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Post by reylan on Jul 30, 2010 14:40:00 GMT -6
Reylan looked at the young boy.
"In need of a teacher? Hm... I don't know anyone particularly experienced thus far, but I can suggest someone. Mana, come here. Teach Selibas the basics of swordplay during our mission. Selibas, we're currently trying to formulate a plan to free our friend, a mage named Balthier. If you're fully prepared to face death, then by all means join us."
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Post by Mana on Jul 30, 2010 14:47:08 GMT -6
"Nice to meet you." Mana bowed to the woman as Cebrail introduced her and then followed him. She nodded as Cebrail and Reylan told her about the plan, she wasn't clever enough to make a plan so she just nodded to whatever they said.
When she heard a voice behind her, she leapt to the left and unsheathed her sword quickly. But it was just a boy there and he seemed scared, she felt embarassed. Reylan said something to him. Mana couldn't hear what he said, she sheathed her swords and sat near Cebrail again.
The boy introduced himself as Selibas, a mercenary and he maybe was at the same age with her. Reylan told her to teach him swordplay. "Nice to meet you. It is nice to have a friend around my age. We will look for place to rest first then I will teach you there" She smiled and clapped his shoulder.
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Selibas
Hero
The Little Wolf
My Word is Iron.
Posts: 455
Etruria Fame: -1
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -3
Profession: Khan
Guild: Tribe of Sacae
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Selibas
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Post by Selibas on Jul 30, 2010 15:01:46 GMT -6
Selibas smiled. He said "Im not afraid to die i just want to live long enough to kill those I plan to." He turned to the woman and raised his sword in a sortof shrug inviting her to start her lessons.
Then she said they would wait and he lowered his sword. He said" I s-saw a clearing about h-half a mile back. It has enough trees to gaurd us but we could get out quickly.
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Post by reylan on Jul 30, 2010 15:01:55 GMT -6
Reylan turned once again to Cebrail.
"We should sneak in at first light. Balthier is likely being kept in the back, so we'll hire Bridget to pick any locks. I'll have Mana and Selibas scout the area. The rest of us will infiltrate the stronghold. I'm going to retrieve my horse before we go. That way, we can make a quick getaway should something go wrong. This mission is based purely on luck. I hope you all are willing to stare death in its face."
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 30, 2010 15:09:45 GMT -6
"Agreed. Either way, we move at first light. Everyone, get some rest and eat a little something. We'll need to be ready." He leaned back on the tree still, using his knapsack as a pillow. They all needed some sleep.
They entered Santaruz hoping for some rest and food, but they were unwelcome guests and were immediately kicked out. Their friend had been captured and they were gonna rescue him. After all that's been going wrong, he hoped that for once they're plans would go right.
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Post by Mana on Jul 30, 2010 15:18:08 GMT -6
"Nah, let just stay here. this place is enough to hide us. Rest my friend. I will teach you after I rest for fifteen minutes." She then approached Cebrail and untie a knot in her hair so her hair could flow down to her back, she looked completely different, more feminine. She smiled to him. "They won't recognize me like this. I can scout anytime."
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Bridget
The "Before" years
[M:0]
My eyes are up here. Look up here!
Posts: 47
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Post by Bridget on Jul 30, 2010 15:40:41 GMT -6
"I'm looking forward to it, Cebrail." Bridget cooed, winking at the soldier. With that, the thief slinked up to the gate while the others prepared to rest. She took a large rock out of her bag and started bashing it against the gate as loudly as possible. Very soon, the gate opened slightly and one of the guards peered out. He looked around and saw only the people he had thrown out, but they were too far away to have made such a loud noise. Annoyed, the guard motioned for the gate to be closed again.
Bridget smiled and tucked the rock back into the bag. She had slipped right past the guard, as he had been too focused on the group to pay attention to what was right next to him. It was the mistake of any normal human. Bridget knew exactly where to head. They said the marquess had captured this 'Balthier', and a Marquess would live in the largest place available- and Bridget could see it from where she stood.
After a short run, Bridget was at the building. It wasn't that large, not compared to many castles she had seen, but it would take a while to comb through alone. Fortunately, she had common sense. Bridget walked around to the back of the building, and found what she was looking for: a cellar door. She took a lockpick from her belt and went to work.
After picking the lock, Bridget cautiously walked down the steps, making sure to close the cellar doors behind her. It was dark, so Bridget took a small torch from her pack and lit it. Taking careful steps, the thief crossed the cellar and managed to avoid tripping on anything. What ever this marquess was, he kept a tidy cellar.
The door that led out of the cellar wasn't locked, for whatever reason, so Bridget was able to open it without picking it. The hallway was empty, and went in two ways. One way had the door, the other had a set of steps that went down. Bridget extinguished her torch and went left, to the steps.
