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Post by Clair Feldsky on Nov 23, 2009 17:17:01 GMT -6
Clair stared back at her commander for a moment. He was going to force the choice. She couldn't really leave his question unanswered now. When it got down to it, Divinity or not, good old home teaching told her to trust in those who she had seen in action and judge from personal choice. Not to be ruled by others, but to make her own decisions. Despite wanting to believe in the divinity of the Prophet, she had seen first hand Richter's devotion to his troops. Even though the Prophet seemed to be making the world a better place with his purpose, She had seen that Richter was the one spending his blood and sweat on the field, making stuff happen. She decided then and there, that though her loyalty had at first been to the Prophet's cause as well as Richter's, they would not run parallel for much longer.
"...My...loyalty cannot be bought, High Officer...It must be earned." Some mercenary I make, huh? "You've made it your goal to look out for your soldiers,"particularly me. ",all of them, and even refugees and noncombatants. While marching to war you haven't given up the goal of preserving life."And you continue to show compassion to those in need. "For those reasons, I will" betray the prophet, and" follow you."
It was done. Clair had made her decision. This piece was set on the board, and it would remain unchanged unless something truly drastic happened. It was appropriate really. Richter had been the one that had accepted her into the army, not the prophet. It had been his orders that propelled her forward, and his goals that she had decided to follow. Unless there was a complete personality shift, Richter would hold her loyalty. The tension in her relaxed slightly, though she still felt a little drained by the events. She felt better now that she had committed herself.
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Nov 23, 2009 17:40:32 GMT -6
Theian listens to the entire conversation. He, too realized Richter's plans. "Richter, don't get me wrong, I am a loudmouthed mercenary, but I'm also one that actually has his own beliefs. If you're trying to bring war, and you're doing it for a good reason... to end the corruptions in this land... I'm in. Otherwise, we cross blades. Now, I'll be getting more jerky."
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Post by Richter Abend on Nov 23, 2009 17:56:33 GMT -6
A small grin escaped Richter. "While I thank you for the kind words and the vote of confidence, Assistant Officer, I have no idea what you guys are talking about," he said to his immediate conversation. "I was just thinking, that's all. Don't let any preposterous rumors start spreading."
It was Clair's resolved that reinforced Richter's decision. When they reached the Ostian Pass, he'd go and negotiate with the Lycian forces. With any luck, they'd be willing to ally with whatever forces Richter could bring with him. He wasn't expecting to be able to convince the entire army, but he was expecting to be able to bring enough over to his side to make a difference, enough that were sick of the Prophet's grip on their land and the impending threat he posed upon the world. Elibe was an imperfect place, but any peace, if even gained for just a small while, was worth it.
During their conversation they had reached the base of the mountian. Richter stopped his horse and held up his hand. "Alright then, we'll camp here for the night!" he commanded. He caught the attention of some nearby soldiers. "Spread the word." Saluting, the soldiers hurried off. Dismounting his horse, he turned to Theian. "How about we see what would happen if we actually did cross blades. Care for a little spar?"
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Valorian
Sage
[M:-1030]
Where there is life, there is hope.
Posts: 484
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Post by Valorian on Nov 23, 2009 18:37:00 GMT -6
Though the conversation seemed to have ended, Valorian simply stated.
"There is no conflict worth killing over. We only kill because we can't figure out another way."
And then he remembered. He did believe those words, but believing in them meant he could not even think of saving thousands by killing one.
"I told you before I believe. I follow the words of St. Elimine. That's all there is to it."
He looked to Jya with a concerned expression. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag that down. Perhaps you should go scouting at the front, I am sure your eyes would be a great asset to them."
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Post by Jya on Nov 23, 2009 19:40:32 GMT -6
After Valorian's reassurance, Jya nodded her response and began to rush towards the front of the army. The problem of getting to the front was the congested way that armies marched. She ducked down and perhaps rolled out to the crowd a couple of times, before finally reaching the front. Everything seemed so very tense to her, especially the atmosphere. She moved farther ahead, keeping her pace steady. She swore there was something out there, or rather someone. It was probably just her paranoia. There were only grass here...
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Nov 25, 2009 0:45:43 GMT -6
Theian stops walking and looks at Richter.
