Lightstar Family/Adaria/Roleplay 31
Bushwhacking
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
A familiar girl moved past in a blink while the plainly dressed knight looked on. A couple pirates who found their way outside the roadside taverns hooted at her as she passed. Curious to the individual's purpose, the knight followed the familiar girl.
Still grumbling to herself, the girl kept walking back the other way without looking back to see if her men had followed. She was so focused on her irritated thoughts that she did not even notice the hoots and catcalls directed at her from the side. Adaria thought about how she was going to evade the increased patrols, when the realization of the futility of the whole situation came suddenly crashing down upon her shoulders.
With a feral growl, the noble drew her sword and hacked away at a poor, innocent bystander, in the form of a wild bush. Leaves and berries flew around haphazardly, and her hair was thrown into a jumbled mess, but the girl did not seem to notice. In moments, the bush was reduced to an unrecognizable pile of green and brown plant-stuff.
Since most of her frustration was played out in that act of devastation, Adaria proceeded to shake off her blade and return the weapon to its sheath. Then, she spied a nearby rock and sat down to both calm herself and wait to see if her unit was on its way.
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
There was still quite some distance between the familiar girl and the knight who took his time following her.
"Griswold, I believe that is the girl who got unusually lucky in the last tournament." The knight spoke in a voice tinged with slight sarcasm, as he watched the girl slash aimlessly at a bush.
Both the archer captain and commander watched the display with amusement and disbelief. "She's supposed to be family to an Aenilian duke, yes?" Griswold muttered.
Iksandros could only nod while his face showed how odd he found the person hacking a bush to be.
(Roleplay from Cayhill Johanson)
Walking among the people, as Cayhill normally did, he heard a few people gasp and draw aback from a little up the road. He hurried through the quickly thinning ranks of citizens hearing a random person saying something about, "... she's gone mad she 'as," or "someone should stop her before she hurts herself..."
Cayhill finally spotted the culprit of the recent talk. A female figure with a mess of tangled hair, no doubt to the venting which had just taken place on an innocent shrubbery, had just put away her blade as Cayhill called out, "Aye that was a mighty fine swing on that bush. Rather I would see you try cutting down a man with such wild blows. Prithee, I thought you were on your way out of the region and back to your own country? Also, pray tell, why are you hacking away at that young plant?"
Adaria gave a start at the call, looking up and all around to try to locate the man. She spotted him approaching slowly, seeming a bit cautious, and quickly stood up from her seat on the rock. Biting her lip in consternation, the girl tried to identify the man by his garb, but she could not make out any details from the distance. The fellow appeared ordinary, but Adaria was not about to take any chances, since he seemed to know more about her than anyone in the area should have known, from his too-casual remark.
Besides, she was in no mood for conversation at this time. With a huff and a stamp of her boot, Adaria brushed at her shoulder-length hair a few times before tossing it over one shoulder. She called back:
"Leave me alone!"
Then, before the stranger could advance any further, the girl simply turned around and ran back up the road.
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
As the girl ran up the road from the man, the Zonasan knight still watched with his captain at the proceedings. Soldier and commander looked at each other. Both shrugged.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the girl was heading in their direction. Neither man moved though, watching the strange person hurtling toward them.
Adaria did not look back over her shoulder and just hoped that the stranger was not in pursuit, though she could not hear any pounding footsteps behind. Suddenly, she noticed two men standing by the side of the road, who seemed to be staring at her intently. The girl slowed her pace just a little as she neared to get a glimpse of them, but also wisely slanted her course a bit to pass by further on the other side.
As she rushed by, turning her head to squint at them, Adaria thought one of them looked vaguely familiar, but she had neither the time nor the inclination to stop and figure it out. For all she knew, these two, like the man she left behind, were enemy scouts sent to track her down for the patrols. Thus, the girl thought no more of them and started to run past.
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
"Running like that leaves you very vulnerable to getting shot in the back." The archer commander stated smoothly in an indifferent voice while the archer captain continued to stare at the girl running past them.
"Although, it appears that one has no intention of doing such a thing. Still," Iksandros stepped, extended his left arm, holding a composite bow, in Adaria's path. "I am curious what an Aenilian is doing passing through neutral territory to reach Soliferum."
His face looked at her with ennui, right hand resting at the side, nowhere near the hilt of the brilliant sword on his belt. The arrowless bow remained clenched in his extended arm, directly blocking Adaria's path. The archer captain looked on at the commander.
