A Scouting Mission Gone Wrong (Closed Thread, PM)

[Balthier]

(Continued from Eye Of The Storm)

Balthier nodded to Bridget and Mana as they all said their good farewells, and he packed his things up. That being said, Balthier actually didn't have a whole lot to pack other than his shoulder sack with a tent and vulnerary, and his trusted tome.

He smiled at his ready, and patted himself clean of the rock and dirt from the previous nights and the battles before. He waited for the girls to finish themselves, then they left from the camp, on the road to Etruria.

----

Down the road a good ways, and out of hindsight of the rest of the company still at camp, Balthier turned around and motioned for a halt.

"Now, I suppose I should tell you what exactly is going to happen." Balthier started, donning his rare serious expressions. "The War Council met this morning, which I was a part of. We discussed plans, and..." He glanced at the sky, and cleared his throat. "We will attack Etruria."

After letting that sink in, Balthier continued. "However, we will not make an attack until the three of us have determined the strength of Etruria's forest-path border. That is where we are headed. We will take the forest path through, and enter Etruria as normal commoners. We will probably stay at an inn or something of the sort, and we will quietly observe our surroundings." He smiled, trying to keep a light situation.

"I chose you two to take with me because of your many skills. Mana, you're quick and resourceful, and a good bladesman. If things get tough, I can rely on you." He turned, facing Bridget quizzically, then shook his head. "You, Bridget... I will need to see the same prowess that I saw the night you found me in my cell. You're quiet and elusive, and will serve as a great observant without being caught as suspicious."

He gave them both a meaningful smile. "Any questions?"

[Bridget]

Bridget followed Balthier and Mana, not really noticing anything. She was passing the time by examining her nails, which were in rather good shape, in spite of her recent activities. She only stopped once she heard Balthier speak. "I have a question." she said. "Why would you take the Etrurian spy with you on this mission? I understand taking Mana, but me? That is quite the risk!" Bridget watched the two of them for a moment, before letting out a laugh. "Oh, don't mind me, I'm just trying to stay entertained." Bridget sighed and ruffled her hair slightly. "So, you want me to do the observing? Fair enough. Tis not the most FUN job in the world, but I will do as you ask."

[Mana]

Mana left the camp with Balthier and Bridget, she only had her sword and one vulnerary. She didn't know why they left, but didn't bother to ask to Balthier. Mana wasn't a thinking type, she was more fit with fighting role. Making plans would be Balthier's job.

"We will attack Etruria."

Mana frowned as she heard his words. That was too bold for a plan and too risky to try attacking a big country with their small forces. But she kept her mouth shut and listened to Balthier as he explained the detail of their plan. Then she understood that they would only attack their border, only a little skirmish.

"Yeah, you can count on me." Mana felt a little proud with her friend's trust towards her. Looking at Balthier, she gave him a smile and said, "I will be your blade." She giggled.

[Balthier]

Balthier stared at Bridget as she said the words "Etrurian Spy", and instead of freaking out and breaking a sweat, he bellowed loudly.

"An Etrurian spy? Clever, I haven't heard anyone mention that yet." He gave her a curious and then a narrow eye, then continued. "I'll be sure I'm on my guard, Miss Bridget." He smiled wryly at her, and turned to the swordsman.

He chuckled at her, and nodded slowly. "And a blade is what I need. However, we will resort to fighting last. This mission is solely to scout; we are asked not to cause any unnecessary trouble. Understood? Now..." He smiled at them, and turned around, facing the path.

"We'll continue."

----

The moon was coming, and Balthier wondered how long the group would have before it was completely dark. Dusk was beautiful on the open path, however, and the few stars that were coming into view were a wonderful sight.

"We'll set camp here. I packed a tent for you two to share." Balthier said, stopping on the side of the path. "Although completely out in the open, the path is rarely traveled. And at that, there's rarely an malice. We should be perfectly safe."

After pitching the girls' tent, he addressed them. "Do what you will before bed. I don't care. But we will wake early, eat something, and hit the forest before nightfall tomorrow."

Balthier layed a humble blanket on the ground a few feet from the tent, and removed his cape: a rare thing for him to do, but he at least needed a pillow. He knew this.

He flopped comfortably on the hard ground, and sighed, staring into the dark and beautiful night sky. He closed his eyes, and rolled. "Goodnight, my friends." He hummed before he lofted into a dreamy sleep.

[Mana]

Mana wondered why Balthier like to sleep in open. It must be cold, but he seemed fine so the Sacaen girl decided to leave him alone. She walked into the tent and looked at Bridget. "Shall we sleep now?" It was warmer inside, but she wouldn't mind to stay outside talking with Bridget.

OoC : The title make me wondering what will happen next morning

[Bridget]

Bridget looked up at Mana and smiled. "If you would like. I don't have much to say, but if you have anything to talk about, I am here." she said. Bridget folded up the map she had been examining and held it out for Mana. "I think I am starting to understand these letters. More than I did before I set out on my journey." she said. "Do not laugh, I am not particularly skilled at literacy. I was hoping that someone could fix my errors." Bridget explained.

[Mana]

Mana rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Well, I am sleepy now. I think I will sleep if we don't have something to talk about." The myrmidon looked at the map and took it, she unfolded it and looked at Bridget. "Maybe you can ask Balt to help you tomorrow, he is smart despite his carefree attitude." She looked at the sleeping mage and smiled, then turned back to Bridget. "Don't worry, I won't laugh. Believe me, I am not good at literacy as well." Mana remembered when she always ran away everytime her mother told her to study. She liked sword training better.

"Lets sleep, Bridget. Maybe tomorrow Balthier will make us work hard." Mana giggled and walked into the tent.

