The Sword And The Sorceress [Jon]

[queenofhearts]

The training grounds.

It was rare that the Queen of Hearts found herself in such a location. The smell of sweat and exhaustion was rampant just as there were an over abundance of overly burly males who seemed to get a delight out of swinging their swords and heavy weaponry at the various training elements around the area. Being a practitioner of magic, Cora had never seen the need to become well versed in the knowledge of weaponry. There was only one ‘weapon’ that Cora had any interest in, and that was the kris dagger that bore the name of the Dark One, and that was solely due to the magical properties which it bore.

What drew Cora to this place was her need of those who understood war and weaponry, someone who understood the tactics of the battlefield. There was a war looming--a war for control of this kingdom they now resided in. Cora had the abilities to create an army of her own--much like she had done in Wonderland, creating an army from a few decks of playing cards she found. Alas, an animated object could not lead her army--no, she needed something that could think, something with a strategic mind.

The magic that had whisked them here had stranded many knights from the homes they served in their original lands. Most of them had taken to training at the grounds; looking for a lead back to those they pledged their allegiance to. Some had taken up as sell-swords, selling their loyalty to the highest bidder. This was what brought the woman here today. She needed to find one of these, someone to command her forces in the field of battle. As much as Cora would like to avoid things coming out to a full out, physical war…she was going to be ready to do so.

Walking through the various tents and sizing up the many muscular individuals, Cora certainly had her pick. Walking through, she tried to find one that would stand out…but they all seemed carbon copies of each other. Sure, they had brute strength, but could they strategize and put her upon the throne? That was the question. No, no…none of these individuals would do! Perhaps she would do better to search at one of the inns and get a lead, maybe then…

It was upon this thought that she noticed someone who didn’t quite fit the mold of all the others training. He was…smaller in size than the rest, only a few inches taller than the Queen of Hearts, still he trained with an energy like few Cora had ever known. She reminded him of her captain of the guard in Wonderland, the individual that led Cora’s armies to victory and gave her control of the realm of Wonderland. This boy…he may just do. He was young, this much Cora would tell from a distance, but sometimes youth was an asset, and perhaps this would be one of those times.

The sorceress got closer to the male when she saw him set his weapon down, as if to take a break. She didn’t want to surprise him, lest she lost a limb, so she spoke from a slight distance. “Good day, warrior.” Cora spoke with a pleasant voice. She had no need to be threatening, instead deciding to utilize the ‘catch more flies with honey’ method she had heard about from others. “Sorry. I was just admiring your skill with a sword…you’re quite talented.”

[Jon Snow]

Jon was training with all the fire in his heart, for all the despair he felt at his lost kingdom. He had been dragged away from Winterfell first, and then the Night Watch. The second had not been by choice. Some strange thing had taken him and brought him here, to this kingdom which was not so warlike as at home, but he still did not like it. He had loyalties to the House Stark, and more importantly lifelong vows to the Watch. The penalty for leaving was death. And he may not have left by choice, but he'd already been spared once, and if that was anything to go on, he could not afford another.

What would they think of him? Would they call him bastard, like the illegitimate he was? Would they hate him for leaving, because they did not understand that he'd been dragged away? He had no way of knowing, no way to communicate with Westeros. And it hurt him, genuinely. He would never see Bran or Arya or Robb or his father again, as far as he knew. He hated this. And Jon was reasonably well-tempered, but right now he needed something to take his emotions out upon. He was lost, confused, angry... all of them at once, he supposed. Why was he here? Why not home, why not with Ghost, his direwolf, and his friends of the Watch?

Frustrated, he swung his sword at this and at that, slicing through hay and slamming into posts. His strength was fueled by his desire to go home, and his hits were powered by anger. After a good hour of this training, he began to feel the setting in of fatigue. Battle-groomed, he may have been, but he grew weary too quickly still. Her had to work on that, no matter what. As he began to replace his blade to its rightful place, he noticed the stare of a woman he had not seen before. He was wary, because her look at first reminded him of Catelyn, who was cold and unloving toward him. But a smile grew on her face and she spoke, causing Jon a great deal of wonder. He did not know what she wanted, but women were rarely out in these parts, especially around all this weaponry. He had to be a gentleman, he supposed.

