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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2012 22:36:19 GMT -5
Beside her Lucas raised an eyebrow. "That's peculiar. I've never heard of a new recruit going on a mission before. I'm Lucas by the way." He told her with a small smile. It was a genuine smile and with his pretty looks and young face it seemed to fit well with his character.
Lara on the other hand was focusing on the road. This close to the city, Lara didn't expect any trouble. She did have a map with her now that she thought about it. Letting the horse continue forward on its own for a bit, she turned as much as she could and undid one of the pockets of the pack. She had put the map in there. It wasn't hard to find it.
Back in control of the horse, she unfolded the map. It was actually one of the maps provided by the army. It was a large map and detailed much about the road and things on the way to the mountains. The map would lead them to the mountain pass and from there she would have to rely on her memory. "Were going to have to go hard from here out. I want to reach the river there. It's a known place for parties to stay."
"Should I go ahead, Captain?" Ty asked. He was a fast runner and had been a scout originally before he was made captain. He was one of the best ones she'd seen. Lucas was also another strong scout, but for this mission Lara felt they would need his archery skills more. Especially when they reached the Enchanted Woods.
"Nah. I don't expect much until tomorrow. Were still too close to the city." Ty's response was to nod behind her. Much good it did for her though, she didn't see. "Alright guys. Let's go. Keep together." Tightening her grip on the reigns she let out a harrah, before snapping them. The horse took off.
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Post by Sprow on Dec 21, 2012 4:02:09 GMT -5
Rekka could see the confused look on the guy's face. When he spoke, she had already guessed at his response before he even said it. She hoped that they wouldn't expect miracles from her. Rekka knew that she was new to this whole thing. She just hoped that she wouldn't disappoint anyone in the long run. Would she manage to stay alive in this? By herself, she knew the answer would be no. With others, maybe. It all depended on how things went on this journey.
She looked over at the guy speaking to her as he stated that he had never heard of a new recruit being taken on a mission before. Then, he finally introduced himself as Lucas. Rekka returned the smile as she gave him a nod of respect. "And I'm Rekka. Nice to meet you, Lucas." Looking at Lucas, she could see that he was definitely gifted with his appearance. Considering the field he was in, she was surprised someone like him managed to seem to go unscathed for the most part. He was lucky. Rekka, on the other hand, was unlucky. She was very conscious of the fact she had no left eye. Where her looks, before she lost her eye, hadn't been drop dead gorgeous her looks had definitely been defiled the moment she lost her eye. Rekka found herself slightly envious of Lucas though she didn't show it. He was untarnished where as she was.
It was Lara's voice that saved Rekka from falling deeper into her dark thoughts as she looked ahead toward her to listen and focus. Apparently, they were going to go hard from here on out. They were to reach the river where it was known for parties to stay. That was probably their checkpoint for the night. Captain Ty then spoke up, asking Lara if she'd like for him to go ahead. No doubt, he intended to scout the area ahead for them.
Lara rejected the offer, stating that she didn't think there would be any trouble for them until tomorrow since they were still so close to the city. Were they going to have their horses run? Rekka hoped that she'd be able to keep her balance well. She didn't want to end up falling from the horse because of her blind spot. Maybe she should crouch lower to the horse's back? Before she could think more on the issue, Lara told them to head off and keep together. No sooner had she said this she gave a cry and her horse took off at top speed.
"YAH!" Rekka shouted, flicking the reigns as she had seen Lara do and her horse took off at a run as well. She crouched closer to her horse's back, making sure she didn't lose balance as she went. Her fear was that something might hit her and she'd topple over because her left side was pretty much blind. If a stick or branch or something suddenly appeared there, she wouldn't see it until she ran into it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2012 1:56:13 GMT -5
They rode hard. Riding a horse can seem fun at times, but when you spent hours upon hours on horseback your muscles began to get sore. Lara could feel her legs cramping and her buttocks most likely had a couple of bruises on them. But she still rode on. They followed the road through hills and past selected trees and greenery. Lara even spotted some wild animals grazing on the field as they passed.
The main change in the surrounding appearance only came in what lay ahead of them. The mountains grew closer as the sky began to descend on the other side of the sky. They still had a while to go before they reached those mountains. "Three or four days of hard riding I'd imagine." Normally Lara wouldn't want to push these animals so hard. But they did pack extra food for them and the First Commander had made it known how important speed was for this mission.
They passed no travelers as they rode however. Which seemed slightly odd to Lara. On her way to the city three years ago there were countless travelers and even some small villages along the road to the castle city. Lara specifically remembered going through a farmer's orchard and stealing some apples because she ran out of food. She was still Amber then though.
