Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 16:09:08 GMT -6
She watched as the impact of how Ostia fell took the young man, eyes narrowing in some sympathy. She would feel the same way as if the city of Bern fell. Both strong cities, unbelievably strong cities...and to be brought to ruin...she would not be able to comprehend, she would be wrought with fear.
She muddled on these things...he knew much of what happened...but not much at all at the same, he encountered these things up close, and she did not envy him these things. Wringing her hands together, she slowly stood up with a wince of pain to where her wound used to be, but she did stand in the end, holding out a hand to her new friend.
"You're pretty brave to have fought those things, I'm not sure if I could even have done the same...but I go to Ostia, to confirm, I need to see what the Prophet is planning to do...if Bern is in danger, it should begin to bolster against Eturia...all of Lycia should do the same...I wonder if the Marquess, as divided as they are, can see this."
With her hand still outstretched to Wyatt, she gave a small smile continually, and flexed her fingers out.
"Think you can rest while on your feet? I need to get my belongings back...I will not tolerate being robbed. We can talk more on the way...they went east, probably only a few miles."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 16:17:16 GMT -6
She was pretty strong, Wyatt would give her that. Not the dainty spoiled noble brat he would have expected, no she shrugged off the injury and was ready to pursue. That attitude alone did wonders to lift his spirits.
"It's not really bravery when it's fight or die. I mean, I didn't chose to fight them, I just didn't have a choice. Anyway, if it's brigands, then I can help a bit." He pulled up his axe and got to his feat, as something streamed across his eyes, blurring his vision. He wiped his sleeve on it, to see a small stain of blood. That was right, one of those wolves had grazed his brow. Without thinking on it, he took a small red bandage and wrapped it around his head, as a sort of headband. He then hefted his axe onto his shoulder and took her hand with his free one.
"All right." he said, pulling himself up. "Let's get going then."
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 16:34:10 GMT -6
For one, Aevian didn't believe what he said. Fight or die? There were other things to do than that, but much less glorious. As he rose to his feet, she waited a moment, seeing him tie off the bandage as a headband, to which she unsheathed her axe, and gave him a thumbs up, and turned herself, and headed towards where the bandits ran off. She needed that satchel back, it was...important to her.
"You know, what you said, to either fight, or die? I don't agree." she cleared her throat, and spoke softly, but proudly, like she was imitating someone,
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyways."
She wore a smug grin, reveling in the words, hardly noble words, but true ones at that. Her eyes shifted to Wyatt, pools of red, taking interest in him.
"Being cowardly is easy, being brave is tough, but more rewarding."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 16:56:12 GMT -6
Wyatt eyed her with a grin. Was this what all nobles acted like? They didn't seem all that different from the normal people. That was good, he'd hate to wind up in service to an arrogant and rude person.
"I guess it's what you said earlier. Pride. We don't want to be the coward, so we force ourselves to have courage, even if it isn't there." A little profound for him, but he was prone to sudden onsets of insight.
He looked off to the east, seeing nothing that stood out as a bandit hideout. But with just the two of them...well he hoped the two that had run off were all they had. "Yeah, they couldn't keep up that speed for long, they probably have a home base around here. But if it's more then two or three of them..." He let the sentence stop there. "Not that I can't hold my own mind you, I'm just not quite ready to fight an army of bandits. Unless you've got your own personal army hiding over the next hill?" He said with a slight grin.
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 17:08:40 GMT -6
"There can be no such thing as courage, if there is not fear first." Aevian nodded her head in agreement, eyes determined, glancing to him with a look of wonder and admiration for the blacksmith, and looking straight ahead of her once again. The axe fell comfortably within her hand, the curved handle fitting well within her palm. her stride was brisk, as the pain sh had got relatively less, until she hardly knew it, and bared with it. That satchel had her vulneraries, and well, going to get it back, if she does, she'll be glad to have them.
"You're probably right. When they left, one made mention that their leader would be interested in what I had. I do have things of value, but the one thing I want back, is priceless, and they will probably discard it, because it has no value to them."
Her teeth clenched a little in worry, not wanting what she had to be thrown away, but her mood was elevated a little at the mention of an army, shaking her head.
