Severe Case of De Ja Vu

[Rayl Torien]

The trio's trip had been uneventful. Any bandits that they had met simply watched them from a good distance. They didn't think Gabriel or the other ragged traveler, but when they are in the company of a man in armor atop a large horse, you tend to not want to attack.

They soon left the cold land of Ilia arrived, and were now in the sea of grass that was Sacae...oh Sacae...Rayl had no bad memories of this land of peace...he'd met Persephone, Richter, Sireace, and many other of his friends here, some of whom still lived there. He had heard of a Prophet Incident occurring here, but couldn't possibly imagine why the man would attack an innocent people. Rayl and Gabriel traveled slow as they now had an extra person (Lethinir) and thus could not simply ride all the way to Pherae, and the knight had insisted on carrying their new companion on the back of his horse due to how he'd joined them in the cold of night.

" So tell me my good friend, what are your plans from here?" he addressed the man behind him, looking down to Gabriel on his right, before forward, watching Sacaen plainsmen riding in the distance...they shared such a bond with their horses, similar to Rayl and Elibe's...truly amazing The Horse and The Rider...it was as if they were one being...Rayl shook his head slightly to get out of his daze.

[Lethenir Vanether]

Lethenir began stirring finally. He had been asleep still, and the first thing he noticed upon his awakening was bouncing. He opened his eyes to see that he was on a horse....on the back of a horse. The next thing was that familiar piece of jerky. It was still hanging out of his mouth slightly. Apparently he'd been nibbling and chewing on it during his sleep. He didn't remember a whole lot from last night. He couldn't remember the face of the one who helped him to the fire and gave him food, only that it had happened. He swallowed the last bite of jerky and spoke, "Thank you again for back there. I might have frozen to death if you hadn't been there. My name is Lethenir."

Lethenir hadn't even noticed the fact that Gabriel was with them. Even back at the flames last night he didn't notice. That or he couldn't remember.

[Chelsea Dagger]

Chelsea still had her eyes closed, listening to the feint hoof steps and close to falling asleep. Then her eyes snapped open when she realized the hooves were not just in the distance any more, but heading towards her. As slow as she could, Chelsea drew an arrow from her quiver and moved it to her bow. She calmed herself; nervousness would not allow a good shot. She gave another little smirk. Bandits would never suspect a lone girl would be able to fight them off, and that's how she'd get them.

Something seemed off, though. The hoof speed wasn't picking up like it normally would in an attack, it was even like a normal ride. Maybe she hadn't been spotted yet and surprise is always a good thing. Once they were close enough, she jumped up and in one motion knocked the arrow and aimed at them. That's when she finally spotted her "attackers." At the sight of the knight in full armor, her bow dipped slightly and a confused look came to her face. She had only ever heard of a knight from her father before and to see one of the plains of all places! Visibly shaken, she raised her bow again and asked "Who are you?"

[Rayl Torien]

"That's quite alright, young master Lethenir, it is my duty to help those in need. I am Sir Rayl of Pherae, and this is young Gabriel, a wandering mage." He caught notice of someone up ahead watching them, but paid them no mind for the time being, "Now, where will you be headed, then? You are welcome to travel with me to Pherae-"

"Who are you?"

Rayl turned his head to his left, eying the Sacaen women from beneath his helmet, before smiling politely as ever. First the threatening stance from Gabriel on first meeting, and now this girl? People just didn't seem to trust men in uniform these days...but he let that thought slide away as it was irrelevant," Your hands are shaking, I'm sure that doesn't help you aim for my heart." he removed his helmet while Elibe came to a stop, grazing on the lush grass, not really considering the girl too much of a threat: when you are running from a giant fiery flying lizard, you tend to come out braver towards the little things.

"Do not fret madame we are not your enemy. We are merely passing through to Pherae, I must rendezvous with my Marquess." he wasn't too sure if she knew what a Marquess was (as not many of the plains folk were too focused on the societies of others.) but there was no sense lying to an innocent person.

[Chelsea Dagger]

Chelsea stared at the strange knight. He seemed nice enough and had even taken off his helmet. She had no idea what a 'Marquess' was, but her mother had always said good things of Pherae. Plus, even if he was going to hurt her, she couldn't get through any of that armor and she was shaking too badly to get a headshot. Slowly, she lowered her bow, her eyes still on him. That's when her stomach gave a rumble, causing a blush to spread over her face and her to look down, embarrassed. She needed food and she certainly wasn't getting any leads on her father out here.