Moving quickly, but lightly, Bridget descended the steps. At the base, she saw a row of cells. With a smile, she noticed that there wasn't a guard there- but there was a chair. A guard was supposed to be there. She didn't have much time. Bridget ran over to the first cell and saw that it was empty. The second one was as well, and the third had a female prisoner, definitely not Balthier. The fourth one had a man, and the fifth was empty. "Balthier!" she snapped, looking into the fourth cell. "If you're Balthier, tell me what they're going to do to you here. If you're not, don't say anything." she whispered.
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 30, 2010 16:02:45 GMT -6
"If you're going to teach him swordplay, wait until after we get Balthier out. If we survive. Come on, we need to get some rest." Cebrail laid under the tree with his eyes closed. The stars were dim, especially under the trees. Bridget had left and already made it inside the city. It was...quiet. Apparently, she had got in without any problems. Bridget seems very...interesting. I wonder how old she is...where she's from...
I hope she finds something out. Cebrail was half asleep and started to dream. His thoughts drifted to Lilah and when they were kids. They used to play outside Caelin often. She always wanted to see the rest of Lycia.
He opened his eyes and watched Mana, Reylan and Selibas get ready to sleep. Mana..she reminds me so much of...
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Post by reylan on Jul 30, 2010 17:35:21 GMT -6
Reylan's mind grew increasingly fatigued as the night pressed on. Out the corner of his eye, he noticed that Bridget was gone. Don't tell me she already tried to break into the stronghold...
However, Reylan was completely unaware that Bridget had found Balthier's cell. He sat down on the ground, having retrieved his horse several moments ago. A soft sigh escaped from his lips. Balthier... you better be safe.
Closing his eyes, he waited for dawn to approach. Yet he couldn't seem to get Bridget out of his mind. She reminds me of someone I once knew as a child, he thought to himself. She seems so... familiar. Honestly, she bears a striking resemblance to an old friend... a beautiful old friend. Knowing that the task at hand would be treacherous, Reylan decided that he would protect her if things went wrong.
His thoughts wandered over to the other members of his team. Mana seems quite capable for her age... I hope she can teach Selibas in the best way possible. Cebrail is easy to trust. He's honorable, like myself... Balthier is a bit of an oddball, but he's intelligent, and I trust him. I fear for his life just as much as everyone else's. Reylan opened his eyes partially, gazing restlessly at the stars above. I've never seen such a beautiful evening sky...
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 30, 2010 21:25:21 GMT -6
Balthier's ears perked up and he smiled very slightly in the dark, due to his ears being keen enough to have heard footsteps, be they from a knight in armor to a thief.
A woman approached each cell cautiously, then called out to him. He chuckled very softly, and stood to his feet. He walked to the cell door quietly, appearing in a swift image coming out of the shadows. He cocked his head and raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Well, well, well." He started, laughing a bit. "I haven't had company all night. Can't sleep either, you'd guess." He yawned carelessly, as if his current situation didn't bother him a bit.
"I would guess you're some traveling mercenary thief-for-hire, aye?" Balthier asked, placing one hand low on the bar. "Yes, well, I'll tell you my story. Take a seat, friend, that guard is gone for a while." He winked at her jokingly.
"I came in hopes of aiding my friends I assume you met outside. The knights, the girl with the blade, you see. Marquess Santaruz was a friend of mine in wartime long past, but he has changed as of late..." He trailed off, glancing up at the ceiling. "I was denied any aid, and when I used the inn of MY homeland, we were robbed. We were also attacked, and when we retaliated, the Marquess arrived with his guard." He stopped for a moment, giving a long pause.
"The short version is, I gave myself in to the Marquess in exchange for my friend's safe leave." He chucked again. "I suppose all is not well, it would seem they're worried. Aw, how upsetting." He smiled at the thief.
"I suppose I ought to answer your question, then." He addressed her again, more serious than he usually was, but with a tone of carefree all the same. "Tomorrow at sunrise, I will be hung at the gallows under the watch of the Marquess and his royal guard. No townsfolk are to see it, for they do not know of my return to Santaruz, and I imagine they'd be very upset." He laughed cleverly. "Friends in high places, I thought I had. The Marquess has changed."
He studied her sadly, standing up. "They wouldn't have paid you, I know it." He closed one eye strangely. "My bag is by the chair. I've got 1500 gold, it's yours." He smiled at her. "I needed a buddy to tell my story to for when I die." He stepped back, yawning.
"Now leave here, before they summon another guard. I wouldn't want you getting hurt, now." He playfully winked at her, only kidding. "You should go, friend. You've had your pay, don't endanger yourself for me." He had a hint of seriousness in his voice.
Balthier waved his cape quickly, giving the thief a glance of his tome he retrieved. "Wisdom over brawn, I believe." He waved for her to leave. "I never introduced myself, either. My name is Balthier, but you knew that. And yours?"
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Post by Mana on Jul 30, 2010 22:38:50 GMT -6
"Okay. Good night Sir Cebrail." Mana turned towards Selibas. "He is right, I am too overjoyed. We will train after we save our friends, now we should rest." The Sacaen girl clapped Selibas' shoulder and began looking for a nearby tree. She found a shady tree and sat underneath the tree. "Good night Selibas and Sir Reylan." She waved to them then leaned against the tree and closed her eyes slowly.