"You can make up as many names as you want for yourself. You will always be a halfblood. Spawn of the Emperor. Tainted. That will never change." Alvi reminded her. Lara refused to answer back to the taunting voice. She'd be admitting that she was crazy then.
The sky was a swirl of orange, yellow, and gold while the sun barley stood over their backs when the small river came into view. Lara pulled up on the reigns and held out a hand, motioning for everyone to slow their steads. Or in Ty's case, slow his legs. They were maybe an hour from the river now.
"Good job guys we made it!" Lara tried to reassure everyone. But at this point her voice didn't have as much chipper as it normally did among Ty and Justin. Right now she just wanted to get to the river.
Ty was breathing just as heavily as the horses they rode. "You sure know how to make a tiger get a good workout!"
"My but feels like it's going to fall off!" Justin complained as they continued a light trot.
Ty rolled his eyes as he paced beside Justin. "Oh shut it! My leg's are on fire! When we reach that river I bet there will be steam comin off um!"
Beside Rekka, Lucas was also feeling the same pains as Justin and Lara. But his attention was on Rekka. "You doing alright Rekka?" He asked her, trying to show his concern for her.
As they came to the he river, the sun finally set and dusk and then night came upon them. "We can't let the horses drink yet. I don't see any sign of other people, so let's head to the camp just a bit down the way along the river. We can walk the horses from here."
"You mean where that fire is?" Ty asked.
Slightly confused, Lara tried to see what Ty was talking about. Finally she saw it. A faint light that could only be made by a fire. Exactly where the camp was supposed to be too! Lara didn't have the eyes of a tiger like Ty did. He could see the best in the dark out of all of their company.
"Well what do we do now? We could camp somewhere else and build our own fire..." Justin suggested.
Lara had no reason to believe that the people at that fire were evil. They were probably travelers just like they were. Plus they were soldiers! They had experience. "No let's go see who they are. Were soldiers of Cornelia after all. What do we have to fear?"
"HA! That's how I like to hear it! I'm ready to sink these claws into some flesh!" Ty cheered.
It was Justin's turn to roll his eyes this time. Lucas didn't seem to convinced by the idea of going there though.
Getting off her horse, Lara felt her legs almost give out! She hadn't expected that! It was due to sitting on the saddle for so long. Using her horse to steady her legs, she finally got a grip on solid ground and started moving. By then Lucas had dismounted his horse, and Justin his as well. Both boys experienced similar reactions to getting off the horse.
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Post by Sprow on Dec 22, 2012 16:33:56 GMT -5
Rekka could feel herself bruising in certain areas as they rode long and hard on the horses. She winced but it was pain she could bare with compared to what she went through. The loss of an eye was far more painful than being jostled about on the back of a running horse. It definitely wasn't a comfortable ride. If Rekka could, she would love to get off the horse for a bit and give her rear a rest. However, they weren't stopping anytime soon so she was forced to keep pushing onward. All the while, careful to not let any of the horse's jostling movements send her off kilter.
When they finally arrived where they could now view the river ahead of them. They still weren't close enough though to their intended destination just yet though, it seemed. Hearing Lara's voice, Rekka was eager to get off of her horse by now. Her bottom was sick of the ride. She could hear Justin and Ty complaining nearby. Ty's legs were burning and Justin's rear felt pretty much like everyone else's. Still, they continued at a light trot.
Hearing Lucas next to her, Rekka looked over. She was in discomfort much like them. "I'll be fine once we can get off these horses." She turned her attention on Lucas. "How about you?" she asked.
As they went, they finally came to the river. It was here that Lara told them that they couldn't let the horses drink just yet and that they could walk them from here. They were to head to the camp where people supposedly would be. It was here when Ty mentioned there was a campfire. Lara didn't expect to hear that, no doubt, but there was apparently a camp set up.
Justin suggested that they could set up camp somewhere else. Lara simply refused that idea and stated they were soldiers of Cornelia so what did they have to fear? Rekka wasn't sure what to think of that. The idea of fighting random strangers didn't sound thrilling. Rekka would rather avoid it. Oh well, no choice but to do as they were told. Carefully, Rekka slid off the back of the horse. Much like the others, Rekka couldn't walk right for a moment. Once she could introduce herself again to the concept of walking, she carefully used the horse to support her and then began to gradually walk after the others. She didn't like the idea of riding horses for such a long time like this again. Just how long they were to bare with such riding, Rekka didn't know but she hoped that this discomfort wouldn't last long.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2012 1:20:01 GMT -5
Lucas was actually feeling probably the same things that Rekka was. However, being a guy, he refused to let her know that. He wanted to present himself as a tough son of a gun. Getting off the horse though was a huge relief! "I'm glad were finally off them now." He told her with a small smile.
