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Post by Nyte on Oct 29, 2020 12:38:07 GMT -5
Dustin gave a cynical chuckle. "Good thing you don't have to ask me then. I'm going to help for my own selfish reasons so you wont talk me out of it. After that.. you don't have to take me back to the elves. I'll find my own way to live. As you said before, I'm just a mercenary and a human one at that. I'll never be able to live comfortably with those that despise my existence for who and what I am." He rubbed his chin, one again feeling the stubble growth there and giving a small groan in distaste. "I can get us into the palace easily. It's getting out that could be the problem. We'll have to fight our way out and.." He paused as he thought about his next words. "well we'll have to make a trip somewhere else first. Going in as we are currently would prove fatal or worse."
He stood up from the chair at the table and gave a sigh. "Let's get some rest. We can't do anything tonight anyway with those wolves outside. Tomorrow we'll head out and start preparations on this suicidal mission." He gave Rania a small smile thought the expression did not reach his eyes. If only he had been able to avoid his curiosity on why an elf was sneaking into the castle he would have been able to avoid this whole mess. Everything happened for a reason, or so that is what he has been told. Just just hoped the reason this time was for the better rather than for his own damnation.
Walking over to his horse's saddle that lay on the ground he pulled his bedroll from it and spread it out on the ground a short distance from the hearth. At least he would get to sleep easy and be warm tonight. He didn't know when they would get this luxury again so for now he was going to enjoy it. Laying down on his back he folded his hands over his stomach and closed his eyes and let his body relax as the dancing flames next to him slowly warmed his body.
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The following morning Dustin woke long before the sun had risen over the horizon. While Rania slept he got one of his daggers, the sharper of the set, and shaved the stubble from his face. He then managed to catch some quail that hadn't gotten out of their ground nests yet then plucked and dressed them to roast over the fire. He even used some of his seasonings that he carried with him to give the meat a bit more flavor. Once Rania was awake and ready to go they could leave in order to begin their journey to one of his long time friends to see if they could get some help in their venture to save the elven King. He would be calling in a rather large favor but he was hoping that wouldn't deter them.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 29, 2020 13:13:30 GMT -5
Dustin’s chuckle caused Rania to draw in a breath, she looked to him with a bit of worry behind her eyes. For his own reason? What reasons would that be? She looked away from him and stood as he spoke of just being a mercenary, and a human. “Perhaps you are correct.” She spoke as she crossed her arms over her chest, her brows tugged together slightly. Rania wanted terribly to trust this man, but for some reason she just couldn’t bring herself to fully trust him. She watched him as he explained that they were at a disadvantage. Of course they were, if she had realized her father was in the castle she would have freed him first. “If I die trying to do this...” She spoke as she gazed to the man, “There would be no point. My people will fall apart at best. In the very least if they even survive another century...Malrose would lead them forward...but...” She shook her head. “They will not survive.”
Rania watched him as he moved to gather his bed roll. She stepped around him and let out a sigh as she sat upon the bed. Her eyes looked to the mercenary as he drifted off to sleep from the gentle crackle of the flames. The elf pulled her boots from her feet and she removed her daggers from her thighs before she pulled the blanket over her body. She lay staring to the ceiling for several hours before she finally slipped into a slumber. She dreamed of her childhood. Picking flowers in the valley of Alister with her mother. Swordplay with her father. Her laughter carried her through her dreams. She rolled upon her side and had curled slightly, her expression was peaceful. The elf was in such a deep slumber that when morning came and Dustin stirred she didn’t wake. Even to the sound of him leaving the cabin and returning. Rania didn’t wake until the scent of the quail roasting upon the fire caught her attention.
Her eyes cracked open slowly, she lay still as she watched Dustin season the quail and attend to it upon the fire. She stayed like this for several minutes before she finally sat up. She pulled her boots on and strapped her daggers back to her thighs before she stood and pulled her cloak from the rack at the front door. “I must have been sleeping heavily.” She spoke as she came and sat upon the couch near the hearth, her eyes looked to the fire as it licked at the quail. “I didn’t hear you leave, nor return.” She shook her head slightly. That was unlike her. She was first to wake at the sign of any noise.
Rania glanced to the mercenary for a long moment, “Where is it that we will go?” She asked, curious. She almost wondered if she was being led into a trap now. Had he divulged such information only to lead her to the king’s men? Did he plan on capturing her and turning her in for punishment? She would have to remain on her toes until she knew his true nature. The elf looked to the fire a moment before she stood and pulled granola and berries from her pack on the counter. She poured a bit into a bowl and came and sat on the couch. She held the bowl toward him with a soft smile upon her lips. “Still afraid of the berries?” She asked, she placed a bit of a playful tone behind her voice with the question. Some levity was needed in this situation. The air around her was tense. The elf shrugged and withdrew the bowl to munch upon it. “What makes you so certain that we will be able to enter the castle again?” She asked then as her eyes moved back to Dustin.
