Sovereignity unchecked

[Aidan Lowell]

Things had finally calmed, no soldiers, no scouting parties. He used a bit of militaristic sense and knowledge of Bernese tactics to help avoid any patrols. Despite being under Ilia's occupation, many of the soldiers were actually those drafted from Bern. With or without their consent. Aidan was once a soldier for Bern, so he knew their basic formations, searching techniques, how they did recon... Never did he look at the map he was given... until now, out of curiousity. It appeared either X was in possession of militaristic insight, or he was plain psychic. Neither of which would really surprise him in all honesty. Regardless, the path he went also happened to be the same highlighted on his map as the "path of least resistance." He was within a day or two's distance from Bern now. Probably half a day if the proper roads were used, but since that's a luxury lost on him, it seemed a day and a half seemed more likely. Probably by high noon...

The fire was sorely missed, but it would be a flare to passing by aerial units. Their cover was good enough that they didn't need to worry about being spotted in the dead of night, and chances were they weren't even searching nearly as hard as they should be. The whole thing reeked of a set-up... Out of the corner of his eye he saw two men and one girl, dragged by him into this mess... They wouldn't be looking for them, only Aidan.


"You three." He turned his head to Saturos, Syana, and Lyar. "Now is the time to leave. This is a Bernese problem, and none of you are concerned. If you stick around me any longer, you too will become outlaws of Ilia, as people believed to be raising rebellion in the sovereign land of Bern. I'm afraid it's too late for me to turn back, so that is why... I'll be taking my leave in the morn, just as soon as I make sure you get through the night safely." He was standing, his back to a tree as he stared down at the others.

"I apologize for dragging you all around with me, especially you Saturos. If you wish to be free of war, I'm definitely some gangrene you must cut off." He let out a small sigh. "Only two soldiers saw you, but chances are if you leave now they won't seek you out. You aren't what interests them, I am. I haven't been completely honest with you all..." Though he was sure at least Saturos had pieced it together now. It wasn't hard really.

"I'm a part of the Lowell family of Bern, before the Bandit King War we were a highly respected noble family. As far back as the Scouring we have stood by the crown as they made decisions... and we always obliged. When the Ilian occupation began... After the crown fell out of power, our family swiftly followed. But even today... We remain in the minds of the Bern people. If they were to hang a member of my family for treason, it would be an event to impact the minds of all the peasants planning revolt." He spoke concisely, no longer leaving out details he'd rather forget simply because of his own feelings. They needed to know, they deserved to know.

"That is why I know they would not bother with no-names such as yourself. Not when such a prize is in their sight." Once again Aidan wished he was not born into such a family, but... he knew that if he had not, someone else would... And that was not something he'd wish on anyone. "I'll head to Bern in morn, as that is what they're expecting I know. You three leave towards Lacuna, they would never plan on me fleeing. As long as you don't raise a commotion, chances will be you can slip out of the country without notice."

[Saturos Prox]

Saturos sighed. He didn't know what to do. Unlike most these days, becoming an outlaw pursued by the country he used to serve didn't sound like his idea of a good time. He didn't like war. It was violent, bloody, and the end to many a good man. At the same time, however, he saw a man in distress, fighting for something he saw was right. What had Saturos been doing for the last eight years? Roaming the countryside and looking for long lost friends?

Saturos had the easy life, of that there was no doubt, and most of him wanted to do nothing but leave right now. There was, however, a small part of him that yearned for this; that yearned to get back into the action. To do something with the life that had been so mercifully spared on the battlefield so long ago.

But the myrmidon remained silent. This wasn't something so easily decided.

[Syana Flamberge]

Syana tilted her head back and looked up to the sky. So much had happened in such a short time. And what now? Let Aidan go off on his own to possibly his death and escape or stay and help and possibly be killed. Decisions, decisions. She didn't want to get on Ilia's bad side, that was for sure. She was somewhat worried about her family, but they could hold their own if attacked. She was more worried she'd never see them again. If they had to run for it, could she ever find them?

She pulled her thoughts back to the here and now and looked over at Saturos. He looked like he was having a tough time choosing too. With a smile tugging at her lips, she gave his shoulder a light tap with her fist. "When it comes down to it, we're a team now and we stick together. I'll do whichever you decide." They could talk about early later, now wasn't the time. Now, the time was to choose.