Ty remained silent, and his eyes were completely focused on the fire ahead of them. The expression on his face was not welcoming. "I don't like it... I see no outlines of tents. Nor do I hear any noises that might come from a group of people."
Lara grabbed the reigns of her horse and led the group forward on foot. "Maybe were just not close enough yet..." Lara really didn't believe it though. They were only perhaps twenty or so yards away from that fire. They'd at least see movement around it if there were people there. In addition no one would just leave a fire unattended for long. There were creatures that use to roam these lands that could build a fire. But Lara expected them to be closer to the mountains.
Justin walked behind Lara and Ty and led his horse, with Lucas bringing the rear. However they were all within earshot of each other. "Maybe Ty should scout ahead?" Justin asked.
Lara shook her head. "No let's stay together." They were less then ten yards away from the fire now. This close Lara could make out the logs and hard dirt around the fire. Many a people had stayed at this camp, and the ground around the fire showed proof with no greenery growing there.
There really was no one Lara could see around the fire. She heard no sounds, except their own breathing and the soft sounds there feet made. The horses made their own sounds of course, but Lara blocked them out. If she had too she would summon her armor and weapon.
Lucas, next to Rekka, was making sure to stand close to her. He had noticed her eye patch, and was walking in her blind spot to protect her. He carried his own horse along to his right by the reigns.
Finally they reached the camp fire. Like Ty had thought, there was no one there. However next to the fire, Lara saw a traveler's pack. It was about three feet tall and probably just as wide. There was a rolled up mat at the top and a small guitar leaning against it. Looking at it more closely, Lara recognized it as an instrument called a Lute.
"Someone's definitely been here." Ty said, noticing the pack as well.
The sound of something snapping, made Lara turn suddenly to the right towards the river bed. There walking into the light was a very surprised middle aged man. The first thing Lara noticed about him was his dress. Green dirty and torn pants accompanied tall brown boots, a long white sleeved shirt that had gained a tint with age, black colored leather breast plate armor, and a green cowboy's hat with a black feather sticking out the back. The next thing Lara noticed was his features: he was middle aged with his eyes just beginning to sag and a wrinkle or two in his cheeks, long brown hair was tied in a pony tail and small silver hoop earrings hung from his ears.
In one hand the stranger held a dead animal, to Lara it looked like a rabbit, in the other was a long curved hunting knife about a foot long and stained with red blood. The stranger looked from Lara to Ty, to Justin, and then to Rekka and Lucas. Looking down at his rabbit he spoke, "I don't think I have enough for three humans, a dwarf, and a Thera."
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Post by Sprow on Dec 23, 2012 1:55:44 GMT -5
Rekka could never understand male macho-ism. Then again, she wasn't a guy so she really didn't understand the need to seem like she was tough. Lucas didn't really answer her question except stating that he was glad they were finally off of the horses. At this, Rekka gave a nod. Oh, her bottom surely agreed with that one. The horse's saddle was not very comfortable for a good few hours of riding like that. Hopefully, her bottom wouldn't feel like this tomorrow. She didn't like the idea of horseback riding again like that but something told her that this would be the case. Oh well, best to bare with it as best she could.
How Lucas could walk and seemingly not seemed bothered by a sore butt was beyond Rekka. Either he was genuinely not bothered by the ride or he was putting on a facade. Either way, she wouldn't really know. It didn't really matter but she hoped, if these people were all more genuinely adapted to this sort of thing, that she'd adapt as well. As they walked in silence with their horses, Rekka could hear Ty telling Lara that he didn't like the look of the camp. That there weren't any tents that he could see nor noises made from large groups of people. Lara dismissed it by saying they were probably not close enough.
It wasn't until a moment's walk that Justin suggested Ty going ahead of them to scout the area. Lara rejected the idea, stating them staying together would be best. By the time they were ten yards away from the fire, Rekka started feeling odd. It happened when she set eyes on the flames themselves. The sensation of having a fever had come over her quite suddenly but not noticeable to anyone else. Anyone else would think she appeared normal. What was going on? She didn't feel like this before whenever she gazed at a campfire.