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Post by Nyte on Oct 29, 2020 13:26:27 GMT -5
When Dustin heard Rania begin to stir he simply glanced over for a moment then turned his attention back to the fire. He would wait for her to gather herself before he tried to begin any sort of conversation. "For a brute I'm rather quiet on my feet when I want to be." He replied to her comment about not hearing him leave. "We're going to go see a friend of mine. She's helped me before when I've gotten into some trouble." He pulled one of the quail from the fire, still skewered on the stick and sat back on his still flat bedroll to eat it. When Rania offered him berries once more he scrunched his nose slightly and shook his head. "When we do get my friend's don't eat the berries she offers." He warned her. "Feel free to have one of the birds. Got plenty for both of us."
He blew on the wing of his own meal before taking a bite, chewed it as he watched the fire dance then sighed as he finished it. "We'll be able to get in because they wont know that we're there.. hopefully. We'll know more when later." He wasn't the best source to ask on the details of his own plane oddly enough. Needing outside help made it where there were several uncertainties that still needed clearing up.
After he had eaten two of the four quail he tossed the sticks that had held them over the fire into the flames to burn and began to pick up his own belongings. He rolled his bed, tied it to his saddle, and strapped his weapons back onto his hips. "You know, if you're not comfortable following my suggestions you don't have to. I really do just want to help free the old elf king, but you're putting a lot of faith into someone you barely know."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 29, 2020 17:25:08 GMT -5
Rania gave a bit of a smirk to Dustin’s comment as she stepped forward. “You’re much less of a brute than I originally believed. It’s all show.” She watched him closely. “At least, that’s what I have come to believe.” She munched on the granola as she looked to the quails upon the fire. She chuckled as he spoke not to eat his friend’s berries. “Oh? Are they poison?” She spoke a bit playfully as she carefully grabbed a quail. “Thank you for this.” She nodded her head to him. “It smells delicious.” She pulled it apart and ate slowly her own eyes gazed to the dancing flames of the fire. His lack of knowledge on the subject worried her. She raised a brow slightly as she glanced to him.
Rania didn’t ask questioned though, not at this point. Her father had said to trust in him. She only hoped that her father was right in assuming that this man before her was doing this for the greater good. The young elf looked up to Dustin from where she sat as she picked apart the quail gingerly. “I’m quite uncomfortable with following anyone’s ordered except that of the gods.” She spoke her emerald eyes focused upon him. “But there’s one thing, if I have learned anything over the years. The gods have interesting ways in intertwining lives. The gods reach out to us silently sometimes.” She stood and gazed to him before she tossed the stick into the fire. “I have learned to trust in the gods. Even if I am uncomfortable. My father stated that you have been placed with me to aid me. I believe the gods have spoke through him.” She crossed her arms slightly a moment as she looked up to Dustin, she stood a bit close to him.
The young elf turned then and took her granola and berries back to her pack before she slung it over her shoulders. “Winter is coming, we shouldn’t waste any time. The mountain passes of Alister will become hard to pass if the winter storms are allowed to come in before we have secured passage.” She placed her hand on the door handle. “I can only hope that Azroth is still alive...but even if your father likes his trophies I highly doubt that he has kept a dragon alive. He could have easily lobbed the head off of him and kept that as his trophy instead.” She stepped from the cabin and clicked her tongue. Rania sucked in a breath, her eyes widened slightly. Blood scattered about the ground. Their horses were no where to be seen. She lifted her fingers to her mouth and whistled. Nothing. A pit formed in her stomach. The wolves. The horses could not out run hungry wolves. She grit her teeth slightly. Depending on how far the travel was...getting there and back to the castle before the first winter storm would prove difficult.
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Post by Nyte on Oct 29, 2020 19:53:19 GMT -5
Dustin shrugged when she voiced her opinion against him thinking of himself as a brute. Though when she asked about the berries he smirked and shook his head. "Sort of. You'll wake up the next day with a fog on your memory and a sinking feeling you did something you shouldn't have." He chuckled at the somewhat unpleasant memory. Luckily for him the night hadn't turned out too bad but it was enough to deter him even now, years later.