[Saturos Prox]

Saturos looked over at Syana as he felt a small thud on his shoulder. He smiled. A team. That wasn't something he had been a part of for ages. Besides, paint was thicker than blood. The myrmidon then looked up at Aidan. Here was a man fighting for something he believed in. Here was a man fighting for his family, and for the freedom of his country. Why wasn't he part of their team? Because he hadn't been with them as long? Nonsense.

"Men are united by common ideals," said Saturos, his arms across his chest. "If nothing else, we share a common ideal. It might not be war, but the people of Bern have no freedom, something a useless wandering swordsman like I has had the liberty to enjoy for years, and that is unacceptable." He gave Syana a devilish wink. He had known who Aidan had been all along ever since hearing his last name. What soldier back then didn't know about House Lowell? The swordsman had just been tossing things over in his mind until he had come to the decision of whether to join the man or not. "I'd be happy to fight alongside a stand up man like yourself, sir Aidan Lowell." Saturos's right hand shot out towards the armored man. "Consider this my re-enlistment into the Bern military."

[Lyar]

The oddest thing about the conversation was that Lyar hadn't just up and shouted he was staying. As a matter of fact he was unearthly calm, standing before them all with his back turned, large fists resting against his sides. He silently listened to the other two announce that they were not going anywhere, and then sort of stood there for awhile...

...then suddenly jumped and turned," Oh, uh, Is it my turn for some sort of long speech?" scratching his head, he shrugged as if he could not think of a decision,"I thought it would go without words. When a bond is forged in this world: little else matters. You fight for your people Aidan my friend, and you always have. That is what I have done as well...maybe in a less honorable way; pillaging Etrurian Ships and all...but out on the seas, like you and your hermitage Friend Saturos, we Privateers of the high seas experience a freedom you could only imagine!" he grinned, quite pleased where he was going with this, but his beaming soon diminished as he continued:

"...but my ship is sunk, and all my people; my kinsmen...they lay dead or burned in Ostia's ruins. I barely was able to get my brother out alive. Now your family is being hunted or dead,and your people are robbed of their dignity! We stay a team: Fighters for Freedom!" in typical Lyar fashion, he raised a fist into the air and cheered, before giving them a thumbs up.

[Aidan Lowell]

Lyar's reaction was entirely typical from what he's grown to expect from him. In fact he basically KNEW ahead of time that he wouldn't be so easy to shake off. He was planning on ditching him, since he wouldn't leave by choice. Syana didn't say much, only that she would follow Saturos. That wasn't really surprising, from what Aidan has observed. Infact the only reply he didn't completely assume would happen was Saturos'.

He was a man who didn't like violence, but was astonishingly good at, much like Aidan himself. The choice to go the path of more fights, more violence, even war... It surprised him. If Aidan was given the same choice... he probably would of went as well. As much as he would love to think that he'd ditch, when people were in trouble he was not one to turn a blind eye. If he could help things, make it so less people suffer... becoming an outlaw would be worth it.

Not like he had a choice in the first place.

With a small laugh and a shake of the head. I've been so selfish with my life, my freedom. It's only fair I share some of that freedom with others, right? Who am I to deny them of the suicidal actions they so badly wanna take. Geez, I'm a bad influence. He grasped at Saturos' hand with his own. "Well, if someone's going to fight... it might as well be someone I trust." With a thumbs up in response to Lyar, he couldn't help but feel a bit better. In a world like this, Kraft, Ilia, lies and deceit... sometimes the simplest things, like 'trust' and 'hope' were the most valuable things one can find.

[Saturos Prox]

Saturos nodded, shaking Aidan's hand in kind.
"Trust is an essential part of any soldier's repertoire of social skills," the myrmidon replied. "Without trust, we'd all be stabbing each other in the back with our innards hanging out and our brains spilled out on the floor." Even while saying this, Saturos continued to give his signature smile. What an odd man. "But I digress, the longer we stay here shaking hands, the longer the people of Bern suffer." He looked at Syana giving her a nod an quick thumbs up, then turned back to Aidan.

"So what are your orders, sir?"

[Aidan Lowell]

"Bathing in a bath of innards doesn't sounds very comforting, no." Aidan smiled back. "You'd be surprised how rare something as simple as trust can be these days. But not me, if I'm going to stab you, it'll be right in the face." He let go of the handshake and looked at his small, very ragtag bunch. Lyar he trusted, even if he was a bit on the brutish side. He's been very adamant about stick with Aidan this whole time, and in general he doesn't seem like the one to be harboring loathing for others. He acted more on his feelings, not thoughts. So if he pissed him off, an axe might be in his future, but Aidan planned on doing no such thing.