As they came in closer to the campfire, Rekka looked around in silence. She knew one of the group, most likely Lucas, was walking in the area that she couldn't see. She could see Lara and Ty as well as Justin ahead of her so that easily ruled out who was nearby. As she looked around, focusing on their situation instead of her momentary discomfort, she gave a bit of a jump at the sudden arrival of someone. Something had snapped which alerted everyone to the arrival of some middle aged traveler.
After a pause, an awkward one, the traveler stated that he didn't think that he had enough for three humans, a dwarf and a Thera.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2012 2:53:12 GMT -5
Lara kind of just blinked at the stranger. She hadn't been expecting someone like him to show up. Justin on the other hand was absolutely appalled. He stepped forward, rolled up his sleeves and said, "Who you callin a dwarf!"
The stranger peered down at Justin. "Well your short, your legs and arms are much larger then any average human's would be for your size. Plus there's the temper you just expressed. But it's really that necklace around your neck that gave you away. It's the Hammer of Brimir..."
Justin had almost reached the stranger when he stopped dead, his eyes wide. Lara's eyes went from the stranger to Justin in surprise. He was a dwarf?! A real life dwarf? "I didn't think they actually existed."
Captain Ty, let out a chuckle. "That explains much then."
Lucas stepped forward, next to Rekka now. With the appearance of the stranger he wanted to be closer to her in case she needed protecting. "Are you friend or foe?" He asked. He didn't really care much about what the Captain was. Lucas was normally a part of Captain Hunter's squad. He was not under Commander Lara's division. Captain Hunter was a great man and teacher though. The reason Lucas was as talented as he was, was partially because of his Captain.
"There is nothing one of me could do to five of you. Intentionally I mean you no harm." The stranger said, stepping closer now.
Justin backed away, clutching the pendent on his necklace. Lara stepped forward. "My name is Captain Lara and we are a party of His Majesty, King of Cornelia."
The stranger's eyebrows rose. "What an interesting party you all are. A dwarf, a Thera, a sharp shooter, a one eyed swordsman, and a young captain."
Once again Lara was surprised by this stranger's knowledge. "You seem to know a lot about us, yet we know nothing of you. Not even your name is yet known."
The stranger leaned over and bowed to Lara as if she were royalty. "My apologies madam. I have many names and many titles. But you may call me Bartimaeus. And at the moment I am but a traveler searching for the next great story to compose."
"HA! A bard! That's what he is!" Ty suddenly shouted.
Bartimaeus turned to Ty. "That is a title I have held before yes. But it is not who I am. We are not our titles Thera."
"I say we tie him up." Justin suggested.
Lara shook her head. "You two take the horses to the river to drink. Rekka and Lucas take off the packs though first. Do you mind if we share your fire for tonight Bartimaeus."
"Not at all. I just don't have enough game for everyone."
The reason Lara sent Justin and Ty was because she didn't want them getting into a fight with Bartimaeus. She didn't want trouble and those two were the most likely ones to start it. Bartimaeus walked passed her and over to his pack. He took a seat on a log near it and placed the game he caught in front of him. Lara turned away when he began to gut the creature. She wasn't that big on eating and watching live animals get cut open.
Walking over to help Rekka and Lucas, she took off whatever packs they hadn't taken off yet. Walking up to Rekka once Lucas and the rest were out of earshot she whispered, "What is your opinion? Do you think were safe with him?" Lara didn't want a male's opinion. She wanted the opinion of someone who was going to give her a straight and thought out answer, not one based on courage or chivalry.
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Post by Sprow on Dec 23, 2012 3:37:54 GMT -5
Rekka inwardly sweatdropped at Justin's response. She knew for a fact that the stranger had just opened up a can of things he didn't want to get himself into but had. No doubt, Justin would be showing him a thing or two. Well, if Commander Lara allowed it, that is. The stranger, in response to Justin's question, observed him and mentioned the observations he had picked up on. Rekka looked over at Justin curiously. Considering the look on Justin's face at the remark the man made about his necklace, and the lack of denial, it appeared as though Justin were a dwarf. At least, that's what it seemed according to things here. Rekka had never really seen a true dwarf before.
Ty simply gave a chuckle at this before saying that explained much. Lucas stepped forward next, inquiring whether or not the traveler here were a friend or a foe. Rekka looked at the traveler more intently then as she listened to what he was saying. She wasn't one to take the word of a stranger one hundred percent. Especially those she couldn't easily read. Still, there were five of them and only one of him. Anyone that could truly mean them harm would be quite powerful. If he was powerful, then they'd really have to be careful.