"I've learned the gods are too fickle to trust, but we'll see what they have to say on our endeavors as we progress on this little adventure." He lifted his hand and ran his fingers through his hair to get it out of his face. "Let's just hope they're on our side." He had just picked up his saddle and followed Raina outside to find their horses when he smelled the strong metallic scent of blood in the air. Looking at the red stained dirt he felt his stomach sink. In his flight to get to safety he had forgotten to bring the horses inside as well. Surely they would have heard the wolf cries and ran as soon as they sensed the pack near when they were chasing him. If they had gotten away is another story.
"Damnit.." He cursed under his breath and dropped his saddle and tack back to the ground. He placed his fingers to his own lips and gave a loud shrill whistle that echoed through the trees. "That horse of mine is a battle ready horse. He might have gotten away.." though his words were optimistic his tone did not match. A moment later his whistle was finally answered though by a soft whinny as Dustin's horse came trotting up to them from the tree line. Along his side the soft fur was matted with blood from where a wolf had attacked him.
Dustin, relieved to see the animal, walked to meet him. "Well, it's not fatal, but I wont be able to ride him until it heals." He placed a hand against an uninjured part of his horse's shoulder. "We should look around for your horse too."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 29, 2020 20:10:36 GMT -5
Rania had chuckled to his comment about the berries. “You’ll have to tell me the story one day.” She gave a soft smile. As they exited and discovered the blood and missing horses her heart fell. “Perhaps the gods do not approve...” She muttered to herself as she listened to Dustin whistle for his own horse. The young elf watched as his horse came from the trees, though she did not feel the presence of her own horse. Rania closed her eyes and whispered something to herself in elvish. She was quiet for a moment before she reopened her eyes. “This way.” She spoke as she walked into the forest behind the cabin. The young elf looked to the ground where droplets of blood stained the earth.
She quickened her pace as she pushed through a bit of brush. “Gods...” She breathed as she stepped into the clearing passed the bushes. Her horse was ripped to shreds, unable to escape the pack of wolves. Rania fell to her knees at the head of the horse and whispered a prayer in elvish. She sniffled slightly as she stood, that had been her companion for a long time. She’d never had another horse. “We should get moving.” Rania spoke her voice soft as she headed back toward the cabin. The young elf’s breath shuddered slightly. The gods were testing her. They were always testing her. That had been her life, full of tests. She approached Dustin’s horse and looked to the wounds. “I’ve a few herbs, I can make a paste to help heal him.” She spoke, her voice small. She walked back into the cabin and pulled a bowl down. The elf pulled a roll from her backpack that held several vials of dried herbs. She poured a bit of water into the bowl and she began mashing and mixing the herbs together until she had a thick green paste.
Rania packed away her items and pulled her pack upon her back once again before she walked back outside with the bowl in her hands. She walked up to the horse carefully and pat his neck before she gingerly applied the paste to heal him. She placed her hand over the wound and spoke soft elvish words. She stood there for a moment, her eyes glowed lightly. She was not a cleric, but she could perform some level of mending so long as the wounds were not too terrible. She glanced to Dustin and gave a nod. “Your friend’s home?” She asked and tilted her head slightly. “Where is it?”
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Post by Nyte on Oct 31, 2020 21:03:49 GMT -5
Finding Rania's horse spread across the field made Dustin feel all the more guilty for the night before. If only he had lead the wolves away and not towards the cabin. He knew better and was a fool for doing something so selfish. He would need to replace Rania's horse for his mistake, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to find one that would truly match the elven steed. It wasn't until Rania asked about his friend whom they needed to seek help from did he manage to look away from the blood splattered field. "She... uh.. lives at the foot of the mountains to the east. Should only take us a few days to get there from here." He looked to Rania with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry about your horse Rania.. if I can make it up to you.. just let me know."
He sighed and with his horse's would healed considerably from Rania's magic he placed the saddle on its back, loosely strapped it down just enough to keep it from falling off, and held onto the reigns to walk along side his horse with Rania. "I'm sure you'll hear the story of the berries. She loves to tell that one to anyone who will listen and she doesn't get many visitors I'm afraid." He tried to change subjects to bring a bit of levity to the situation.
"Also.. if she says anything.. unsettling or strange to you try not to think about it too much. She often loses touch with the world immediately around her. She'd odd and a bit unruly at times but a good person overall with good intentions." He gave a soft, reassuring smile to Rania as he started to lead the way away from the field and towards the mentioned mountains.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 31, 2020 21:31:52 GMT -5
Rania was clearly trying to hold back tears. She brushed a few away as she looked away from Dustin. “Near Dresdien?” She spoke softly, Rania had a strong knowledge of the geography of the areas surrounding the kingdom. “Just a few days yes...” She nodded and brushed away another tear. When Dustin apologized was when the young elf couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. A sob came over her lips and she paused as she closed her eyes. She held her breath a long moment before she took several deep inhales. “No. No Dustin, don’t speak of it.” She whispered, her voice weak. “If you are able to help me free my father...there is nothing that you must do to make this up. This...happens...this...is something that just….happens.” She spoke through a few sobs that she couldn’t hold back.