[Bridget]

Bridget smiled as Mana entered the tent. She sat down and examined her nails, her mind busy with various things. She felt heavier now, more burdened. Before she had been adventuring for her own goals, just to find something for herself. Now she was part of something far larger, almost by accident. It was not a situation that she enjoyed at all, in any way. The thief sighed and stood back up. It was nothing worth worrying over, at least not now. Now was the time for sleep. Bridget yawned, and went into the tent.

[Balthier]

It was late, and there were no words nor whispers around and about the small campsite. Balthier opened an eye, one weak and full of anger and hate. His gaze and his mind were clustered; the dreams that unceasingly followed him were getting worse.

He rose himself, threw the blanket off, and stood beside his rock, looking into the sky. Sleep would elude him yet again, and he would have to pretend that he was as well rested as the other two.

He looked towards their tent; dark, quiet, with two sleeping women inside who braved themselves to go along with Balthier on a mission that, if done improperly, could mean the fate of Cebrail, Reylan... everyone that had once saved his life.

He opened both eyes; it seemed to give way to new vision, a new enlightenment, and looked to the sky. He would do his very best to keep them safe from harm, even if it meant giving his own life. He was prepared for that much, and that was sure. He sighed heavily, letting his eyelids close again.

He looked where the moon was in the sky, and determined the time. 2 hours until sunrise... He thought. May as well stay awake.

---

Morning came quickly enough, though it was not as expected. Clouds came; big, grey, heavy and angry clouds that would please Balthier with the amount of rain, but hinder their journey to Etruria. He sighed, and nonetheless hummed happily while attaching his cape. It was all he had anyway, besides his shoulder sack.

He peered into it and retrieved a few loafs of bread and flasks full of water. The journey would not be long, but breakfast was necessary... He felt as if he owed the women that much, at least.

He sat, and while making a fire, began to heat the bread over it. Toast would be a decent meal, surely, and the water would be much appreciated. He gave one last look into the dark sky as it begged to cry on the seemingly dry landscape, then looked over to the girls' tent.

[Mana]

Mana woke up from her slumber then looked to Bridget who still slept next to her. "Wake up, Bridget," she said to her sleeping friend, trying to wake her.

Still having a sleepy face, Mana got out from the tent. She rubbed her eyes while walking towards the mage, giving him a tiny smile. She sat next to him and started combing her messy hair using her fingers. "Good morning, Balt. It seems we will get rain soon." She sighed as she saw the black clouds on the morning sky. Rain would hinder their mission and also made them wet.

[Bridget]

"I daresay this is an awful time to do any sort of scouting."

Bridget emerged from the tent, scowling slightly as she approached Balthier and Mana. She looked up at the sky and let out a dramatic sigh. "This is not what I meant when I said I would be glad to help. Nobody said anything about rain." she mumbled. Bridget closed her eyes and let out yet another sigh. "So, what exactly are we doing? Something good, I hope."

[Balthier]

"Hmph," Balthier chuckled, giving Mana an eye and a single nod hello. "Rain is never a bad thing."

Balthier's already poor mood was made worse upon Bridget's awakening, but the mage made sure not to show it. He smiled genuinely at her. "If you're afraid of rain, the camp in Badon is day's journey from here." He winked jokingly at her, then turned his gaze to the fire.

"Hence the rain, we'll take the most covered path we can to account for Bridget's whining," He laughed, standing. "Through the forest. Once we're out of the forest, unfortunately, there's another road, and another forest... Fortunately, the second one is the one we need. It's short, and will exit directly into Etruria's border. We'll buy an inn there, stay for a few days, and observe everything we can about their border defenses... and then, the defenses they could possibly send after our first attack... assuming we make one."

Balthier cleared his throat, and glanced to both of them. "I don't expect anything detrimental to occur, but one can never know. A scouting mission could easily go wrong in an instant." The purple-haired mage walked about, stretching his legs. He moved over to the girl's tent, retrieving the things inside and setting them on his bed-rock as he took down the tent and rolled it up. Everything was done except for the fire, and thunder boomed in the distance. Balthier walked over and kicked the logs, finally putting it out.

"Let's move."

[Mana]

Mana waved her hand at Bridget, the thief seemed don't like rain as well. Well, Mana agreed with her, she preferred walking on a dry surface better than a wet one. Rain was good, but it was only when you were inside a building.

Mana listened as Balthier began to explain the next destination. When he said the word Etruria, Mana realized that she was involved in a war. She looked up into the sky, watching the black clouds. She would do her best to assist her friends to win this battle.

"Okay, as long we won't get ourselves wet." Mana got up and stretched her arms. Then she followed Balthier and Bridget.

[Bridget]

Bridget obediently trailed behind Balthier, red cape strung around her shoulders. She looked back at their former campsite and sighed. "Lovely. We can catch cold while searching around for information." she said. "Not that I'm trying to be negative, mind you." she added, looking up at Balthier. "Do you know if this area is, well, safe? The three of us are talented enough in combat, certainly, but we can only do so much." she said.

[Balthier]

"Aahhh..." Balthier said, almost quizzically as he walked in the now-pouring rain. He looked to the sky again and bit his lip, trying to dig through his memory to decide if they were safe or not. Bridget was right, however; they were talented enough in combat to handle a little... but too much, and the mission would fail.

"I'm sure we have nothing to worry about," Balthier started with a chuckle. "and if we run into trouble we can't handle, I don't want any of you playing hero." He turned his head back enough to see the two women in the corner of his eye. "If we're outnumbered, we'll run. We can't risk this mission." He coughed heavily, and then rested his arms behind his head as he walked.

"Added, as far as I know, this area should be perfectly safe. And again, as far as I know, no bandit attacks have been reported in this area for months..." The purple-haired mage questioned himself. Would they really be completely safe?

"However... the city will not prove to be such an easy venture."