. He was not as restrained as he was last time, less concern about potentially hurting her, since she seemed to be taking this far batter than she had before. He ground his hips into her, swirling within her a moment before resuming his assault on her. A hand went to her shoudlers, shoving the robe off of them, and reaching around to get his rough hands on her breasts. He wanted more of her, to feel more from her. The way she gripped his member with her core, the hot, slick feel of her, it was excellent. But there was always the need for more. He saw the faint mark that he'd left last time with his teeth, and brought his teeth down on the same point, dragging them along. He'd make sure it stuck this time.
 
Her hand still covered her mouth, but each hard thrust created another loud moan. Closer and closer and brought her to that edge, the wave threatening to crash at any given moment. Later she would think on this, why was today different from two days ago. He needed no instruction, he was big enough to touch every button inside her. Not caring if anyone heard her now, she used both hands to keep herself steady. Gasping as he took her breasts in his hand, his teeth finding the still tender spot on her neck. Before she knew it, the wave was crashing over her. Her tight muscles gripped tighter to his member, crying out as the wave took her.
 
Northman loved the way she reacted, loved the feel of this whole thing, loved the sound of her as he ravaged her. He had the option of leaving. He had the thought of bundling her up and carrying her all the way home, a 'civilized' person from teh south to have around to sate himself on nights like this. Of course, he could skip part of the shuffle, and simply stick around until something pressing enough came up that he had to leave. These were the last thoughts of anything besides how she felt that he would have for a time. almost crushing her breasts with teh roughness of his actions, Northman groaned aloud as he felt her contracting around him, unable to hold himself back any longer. He felt himself release, shooting his seed far up into herpulse after pulse of it, before relaxing slightly. He pulled her up tight to him, still massaging her breasts as he did, knowing that she must still be sensitive, and kissed her neck, then wrapped her mouth with his own in a heated release, almost another way of his staking a claim on her.
 
As he hauled her up against him, she panted heavily. Her body shuddered with after shocks of pleasure. Her hand reached up to thread fingers through his hair as he kissed her neck. Then once more her kissed her, she took the kiss as he body began to relax. She was exhausted again, only this time she enjoyed every bit of the events that brought her there. Her body twitched one more time with an after shock. Her breathing still heavy as he crushed her mouth with his.
 
Northman let the kiss linger on for a few more moments, before breaking it off. With a strenge kind of affectionate roughness, he pushed her off of his member, and pulled his kilt from the floor. Well. What did he really say to this? SHe had basically thrown herself into it, not fought him in the least. And that meant...what exactly? It could have been a side effect of being nearly killed in the previous hour. Or maybe somehting else? Gods, it was all too confusing to deal with at the moment. Barbarian women were not subtle creatures, much more aggressive and direct. The Empress was more learned, more wily, and he suspected far more knowledge within her than most assumed.

But she certainly was pleasing to bend over a desk. Or tie to a bed post. He had the thought of fucking her on her balcony, letting the sounds she made carry over the palace. That might be a fun experience to say the least. Else he'd simply find more and mroe enjoyable ways to take her. And after this time, he doubted that she'd object.
"I'll let your guards know they might want to be a little more alert than they usually are." He said idly. "Try to stay out of trouble Empress." He winked at her.
 
Sev stayed bent over the desk for a few extra moments, before letting the robe fall to it's proper place. Her fingers went to the new mark on her neck, she frowned. She would never be able to wear her hair up if he kept doing this. Walking to her wash basin, the Empress cleaned herself up a bit. Then walked to her stand alone closet, dropping the robe she wore to the floor. Pulling another out she slipped it over her shoulders, the pale blue and silver making her dark hair stand out in contrast.

She didn't show it on her face, but she was musing over her own reaction to the warrior. The second time around she accepted him as if she were a female in heat. His rough treatment seemed to wake something in her that had laid dormant for the last four years. Pulling her hair out to cascade once again down her back and over her shoulder, Sev turned to him. "That actually sounds like a good idea, if they tried once they will again." Walking towards her door, she turned again. "You really need to stop biting me, I won't be able to hide the mark forever you know." Opening the door, just in time to see her six guards walking towards her chambers.
 