The princess turned and began to walk to the east, her boots crunched the dead leaves of fall upon the soil top. She glanced to him and brushed away a few tears as he spoke of his friend and her story of berries. A soft, almost forced smile curved up her lips. “I am certain that it will be an interesting story.” Rania spoke as she looked back ahead. The sunrise was gorgeous this morning, the orange and pink the reached into the skies, chasing away the night stars and the moon. Rania glanced to him once again as they met the path once again. “She sounds like a mage.” She smirked slightly, this intrigued the young elf. “Perhaps she is more my type of being, hm?” She wrapped her cloak around herself and shivered slightly to the crisp morning air.
Rania...do not lose hope... Her father’s voice echoed in her mind.
The elf stumbled slightly in her step, she held a hand to her head and shook her head slightly as she carried on. She fell into silence as she focused on preparing herself to free her father. There was a high chance that she would need to kill in order to pull such a feat off. Something that she had plainly refused to do her entire life. If war had gotten them into this mess. If hatred had stolen magic from her people she did not want to return hatred to the world. She did not want to act as her enemies acted. Though, in this case...she feared that she would have to throw her morals out the window in order to free her father and Azroth.
After several hours they came to the crest of a hill, a small farm village could be seen in the distance, smoke rose from the small cozy homes. Rania’s stomach growled slightly, she held her hand over her abdomen as she glanced to Dustin. “Is there a way around the village? Or do we just traipse through it?” She questioned her emerald eyes looked him over. It was evident that she was trying to trust him. As much as she didn’t want to...her father believed in this man that stood before her. “How often do you visit this friend of yours?” She questioned then as she raised her hood to conceal her ears as they drew closer to the village.
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Post by Nyte on Oct 31, 2020 21:46:12 GMT -5
When Rania began to sob Dustin reached out to touch her shoulder, but withdrew his hand at the last second. They still didn't fully trust each other and he wasn't sure if she would even want him to comfort her. "She is definitely more like you." He agreed quickly though those words seemed to make him think for a moment. Was it odd he only regularly associated with those that were reclusive or distrusting of others? He had his reasons for straying away from the larger cities and populations but why did he prefer others' company over that of average citizens? He shook his own head to rid his mind of such thoughts.
Once the village came into view he was going to say that they should go around, but hearing Rania's stomach growl he changed his mind. "We'll go through. Get some new supplies and then be on our way." He told her. "I'll handle talking to the villagers that way we don't risk anyone noticing your ears under your hood." He felt his coin pouch on his hip. He still had a fair bit of coin on him and could afford the supplies easily.
"I visit her a handful of times a year usually. Bring her reagents she needs from across the continent and she pays me well for them. I, uh.. also help with rituals every now and again." The second part was said a bit quietly. "I saw her a couple of moons ago so this will be one of the shortest times I've been away but I'm sure she wont mind." As they entered the village Dustin's expression became more hardened and he held his head high. He gave off the confidence of a seasoned traveler and as such hardly anyone looked his way.
"Stay out here." He told her as they approached a small shop. "I'll get a few things and be right out. Try not to talk to anyone." He instructed her and headed inside to buy a few necessities.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Nov 1, 2020 8:20:54 GMT -5
Rania was too distracted from her sobs to have noticed that Dustin nearly touched her shoulder. She may have had some sense of warmth that radiated from his hand, but her mind was elsewhere. Dustin’s comment about his friend being more like her caused questions to run through her mind. Had he meant that in a demeaning way? Or perhaps he meant it to cause her to feel more comfortable. The young elf chose not to comment on it, as he had failed to elaborate. Rania glanced to Dustin as they approached the village and he stated that they would go through it, and not around. She drew in a breath and gave a nod. “Supplies would be most helpful.” She nodded slightly. “It wouldn’t be my ears that they would notice first.” She gave a slight smile to him, “It’s usually my accent that gives me away. It’s quite difficult to mask, I haven’t gotten used to the way that humans pronounce certain words.” She shook her head and let out a soft laugh.
Her attention was focused on him as he spoke of his friend when she’d asked. Rania’s emerald eyes gazed over Dustin as he spoke of how frequently he actually visited her. This was good. At least Rania hoped this would be good. Her head tilted slightly as he mentioned rituals, her brow furrowed slightly as she began to wonder just what kind of rituals had he participated in? Was this woman one of the dark magic? Blood magic even? This placed a bit of a pit in her stomach. Those who practiced the dark art of blood magic were dangerous. Rania looked quite troubled in her thoughts as she looked to the small town that they were quickly approaching. Luckily she did not spot the gleaming armor of King Penn’s knights, but she would be sure to keep a lookout. Rania glanced to Dustin as he held his head high, “Don’t look so sure of yourself.” She smirked slightly, though this was a bit of a playful comment.