She took a breath and looked up at the knight again. "Sir... Knight-guy. You said you were going to Pherae, right? Could I go with you, possibly? I'm not finding what I'm looking for here and..." she looked down again, hating herself for having to bring this up, "I'm kinda out of food..." She looked back up. "I can help you fight if needed, though by the looks of things you're all set..." she said, looking over his armor with a slight look of wonder. "I'm a good shot. I can help." She said, firmly this time, a fiery look in her eyes she had inherited from her father.

[Rayl Torien]

Rayl looked to his new friends, then back to the girl, while listening to what she asked of him. He'd heard he stomach rumble faintly from where he was, a smile still on his face, as he wordlessly took out his bag of jerky," If you wish to join us, you are more than welcome. I am Sir Rayl of Pherae. These are my companions, Gabriel the Mage, and Lethenir." He then held out the jerky bag, expression unchanging," If you wish, you may have some. I always make sure to carry around a surplus of jerky...a favorite of mine, and useful for long treks such as this one, soon coming to an end."

So many lost souls in this world, becoming darker and colder as The Prophet continued his ways...maybe Rayl was a beacon to attract those lost... he met Elibe's gaze and ran a hand down it's mane, then patted it on it's armored side, shifting his shield (right) arm, getting used to moving it about.

[Chelsea Dagger]

Chelsea took the bag of jerky, trying not to look too eager about it and quickly ate a piece. It tasted so good when compared to what she had been eating. When she finished, she looked up again to the knight. "Thank you, Sir... Rayl? I will go with you." She took a deep breath and put on a smile. She still wasn't very comfortable around other people, especially those she didn't know but she'd never find her dad like she was looking now, so she needed to get over it. As she gathered her bag quickly, she hoped that she wouldn't have to talk a lot but figured that probably wouldn't work. And she could do a lot worse for traveling companions than a knight, mage, and... some other guy. With one last look out over the plains, she took her place within the group.

[Lethenir Vanether]

Lethenir didn't make any sudden movements. Sir Rayl had dismounted his horse, so Lethenir hopped off as well. He stood near the horse as it grazed on the tall grasses of the plains. When it seemed settled that this woman wasn't going to start flinging arrows at them, Lethenir relaxed slightly. He then spoke up, "Sir Rayl, I'm afraid I won't be going with you to Pharae. I would like to stay with you all to travel with you, but there is still a great deal I must do in Ilia. I was searching for help, but if you're heading to Pharae then I have no right to ask you to change your course." He turned away from the group and slowly began walking away at this point, headed back towards the mountains that separated Ilia from Sacae.

[Gabriel]

OoC: Moved fast. I'm not quite used to that. XD
"First the threatening stance from Gabriel on first meeting, and now this girl? People just didn't seem to trust men in uniform these days...". On my defense, it was dark. And Gabriel had hid behind a rock.

IC:
Gabriel silently watched the events unfold as they slowly moved through the plains that morning. The new girl seemed as scared as he was when he first "left" Delfia. Besides, Rayl would probably take combat up close. If anything happened, another ranged member would be of help. Specially given his...ability.

"Could we ask your name, girl?"

Gabriel noticed she had omitted her name during her "introduction", whether that had been intentional or not. Suddenly, Lethenir commented that he was to leave towards Ilia again, since he had unresolved matters in the snowy lands.

"This is getting weirder by the minute" he managed to mutter, sighing.

[Chelsea Dagger]

Chelsea rounded to the mage, really looking at him for the first time. Like the knight, he gave off an alright vibe. As she opened her mouth to talk, the other man in the party announce he was leaving. She fell quiet, allowing him to say his peace. After watching him go, she turned back to the mage. "My name is Chelsea. Chelsea Dagger. Call me whatever you wish." She silently hoped they wouldn't ask what she was looking for or why she was out alone on the plains. That would probably lead to pity, and pity she did not want. She looked back up at the sky for a few seconds before asking "Anything else?"