"How about we see what would happen if we actually did cross blades...
That was all Theian heard. The rest was drowned in the sound of him unseathing his blade. "Richter, I would love to match wit and sword against you. Ah!" He puts away his sword, "Of course, I'll have to set up my tent... Tsk! Alright, maybe later. After the camp is set and dinner is served, we can go for a fight." He turns about go... thinking...
Say... where's my jerky bag?
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Nov 25, 2009 9:47:58 GMT -6
Clair was tired. Something had been decided whch would have an effect on her life, for good or ill. An allegiance had been formed to the purposes that Richter was fighting for. She realized that she had made a blunder by letting her emotions be read so easily.
"At least I didn't say anything that could be thought of as treasonous." She thought to herself.
She managed to bring her voice, almost, back to its normal tone. "High Officer, unless you have other duties for me, I'll go help set up the camp." She wanted just to go off by herself. To try to understand this unexpected turn of events, but she desired to do whatever she could to aid the army more so.
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Nov 27, 2009 21:28:35 GMT -6
Theian went over and tried looking for someone he could share tents with. Stolling along, he finds Jya up in the front of the army.
"Jya, how are you doing? Aren't we supposed to set up tents? Or are you one of the night lookouts?" He leaned back as he usually did.
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Post by Jya on Nov 27, 2009 22:23:56 GMT -6
Jya wasn't so much startled as she was surprised. No one had bothered to talk to her, or ask what she had been up to. Everyone just seemed tired from the march.
"Oh, I was just scouting ahead, seeing what I can, but...there wasn't much, it just seems so quiet," she responded to Theian with a casual tone.
"As for the tents, I can't help much, I never bothered setting up tents, it just seems more comforting sleeping out in the wilderness."
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Nov 28, 2009 0:55:42 GMT -6
"Wow, I guess you're used to being in the wilderness then. Why is that?" He looks down at Jya. Upon closer inspection, she looked as if she was tired... and that she wasn't very clean.
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Post by Jya on Nov 28, 2009 7:16:29 GMT -6
"Hey, I like to travel! Plus, its cheaper," she responded, forgetting exactly what she was doing there. She shifted through her belongings, before accidentally opening the pouch with her edible live bugs.
"Ahh, man..." she responded as they all jumped out. Scratching her head, she didn't bother trying to go after them. It was better to try to find more another day.
"There goes a couple of meals," including this one, instead she pulled out a bag herbs made to keep hunger at bay. The raw bitterness of the pack had left her taste long ago. Popping a pinch into her mouth, she turned to Theian.
"Want some?"
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Nov 28, 2009 11:30:02 GMT -6
Theian eyed the bugs and the herbs. Man, this girl knows where to find food. Sure, I'll take some. He tried the herbs, but it was very bitter. He tried not to show that he disliked them.
"So you ended up going into this army while traveling? Man, that sounds like me."
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Post by Jya on Nov 28, 2009 14:09:11 GMT -6
"Well, its more like, I met someone heading to help this army and was hired by him along the way," Jya said, in between the herb chewing. This wasn't time to eat, she lost two days of food at least. The herbs only kept the feeling from hunger away, but it didn't help keep her from malnutrition. The thought didn't scare her, the feeling of hunger was much worse.
"So, how exactly did you get into this mess?"
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Nov 28, 2009 16:21:39 GMT -6
Theian sighed. This might take a while. "Well, I was in Ilia, waiting for a spot in the mercenary guilds, when a cleric and an archer went into the pub. They were in a mercenary guild and had finished a mission in Eutrica and had gotten another one at Bern. After some talking, they let me join them, and if I was good enough, I would have joined the guild. Well, we passed through a pass in the mountains, and ended up in the fields in Sacae... After a while.... we got seperated, and I wandered over to this army, where I was recruited as a sellsword." Theian sighed, "Well, at least I found a way to make cash. Shouldn't we be getting dinner?"
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Post by Jya on Nov 28, 2009 18:05:23 GMT -6
"Yeah, guess you're right! Come on, lets see what this place has to offer," she said, before dashing out towards the open field. Jya wasn't at all thinking like a civilized soldier. It was rare for her to even treat herself to a meal in a tavern, much less a restaurant. The hunt has only just began.
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