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[Character of the Month]

Character of the Month
Sephen de la Braose

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Played by Kai

"Sephen is an intriguing character, who out of prudence,  provides supplies for Miraz, but out of conviction and loyalty, also supplies the Old Narnians.  He has several interesting story lines, which together make him complex and lifelike."
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[Lord Drinian]

OOC: Just because it was the example.

Miraz's Castle
Five Years Ago

Drinian had been standing outside his door for five minutes and Caspian had not emerged from his room. Of course, this may be owing in part to the fact that it was, in fact nearly a half-hour before dawn, but Drinian had finally, upon Caspian's customary teasing, told the boy that if he was going to tease Drinian about waking up at dawn every morning to watch the sunrise--a tradition Drinian had started with his father that he still kept to religiously -- he ought to at the very least see a sunrise sometime.

The young prince, only eleven years old, was a notorious night owl, usually spending nights with Professor Cornelius star gazing from the highest tower. Drinian, by contrast, was an early riser and enjoyed the silence of the mornings before the other nobles had risen. It was only he and the servants who tread softly about the castle. Drinian felt more master of this place at 5 in the morning than any other time.

Once more, Drinian rapped lightly on the door with his knuckle.

[Prince Caspian]

It was impossible to say what exactly drew Caspian from his sleep – but the faint knocking on his door certainly didn’t help him reclaim it. Sitting up, the child ran his fingers through his hair and stared, half asleep and somewhat dazed, towards the door of his room. What time was it? Who was knocking? A glance towards his window informed him that it was hardly even dawn, and he couldn’t have fallen asleep more than three or four hours ago. Whoever it was, they better have a pretty good reason for waking him or Caspian – stubborn little prince that he was – would promptly return to bed.

There was something he was supposed to remember... he felt he was forgetting something. Something about... about what? It was too early to have to remember anything, he thought with some irritation, crawling out of bed. “Just a moment!” He shouted drowsily, knowing he wasn’t going to be disturbing anyone else. Miraz slept like a rock when there wasn’t any danger, and besides, his and his wife’s rooms were far removed from Caspian’s own. And if it was, like he suspected, early morning and not late night then there were probably servants up as well.

Rubbing sleep from his eyes, Caspian quickly changed in the first thing he could spot – which happened to consist of clothing a little too large on him. Actually, quite too large; it hung on his frame as though he was some poor emaciated old man – none of which he was. He looked a mess, but he didn’t care. In fact, it brought him a sort of smug satisfaction.

Pulling open the door, he mustered his most cross expression... only to have it quickly slip away at the sight of his friend. He didn’t look particularly pleased, granted, to be drawn out of bed so early. But Drinian was far more easily forgiven than anyone else. “What?” He asked, yawning. “It’s early.” If they had planned to meet, Caspian had forgotten, and he doubted he would have agreed to any such thing in his right mind anyway. “Can’t this wait until later? When the world is awake?”

((ugh. I tried to keep it shortish. Failed, but tried.))

[Lord Drinian]

Drinian could not help but laugh at his friend's shotty appearance, not even carring at the prince's (feeble) attempt at ill-humour.

"I fear it cannot wait a minute more," Drinian said in a rushed and excited tone, adding with an ironic kind of smile as he once more surveyed Caspian, "my sovereign liege." Being three years older at such an age gave Drinian a full foot in advantage and he took Caspian by the shoulder, turning him out of his room and nudging him into the hall.

"If your majesty will follow me. . ." he said, eyes shining with anticipation. Even Caspian's sourest spirits -- which he had not shown -- could not keep him down.

At some point, Drinian felt a bit guilty, prodding Caspian ahead of him like he was leading a cow to pasture and so with the long and gangly stride of a fourteen year-old, led the way, glancing back every so often to ensure that the prince had not thought better and retreated back to his rooms. "I'm showing you one of my greatest secrets, sire, so it would be best not to rat me out on this." He added, looking at Caspian's feet, "and I hope you can climb in those."

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian dragged his feet, trailing along behind Drinian. “I’m sure it could wait a million minutes more,” Caspian called ahead of him, “in fact, it could wait till tomorrow, or the next day, or the next.” Still, his complaining was good-natured. He’d never admit it, of course, but while Caspian took a great deal of dislike to anyone telling him what to do, he didn’t mind so much with Drinian who was, in his mind, very much a big brother sort of figure. So he stumbled along behind his friend, rubbing at his eyes and trying to keep from falling over. He was still far from awake.

