Champion of an Empire, and Guardian of an Empress

[Earthling]

And on the rooftop, opposite of the inn he could in the darkness see the contour of the shooter, lifting up his third prepared crossbow, to aim and shoot the princess as soon as she emerged, which was going to be very soon

[Reaperbones]

Alex found himself wishing he had his bow for this moment. It'd be so easy to pin the figure to the wall with an arrow, but alas he'd just have to use his magic. Alex chanted another lightning bolt spell and directed it at the figure's feet. He wasn't sure he could hit the figure, but if he damaged the ground beneath them, they might fall through the roof. It was either that or he'd light the building on fire and render it unsuitable as a roost.

[Earthling]

Alas, it was dark, and the figure crouched, making it extra hard to aim at it properly, but he missed only by a hairs width and the sudden bright flash sent them stumbling back, leaving the path clear for Yue and the princess to escape. Alex could hear the Champion call out to him from the stables that the horses were ready

[Reaperbones]

Alex stood in the open with his shield up while he spoke. "Move it ladies, I'll meet you there in a minute."
Alex had several purposes for standing in the open. First it made him the biggest target, second it meant he could watch the girls as they traversed to the stables. Most of all though, Alex did not leaving loose ends. Especially ones like these guys. He prepared another lightning spell and aimed this time at the figure. He wanted to end this man's life, and he hadn't even seen their face.

[Earthling]

As he shot his second lightning bolt the assassin fired their own shot, but whilst the bolt was deflected, the lightning bolt wasn't, striking the assailant in the arm, and making them cry out in pain, with a distinctly feminine voice, before they fell off the roof, luckily for them their fall slowed by a tarp, before landing.

Then the Champion and princess on one horse, and Yue on the other rode up to him, Yue nodding towards the fallen shooter "Shall we capture them? Might be good to interrogate?"

[Reaperbones]

Alex heard the feminine voice and watched her fall with a amused smile. He spoke as Yue came up to him on the horse. "Well she did fall for me so it'd be rude to ignore her. I'll go make sure she's not in a fighty mood, you get some rope ready."
Alex walked over to where the assassin landed, already chanting a binding spell, and with his blade ready to strike her down should his spell fail.

[Earthling]

Luckily, it seemed like the spell would not be needed as the girl seemed to have knocked herself unconcious. Upon closer inspection she was young, and fit. Her traits, and skill with the crossbow suggesting she was either from the south-west of the empire, or the southern dominion of Nakara. She didn't seem to be bleeding, though her arm was pretty badly burnt.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

[Reaperbones]

Alex knelt down by the bandit girl. He took her burnt arm in his hand and channeled some healing magic into it. He wanted to try to remove the burns or at least lessen their impact. When Yue arrived with the horse he picked the girl up and handed her to Yue. Once she was secure and leaned against Yue's front, Alex climbed on in front of the two. He spoke as he took the reins. "Try not to have too much fun with our bandit sandwich here, Yue. I'm thinking of handing her over to the Empress as a potential maid slave for her crimes. She'd look cute in the outfit I think."

[Earthling]

"Heh, maybe." Yue smirked, wrapping her arms around the bandit girl and Alex both.

The two horses dashed across the streets until they arrived at the western drawbridge of the Palace, the grand gate was closed however when suddenly a guard patrolling the walls behind the moat saw the group and called out "Who stands there?!"

[Reaperbones]

Alex saw the guard and heard him shout. He contemplated making a rude retoort, but opted for a more appropriate response. "Alex and Yue of the Dragon Guard. We have important guests, open the gate now."
Alex didn't care to identify the princess and champion. It seemed as if they were only willing to trust the Dragon Guard, and Alex planned on keeping their entrance as low profile as possible.

[Earthling]

"Out late are you?!" the guard called out before turning to call down to the gatemen to lower the drawbridge and open the gates, eventually letting the five in. And on the courtyard beyond it, the guardsman, a fellow member of the Dragon Guard, waited for them. Glancing at the princess and her champion he asked "Who are they?" and looking at the unconscious girl "And who is she?"

[Reaperbones]

Alex slid off the horse as the gate opened. He walked it across the bridge and listened to the Dragon Guard. He spoke after a second of thought. "Just some problem children that need to see the Empress. Could you gather all the Companions for me? We'll meet them in the throne room. Just need to drop off these horses."
Alex continued to walk the horse towards the stable. Barring any interruptions, he'd then carry the captive bandit and guide the princess to the throne room. He wanted to keep this meeting as private as possible. Only Companions and the Empress should know what's going on.

[Earthling]

"Uhh... I'm not sure if the Honored Empress would appreciate being awoken at this hour... But I will see what I can do, I can't promise anything though." The guard sighed, before hurrying on his way, the sound of his heavy armor slowly fading away.

