Isabella Dryse looked over her shoulder at the orphanage where she had spent most of her young life supporting and caring for those poor children who were either abandoned or who's parents had passed away. Her father had never approved, but had allowed her indulgence because it kept a smile on the otherwise dour girl's face. She gave the orphans a wistful smile and a final farewell, from what vitriol her father had mouthed about the northern barbarians she doubted her husband to be would allow her such fancies.

Her heart was heavy with sorrow but had accepted her fate long ago, she had grown up watching her sisters married off one by one for political gain. A small part of her rejoiced that at least she would be free of her father's tyranical rule, he was a man driven and consumed by hate, every trouble that had befallen the Reavar's was laid at the feet of the Provincial Lord of Schwarzwald. Behind the bribes and political games was a failing province, the damage they had suffered at the hands of Arturias Black had drained their coffers and a large portion of arable land had been transformed into a wastland in his revenge. Several years of drought combined with peasant revolts had destroyed their once booming cotton textile industry, only their rich fur trade and fishing industries coupled with near crippling taxation was keeping their family at the fore front of the courts.

There was nothing she could do for the suffering of the people whom they were meant to protect, her only comfort was that at the very least her marriage would prevent another outburst of hostilities between their families.

Count Dryse gritted his teeth in anger as he watched his daughter step onto the carriage that would carry her off to Blackwood hall to meet her future husband. Just the thought of losing her to that dog of a barbarous bastard made his blood boil, but prehaps there was a silver lining, a thought crossed his mind splitting his face with a disgusting depraved smile. Already a number of ideas crossed his mind, it would not be difficult to pay bandits to waylay her carriage within Arrianus's territory. His reputation would take a serious hit if he was unable to defend his bride to be inside of his own territory, it was a brash and bold idea, too brash. A more damaging more subtle touch would be required, Schwarzwald was a provice rich in untapped resources with miles upon miles of untamed land waiting to be ravaged by a more enterprising mind. He would be far better suited to rule over such a land, better than those barbarians from the north, even if the blood of Tiber flowed in their veins they were naught but monsters in his eyes.

He had been but a boy when Arturias' undead horde swept through the land, but every night his sleep was plauged by the nightmarish hell that had been unleashed upon them. Villages and towns would be swept clear of life only to have those who died rise up again as twisted mangled husks of their former selves. Images of his mother and aunt being torn apart by peasants driven insane by the madness of it all still haunted him, when it was quiet he could still hear the pained screams and horrible wails of the dead and dying. Arrianus would pay for his grandfather's crimes even if he destroyed himself in the process.

Arrianus paced back and forth in his tent with a mixture of apprehension and annoyance, if he knew that he was going to be forced into marrying the daughter of a Reavar he would have accepted any number of the women his friends and father had tried to foist upon him. The reason for turning down so many beautiful and wealthy maidens seemed foolish now, his love for Ethenriel was just that, they could never be wed. Just as he had his own political circumstances she too had her's, he always had the feeling that what ever had caused a lady of the elven nobility to flee their homeland had to be terribly unpleasant. It was not in his nature to keep a woman waiting, however he could not simply ride acoss the border with a contingent of his men with out rekindling hostilities.

"Sit down love, if you keep that up we'll re-soling your boots before we reach home" Ethenriel teased. Arrianus sighed knowing full well that she was right, he was uselessly winding himself up. "My Lord, carriage on the horizon" a voice called. "Alright, have the men break camp and prepare to recieve our charge, I want every man sadled before they arive" he called out. Long delicate arms wrapped around him from behind and soft lips brushed his ear, "I haven't seen you this on edge since you faced down that basilisk" she cooed calming him down. "I know love, can't help it, I'm still not convinced that Dryse won't find some excuse to try and kill me" he sighed.

The wolf's head banner and thirty fully armed and armored knights with Arrianus at the head greeted a mere handful of knights flying the raven banner of Reavar and lady Isabella's carriage. Seeing the difference in their forces had put Reavar's men on edge, Arrianus was taken aback by Dryse's apparent lack of care for his daughter's life. Arrianus rode ahead carrying the white banner of peace, it wasn't long before a rider from Dryse's men came forth.

"I am Arrianus Black, Duke of Schwarzwald come to escort the lady Isabella, I was expecting Count Dryse, name yourself" he stated whilst furrowing his brow at the rider. "I am Tarvell Erendar third son of Baron Erendar, captain of these men, forgime me my lord, I was not expecting a proper escort, Count Dryse sends his regards and apologizes for his absence. The count is busy dealing with a peasant revolt" the man replied with a respectful bow of his head. Arrianus could tell that the man did not believe the words that he was being forced to espouse, Dryse was deliberately insulting him by not escorting his daughter himself. "I see, that is a shame, you and your men are welcome to join us in escorting the lady to Blackwood hall that you may see her safe with your own hands" Arrianus replied. "It would be an honor to ride with you my lord, I've often heard stories of your adventures" Tarvell replied with another bow. It was a shame to see an honorable young man serving under a lord who cared so little of honor that he would not even escort his own daughter to her future husband's home.

It took several weeks to reach Blackwood hall and though the would soon have to leave and tour each town in Schwarzwald as was customary when a provincial ruler was to be married Isabella was glad to be out of the confines of the carriage. She first met her betrothed when he offered her his hand to step from the carriage, he was a dashingly handsome man with barely a twinge of gray at his temples and a strong jawline. For a man just into his middle ages he was nothing like her father who was sickly and rotund, Arrianus was still a warrior in his prime who lived by the strength of his arms. Only the sight of the woman by his side gave any clue to how such a fine man remained a bachelor, had any of her sisters met her bethrothed they would have seethed with jealously. It was clear to her that the one he loved was the elven woman who's beauty and grace made her feel like a shrew by comparison. It pained her to know that Arrianus was just as much of a pawn in this as herself, still he was a kind and carring gentlman who saw to all of her needs.

Arrianus regarded the girl who only recently had come of age, long auburn hair framed a face that belonged to a prety if sad girl, she reminded him in many ways of a doll. What ever her life had been like had clearly taken a toll on her as she often seemed to be staring lifelessly into the distance. Every day he went out of his way to bring her something of beauty he saw during his morning walks, just to see her smile briefly, it was strange but every time she smiled he felt a twinge of pain in his heart. It was a smile filled with complex emotions, but it was a smile reserved for him, one that let him know that it was not he who caused her such sadness but the world it's self seemed to sadden her. One day he hoped to see her smile a genuinely happy smile.