“Yes, yes, I’m following,” he replied with a silly grin as Drinian took yet another look back at him as the older boy hurried on ahead.

“I’m showing you one of my greatest secrets, sire, so it would be best not to rat me out on this.” Coming from anyone else, Caspian might have felt as though he was being patronized. But he didn’t feel that way now, and he fought a grin. “I can climb just fine,” he insisted then, feeling the movement wake him up a little. One final yawn and Caspian was much better off, running his fingers through his hair to get it out of his eyes. “Where are we going anyway? Would my uncle disapprove?” It would be far more fun if it was something Miraz wouldn’t particularly like.

He couldn’t quite manage to keep pace with Drinian, but he did push himself a little harder. “Are we almost there? I’m still half asleep!” Not particularly true, but he wanted to know what was up.

[Lord Drinian]

Prince Caspian was perhaps the sole playmate of his who could take at once his unwavering loyalty and scrutiny. As their future king, Caspian was meant to be a great many things. Drinian expected him to become all he ought.

He also hoped to help. That would be his place in the kingdom.

So as the boy made a face, retorting humourously that he was still following, Drinian laughed lightly and picked up his pace to a light jog. The sky was already greying!

Where are we going anyway? Would my uncle disapprove?"

Drinian laughed again at this, turning to his companion and placing a finger upon his own lips, eyes wide. Miraz certainly would. Drinian was about to risk both their necks. But what a thrill!

Caspian pretened to be ill-humoured about all this; he often did when he was doing something that was not his own idea. Drinian wasn't fooled. He was confident the prince would like it. After all, Drinian never tired of watching the sunrise and he had seen well over two thousand.

They were now at the highest tower's turret. Where Cornelius usually took the prince for his astronomy lessons. After a short climb -- the royal chambers were already situated high in the castle -- Drinian stopped to pause and walked out on to the guard's bastion: the observation deck. But Drinian wasn't done. "Alright, sire!" he called with a gleam in his eye. "It's almost time!"

With this, he peered up at the steep slate of the turret's roof. "Put your foot in here," he said, pointing to the arrow slit and bending on one knee, interlocking his fingers so his hands might be used as a stepping stool for the prince. He'd follow after him, guarding him against any fall. As the prince's arms were not quite as long as Drinian's he might need the extra help, but he certainly wanted nothing in courage and determination.

OOC: I'm imagining them on perhaps the same tower Edmund langs on in Prince Caspian the movie.

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian was growing more and more excited to be following Drinian. The sky was greying but it didn’t seem to bother him anymore. He was more awake than he’d thought he could be so early in the morning and when Drinian motioned for him to quiet at the question of where or not they would have Miraz’s approval, Caspian laughed and brightened considerably. If Miraz wouldn’t like it, it was bound to be fun. Besides, Drinian rarely – if ever – got Caspian to do something that ended up not fun somehow. Unless, of course, the young prince’s uncle was around. But they were both rather different people around his uncle, so that didn’t count.

He knew the halls they passed through, and the tall tower they climbed. And when they were out on the deck where Caspian and his tutor so often studied the stars, Drinian pointed him to the arrow slit and told him to place his foot there. Caspian looked uncertain for a moment, glancing from Drinian’s stance to help him up, then to the slit, and finally up towards what Caspian assumed to be their final stop. Getting up wouldn’t be so bad. It was getting down that might prove troublesome. Nonetheless, the young prince was not the sort to be easily dissuaded, frightened or talked out of whatever he determined himself to do. So he took Drinian’s help with a silly grin and hopped up, beginning to climb.

He was not so reckless as to be careless with his footing – it was a bit of a fall and Miraz would undoubtedly ask questions of Caspian were to “wake up” in the morning with something as severe as a broken arm – or worse. That wasn’t exactly the sort of injury one often got while sleeping and even Caspian wasn’t quick enough to come up with a story explaining that away.

“Why are we climbing this?” He asked, slightly out of breath. He didn’t look down, he kept his eyes on their destination. “Let me guess... ’you’ll find out soon!’.” He laughed softly, still climbing. “I think I’m almost there.”

[Lord Drinian]

OOC: I am having bad posting luck tonight! Another lost post!

IC:
“Let me guess... ’you’ll find out soon!’.”

Drinian at first chuckled before pausing, also hoisting himself up, using the arrow slip as a foothold. Was he really that predictable?