With a loud gasp at hearing those words, the young girl stumbled to a sudden halt in front of the very unexpected bow. She snapped her head to stare incredulously at the man whose arm was outstretched and felt quite vulnerable at that time. Her right hand went immediately to grip the hilt of the long sword at her side, while her left moved to the dagger on her other hip.
Fear told Adaria to jump back and draw her weapons, but logic reminded the girl that the man could have easily let her pass by, only to take aim and let fly an arrow right into her exposed back, as he had just mentioned. She compromised by first taking a step back and then warily circling to keep the one holding the bow between herself and the other man.
What was the deal today with strange men knowing more than they should about who she was and from where she hailed? And where was her damned unit? Did they truly desert her when she stomped away? Growling in frustration, she narrowed her eyes at the man and gave a curt answer.
"I was not welcome in Zonasa, so I turned back around."
Adaria quickly scanned her opponent's attire and noticed an expensive-looking sword in a fine scabbard attached to his belt, which suggested that these two were either successful highwaymen, or this one could possibly be of noble birth. This observation, of course, only heightened the girl's anxiety, for if he was a Soliferite noble, then he likely had his unit nearby and ready to surround her.
Silently cursing herself for not waiting for her men, the girl backed away another step and began to scan the immediate area, looking for any possible ambush spots.
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
The initial response from Iksandros was a face that expressed a look of "Really?" But he made no further move. The archer captain Griswold crossed his arms upon seeing the girl reach for her arms, but he too did not make any attempts to draw weapons.
"If you went to Zonasa in peace, then there is no problem. You just happened to be in the pirate city, and I spotted you. I decided to see what you were attempting to do." Iksandros lowered his bow. "The Principality is usually hospitable to guests, but current circumstances make such hospitality more guarded, especially with the recent troubles with a certain foreign noble. However, Batesaor is a city that I would like to see safe, relatively speaking. Foreigners traveling to Soliferum usually means nothing good can come of it. Aenilia and Soliferum are warring realms. What else could possibly occur save needless violence? If you aim to shed blood, then at least refrain from bringing such a blood soaked trail upon Zonasan soil. Then again, if you entered Zonasa with ill intentions," Griswold and Iksandros locked eyes on Adaria suddenly. "I really was being nice to you, even on the second. Try to stay out of trouble, since I would rather not have to turn my technique on any human outside of tournament competition."
"Looks like we kept too long, eh Sandros. She ain't our enemy, let those of Soliferum do what they want to her when they catch up. Unless, of course," Griswold smiled eerily, "You wish to delay her here for those southerners to catch up?"
Iksandros gave a small "tsk" as he lowered the bow. "That is none of my business. Though, I do believe the Flame would expect me to defend the populace of a region belonging to our 'federate'. So let me ask you, if my memory from Sasrhas serves correctly, you would be Lady Adaria? If so, why are you here?" Iksandros looked intently at the girl, waiting for her response, with right hand remaining still and left hand pivoting with bow in hand.
The girl warily listened as the man began speaking, but soon enough, she calmed her nerves a bit at the realization that this fellow was most likely a member of Zonasa, based on the manner in which he spoke of the Principality. For the moment, Adaria could rest easy with the thought that there were probably no soldiers waiting to pounce upon her any minute now to claim Soliferum's newest prisoner.
When the fellow mentioned 'needless violence', Adaria almost laughed out loud, but she bit back the joyless mirth and the sarcastic remark that would have surely followed. 'Needless violence' indeed, the girl mused, with her raging thoughts momentarily focused on Viracocha's execution of her other cousin, Yleina.
She was about to tell the man that her previous aim, in moving towards Batesaor in the first place, was to find her way home, but he kept talking. A moment later, her eyes narrowed again at his barely veiled threat of using his 'technique' upon her, but then he mentioned the word 'tournament', which made the girl cock her head to the side and study the man more closely. Only nobles participated in those events, so this must be a Zonasan knight or lord, she thought to herself.
The other man opened his mouth next, and his last remark, the question to this 'Sandros' fellow, had Adaria's eyes widening in shock. They would not dare... would they? She tensed her legs, ready to draw her dagger to slice the man's bowstring and run away for all she was worth...
But then the one in front lowered his bow and addressed her once more. His mention of 'federate' had the girl confused, and her face clearly showed it, for had not the federation of old been dissolved many months, if not years, ago? However, before Adaria could ponder that conundrum any longer, the mention of 'Sasrhas' conjured up an entirely different thought.
