Captain Blake's Home Archive

Blake stared at Camilla, he was at a loss. Her anger, her frustration, it was absolutely understandable. Yet he couldn't fathom it. He had never, could never be in her situation. The only person he had seen that burned with such hate had been Bella. His sister had been wracked with grief and rage, after the terrorist Ukufa had stolen her steed. Since the man had been brought to justice, Bella had been barely more than a shadow of herself. Was that Camilla's fate? To burn with rage until it consumed her and Zephidel, only to burn out when she was done. The thought saddened him, yet what could he do?

"I can only guess at the depths of your suffering my lady. Still I know King Renaux, not well but I served with him. He doesn't strike me as the sort to sit idly by well people suffer. Even if they are not his own. I suggest gathering your strength, and recovering. I believe he will aid you in retaking your kingdom, and I do not think he will deny you the chance to fight. I'm the mean time, would you like me to arrange an excursion to the Floêt woods? Though you must travel with escort, you do not need to stay cooped up here all the time."

Blake goes and plops down next to Camilla. Technically this was improper, but something had occurred to him. He was the closest thing this woman had to a friend. Station be damned, he wouldn't treat her like a stranger. If she accused him of taking liberties, he would return to propriety. For now though he would continue as he had in the past.

"Nobody likes feeling helpless. Just don't forget you have power. Just by being alive you are a threat to Goraia. The longer we keep you that way, the bigger a threat you will be. You may not be able to do anything now, but give it a few weeks and months... You can become a force. Anyway we can arrange a trip to the forest as early as tomorrow. Would you like to go?"

Hmm a trip into The Forêt Woods, should be fun. Maybe he would arrange for a picnic. He could bring the family, should help distract from the guards. He doesn't comment on the broodmare statement. It was an unfortunate truth. Renaux was the king and he was being pressured into finding a new wife. Arianne hadn't even been missing for a year, yet they forced him to host a ball. The thought disgusted him. Too many were too focused on maintaining and expanding there power. Hurting good and honest people in the process. He sits in silence as she works, and then her question comes. His expression turns to one of bafflement. What did she mean why did he help her?

"Camilla, I just did what any good man would do. What kind of monster would have left you there to die? I do not know, and for that I am glad. You needed help, and I was just fortunate enough to show up in time to give it. I would have done the same for anyone. As to why I continue to help you..."

Blakes shifts a little in his seat. That was a more difficult question.

"I suppose some men would have just turned you over to the state. I just couldn't do it to you. It's just that... I helped bring your boys into this world, one of them even bears my name. It seems rather silly, but I can't help but feel like they are my responsibility. You as well. I feel like it is my duty to help you, so long as you want my help. Again it is silly, but I saved your life. I feel like I should continue to protect it."

Blake chuckled at the thought. Camilla as Renaux ward. It seemed an odd notion, considering how close their ages were. The thought of the king choosing a husband for Camilla. That seemed strange. If the king had such authority over the rightful ruler of Medan... Did that mean that if Renaux freed the country he would control it? Blake set the thought aside. He did not know politics well enough to understand what would happen. He listens to her assessment of their situation. He shrugs, and gives her a rakish smile.

"We are going to have to agree to disagree on this. You can't convince me you don't deserve my help, I doubt I could convince you that you do. Still if you wish to repay me..."

Blake thinks for a long moment, as though seriously considering the topic.

"I will take your friendship. Not many in my station can say they are friends with royalty. It would be quite the feather in my cap."

"What is the Forêt like?"

Blake ponders the question for a moment. Listening to her describe the woods she grew up in. He had a feeling she would enjoy the Forêt.

"The Forêt dominates the center of Gauldin. It is vast, dark and untamed. It is filled with magical creatures, especially fairies. It is a magical place, and it can be quite dangerous. Does that sound appealing... Camilla?"

The captain puts some emphasis on her name. Stressing the lack of a tittle. He is nothing if not obedient to the whims of a lady.

The next morning Camilla would find five people waiting for her. Blake, Bella, Adelai, Faust, and a man she wouldn't recognize. He is large with a friendly smile, and is introduced as Ernst. Another brother, and a local blacksmith. Blake, Faust, and Ernst are carrying backpacks. The plan being to have a good hike, and picnic. Blake leads the party outside where a carriage awaits.

<Exit to the Foret Woods.>

"You know, if you wanted to avoid me you could get a room in the palace."

Blake voice has a certain teasing quality as he settles near Camilla. He has his own trowel and he set about assisting her. When you grew up poor you learned how to do many things. He knew how to tend to a garden, how to sew, how to cook, and how to clean. Life skills like that stayed with you. It had been many years since he had to do many of those things himself, but he remembers how. As he continues to work he continues to speak.

"Not that I want you to go. Just that if my presence really makes you that uncomfortable you can go. I would understand."

Blake had been focused on his own little task when Camilla stopped working. He turned to hear what she had to say and found out it wasn't much. Blake eyes shot open wide when she kissed him. The intrepid captain wasn't one to suprised though. He kissed her back, with all the ferocity and passion of a man who had been ignoring his own desires for too long. When the kiss finally ended he was left a bit breathless. Damn but she knew what she was doing.

"Forgive you? I suppose I can that kiss was certainly worth getting ignored for. Still gotta wonder what happens next."

"Camilla in the forest, you told me to forget all the reasons I had to not want this. I did I stopped viewing you as a princess and as a widow. So here is my response."

With that Black grabs her by the shoulders and spins her to face him. This time he kisses her. It is a gentle kiss, a tender kiss, a loving kiss. It doesn't last long, only long enough to say what needed to be said. When he breaks the kiss he stares into her eyes.

"That's my choice. Don't ask me to make yours. If you go to the palace then it's because you want to. Not because I told you to go. I would understand why."

He releases her shoulders and takes a step back. Then he begins to walk back to the house. Let her make her choice without the pressure of his presence.