Rania grasped the reins of Dustin’s horse and gave a nod, “I’ll be fine, Dustin.” She gave a soft smile as she pulled his horse to the side of the shop. She adjusted her cloak hood slightly causing shadows to cascade over her face a bit more. The young elf drew in a long breath as she waited.
“Miss?” A small voice filled her ears. A young boy stood at her side. He tugged slightly upon her cloak. “Miss…” He rubbed at a bit of grime that dirtied his face.
Rania turned her gaze to him, her emerald eyes searched over the child, his clothing was worn and tattered, he had on a pair of shoes but they looked to have holes worn through them. Her jaw loosened slightly as she knelt down, her hand still held carefully upon the reins of the horse. “Young sir?” She gave a soft smile, she did her best to mask her accent, but of course her words still sounded quite different than that of the humans.
“Miss…c-could you help me please, I…I’ve no coin…” The little boy gazed into her eyes, tears welled in his own. “My father died…he…he was a miner…and…my mother…” He shook his head and sniffled slightly. He stepped forward and threw his arms around her, hugging himself to her tightly.
Rania tensed and straightened slightly as the young boy’s arms were thrown around her. “Uh…I…” She stuttered. She clearly wasn’t sure how to handle this situation. “I…I’ve a coin to spare you child.” She spoke as she gave an uncomfortable pat to his back. She wasn’t much for hugging, especially a stranger. Her jaw was tense. “If you would release me.” Her accent came through thick with that statement.
The little boy withdrew his arms, a bit of a smile curved up his lips. “You’re so beautiful.” He spoke as he gazed into her eyes. “You’re an angel aren’t you? The gods sent you to help me.” He smiled sweetly.
Rania drew her brows together. She wasn’t quite sure what to say to the boy. “The gods act in strange ways.” She finally replied as she pulled a few gold coins from her pouch. She was sure to give him the currency of the kingdom, and not her elvish coin. “There you are.” She gave a gentle smile.
The boy looked to the coins in awe, he grinned and threw his arms around her once again. “Oh thank you, miss!” He hurried off with the coins in his hands.
Rania adjusted her cloak and stood slowly, her eyes followed the boy as he ran down the street. She furrowed her brows slightly as she watched the boy turn around a corner, no longer in her sight. Strange that he did not enter the shop to purchase food. Perhaps there was freshly cooked food down the road, a bowl of grits with a slice of bacon or two. The elf shifted and looked to Dustin’s horse, she pet his nose and gave a gentle smile. “You’re quite the horse aren’t you?” She spoke as she looked into his big brown eyes. She moved around to the side and examined his wound gingerly, she would apply more of her ointment to him the next time they stopped, but it looked as though the wound was healing nicely.
“What’s this then?” A gruff voice spoke.
Rania turned her eyes to see a rough looking man. He looked like a mercenary, he wore a sword upon his hip, he had a few daggers upon his person and black leather armor. He had a scar about his right cheek. The young elf drew in a breath and pat the horse as she cleared her throat slightly.
“What’s such a noble looking lady doing in our fair town?” The man spoke up again with his harsh voice. He stepped forward and moved to look at her a bit closer.
Rania turned her head away from him and took a step back. “I’m certain that my travels are of no business to you, good sir.” She fought to hide her accent.
The man gave a chuckle as he reached forward. “I just want to look at that pretty little face of yours.” He grabbed onto her shoulder.
Rania took a step back from him and brushed his hand from her shoulder. “That’s quite enough.” She spoke her elvish accent bled through. “We are simply passing through.” She stared to him then, her brows furrowed and her emerald eyes focused in on him.
The man gave a horrible grin, his teeth were dirty, a few were missing. “What’s that accent then? You’re not from the kingdom are ye?” He chuckled as he stepped forward.
Rania drew her dagger swiftly, her movements were quick as she grasped the man and spun him to press him against the brick of the shop, part of his shoulder pressed against the window. Her dagger pressed against his skin as she gazed up into his eyes. “We are just passing through.” She spoke, she held back her accent the best she could then. “Do not lay another hand upon me.” She released him roughly and took a step back as she slipped her dagger away. "I won't ask again."