Immediately, her mind made the connections between all the hints that had been revealed in this most curious encounter: his allegiance to Zonasa, his technique at tournaments, his nickname Sandros as spoken by the other man... And to top it all off, he knew her name. Yes, this must be that same warrior who earned both of the winner's honours for the last tournament in Ohnar West.
Adaria opened her mouth to reply, but she found herself having a difficult time in trying to form words. Finally, after a long and uncomfortable moment of silence, the girl cleared her throat and did her best to respond.
"Yes, that's indeed who I am... You have an excellent memory, Sir. As for the reason behind my being here... The truth is that I've been trying to evade capture at the hands of Soliferum for close to a fortnight, ever since my two escorts were unfortunately imprisoned. Yesterday, I decided to try and sneak unnoticed into Zonasan territory so that I could make my escape and return home. However," she snorted in mild amusement and tossed her head to swing some stray bangs over an ear, "it appears that I was clearly spotted."
Adaria relaxed her stance, letting her previously crossed arms--with hands on opposite hips--fall apart to rest on their natural sides, though still atop both weapon hilts.
"Your Regent actually sent a messenger to explain that I wasn't welcome, and so, as I've already explained to you, that's precisely why I've turned away to move back towards Soliferum."
She offered a lop-sided grin as she continued.
"If I'm to run the risk of capture in either realm, then why not do it in my enemy's land, where I'd feel little, if any, guilt in stealing their tax gold whenever there's a chance?"
The girl shrugged nonchalantly and did not let her cool gaze stray from the other noble's eyes.
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
After Adaria finished, Iksandros once more looked at the girl with an expression of "Are you kidding me?" And then he frowned, a face uncommonly seen on him despite the perception that he was a serious warrior.
"You really should not steal, even from enemies. Today's enemies may be tomorrow's friends, or so Ramuh would maintain. Besides, it is simply immoral." He kept a steady gaze on the strange girl, neither hostile or challenging.
"Ah," Iksandros lifted his free hand, "But Zonasa enjoys a fairly complex relationship with Soliferum and Aenilia. I will not interfere as long as you do not undertake actions against proper conscience. And I believe some in Zonasa did not agree with your presence due to their misconception upon seeing your armament." He waved a hand at the two blades at Adaria's sides.
"However," he said, "If all you wish to do is return home, then I can escort you through Zonasan lands. However, that would necessitate that you disarm in so much as your unit is allowed to redirect and go home independently of you. If you have any doubts about our ability to see to your safe return, then Griswold here can tell you how unlikely it is that any assassins manage to sneak past their hunters' eyes and ears. Besides, I have not seen the lands of Aenilia, or your cousin the duke in a formal setting."
She frowned slightly at the Zonasan's words and decided to try to justify her actions somewhat, by telling him outright what she had bit back just moments beforehand.
"Good Sir, I wouldn't be 'stealing', as you call it, nor even taking part in this Aenil-damned war, if their so-called 'Minister of Law' hadn't hung a very dear cousin of mine. And for what?? Changing a few road signs! Never once had she attacked, or even tried to attack, any of their nobles! What justice is that, pray tell me, good Sir?!"
Adaria's eyes simmered as she lowered her gaze to the ground.
"Nay, I will never call any of Soliferum friends, and I hope to see them all burn for keeping, and thus supporting, such an evil and murderous madman in power!"
Her nostrils flared a few times before she regained most of her composure and looked Iksandros in the eyes again. Adaria took a deep breath before continuing.
"My apologies for the outburst, Sir, since it's not your problem. And my thanks as well for the offer of escort, but I've already informed your good Regent that I'll be staying off Zonasan territory. To so soon renege on my word, even in the company of a respectable knight such as yourself, would, I fear, further complicate matters between our two realms."
The girl turned her head to look back down the road, staring off into the distance.
"I will try to evade capture until my friends and peers arrive at the front. If I fail, then at least I know what to expect in prison..."
Adaria bit her lip and sighed.
(Roleplay from Cayhill Johanson)
And so the girl ran; ran away from him. Cayhill did not understand why his voice scared her so. He had only good intentions and only wanted to talk with her, even if their two realms despised each other. So Cayhill let her go on her way. She would meet up with someone else from his realm, but perhaps they would not be so friendly...
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
Seeing the strange girl run away, there was not much else to be done. The two returned in the direction of the troops, eastward, back to the pirate city.