[Rayl Torien]

"If that is your wish, I will not stop you. Regrettably I am late to Pherae as it is, though if I still had time, I'd have assisted you. Fare thee well, Lethenir, and good luck." He watched as the ragged traveler departed, before turning back to the nomadic girl.

Once Chelsea looked upwards, Rayl couldn't help but do so also, wondering if she spotted a bird or something...No, the skies were as clear and beautiful as he remembered them, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath and enjoying the moment, before exhaling," Well then Madame Dagger, might I ask what you plan to do in Pherae? I'm sure I could be of assistance with anything you need once we arrive." He saddled up again, as Elibe raised it's head and shook it's mane, knowing it's rider's intentions at an instant, as he held out a hand," But perhaps we should continue speaking while on the move. Do you need a lift or would you prefer to walk?" the offer being addressed to the either of them.

[Chelsea Dagger]

At Rayl's question, Chelsea hesitated. She had hoped not to reveal her intentions, but the knight had been nothing but kind to her so far. Her mind decided, she spoke. "I'm looking for my father," she said simply. "I don't know if he's in Pherae, but it's worth checking cause I know he's not on the plains. I would have found him by now. He left for the war..." she was surprised to find herself chocking up. She recovered quickly. "I'd like to find him."

When the offer of a ride came up, Chelsea looked to the horse and smiled. It had been far too long since she'd ridden. She walked over to it and gave it a few soft pats. "I'll walk if any other wants to ride, but I'd prefer to ride if I could."

[Rayl Torien]

Elibe gave a mighty snort when Chelsea petted her, obviously hesitant, but since Rayl was trusting of her, the big horse soon relaxed/

"War? What war? have I really missed this much?" He paused here, trying to figure out what was going on, but only came to one conclusion: Kraft. Why would he attack the people of Sacae-

the answer came to him dreadfully too soon for his own comfort: The nomads kept to their own traditions, and the people did not follow St. Elimine's religion. The Self-Proclaimed Prophet must have deemed them to be nothing more than mongrels... he kept his anger inside, though for a fraction of a second you could see his smile fade before returning," I'm sure Gabriel would mind walking, so get on if you wish, I'll help you up." he kept his hand out for her, and looked back up to the sky in wonder: it was a shame they'd be traveling through so quickly: he always loved it here...so peaceful and natural...

...and most importantly: Dragons weren't flying about setting everything on fire like some certain places.

[Chelsea Dagger]

Chelsea gave Rayl a smile as he helped her up onto the horse. She felt at home being on a horse again. She noticed Rayl staring at the sky and looked up again herself. She'd come back once she found her father. But until then, she had to focus. As she looked back down, she noticed the knights smile fade for a fraction of a second. Something was wrong, but it wasn't her place to ask. If it involved her, she would find out eventually.

"So, Sir Rayl, why are you in such a hurry? Are you running to or away from someone? or something?"

[Rayl Torien]

Rayl felt Chelsea's hand in his, and realized something: Last time he held a woman's hand was six years ago. But that was hardly relevant, just a strange thought that came to him," I was on leave from my duties, and have to return to my Marquess, I'm late as it is..." he paused. She was honest with him, and so he would be honest with her and Gabriel," I wasn't...a good man...six years back, when I was roughly your age, maybe a bit older...drinking, foul mouthed, violent..."

Looking at Rayl now, you could hardly tell that at one point this smiling just man had been so low, though he wasn't smiling as he told this story," I took my leave to finish some...well, unfinished business...I guess you could say it was a trip of redemption...I finished this trip in Ilia, it had taken longer than I estimated." he thankfully left out Persephone, but he was thinking about her, he couldn't help it...to never see her again...

He shook his head slowly to shake the thoughts away, before Elibe continued onwards," I have my duties to perform, but I'll help you find your father. If you need a place to stay, you could stay with me at the ranch."

Rayl took a moment to think about his service to Pherae after he finished talking: The Marquess had entrusted him with teaching their new cavalry recruits (teaching them Barigan's Values), breeding horses for palace use, Traveling between Lycian nations as their representative, patrol captain for some of the more remote areas, frequent guard even in foul weather...Barigan was right: all he did was follow orders, almost as if he was Marquess Pherae's pet dog...he had very little free time for himself nowadays...

Heck this trip of his was his first real amount of freedom in years.