The man cackled as he looked to her. “Ohhh I like em with a little spunk.” He grinned as he stepped forward to her. He reached up to her jaw and ran his fingertips along it. “Especially the elvish ones like you.” He smirked as he watched her, his fingertips had a hold of her jaw now, tilting her head back slightly so that he could get a good look at her. “You’re a high born elf, aren’t you? I recognize that jawline, and those eyes. Mhm, you've got the eyes of a noble elf, I'm certain of it. I’d get quite the sack of gold for you, dear.” He chuckled.
Rania clenched her jaw as she tried to think of what to do. She couldn’t ride off on her horse to escape. She didn’t want to make a scene. Using her magic would surely cause a scene. Her heart pounded within her chest. All of her adventure thus far she had easily stayed undetected. She stayed away from the humans, she passed through the towns at night. She never stood still. Not once. This was the problem. She couldn’t stay in one place, people too notice of her and her royal looking clothing. “It would be wise of you to release me.” She spoke as she stared to him. “I’m not what you believe me to be. My accent is from Lutharia. My husband and I are merely passing through. So, if you would please.” The lie was smooth as it came over her lips, as if she’d said it a thousand times. She did not look away from him, she knew better than to show weakness. She heard the jingle of the door and she prayed that it was Dustin.
“Mister…” The young boy spoke as he looked up to the two. He had a roll of bread in his hands. “Mister don’t hurt her…she’s a good lady…” The boy begged his big eyes looked over Rania. “She helped me…no one else will help me…” He stepped forward and pushed the man back gently. “She’s not a bad person mister…you…you hunt the bad people, she’s not bad.” The child glanced to Rania and then back to the man whom still held firmly to her jaw. "I'll give you my only gold coin, mister...please don't hurt her." The boy begged, he hugged himself to Rania's hips then. Rania placed a hand upon the boy's back, her other still held the reins of Dustin's horse. Her breathing shook slightly as she stared into the man's eyes.
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Post by Nyte on Nov 1, 2020 12:02:17 GMT -5
While inside the shop Dustin placed an order with the shop keep for some rations and a couple bottles of wine. While he waited he walked around the shop and picked up some other supplies they might need. They were things he didn't usually carry but figured they might come in handy since they had run into a couple of problems already in their travels. He was also going to see about buying another horse for Rania while they were here as it would greatly increase their travel speed.
The shop keep did not seem to be in a hurry and was taking a good while. So when he finally finished and Dustin was able to pay he did so quickly and headed out to join Rania outside once more. Rounding the corner he heard the yelling of a child and saw the hulking figure of a man in front of Rania. He was standing far to close in order to simply be having a conversation. So Dustin dropped his packages and stepped up behind the individual. "Can we help you?" Dustin asked in a demanding tone.
The man glanced over his shoulder, seemingly annoyed that he was interrupted, but when he saw Dustin's face a smile curled his lips upward and he released his hold on Rania to turn and face Dustin. "Well well well, I haven't seen the likes of you in ages. How's hunting?" He asked with a chuckle and hooked his thumbs in his belt. "You married now? This little lady says she was waiting for her husband. Didn't take you to be the marrying type."
"Dustin knew this man as well and his posture relaxed, slightly, though when he mentioned that Rania was waiting for her husband he nearly gave a confused expression. "Not many women willing to travel with and do this sort of work. Figured I'd marry her while I had the chance." Dustin responded without missing a beat. "Road gets lonely you know."
"Aye, that it does." The man replied and glanced back to Rania and the small boy who held onto her hips. "Shame she's taken. Was looking forward to a night with this one. Unless.. you're willing to loan her to me."
Dustin frowned at the inquiry. "No, I don't whore out my wife." He replied and picked up his packages. "Go to the next town over. If memory serves they have some good looking wenches there." With packages in hand he pushed past the man and stepped up to the side of his horse to pack his things away. This also placed himself between Rania and the man to obscure his view from her a little more.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Nov 1, 2020 12:30:08 GMT -5
Rania’s eyes caught Dustin as he rounded the corner, a pleading look in her eyes. When the man finally released his grip upon Rania’s jaw she rubbed it slightly, her face full of disgust. His hands were filthy. The small child still hugged to her. Rania looked to the boy with soft sad eyes, there was nothing she could do for him. Her eyes lifted to Dustin once more as she listened to the two converse. Her eyes caught Dustin’s as the man questioned about marriage. A soft sigh of relief came over her lips as Dustin seamlessly went along with her lie. At least he was a handsome man, it wouldn’t be hard to believe he could snag a beautiful woman like herself.