Northman followed her a little, leaning close just before they left the room.
"But you taste just so good." He whispered to her as they left the room. He had a smile on his face as they exited the room. He saw the guards on approach, and scowled at them. He had the urge to beat all of them without heesitation or mercy, but the Empress seemed fond of them, so he opted to refrain. He strode in front of them, and pushed his way through their formation, shaking his head. If there was to be any hope of keeping things safe, he'd need to talk to some of the guards that might actually know what they were doing. It was time to actually speak to some of these Roman fools.

Northman entered into the office of the current head of the guard. He was an older man, but still looked hale despite his years.
"Northman. Why are you here?" He asked.
"I need information. The Empress was attacked." He answered. The older man nodded, and sat down, folding his hands on his desk.
"What do you need?"
"The best in here. Not the most polite, not the best cultured, simply the best."
"Older men. They served with me."
"In what legion?"
"Praetorian guard." Northman fell silent, staring at the man. The Praetorians were not unknown, even to his people. Elite guardss of the imperial family, they had been disbanded in recent years, when word of plans to murder the emperor came to light. But they had been amongst the finest warriors Roman had ever produced.

"They need to be posted in the palace. Response team to deal with intrusions. I can be in a lot of places, but I'm only one man." Northman informed him. The older man nodded.
"I'll see it done. Try not to injure my men will you?" The guard captain smiled.
"Tell them to get better at their tasks." Both men chuckled, and Northman left, wanting some height and the chill air of the roof.
 
Sev's eyes went wide for just a second, at his comment. Then covered the smile that formed with her hand. "Do stay out of trouble Northman, I like my soldiers in one piece," she said as she watched him push through the six walking towards her chambers. The incident was more her fault then anyone's, she should have known better then to go where her guard couldn't. That didn't not mean she shouldn't reprimand her soldiers though, it would help to make them more alert and careful. "As for you six," her eyes stopped on each one before continuing, "it is not my job to make sure I don't walk into a dangerous situation. I have so much already on my mind, somethings are easily forgotten." So this was all bullshit, in reality she had gotten way to comfortable in these last four years. "If you see a dangerous situation speak up, don't let me walk into it."

The scolding went on for another twenty minutes, before they began walking towards the gardens. She was not ready to be stuck within the palace walls just yet. While venturing outside of the gates didn't sound all too inviting, the gardens were at least surrounded by a large number of soldiers. The sun was not down yet, in fact she had about an hour before it started to set. In the very center of the garden was the large cage of colorful birds he late husband purchased for her. They were boughten from a traveler that had been to the jungle, and cost a large sum of coin to procure. They squawked with in there massive cage, not a sound befitting their beautiful plumage. To the right of that cage was a fountain, one that she enjoyed putting her feet in on such a hot day. Today of course was no different, pulling her robe up to her knees she swung her feet of the side. Sighing as the cool water touched her heated skin.
 
Northman blew out a sigh, looking out over the palace grounds. It had been quite a day. Assassins foiled, an Empress ravished, and somehting like a plan to defend the Empress drafted. And it wasn't yet dark out! This had been one of the mroe eventful days that he'd had since being taken from his homeland. He settled against one of the spires that rose form the palace, and folded his hands behind his head. It was a good time to get a little bit of rest. He might need to be alert later on.

His dozing lasted a few hours, the day meandering along. Northman made his way over to the kitchens, filching a meal from the place and relaxing back on the main roof, this time keeping the Empress in sight. He had the time, and things seemed calm. But he found he couldn't rest easily. Something was wrong. His instincts were aflame. He heaved himself to his feet, and looked at the walls of the palace. High, but not impossible ot climb. He'd proven that. And there it was. Small points that glittered in the fading light. Hooks. People were scaling the walls. Northman made the call that he was going to start carrying a warning horn around with him to alert the guards. As it was, when the first men started to pull themselves over the wall, he drew in a breath, and shouted with everything he had.
"To arms! To arms! They come from teh west!" His voice was loud enough to rattle the glass of the windows near him, and reverberate off the walls clearly. Guards jumped in response, but looked in the direction he had indicated. And the assassins that had been climbing quietly threw caution to the wind, adn scrambled up. One drew out a bow, and fired an arrow at the Empress. It was a long shot, but it still came close, and others dropped into the gardens, rushing towards her, weapons drawn.
 
Resting her chin on her knees Empress Severina dipped her fingers into the water. The cool water felt so nice she could almost fall asleep here. The six guards stood close this time, making her feel a little cramped. "Lady, I do not like you out in the open like this, not with the first attack still so close." The large blonde scanned the area constantly, "I really must insist on retreating back to the palace." She gave a heavy sigh, he was of course right. At any point another attack could come. She lifted her hand for him to help her from the fountain, "very well, you are right. Back to the gloom of...."