"Oh Light, no no...I I came into Lycia with an armed force, the Marquees would think it an open act of hostility and war from Bern...and that's not something we need...oh no...that, and my father doesn't have that many men under his personal attendance, other than guards, and men at arms."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 17:24:18 GMT -6
"Yeah...a war would be a bad time for everyone. We might already have one..." Wars may mean work, but they also mean that his town might get dragged into it. It'd happened before when the Knights would come round to take the able bodied youths into service...
"Well if they have something that important to you, we'd better get after them! There are some things that can't be replaced, and that means we've gotta protect them even more. Even with the two of us, we'll be ok."
Strength to spare, thank god for days of dragging smith supplies around. It paid off right now. And then he set out for the east, following the clumsy tracks of the two who had run off earlier. It wasn't hard for someone who'd been hunting for his meat since he was seven.
"Here, these are their tracks." He said, pointing to a patch of the ground. "Broken up because they were moving fast, so we'd better too if we want to catch them."
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 17:36:37 GMT -6
A silent nod was all she spared, she didn't know how it would happen...with the way the mountains surrounding Ilia were, it would make difficult for a war outside of Lycia or Sacae...if Bern were to act, Lycia would be the fighting ground, that in her mind was clear...and Lycia and Bern didn't always have the best relationship, due to the past...but if what little way she could influence, she would see the prophet destroyed...but that was for things to come.
She let Wyatt take the lead. She in no right had the mind enough to know how to track these men, but thankfully, the young man did. She followed him now, this was his territory, this was his experience. Following his finger to where a barely visible print was, which didn't catch her eye at all, until he outlined it. A hand to her chin, she nodded, knowing what he meant for them to do. She was fit enough to make haste.
"Then lets be on our way, Wyatt."
Grinning, she sped off with a general mind on where the tracks were going. She felt so free outside here in this lush wilderness...it was quite refreshing, despite what Aevian knew she was running to, but her mind didn't rest on what was coming, not yet anyways, she wanted to savor the moment.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 17:43:45 GMT -6
Wyatt saw her take off, and was again surprised. She could sure run! Jeez, why did people always say nobles were pampered and spoiled, she might be able to give him a run for his money! Wyatt took a few steps to make sure his legs were still working right, and took off after her.
Conversation was spared as they tracked the pair, and it was barely a half hour before a small ruin, probably was once a roadside outpost, came into view. The tracks had long since slowed down, so it appeared that they would be stopping soon. Wyatt pointed it out.
"I'd say that is where they are hiding. It's pretty small, so there couldn't be more then five in there, and that would be uncomfortable. Places like that were usually only designed for three. And jeez can you run, I didn't think nobles were that athletic." He remarked, readying his axe, just in case.
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 18:04:37 GMT -6
She enjoyed the run, she could feel her chest burning with the intake of air, Her breaths were long and steady, hardly faltering. It was a good run, and she overly enjoyed it, feeling like she did as a child once again. As she stopped upon seeing the ruins that Wyatt pointed out, she moved now at a slowed pace, and Axe twirling with her wrist.
"Thank the light only five then, it would be difficult to fight anymore than that...not that fighting five is easy, mind you."
Placing a hand to her collar, she slowly undid her cap, and let the black cloak embroidered in gold thread hand securely from a branch, figuring she would not need it for this. Smirking back at Wyatt, she shot up an eyebrow, and shook her head towards him.
"Most nobles are not like me. My brothers and sister worked in the way of politics, law, and courtly manners. They trained to be future counts and countesses. I am the youngest, and the most alienated...when my siblings were being schooled in stately matters, I trained with the captain of the guard in how to fight, among other things."
She frowned a little, not a hurtful look on her face, but something of frustration.
"My life was to lead outside the walls of our city, I was more free than my kin, and they hated me for that. To them, I was the Barbarian Princess. I even look different than them."
Aevian chuckled and shook her head a bit, as she leaned up against a tree, looking for any posted guards, but not seeing any outside the fairly small structure.
"After this is finished, I'd be happy to share more about my life, if you wish of it...though it's not all that amazing, I'm afraid."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 19:04:33 GMT -6
Wyatt listened to her, while keeping his eyes on the fort. "Tch, what do they know? An assassin breaks down their door and what do they do? It's always good to be able to defend yourself. And I look forward to that story, I guess we'll share stories at a good tavern after we teach these brigands a thing or two." He said with a smile, and began a slow approach to the building.
He held up his hand when they drew close, and whispered to her. "I hear voices...listen."
OOC: I'll let you decide what they are saying, since it's your encounter.