The young elf cleared her throat as the stranger asked to borrow her. She scoffed slightly. Disgusting. The child had released her hips by that time and was gazing up to her and looking to the two men as well. “I’ve got that darling.” Rania spoke she ran her fingertips along Dustin’s back in a loving manner as she took the packages and began loading the items into the saddle bags of the horse. “You can get caught up with your friend there.” She gave a smirk before she looked back to the bags to organize them.
The mercenary grinned as he looked at the two. “She’s a beaut.” He spoke and tilted his head slightly. “Ah ye did good boy.” He clapped his hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t find her sooner.” He winked to Rania whom made a bit of a disgusted sound before she moved around to the other side of the horse. She was making sure that the saddle bags were perfectly even. “Well, I ought to have me a look in the next town over, eh?” He mercenary elbowed Dustin playfully. “Perhaps I could get a lucky as you.” He started walking, his eyes stayed upon Rania. “Have a good trip.” He grinned before he turned and walked away.
Rania let out a heavy breath, though she found that the little boy hugged to her once again. Her eyes held sadness as she knelt down to the child once again. “Thank you.” She spoke softly. “You’ve very brave.” She searched the boy’s eyes.
“I couldn’t let him hurt you.” He spoke before he hugged onto her tightly. “My mother was an elf like you.” He whispered into her ear. “My father cut my ears…to hide me…” He sniffled slightly as he mentioned it. “The king’s guard…they took my mother and…they burned her in the center of the town.” His voice was still low as he spoke. He finally released her after a moment. “You…are the only person to show me any mercy.” He glanced to Dustin with sad eyes.
Rania drew in a breath as she remained knelt before the child. “Dustin…” She spoke, her brows furrowed slightly. She lifted her eyes to look to Dustin and she shook her head. “I cannot leave him.” She spoke as she ran her fingertips over his cut ears. She could tell his father had taken hot iron to his ears when he was quite young. “He is not safe here.” She looked back to the child. “What is your name?” She asked softly.
“Leon.” The boy spoke, “My father’s name…my mother was Ilawen.”
Rania stopped as the mother’s name was mentioned. She remembered Ilawen very well from her childhood. She wasn’t much older than Rania. She remembered Ilawen was one of the scouts of the village, she’d disappeared. She must have fallen in love with the human. That was the explanation. Rania tried to remember if Ilawen had mentioned anything, but she was so young the last she saw the elf. “I knew your mother.” She whispered softly. She looked to Dustin. “I must arrange for a scout to aid this boy to safety.” She spoke as she turned and looked to him. “No need to worry any more Leon, I will take care of you.” She gave a soft smile as she knelt down once more. “I am Rania Faelyn.”
Leon’s eyes widened slightly, he knew her name that was evident in his reaction. “Oh I knew you were special when I saw you!” He exclaimed before he hugged himself to her. “Mother spoke of you often!” He giggled slightly before he looked up to Dustin.
Rania drew in a breath, “Where do you suppose we will stop? I can arrange for a scout to meet with me…” She looked up from her knelt position to Dustin. There was no way the elf would allow one of her people to continue to live in harms way. It was only a matter of time before a human accused him of being an elf.
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Post by Nyte on Nov 1, 2020 13:00:32 GMT -5
When Rania touched Dustin's back he felt his muscles twitch underneath his vest. He was tense and the soft touch was just enough for him to feel through his clothes. Then there was the endearing way that Rania referred to him when she spoke to further send the message home that they were married. All-in-all it was a very strange interaction with his fellow mercenary. Luckily for them their ruse seemed to actually fool the man too, and when he finally walked off, apparently set to follow Dustin's advice, Dustin took a deep breath and exhaled as he looked back to Rania and the boy.
Listening to the boy's plea and who his parents were was heartbreaking, but the world was cruel and there were orphaned kids all over the kingdom. Some where fortunate enough to find extended family to take them in others were like this one and forced to roam the streets and often turn to theft to survive.
"You want to take him with us?" Dustin asked, a bit surprised. They were probably being hunted themselves and she wanted to take the boy along? Though if they could meet up with an elven scout and pass him off.. that would be a bit better. That was a whole other mess though. Meeting another elf could prove.. trying. Though looking at Rania he had a feeling she wasn't going to take no for an answer so he simply rubbed the back of his neck. "The less time he's with us the better though. We have our own set of problems that he doesn't need to get mixed up in." Dustin agreed. "I'm not going to have one of your scouts meet us at my friend's. Perhaps we can stop at another small town like this along the way, or I think there's a shrine a couple of days away from here that we could take him too. Add a bit of time to our journey though."