"You are, I think," he called, nearly getting Caspian's foot in his face as he tried to make progress. "Here, sire," he said, shifting himself slightly. "There's a good grip on the edge of the slate. If you to there, you should be able to pull yourself up." Or he could help. He'd not insult the prince's pride though by offering straightaway. Caspian was strong for his age and size. Though it had always been said that Drinian pushed him too hard. . .

Caspian was, mercifully, able to get purchase and Drinian followed him up, clamoring loudly upon the slate roof and perching beside him, his feet tucked beneath him so he did not slide off. "You alright?" he asked before looking out at the grey-blue morning. The forest before them was blue in the early morning's light, pockets of mist and grey between the boughs. They said it was haunted. Drinian said it was glorious.

In anticipation, Drinian turned his head to the east. "We are now," he said, sounding quite proud of himself, "at the highest point of the castle. Possibly the highest point in all Telmar or Narnia. You could not get any higher unless you could fly!" he exulted before frowning, squinting. "I bet you can almost just see the ocean from here. . ."

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian managed to pull himself up, though it was more of a strain than he would have cared to admit. Still, he’d not be proved childish, weak or fearful. Despite the fact that being so high certainly made him a little uneasy, it was still utterly exhilarating. And, when he managed to get himself a good, steady spot to perch, he watched with a grin as Drinian pulled himself up over the edge too. “Yes, I’m fine!” Caspian announced, “though a little out of breath.” This he admitted with a silly grin, shrugging faintly. “Out of breath because I should still be asleep, perhaps.” But any irritation he might have harboured for the early wakeup call was promptly dismissed at the sight before them.

“I’ve never been so high up,” he said rather breathlessly. “Why, I’m sure you nearly could see the ocean!” He wanted to lean forward and get a better look, but he was very much aware of how unfortunate a fall it might be if he tumbled forward a little too much, so he sat stiffly in his spot. Yes, getting down might pose a bit of a problem.

It was astounding to him, to see so much of Narnia – his Narnia – all at once. Pointing towards the forest, Caspian grinned. “You wouldn’t believe all the things that Dr. Cornelius says live in that forest and beyond,” he said. It made him feel so small, really. He might be the heir, he would be the next king one day and all, but could he really rule all of that? “One day, when I’m king,” he declared quite proudly, “I’m going to see all of it, and you’re going to come along with me.” Eleven year old boys thought only of adventure, and nothing of trouble. At least, no trouble they couldn’t handle. And it seemed only logical to him that Drinian would wish to come along on any adventure he might have – because what was more fun that that? “We’ll see for ourselves what’s in those forests, and what’s beyond.”

[Lord Drinian]

"You'll be glad you aren't asleep in a moment," Drinian answered smugly as he offered his hand to the younger boy as he scrambled up onto the roof. When the prince did not seem to need the help, Drinian gave a lopsided smile and rested back on his hands, looking where Caspian pointed.

Caspian spoke next of his tutor's teachings. Drinian was thoughtful a moment. What sort of creatures could live there? "I probably wouldn't," Drinian said, finally. "At least I didn't see anything unusual in there when I went." There was a detectable tone of boasting in his voice, though Drinian did not look directly at Caspian to make it apparent. "What are some of these dread creatures?" he teased.

"Why wait until you're king, Majesty, to see the forest?" he said with a light tone. "Why not this afternoon? If," he said, now looking at the boy, "you have no proper obligations."

This would get Caspian in trouble for sure if it was found out. But Drinian was an explorer at heart with an ambitious mind. He was sure they could think of something between the two of them!

[Prince Caspian]

Caspian grinned, amused by how confident his friend seemed. “Yes, I’m sure I’ll be quite glad,” he  replied, “I cannot think of a time I’ve had cause to doubt anything you’ve said.” He looked out over the forest before them, still astounded by the sight. It was definitely something. He just decided he would be wise not to look down in the way they’d have to go to get back to the observation deck. Climbing up wasn’t so bad, but climbing back to some semblance of safety wasn’t going to be particularly fun.

“Oh they aren’t so very dreaded,” Caspian replied in all seriousness. “Centaurs, fawns, nymphs of all sorts. I’d like very much to see them, if they are, in fact, real.” He shrugged. “But I doubt I’ll have such a chance, prince or king, regardless of what I am.” He turned a rather bright look on Drinian then, incredibly pleased by the suggestion. “Do you have any idea just how much trouble I would get into?” He asked with a grin. “I’d be locked in my room with only bread and water for a week!” That wasn’t completely true – the servants would take pity on him. Or would be bribed. Either way, he wouldn’t be completely stuck.

