For thieves and kings alike

It were quiet times, now that the winter had finally arrived the roads towards the castle were almost empty. Of course the trading routes had run like they did in the summer, supplying the whole of D’auvignon with foods that couldn’t handle the harsh winter climate and frozen grounds. The snowy landscapes made laid a silent blanket over the wildlife. Many slept through the coldest periods, somewhere in the relatively warm grounds. Navarre was in these months not very attractive to visit, mainly cause of the heavy temperature changes. So that meant for Thriumph he had some calmness settling in, which was all the more danger that came along it. He knew that if he’d weaken, or lose concentration for one moment he would lose his throne, his crown he allowed nobody but himself to have.

After assuring the military status was still the same, Thri decided to leave the castle for a little walk outside. The cold air welcomed him like a wall was he stepped through the door. It always was refreshing to go for a round if it was this cold, it was like the cold had extra oxygen with it, clearing up minds like some kind of magic. It also made good practice for his guards. Well, it wasn’t a very nice thing to do, but that being said, Thri wasn’t a nice man after all. And it was still necessary, the cold was just an extra factor. As the man walked he started to wonder where Rysand would hang out around the gardens. But just as he thought about it the man came around the corner, clearly shocked by meeting anyone outside. With utter ease Thri let his blue eyes glide towards the tightened grip and back to his face. ’Good to see you’re still sharp.’ He said, rather emotionless leaning towards his cold sarcastic edge his voice had. ’Any abnormalities seen outside?’

It was quite deserted around the normally vibrant gardens the castle of D’auvignion had. Normally, Thriumph wasn’t very font of walking in them very often. Especially in the spring and summer, when the flowers had their easy times and bloomed with their colors flaring up the whole landscape around them. The fall was the season he enjoyed more, seeing how the wind took away the leaves from the trees, setting the tone that those easy times were over. And now, in the winter it was maybe the favorite time of Thri, and not just because of the extra oxygen it seemed to give. Even now when the snow had laid a blanket all over the landscape, here in the high north.

’They seem to miss the valuables that the cold has to offer.’ He replied to the mans words. Although the warm had comfort in it, it could make one out of focus, dreaming away at the flames that created that warmth. Thriumph could see the curiosity the man in front of him had, but he seemed to keep the questions to himself. Which didn’t irritate him, which was a good thing. ’I was just taking some fresh air, and I figured you would be somewhere around here.’ He spoke, probably answering to some of  the questions Rys had to him. His voice cold as always, it seemingly was a normal thing he developed over time. ’You can join me in my little round.’ Thri answered, while he started to walk on the same pace he had before, assuming the man would follow.

The gardens were almost too quiet, not a single animal had dared to go out for a little walk. Leaving the white blanket the snow had laid over being untouched. The only footprints around were from his guard, and now his were trailed along. As a cold wind flew by Thri pulled his coat closer to him, refocusing back on de man in front of him. The blonde man was curious, Thri could tell by the hesitant movements, the little spark in his eyes. But he held it within, probably knowing Thriumph wasn’t a man with much words.

He followed his pace continuing his route he usually took. Thri was more outside than anyone expected. Mostly the early mornings or the darkest of the night were the moment he went for a walk. To think without having to speak to anyone that wanted to know what he was doing. Sometimes he even had his secret meetings with those everyone stayed as far away as possible from. But for this time he didn’t mind it too badly his guard tagged along. Still there were a few minutes that silence ruled the air between them. Inevitably Rhysand broke up that with his words. The corners of his mouth went up slightly, walking along his gaze still on the way ahead. ’I believe my brother never truly left.’ He answered, his voice with the same coldness as before. There were a few more moments of silence, as the man discussed with himself if he should go on, on that subject. ’He is a dangerous man,’ His ice blue eyes shortly searched for the man next to him. ’He leaves trails of destruction, manipulation everyone he needs to get what he wants.’ He spoke on, deciding it wouldn’t be a bad thing for his kingsguard to be that more informed.

Even now, now that he had what he and his brother fought over for so long, still the rivalry wasn’t over. And it was questionable if that would ever happen. The funny thing was that he had more alike with his brother than most knew, and many didn’t have to know. It would only bring trouble, Aeron knew, and he knew that as well. ’Do you have any brothers, Rhysand?’ He asked, giving way to his curiosity as well. This could be interesting, and he never went that out of the way.

Thriumph is ice blue eyes gazed sideways to his kingsguard. He wasn’t a king that needed much support form his guards, they were mostly there to comfort the little things. But Rhysand was in his closest circle of ‘trust’ and was loaded with more than just the tedious things Thri was too lazy to do himself. He had more responsibility, needed to be capable to act in any situation, at any time, to protect him, the king. Thri saw how sharp the man was, looking at every dark corner they passed in the cold late night stroll.

There was the curious side of Thriumph, that came out every once in a while. Knowing that there was plenty of information he didn’t know that, that could be of value to the man. And since Thriumph strived to know everything, his question wasn’t very unexpected, from his point of view though. The corners of his mouth curled up as he heard he had a little sister. Again he looked at the blond man next to him. ’Then I’d make it very sure she is safe,’ It was more a loose comment rather than a warning nor advice. ’You understand that her safety can be very fragile if someone else would find out.’ The ice blue eyes searched for reaction, any for him to jump into. Maybe this walk would bring him some extra value after all.