He heard the shout an reacted immediately, cutting of the Empresses words. Pulling her by the arm to cover her from the arrow, he wrapped his arms around her. She hadn't heard the slight grunt, her pulse pounding in her own ears. "Take her, get her inside," the blonde said through gritted teeth. The five other ushered her towards the palace. When she was out of sight his hand reached up to his left shoulder. The arrow had sunk itself in a good four inches before it stopped. Lucky for him he fought with the right. Pulling his sword, he charged for the men advancing on them. He managed to take out three before the sword was shoved into his gut. With a sick smile he grabbed the blade slowly pulling it from his body. "You... will have to try.... harder then that... to kill me" he said between breaths. Taking out two more, before he couldn't stand anymore.

Mean while the five kept the Empress closed in, surrounding her completely. Their leader keeping the assassins at bay long enough to get her inside. Rushing her to the throne room, she barred the door from the inside. Each standing at the ready.
 
Northman was sliding down the roof as controlled as he could. He'd need to get into position. The apparent leader of the Empress' personal guard might be somehting of a fool, but he had been willing to make a stand. Still he should have brought a few of his people with him to make a proper fighting withdrawl. Still, he'd bought time. And that was what counted for the most. Northman swore as the oncoming killers unfurled more ropes, and cast them at windows of the palace. They were going to bypass most of the built in defences of the palace, and that would put them nearly on top of the Empress. And most of the guards were on the walls, making sure more didn't come at her. That meant there were very few active defenders right now. Clambering down the walls, using the clumns as handholds, Northman risked a jump.

Thw first assassin climbed to the sill of a window, and smashed it in, glass entering the throne room, and announcing that the barred door meant little. Suddenly struck from the side, the assassin fell to the ground, landing with a sickening crunch. Northman spared a glance to see that the remaining guards were moving back to keep close to the Empress. He leapt again, taking another off of the sill moments before they could drop into the throne room. He looked to see a few men starting to drop inot teh room faster than he could get to them.
"Get her out of there!" He roared to the guards. He let himself fall into the throne room, and unslung his shield. His axe was in hand, as he rushed a pair of men coming towards the Empress. The first fell to a charge from the shield, bones crunching from the hit, and laying him out on the floor. The other fell in two pieces from a heavy blow from the axe, his weapon nowhere near strong enough to resist his assault. THis was getting out of hand. He charged another pair, passing close to a guard. "Take her to her chambers. They're secured better." He said faintly, not wanting his voice to travel too far. THen he was into the next assassins, adn he had no time for anything besides killing.
 
Sev was surrounded by her five guards when the glass came raining down into the throne room. One of the men shielded her from it. Her archers were taking their posts in the alcoves surrounding the room, just as she was ushered towards the door, they didn't need the command he shouted. An assassin found his way to the Empress, reaching out for her. He didn't notice the light glint of the silver blade of her dagger. When he got hold of her arm, he pulled her to him, and the blade sank easily into his gut. His movements stopped as he looked down to where her hand and the dagger were. With gritted teeth Sev with drew the blade, and plunged it into the man again. The body crumpled to the floor, and she was pushed through the doors.

This was just as dangerous, the opposite wall was lined with open archways. She was quickly shoved to the wall, pinned beneath the armored body of one of her men. He shielded her from a surprise attack while the other four took care of the issue. They may not be up to par in Northman's book, but they were actually quite good at their job. When the threat was taken care of, she was scooped up. "I am sorry Lady, but we will get there much faster if I carry you." It was true of course, she wasn't nearly as fast as her men. She never had a reason to be though. Moments later she was set on her feet inside her room. The large bar was slid in place, as the curtains were closed. The glass door would hold nobody out, but if they could keep her location hidden, she might see the light of another day. She let the bloodied dagger slip from her hand to fall to the floor. The front of her robe at a new blood stain where the assassins body had touched hers.

The soldiers took hold of the outside of the palace quickly. The bodies of of lifeless men littered the grounds. Even the towns people had gotten in on the fray. Fiercely loyal to their Empress, they were not about to lose her to to mere thugs. The next move was take hold of the inside, the soldiers ordered the towns people to not enter. Half the men rushed inside, clearing the halls until they reached the throne room.
 
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