"Good day, Lady," he answered cordially, approaching her with a stern intrigue on his face. He needed to approach with caution, and he needed to make sure that he knew and understood the people of this realm and its workings before he got into anything. He was not a Stark, perhaps, but his father was a strong man. "Don't mind it," he answered with a charming smile, playing a bit of his own game. "Do you often admire swordsmen's skills?" He laughed. "Jon Snow," he introduced himself, outstretching a hand.

[queenofhearts]

It was good to see that the male was friendly enough. He didn't appear to have a distrustful air about him. Yes, this would work quite nicely in Cora's favor. The more polite he was, the easier it would be for her to play nicely. Contrary to what many have thought, she didn't go into situations with the desire to start hurling magic and ripping hearts out...no, Cora was all about trying to take the diplomatic route when trying to obtain something. She would use her polite words and grace to charm the boy into joining her...just as she had done with Rumplestilskin when she was but a mere miller's daughter, except this time there would be no use of her sexuality. No, those days were long past. Instead perhaps she would flaunt a wealth of gold before his eyes? That would come later...for now she needed to continue measuring up the boy.

As he spoke, Cora sized up the boy. No, he wasn't of their native Enchanted Forest, nor was he a denizen of Wonderland--had that been true, he likely would have knelt before her or fled. He was a stranger. She could be honest with him--or partially honest with him, at least. Extending out her own gloved hand, she returned the handshake. She rarely greeted individuals in such a manner, but she thought it appropriate to do so--he had initiated after all. "Pleasure, Jon."

[/b] Taking back her hand she folded them before her, gracefully.

She quickly thought over his question. No, she didn't come out and watch the fighters very often. She had no desire to watch people sweat and act barbaric. That response however wouldn't do...no, he may find that just a tad insulting. "Oh, not around her no...I can't say that I do." Perhaps she should try and impress him a bit more? As it were, she was nothing more than an older woman speaking with a young male. "In my native land, however, I did enjoy watching those in my guard spar in their training sessions."[/b] Taking a few steps past the boy, she turned back to face him, her lips still pressed together in the signature smile that often adorned her face--some calling it charming, some calling it wicked. "I suppose I'm due for an introduction myself, huh? I am Cora. Queen of a realm known as Wonderland...in that land I was known as the Queen of Hearts--a title my people gave me as it was often said that I carried the hearts of my people with me."[/b] The boy didn't have to know she was speaking in the literal sense. Her clever word play impressed her sometimes. "You really stand out among the other soldiers here. I must ask...do you serve a house, or...perhaps the royal family?"[/b] The second question was one that was of more importance to Cora. While she didn't expect him to be aligned with the Charmings (he wore non of the armor of the royal army), she had to be sure.
[/size][/font][/blockquote]

[Jon Snow]

Jon was almost disappointed. Although this new land was in a lot of ways like Westeros, it was not the same, and especially without his family and comrades, he was feeling alone. He was so strongly attached the Night Watch that he needed them, that he felt inferior and out of place when he wasn't with them. They were his friends, his companions, his comrades and brothers in arms, and he was entirely devoted to them, his life long. They needed him, and he needed them: they were his family, those to whom he was bound by his word.

That was why he hated being here. That was why he was taking all of his anger, frustration, and annoyance out on this training ground. He needed to take it out somewhere, and here was good for both his mind and his physique, good for all of him. It was unfortunate that it came to this but... He then noticed the figure that was watching him, the woman that looked so out of place here, where the knights should have been.

She was looking at him with a measure of analytical intelligence, and he was beginning to grow a bit worried. Her hand met his, and he shook gently, but firmly with the courtesy of a good knight. "I believe it is," he said warily, but his face still showing good pleasure.

He was trying to see what she wanted, and she was not being very clear. Jon didn't know who he could trust here, being the only one from his realm, and the only of the Night Watch that he'd come across in days. She looked like she had some sort of intent, and he was going to figure it out. "Your guard, my lady?" He could not lie; this did rather intrigue him. It took wealth and a hefty sum of loyalty to maintain a guard. She moved away and then turned back, where she could see his head cocked to the side.

Her introduction was regal, was meant to impress he could tell, and he nodded slightly. "Pardon, then. Jon Snow, squire and Steward of the Night Watch. I am a part of my own guard, from the kingdom Westeros. " But he always left out that he was the bastard son of Eddard Stark. That was not particularly an impressive part of who he was. She asked his position and that was it, but he felt the need to partially clarify. "I am, essentially, a protector of my realm. Not a knight, really. But I appreciate your compliments. I did not expect it, my Queen." He bowed to her.