Saturos was an old war dog, who grew tired of the life and chose peace over war. If he was going to rejoin, it wouldn't be something half-hearted. He believed in the cause, and moreso, he believed in Aidan by joining him. It was almost a bit scary to think ANYONE believing in him, but a reality he had to face sooner or later. He's dodged it his whole life, deliberately staying a lower rank in the military to avoid it. He'd been offered countless promotions in the time he served, though how many of those were genuine and not because of his heritage was unknown. Each time he turned them down, he was not one to lead, not one to order... It looks like it's time he grew out of that.

Syana, the third person. One thing was sure, she trusted and cared for Saturos. He hadn't had time to speak to her himself, she always seemed bolted to his side. Almost like the moon, always orbiting the man. And, even though how she acts may be different, she was still anchored to him. He didn't know the story behind it all, but from Aidan's perspective... it was obvious she had some feelings for him. Still, that doesn't mean she trusts Aidan. She might need to be watched more closely... It's unlikely she'd betray Saturos, but from her words earlier as she taunted that soldier... she too was Ilian.

"Alright. We still need to head for Bern. I know it might seem odd, but above all I need to speak to my sister. I KNOW she's had a hand in some of this. It's gone from a trip of pleasure to one of dire importance. We should rest for then night however, today has been... rough." He sat on a makeshift chair, which was code for big uncomfortable rock.

"The quickest way to Bern is a death sentence. I have no choice but to trust this map I was given." He pulled out the leathery parchment of paper. "So far it's thought the same thing as me. Atleast in avoiding the soldiers, it can't be just a coincidence. We'll keep our noses down, but I feel this came from my sister herself. She wouldn't give me something to lead me to death if she so desperately needs me." He was, after all, a marvelous tool.

"Still for tonight, we should rest. If we make too much haste, all we'll do is mess ourselves up." He nodded his head silently, as if he was convincing his self as well this was the right thing to do. "Tired bodies only makes things more difficult."

[Lyar]

Unlike Aidan, Lyar had not regarded any of his comrades with doubt or suspicion. He had traveled with Aidan for some time, and regarded him as a friend and his 'captain' of this makeshift group of freedom fighters. As for the other two he also regarded them as friends and comrades, for his policy was 'when you drink with a man, fight with a man, then fight the authorities with that man, you form a bond thicker than any ocean!'...all baffling logic aside, he held the two in high respect...well Saturos and Aidan anyways, he thought that the girl was a little too quite when not in battle, but enjoyed her combat ramblings.

Fidgeting as Aidan began talking battle plans (he wasn't one for planning), when the orders to make camp came up, the giant snapped to attention," I'll take up tonight's watch, Captain!" that 'captain' part slipped out, in semi-remembrance of his days on the ship...not like he really cared what he called his friend.

The part that was truly odd was how Lyar was not suffering from a Hangover, considering the booze he consumed and his lack of sleep when he went to the house of those children after his drinking at the inn, staying up to the wee hours of the morning telling them vivid tales of his Travels on the Sea; Of his fighting (other, but he wasn't about to say he was one) Pirates and seeing Mermaids (sure it was a lie, but hey: Kids like stories). The parent, obviously nervous when their five year old son and daughter brought home a fully armed and armored behemoth, had since warmed up to him and he was welcome to come by at any time...he could only hope that they didn't reveal his existence should those Ilians go about asking people questions.

Drawing one axe from his back, he began to toss the weapon up and down leisurely, whistling some sort of jaunty sea tune: Hey, it's not like watch duty was exciting unless someone tried to cleave you in two, right?

[Syana Flamberge]

Syana made her way back over to the fire and sat herself down next to the rock where she had laid her sword earlier. She held her hands up and tried to get herself warmer. After their chat, Syana felt much better about everything with Saturos and could switch her attention to other things. She looked around their little group, focusing on the other two. Lyar was an interesting guy. He was clearly giant and stronger than most, but he also had a softer, loyal side. The type of guy you want around. Then there was Aidan. He seemed like an alright guy, but she hadn't got to know him much at all. Maybe she should talk to him next...

