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Post by Morrigan Reid on Aug 15, 2016 20:38:57 GMT -6
Morrigan ought to have learned by now that it didn't pay to wander about without a guide or a map. Really, it didn't. Yet somehow she still wound up in these situations since arriving on the mainland. Something would entice her. A feeling, perhaps. A unique or particular flow of magic. Sometimes ominous and horrid. Sometimes pure and natural. Out of instinct and curiosity she would seek out the source of these sensations, only to wind up far from her original path.
Lost.
She sighed, brushing some raven locks from her face. At least Etruria had an agreeable climate. From her experience the shadiest of people resided in the country, but it was rather stable. No monsters like Lycia. No pirates like the Isles. Very few bandits near as she could tell. Despite it's intrigue and all the confusing politics that surrounded it, and it's zealous love for the Eliminean religion, it seemed to be the safest place to reside in all of the mainland.
Of course safety was not why Morrigan found herself wandering some stone path in the middle of the country, no. It was it's magical history. It's libraries and academies. Just by default, if Morrigan were to find any knowledge she needed in regards to reclaiming something taken by the Nether, there was a good chance the secret could be stowed away in Etruria's vast archives.
Just when Morrigan's feet had begun to reach a new level of soreness, she spied a village in the distance. Finally. Almost eagerly Morrigan quickened her pace, eager to sit down and take a moment to rest. She was no fragile creature, her upbringing had had certain of that, but that didn't mean she could handle walking around for the better part of a day without rest.
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Post by Victoria on Aug 15, 2016 22:26:53 GMT -6
Not knowing was potentially the most frustrating part of her week. Since Tori had no way of knowing where her father had gone to meet the demands made of him, be it stopping by the nearest of his associates or going all the way home to Remi, she had opted to send a messenger to the latter. If all else failed, her mother would find a way of contacting him. Her letter had been rather brief altogether and sparse on the details of her escape, but she knew she would face a dirge of questions when she reached Aquleia.
After having spent what seemed like an age waiting for a response, though, Tori had opted to meet her potential betrothals herself. Taras was large enough that it received plenty of foot traffic and traders both, but she was still none too keen on hanging about so near where the brigand had been left for the wildlife. His crew had realized he was missing in short order, she had no doubts. Tori just didn’t want their attentions to fall upon her were they ever to cross paths again. One person, she could handle. The number that had barricaded their path between Modlin and Taras? It would be flirting with death to even try.
In the end, Tori found herself on the open road once more. The squat little donkey that plodded along on the path next to her wasn’t much good as a mount, but it had been cheap and served as a beast of burden for the supplies that would take her halfway across the country. Besides, the piebald was cute, even if his name - Patches - was probably one of the most unoriginal callsigns a breeder could’ve come up with. Alas, it was all he would answer to.
Tori studied her new map as they walked, a lead rope wound in a few absent twists around her wrist and twisted into a makeshift knot. Since donkeys were supposed to fall under the ‘freeze’ rather than ‘flight’ defense when spooked, she wasn’t terribly worried about Patches ripping her arm off if something frightened him.
Still, the smattering of diminutive towns and settlements that marked the map between major cities was reassuring. There would be plenty of places to restock so long as there was gold to rub together. In fact, they weren’t far from one as it was - a fact that seemed to dawn on the woman who had just emerged from what could scarcely be called a game trail. There was no harm in traveling in numbers, though. Tori gave the lead rope a little tug to get the donkey going, ever grateful for Locke’s advice on the moss as she hurried along on blistered feet to catch up with the woman.
“Pleasant day, wouldn’t you say?” she offered by way of greeting, and a smile quirked her lips.
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Post by Morrigan Reid on Aug 16, 2016 9:18:09 GMT -6
Morrigan was already imagining relaxing inside of an inn or even a tavern. No doubt the village she was headed for had one. They all did. No doubt she'd be accosted by at least one drunk man before. She didn't care. All Morrigan wanted and needed was a day to rest and get her bearings. The greatest of Etruria's archives were within it's capital, Aquleia. If she could find out which direction she needed to go in order to reach the city then her tiresome travels would be worth it.
Footsteps, and the sound of some manner of steed behind her grew louder until Morrigan turned round and found herself being greeted by a young lady and her...donkey. The squat creature was loaded with what appeared to be simple belongings, so it could be understood the lady in question was some sort of traveler no doubt. For the most part she resembled what Morrigan had seen in many Etrurians. Fair of skin and hair, slender, etc. Still, it was nice to be met with a simple greeting for once, so Morrigan smiled back at the young lady.
"Indeed it is, and I'm grateful for it. I've walked quite a ways to get here, had it been too hot or stormy my trip would have been significantly less pleasant." Not that her trip had been pleasant to begin with, but it could definitely have been worse. She'd certainly had a more...turbulent time aboard that ship full of pirates, to say the least.
Ordinarily Morrigan wasn't one for small talk, but despite her aching feet and overall light fatigue, she was in a good mood. Her destination was within sight and she'd reach it in mere moments if she kept her pace. So Morrigan plucked a few questions from the top of her mind to keep the conversation going. She wasn't always feeling so social, so she might as well make the most of it. "You look to be a traveler as well. Are you headed towards this hamlet ahead?"