Glancing back towards the forest, he fought himself. He wanted to, he really did. But it could be an incredibly stupid move. If he was caught.

Then again, his uncle was too old and stupid to catch him.

“Let’s do it,” he said with resolve, looking at Drinian. “I don’t see why not. Maybe we’ll find something interesting.” He couldn’t help but hope! His head was full of the idea of adventure, of finding something out of the ordinary, of proving his tutor right. Of course, they wouldn’t – if there were creatures there, and they’d been hiding successfully for this long, there was no way two young boys were going to find them. Still, it was an idea worth dwelling on. He grinned. “Now what exactly am I watching for?”

[Lord Drinian]

“I cannot think of a time I’ve had cause to doubt anything you’ve said.”

Drinian grinned toothily at this, raising an eyebrow. "This confidence is flattering, sire. And tempting. I shall do my best not to abuse such knowledge." He was silent a moment before adding, "Much." That Drinian would ever willfully deceive -- and maliciously -- Caspian was unthinkable. That he could actually do it was likely impossible. Drinian had skill in oratory and rhetoric, but the ability of artifice was far beyond him. Drinian grew flustered easily when telling a fib; his conscience failing to gel with his ability to think quickly.

Drinian always thought long and hard about possible transgressions and misdeeds he might commit. So much so that when the time came to executing them -- stealing a baked good from his kitchen; telling his mother he had, in fact, seen to daily correspondences before his morning walks -- there were too many thoughts in his head to allow real words to come out. The thoughts in his head -- what he oughtn't to be doing, what he hadn't done, how he hoped to get around it -- would end up coming out instead in the form of a confession.

It was all very vexing to a boy who wished that, for all he was adventurous, he was a bit more wily in order to pull off his mischief.

Caspian now spoke a bit about the creatures in the forests; Drinian's eyebrows raising even further and trying to keep from laughing. "Sire, I hope you will forgive me in saying that the only fawns you are like to see in the forest are the sort we shall eat for dinner as veal." Deer, yes. Goat-men, no. Drinian was unable to keep the mirth from his voice and he chuckled. "I, too, doubt you'll have the chance. Not for lack of exploring, though. But there's only one way, I suppose. We shall have to explore to see if we can find your fun little woodland friends."

He curled his leg beneath his chin, resting it upon his knees as he thought. "After your afternoon tea, I should think, would be a good time. We're supposed to have lessons then, but . . ." He shrugged before smirking even more broadly. "We can convince the Professor that it is 'applied' learning. If he truly has been telling you all that much about it." Drinian would never suggest skipping lessons; far from it. Drinian knew Cornelius to be a valuable ally in shenanigans and petty rebellions that young boys were known to commit from time to time. He'd likely expect a full report at the end of it. It was not so uncommon as to be dangerous, yet not so common as to truly detract from the prince's learning.

A cool breeze ruffled Drinian's curly head of hair and he squinted to the east, towards the forest they were anticipating visiting. In the grey of dawn, the forest looked blue, with pockets of fog lingering between the trees, purpling them.

“Now what exactly am I watching for?”

Drinian shook his head wordlessly and pointed across the forest. "This!" The sky, suddenly, seemed split by a streak of gold on the horizon which began spreading rapidly over the forest treetops, turning all to gold. Even an alighting bird, pressing itself off from the leafy branch of a fir, seemed bathed in light, its black coat singed with solar fire as it gleamed in the sun.

Drinian's face was serene and supremely happy. He had begun watching the sunrise with his father from a young age from the retaining wall of Bernal. Then, when he had left home to study with Caspian and be his companion, he had kept the tradition from homesickness, knowing his father would watch the same sun rise, three days ride away.

And then his father had died. And the sunrises meant more than ever. It was the only time his father ever came to him, and as he felt sun on his hair through the cool of the morning mist, Drinian did all he could not to think of his father too much, in order to keep his eyes from stinging or his nose from reddening.

Usually, he was alone. He enjoyed it most alone. There was no shame there, and it was only he, nature, his father, and the Sun. But to share with Caspian was to share something of him. He wanted him to see. He knew Caspian could not see the same things in the sunrise that Drinian could, but he wondered what he might see through it.