[Lyar]

Having hacked down a small tree nearby and into firewood, The behemoth had constructed for the four a nice, hearty fireplace, and reached into the satchel at his side, pulling out strips of jerky. Now back on the ship he usually shared food with his comrades, and that wasn't about to change just because he was on land and around people he didn't fully know. Around this time Syana and Saturos returned, and once the two were seated the giant bounded up in his usual faithful dog mattered, before kneeling as low as he could, holding out the bag for the red haired girl," Jerky?"

Not questioning the talk between the two or waiting for an answer, he reached in and stuffed a fist ( his sized fist mind you) of dried meat into the woman's much smaller fist, and then proceeded to bound after the others at the campsite to do the same, setting the rest of the bag besides their 'commander' Aidan, before sitting back down on the nice, comfortable(?) wood pile he decided to keep for later.

[Syana Flamberge]

Syana was slightly shocked as Lyar hurried over and stuffed a large amount of jerky into her hands. Before she could say anything, he hurried off to Saturos. Staring half amused at the jerky, she took a bite of one piece and put the rest away. As she chewed it, she made her way over to Aidan and sat down on a rock next to him, staring at the huge bag of jerky next to him. With a smirk on her face, she raised her own piece. "Got jerky?"

[Aidan Lowell]

((OOC: As of right now, I have hit a block of the writing variety. Several times I COULD of returned, but I put it off as I had nothing to write. [this thread particularly] I have a vague idea of what I WANT to happen, but no idea of how to pull it off. It's still bothering me really really badly and makes me feel guilty. It's especially bad because around the time I left because of family issues I actually knew where I wanted to go, just never wrote it down. Now I've forgotten and I've tied up your characters along the way.

If any of you have ideas of how to move things along, please PLEASE PM them since I'm at a loss. If another week passes I will consider this thread as discontinued and start again from somewhere/time else. You three are more then welcome to abandon ship. ))

Aidan looked at the girl, with an almost smile. "Sure. A little jerky didn't kill anyone." Reaching down he pulled a hunk of dried meat out. Jerky was nice. It lasted a while and didn't need any cooking. That second part was especially important.

[Aidan Lowell]

After a night that stretched for eternity, the dawn approached. As does it always, but Aidan felt so anxious so... he could pin the second emotion. Excitement, perhaps, but it was more then that. Though in the end, it didn't really matter how he felt, as he had already chosen his path. As did those who dared follow him. Equal part brave and foolhardy perhaps, but it was there choice, he had made absolutely sure of that. From his things he retrieved something he had received a while ago, back in the city with the arena in fact. It was along with his 'noble clothes' package he received, it made little sense at the time but now it was painfully obvious why he got it. Just another little hint that pointed to this all being preplanned.

It was a cloak, a dark brown cloak, very large. Though it needed to be if it was to cover his entire body. Along with it was a mask, a face mask not too unlike that of which a bandit may wear. It was... uncomfortable, but it was something that would help. "While they have seen you three, chances are, they will rather look for me. Still, it would be best if you try to stay under the radar. Especially you Lyar." He looked over to the beast wearing human skin. He didn't bother grinning, as his mask hid it. It would of been a hollow smile anyways.

"I have a course set out, unfortunately it means we have to go through a small village. Because we were chased out of the last town... we don't really have supplies to make a trek through the wilderness, and we have to restock somewhere." Jerky was fine and good, but it wouldn't last forever. "Also, the route happens to be faster. As long as we keep our noses down, we should escape suspicion. If anyone asks about the cloak, the story is the I'm a monk on a religious pilgrimage, and the cloak is to protect my virtue." It sounded plausible enough, but boring enough that someone would believe it and not dive further. I hope they're good liars.

[Syana Flamberge]

Syana couldn't help but smirk. "You may just be the biggest monk I've ever seen. But passable. I certainly wouldn't question it. It would look odd if we all came through together though. A monk with three armed guards for a pilgrimage? Unlikely. While it may be risky, I think we should go in separately. Aidan could probably go by himself; no one would question a monk of that size not needing a guard. Lyar... maybe pretend to be a lumberjack or something passing through town? There aren't a lot of jobs we can pass him off as but how knows. As for Saturos and I..." She took off her armor and sword, stuffing them into her pack. It looked slightly bulky, but it worked. The mercenary was now only wearing her black clothes, which added an air of beauty to her somehow. She undid her ponytail, letting her long hair fall down. Brushing it over her shoulder, she wrapped her arms around one of Saturos'. "We'll be a couple on a trip. Between all of us, we should be able to slip in, get what we need and get out without drawing too much attention to ourselves. What do you think?"