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Post by Victoria on Aug 16, 2016 14:48:24 GMT -6
“Indeed.” Tori tilted her head back as she walked, watching the clouds that drifted across the sky. With having a gentle breeze and agreeable temperatures, the day was pleasant enough that she could almost forget why she was taking this journey on foot. “We may as well enjoy it while it cooperates.”
“In a manner of speaking, I suppose I am,” the girl said, and shrugged one shoulder after a moment. The parchment in her hands crinkled a little as she rolled it, and Tori flexed them again as the half-healed burns twinged. She’d really done a number on herself. Tori set one of her red palms on the donkey’s head and rubbed at his coarse little mane, and offered the woman a nod. “Mmm. If all goes as planned, though, I hope to reach Aquleia without too many incidents in the intermittent.” On foot she probably wasn’t going to make very good time, at least at first, but maybe something could be done to remedy that - be it time or opportunity. She’d heard of individuals doing an average of fifteen miles a day or more, but those were also people accustomed to travel and with good horses at their disposal.
Pondering the logistics of what she was going to have to do, Tori indicated the older woman with an absent gesture. “What of yourself? Do you have any far-reaching destination, or will this be your last stop for a good while?” In truth, Tori was hoping to find someone to make the rest of the journey with. The concept of safety in numbers existed for a reason, but at the same time, it would be wiser to suss out a little more information before making that kind of proposition.
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Post by Gaius Balmung on Aug 16, 2016 15:02:52 GMT -6
”Oi what are you grumbling about you had your share.” An annoyed rider growled in response to a greedy wyvern growling at him. Gaius Balmung was currently taking a break from a long ride to a small Etruria village to deliver some supplies, an easy enough job that point some coin in his pocket so nothing really to complain about. He was enjoying a nice meal while his wyvern had started to nudge him, an obvious attempt to get Gaius to share his portion of the meal. ”If you eat anymore you’ll get fat and I’ll have to be the one to carry you! C’mon now get up we’ve got to deliver this crap.” He joked, standing up from his seated position.
The rider then proceeded to strap his cargo back onto his wyvern, making sure it was on tight and stable. It was then that he heard speaking going on not far from where they were. ”Stay right here, I’ll go have a look.” He’d give Phantom a pat before taking off towards the commotion. Normally on a job Gaius would just keep on going and mind his own business but today he was in a curious mood. Besides, he had plenty of time to kill considering that on the village was practically spitting distance away from where they were at.
The source of the commotion seemed to be two ladies having what sounded like a friendly chat about their travels. ”Hello ladies.” A charming smile and a wave to greet the two ladies as Gaius approached them. They seemed like nice people just from getting a glance at them though you never know one of them easily could be out looking for unsuspecting people to rob but they’d been in for a surprise with Gaius. ”Couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. My name’s Gaius. A pleasure to meet you both. I’m a traveler myself and by looks like we’re all headed in the same direction.” The plan here was to see if either of them needed a ride or perhaps protection wherever their destination might be. Good way to make some coin.
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Post by Morrigan Reid on Aug 16, 2016 22:21:26 GMT -6
"To Aquleia, you say?" Morrigan asked, blinking her purple eyes. It seemed the young girl was not only headed towards the hamlet ahead, but to Aquleia as well. They shared their end destinations, and Morrigan found that to be very convenient. Perhaps it was good fortune, and maybe she ought to see if the young lady would travel with her. Morrigan did enjoy her private time, but she'd had plenty of it since parting with that ship captain, Gar.
"What a coincidence. I am headed there myself. I merely planned on stopping at this town for a moment, to rest and ask for directions. I am...not entirely sure I'm headed the right way." Morrigan admitted, feeling a slight blush come on. It was a bit embarrassing that she still struggled so much to figure out the lay of the mainland. On the Isles, and especially near the Convent, Morrigan would never wind up lost.
Morrigan crossed an arm over her under her bust and tapped a finger on her chin. A bit of a nervous tic, but why was she so nervous? Perhaps it was because her socializing on the mainland, thus far, had only gotten her into perilous situations. She was accustomed to them but that didn't mean she was fond of them. Plus they were delays on her goals.
However, before she could even put forth a proposition to the fair haired girl, a blue haired man approached them. He was armored and armed, it seemed, and had the look of a man who'd seen battle before. So many did these days. Despite that he appeared...friendly enough, but after that pirate incident Morrigan had become at least slightly more wary towards men on Elibe. He didn't look to be a bandit, and Morrigan glanced about her surroundings to see if he had any friends in hiding. Nothing, as far as she could tell.
"Oh, hello Gaius." She spoke after her pause, taking a breath and allowing herself to relax a little bit. She crossed both arms over her chest now, but she wore a small smile on her face. "And well met. My name is Morrigan, and..." The raven haired druid was about to introduce the young girl next to her, but it just ocurred to her that she didn't actually know her name yet. Blushing once again due to embarassment, Morrigan simply let her sentence trail to a stop there.
"Well, this is going swimmingly..."
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Post by Morrigan Reid on Sept 23, 2016 21:52:46 GMT -6
OOC: Morrigan is going to drop this thread. If it revives for any reason, continue on without her.
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