"That man, Balthier, I hoped he is alright..."
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Selibas
Hero
The Little Wolf
My Word is Iron.
Posts: 455
Etruria Fame: -1
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -3
Profession: Khan
Guild: Tribe of Sacae
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Selibas
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Post by Selibas on Jul 30, 2010 23:08:11 GMT -6
Selibas looked to all the warriors around him. Cebrail had fallen asleep almost instantly he had an air of command about him and Selibas knew he would call things the best way possible.
Then he looked to Reylan he seemed to be just as commanding as Cebrail but more Milicent so he decided it would be safe to listen to both the next day.
He thought about Bridget. She was beautiful and seemed strong. She could most likely have skipped past the guards with her looks. He believed she would come back with news on this Balthier.
Then Balthier he didn't know anything about. But his year alone had gave him acute hearing. He heard under there breath that all of them were concerned for him and believed he must be a good man.
Then there was Mana. She looked maybe 16 two years older than him. Something inside of him told him that even though she was his teacher and 2 years older than him he would look out for her and protect her.
He layed on the ground and thought maybe if he went toward the city now he could save time for the rest. But his eyes closed before he could make up his mind.
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Bridget
The "Before" years
[M:0]
My eyes are up here. Look up here!
Posts: 47
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Post by Bridget on Jul 31, 2010 5:59:43 GMT -6
Bridget nodded and took the bag. "I'm Bridget." she said. "And your friends and I are going to bust you out, so don't bother talking me out of it. If you see a gorgeous woman in red tomorrow, do whatever you can to resist the guards. You wouldn't want to disappoint us, would you?" she asked, winking back. With that said, Bridget tucked the bag under her shoulder and ran up the steps.
After sneaking back to the cellar, Bridget stuffed Balthier's bag into hers. She had cased the cellar, to see if the others would be able to get in quickly. It seemed plausible, so Bridget decided to get out while she could.
After sneaking back outside, Bridget ran to the trees. "Everyone! I made a wish, and it came true!" she called out. Bridget took Balthier's bag and set it down near the others. "Gather around, everyone, I need to tell you what's gonna happen tomorrow!" she called.
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Post by Mana on Jul 31, 2010 6:13:55 GMT -6
That nightmare haunted her again, Mana saw her village burned once again. She woke up and found her body was covered in sweats and trembled. The myrmidon looked to the sky, the sun shone brightly. "So it is morning already." She stood up and looked to her companions. "No one awake?" She muttered to her sleeping companions, they were tired so it was understandable tough.
Mana climbed a tree and sat on its branch, looking down to her sleeping companions. Someone coming, she saw Bridget running towards them. "She come back." She jumped down and made her way towards Bridget.
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 31, 2010 6:42:40 GMT -6
Balthier bellowed as she ran up the stairs. "We'll see, friend. A rescue... Me? Bah, I'm not worth the time." He laughed again, un-expectant of what was about to occur.
He yawned, laying back on the cold cell floor. Soon, he was asleep, and snoring just a little.
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Balthier woke with one eye open at the guard opening his cell. "Come on now, stand up!" the guard grunted.
Balthier smiled at him and cocked his head. "Well, it's about time. I think the Marquess was very inhospitable leaving me in this cold cell. A blanket, though, would have been nice."
The guard simply shook his head, clearly displeased. "Get over here, I have to tie you up!"
Balthier laughed cleverly, tossing the guard his tome. The guard was clearly overwhelmed and surprised. He winked at the guard. "Next time, send a more suitable guard. These other ones, they're no fun." Balthier walked over to the guard, freely allowing his hands to be tied.
"Follow me. The Marquess awaits your death as well as I do." The guard snorted.
Balther raised his head, chuckling a bit. "Very well, then. By your lead."
Once outside, the sun hit Balthier pretty harshly. Not only had he been in the rain yesterday, but then the dark city and a cell. "Well, not my kinda day to be hung, eh?" He nudged the guard jokingly, to which he was pushed aside. Balthier raised an eyebrow at him. "You don't like to have fun, do you?" He laughed to himself, walking with the guard.
Balthier stepped briskly onto the platform. The two guards broke the ropes on his wrists, but Balthier knew better than to run. He waved mockingly at the Marquess, and the the Marquess grimaced. Balthier laughed to himself, winking at Marquess Santaruz.
"Alright, tie me up, then." Balthier politely asked, raising his head. "The noose, please?" He chuckled.
The guard tied the ropes the rope around his neck, then back around his arms with more severity. They then attached the rope to the top of the wooden structure, and he casually, waving a hand, walked over to the trapdoor, scuffing his feet.
"Everything's set, Marquess." The guard called down to the Marquess, who simply nodded.
"Suppose it's time, then." He winked at the Marquess.
"Yes, that it is. Now, tell me, before you die, have you anything left to say to your home country?" The Marquess asked, interested.
Balthier cocked his head, squinting a bit, trying to attract the Marquess. "Hmph." Balthier saw his company in the distance, and laughed loudly.
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