Soon enough the thirteen Companions were gathered in the lavish and enormous throne room, a true symbol of the Empress's might and authority over the world. Many of the warriors were still in their night clothes, glaring at Alex and Yue, and those that came with them, wondering what could be so important.
It was then the young and gorgeous Empress appeared, from the doors behind the great throne, and still wearing her light night robes, and a slightly irritable expression on her otherwise beautiful face. Her black hair, long enough to almost reach the floor was tied into a loose ponytail and stood in stark contrast to her milky pale, almost porcelain skin, her dark brown eyes intense and filled with intelligence, her bosom heavy, and waist thin.

As soon as she appeared everyone in the room kneeled and bowed their heads deep as she took her place on the throne, and gestured for them to rise.
"Honored Princess Alanya, Honored Sir Alex, Honored Dame Yue." She nods in greetings at the trio "Explain to me why you have called us all here... And why there's an unconscious girl tied up before us. We presume it has to do with your mission?"

[Reaperbones]

Alex gave all the Companion and cheerful smile when they were all gathered. When the Empress entered, Alex was one of the first kneeling. His romantic love for the Empress was known to the other Companions although he was never sure if the Empress knew. He rose when she asked her question. He spoke with his arms behind his back. "Me and my partner Yue have been given evidence by the Princess here of a conspiracy against you, Honored Empress. Were it just the usual overzealous spy or assassination plot, I would have just handled it discreetly, but the Honored Princess asked me a question when we first met. She was worried I was Magistrate and not Dragon Guard. I do not believe this plot to be a minor incursion. I have not had the chance to gather the Honored Princess' story so I believe now would be a good time. Milady if you would?"
Alex gestured for the Princess to come forward and speak. He stepped back and amongst the other Companions.

[Earthling]

The young princess Alanya took a moment to gather her courage before speaking up "For a while now my eldest brother have been acting anxiously, and recently I found out why." She reached into her pouch and produced a bunch of letters which Lord Fu-Ren, most Senior of the Companions and the Commander of the entire Celestial Dragon Guard, stepped forth to receive, starting to look through them as the princess began to speak again.
"He appears to have been receiving letters from someone in the Ministry of Justice, pushing for him to try to raise a rebellion against our Honored Empress, at the threat of them exposing some kind of secret of his if they refused."
The Empress sat quietly on her throne, pondering "I see... What claim does he have?"
"Well..." Alanya continued "His mother was one of your aunts, wedded to my father by yours as a reward for his diligent service."

[Reaperbones]

Alex listened to the Princess with a frown. He spoke allowed with a grumpy tone. "Why is it that people think that having a tiny bit of relation to the Emperor makes them worthy of the throne? Our Honored Empress has ran this Empire for eight years with excellent results, why betray her and start a rebellion and cost lives!?"
Alex caught his voice rising in volume and blushed. He spoke in a calm voice. "Sorry I got...excited and spoke out of turn."

[Earthling]

The Empress sighed and waved her hand, dismissing his outburst as a non-issue "They probably desire for him to become a puppet that will line their pockets, using that secret of his they apparently know of." The Empress glanced at the Commander of the Dragon Guard "Honored Lord Fu-Ren... Do the letters say anything if the Prince has accepted their offer?"
The older man shook his head in response "Well, judging from the letters, it seems that he is resistant. But I will read through them tonight."
"Excellent. Now... Honored Dame Yue, Honored Sir Alex. Explain who this girl is." The Empress nodded at the unconscious assassin on the floor

[Reaperbones]

Alex looked at Fu-Ren as he spoke about the letters. Another long night for the boss. Alex spoke up to his leader. "Sir, I'll take your morning patrols so you can sleep in since I doubt you'll get much sleep tonight."
The Empress asked Alex about the girl and he gave her a warm smile. "She is the skilled marksmen that nearly put a bolt in me. She and quite a few others decided to attack us at the Inn, but specifically they were there for Dragon Guards. I'm willing to bet that her boss is knows something he shouldn't, and she's our best link. Now we could torture the poor girl who's probably suffered a lot in her life, or maybe we could offer her a better life. My Honored Empress, I believe this girl would look nice in a Maid's dress, what do you think?"

[Earthling]

And for the faintest moment there were a smirk from the Empress "Very well, take her to the interrogation room, convince her and try to figure out what she knows. If she accepts, I want you to present my newest maid to me tomorrow morning. Everyone else, dismissed. Go to sleep."
And so the Companions began to scatter, and the Empress rose from her throne, though she gave one last command to Fu-Ren before she retreated back towards her bedchamber "Make sure to strike Alex from tomorrows patrol schedule. He too deserves some time off."

Yawning Yue stretched her arms above her head "Well, have fun! Don't go too hard on the poor lass, alright?!" She chuckled as she lightly punched his arm "I'm gonna go find me a bottle of wine and go to bed! Soft, comfortable beds~!"

[Reaperbones]

Alex watched the Empress as she left. Every movement she made was noted in Alex's mind. He hadn't risked staring at her when she had entered, but now as she left he risked being caught by her. Everything about her stole his heart and eyes. Once she was gone and he heard Yue, he answered. "Oh no you don't, you owe me ten gold. You coming with me, I need a pretty face to reduce the intimidation factor. Now come partner."
Alex picked up the unconscious girl and looked at Yue, waiting for her argument to his demand.