He double checked that everything was secured and stopped to stand in front of the small boy who still looked up at him. His face was dirty and his clothes old and tattered. He probably wouldn't have survived the winter in this condition if he hadn't run into the pair. "He needs warmer clothes too." Dustin finally said. "Come on. Let's get him something and then we'll get out of here. We've been here too long as it is."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Nov 1, 2020 14:03:07 GMT -5
“Thank you mister!” The boy hugged onto Dustin and giggled slightly. “I knew the gods sent you to me.” He turned and looked up to Rania.
The elf let out a soft chuckle. “Clothing yes. I’ve the coin. He is my burden to bare. We do not need to divert…” She paused and thought for a long moment. “We should be close enough to Freugaurd…” She led the horse forward. The boy was at her side, gleaming with joy. She led him to a store and glanced to Dustin as she pulled a few coins from her pouch. “Here you are.” She nodded to Leon. “Dustin…could you….?” She questioned as she lifted her emerald eyes to him. “I…” She drew in a breath and glanced around slightly. “Just be quick, hm?” She watched him a long moment.
Rania adjusted the saddle and pulled the paste from her pack. While the two were within the store she carefully changed the dressing upon the horse’s shoulder. She placed her hand over the wound and leaned her forehead against the horse as she whispered the healing spell quietly. Her eyes began to glow, but luckily the way she stood she was hidden. The young elf took a step back after a moment and the horse bobbed its head happily, the wound was nearly healed. Rania lifted her eyes as Dustin and Leon returned. She gave a smile as she looked to the boots and the fine clothing that the boy was wearing. “You look like a little mercenary now.” She smirked slightly and looked up to Dustin. “I just need a moment….” She spoke as she moved and closed her eyes once again.
“What’s she doing?” Leon questioned as he watched Rania whisper something to herself. “Is she okay, mister?” He stepped forward and touched Rania’s hand. Though she stood completely still, her breathing quickened slightly.
Rania stood within a field. Her eyes glanced about. “Malrose.” She spoke as she stepped into the sunlight.
“Rania, you’re well?” Malrose stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. She looked her over and stepped back. “Your father? Have you saved him?”
“I am working on it…the human…I know you do not trust him, but…father believes he will guide me. I trust in the gods Malrose…but…” She paused a moment and drew in a breath. “There is a boy, I need you to have a scout meet us in Freugaurd tonight, west of the city. He’s an elf boy…Ilawen was his mother.” Rania spoke and then jolted slightly. She winced.
“Rania?” Malrose stepped forward and touched her shoulder.
“Wh…where am I?” The little boy’s voice echoed into the ears of the two elves. He stepped forward from the shadows.
Rania had fallen to her knees as she groaned. Malrose stepped forward. “I’ll send a scout dear.” She spoke and then whispered in elvish to break the spell for Rania.
Rania was on her knees, the boy’s hand upon her shoulder. Tears streamed down her cheeks. His magic had sucked him into the realm. She grit her teeth as she returned to the world, her breathing slowed, her head pounded. The little boy fell forward against her, his breaths quick. “Shhh.” Rania soothed. “We…will have to talk about this later, hm?” She lifted him up and placed him upon the horse in the saddle. Rania glanced to Dustin and gave a soft smile. “Shall we?” She spoke and then started forward, her hand still held onto the reigns.
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Post by Nyte on Nov 1, 2020 14:27:06 GMT -5
Taking the boy shopping was a different sort of experience for Dustin. The woman took pity on the dirty child and berated Dustin for letting his "son" get to such a filthy state. Today he had lied about having a wife and now he was being accused of being this boy's father. It was certainly an interesting day. The seamstress made enough snide comments under her breath that Dustin finally had enough. "Ma'am, I didn't know he was this bad until I saw him today. Which is why I'm bringing him here now." Dustin told her. It wasn't a lie of course but that put a whole new spin on the perspective of things for the woman. "Oh, I'm sorry dear." Was all she said and then kept mostly silent until Leon had a full change of clothing on.
When they came back outside Dustin watched as Leon ran up to Rania to show off his new clothes and smiled as he saw the flesh bandaging on his horse's wound. Though when Rania excused herself to perform the dream meeting with other elves Dustin instantly became paranoid that others were looking at them. He moved himself to block anyone's view and waited as patiently as he could for the meeting to end. Then the boy started to act strange as well and he reached to try and grab him away from Rania but it was too late.
Once they had both come back Dustin had a frown on his expression. "Next time wait till we're out of town to do that." He told Rania as she put the boy up into the saddle. He had to check that the saddle was tight enough as well so it didn't roll off the side of his horse while the boy rode. "Will they be sending someone?" Dustin asked as they left the town behind them and continued down the dirt road to the east towards the mountains. "I want to get to our destination before the next full moon. I wont be able to travel that night." She already knew about his ability she might as well know about his curse that came along with it.
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