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 19:22:20 GMT -6
Aevian perked up a bit as she followed Wyatt closer. She could hear the voices, they were low, rumbling, and almost inaudible, but still, she heard them. She moved a little closer, not having been able to hear them clearly. A few paces more, and the words were low, but clear,
"You heard, huh? Merrik and Bors are back, new guys dead, killed by a girl, hahah!"
"Idiot, it's not something to laugh at."
"Yeah yeah, but still, they said they robbed that rich woman, she had some nice things, bet they're showing the big guy himself right now."
"Yeah...shoulda brought her back, wouldn't be so lonely out here, ya know?"
The two barked with laughter, and Aevian frowned, finding that kind of talk quite disgusting. Licking her lips, she looked back to Wyatt and motioned with her free hand, but spoke in a hushed tone.
"I hear two, talking about the ones who robbed me. They're with their lord, and they're alone, from what I can hear."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 19:29:39 GMT -6
Wyatt nodded. "Then, shall we give them a little surprise?" He looked about and when he was certain they were not being watched he moved and pushed himself against the wall. He held up three fingers to Aevian, and then slowly started lowering them. When the last finger was lowered, he rapped his axe softly on the stone wall. The noise would be quiet inside, but still audible.
And then he readied his axe to strike at the door, and whatever may choose to come out of it. Bandit's weren't the sharpest bunch.
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 19:51:53 GMT -6
Aevian had herself propped up against the wall as well, her axe balanced in her hand quite comfortably. Licking at her lips in anticipation, she had a feeling Wyatt's rouse to bring them out would work... all she had to do now was sit and wait.
Inside, the sound of stone stopped the two from their conversation, one, with a long bushy bearded the colour of fire, looked over his accomplices shoulder, squinting, holding up a finger to silence the other.
"Hear that?"
"No, what are you-"
"Shaddup! I heard something, an' bosses rule is to check anything, come on, get your axe."
With a heavy breath, the bald headed man went and retrieved his axe from the corner where the other man's axe was. Picking up the two weapons, he handed it to his mate, which was taken into strong hands.
The man with the beard led towards the door, axe at the ready as the door slowly swung open, and the axe led the way outside. Moving closely behind the other man, the bald headed figure was trying to get out around him, figuring the other man to be moving slowly. The lead peered outside, and then craned his head around the door, and took to looking Wyatt right in the eye, his eyes bulged and got out a few quick words.
"What the?!"
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Jan 2, 2010 20:09:48 GMT -6
Wyatt heard the conversation, heard the door creek, and saw the brigands head, it was a perfect strike.
But he hesitated...to cut him down right here...it felt wrong of it...cowardly. He was a brigand though, he would not pause for someone else. And so Wyatt let the axe fall, but his hesitation kept if from being a killing blow. It dug deeply into the brigands shoulder as he yanked his head out of the way, and the heavy iron stayed embedded in his flesh as he howled in pain, a howl that would assuredly be heard by the others. He did, however, stop in his tracks, blocking the door. That meant that he was the only one they'd deal with now.
Also Wyatt's axe had hit on the side, meaning his front was wide open.
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Aevian
The "Before" years
[M:30]
Posts: 114
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Post by Aevian on Jan 2, 2010 20:25:37 GMT -6
Aevian would have understood his reluctance to not outright slaughter the man. it would have been more mercy than she would have shown for him. Aevian wasn't cruel, but she was just, in her mind, and she could not condone the way of life these men had chosen.
The second man stumbled back after seeing the way his friend had reacted, then saw the axe crash down into his shoulder, causing fear to rise in him, but he grit his teeth and tried to get his axe through to slash at Wyatt, but his accomplice blocked the way, so instead, with a bare hand, he jutted out his fist, and went to punch the younger man right across the jaw, and if that was not enough to move him, he would push his body out into Wyatts, to force him outside.
Aevian stood there, puzzled by Wyatt's inaction, blocking the door. he should have pressed forwards, so she too, could bring up the rear, but instead, he allowed himself to be bait. As Wyatt took up space, Aevian looked at the joints of the door, and reared her axe back, slamming the heavy blade into the metal hinges, cracking them apart in a few good swings, causing the wooden door to fall off, so there would be no way for them to close it on them.
In back, Aevian could her the rousing of men and the scraping of chair legs on stone floors. Metal ringing together and heavy footsteps coming closer.
"Wyatt, the rest are coming."
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