Lara stepped forward finally, introducing herself as their captain and that they were a party of Cornelia's king. At this,the traveler's eyebrows rose and mentioned how interesting their party was. At this, he then spoke of his observations of them. When he mentioned her, Rekka looked over at him with a not so friendly look. She hated her eye loss being mentioned. How did he know she was a swordswoman here? Rekka hadn't her sword on her just yet. It was resting on the horse where it had been carefully packed earlier. Lara then mentioned how the man seemed to know them and yet they knew nothing of him or even his name.
The stranger bowed to Lara as if she were royalty before answering her question. Despite the bard appearance and even claiming he goes by a bard title, the man did say he had more than one title. Ty though thought he was just a bard and even commented on it. However, that wasn't the case. Justin was just content with the idea of tying the man up. No doubt, Ty and Justin would be the likely two to stir up trouble with this Bartimaeus. Lara seemed to know this and ordered the two to take the horses to the river to drink. Lucas and Rekka were to remove the packs from the horses. Rekka gave Lara a nod as she turned to the horses and carefully began working on getting the packs gently down.
Commander Lara helped them and soon, they were nearly done with their job. Once Lucas was out of earshot though, Lara spoke to Rekka. Wondering why she was asking her, but not minding it anyway, Rekka thought on what Lara was asking. What was her opinion of him? Well, he had manners and his clothes suggested wear and tear. He knew quite a lot just by looking at someone. "I'm naturally more paranoid of others, Lara. The loss of my eye has made me this way. My response might not be what you're expecting since it may come off as biased but I never trust those I see on the road until I know more about them than their names. Where I don't think he'd try something right now, I don't trust easily. I warrant caution but not to the point of acting it or seeming rude."
When Lara had come over, something else seemed to come over Rekka. It was sudden like the campfire earlier except it was a slight feeling of familiarity as she peered back at Lara. Where of course she'd recognize Lara and feel like that anyway, this was more of the sort of feeling like she had known her for a very long time which was strange. Rekka was certain that she had never met Lara prior to her coming to this world.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2012 1:07:05 GMT -5
Lara might have felt something similar to what Rekka had, if Lara had allowed herself to just be Amber. But any strange feelings, any over concerns or keen eye, that was all Amber. Lara was different. She was smart but she was also a person of action! And neither Alvi or anyone else would convince her to take her name again.
Nodding, Lara thanked Rekka for her comments. She was right. It was not smart to just trust this person. They should find more information about him. "Lucas there's some dried bread and cooked meat in my pack. Can you fetch enough for all of us. Justin and Ty should be coming back soon." To Rekka she said, "Mine as well join the stranger by the fire. I'll have to heat the meat up so that it's warm."
Reaching the fire, Lara noticed that Bartimaeus was cooking the rabbit on a small stick that he periodically rotated. "Please come join the fire! I would love to learn more about you guys."
Lara took a seat on an adjacent log on the other side of the fire. Lucas joined her with a bag of meat and some hard bread rolls as well. "How about a trade then. A question for a question." Taking the meat from Justin she opened it and got a whiff of the cooked steaks inside. They only probably needed to use three of the t-bone steaks. She wanted to ration there food out so that when they got to the mountains they wouldn't have to do any cooking.
Lucas took a seat on the left of Lara, leaving the right open for Rekka. "Hmm alright. But only if I can ask any member of the party a question." The Traveler said.
Lara just shrugged. "You can ask them, but I can't guarantee they'll answer."
This caused a light hearten laugh from Bartimaeus. "Fair enough then."
Realizing that Lara had forgotten to ask Lucas to bring her cooking skillet, Lara rose and headed over to her pack to fetch the skillet. She spotted Ty and Justin a bit off by the water, watching the horses, but periodically turning back to look back at them. Those idiots were probably worried they were going to get in trouble. Lara was an adult! She could fend for herself!
Bartimaeus rotated his rabbit and looked over at Rekka. "Well why don't we start with you then. Did you loose your eye in the company of the army? Or was it from something else?" He asked with interest.
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Post by Sprow on Dec 24, 2012 1:27:18 GMT -5
Rekka answered out of honesty. She knew that she could be more cautious of others around her but she went through a traumatic experience when she lost her eye. It's because of it that she had grown this way. No one could be trusted easily. As Lara simply nodded and thanked her for her remarks, Rekka hoped that she at least voiced enough to warrant caution. She didn't like the idea of being completely open with others and couldn't bring herself to trust others she knew nothing about.
Lara turned to Lucas and requested that he fetch dried bread and some cooked meat from her pack for them all. After this, she turned to Rekka again. Hearing her words, Rekka gave a nod. She said nothing more as Lara wandered over to the fire. While she did that, Rekka was finishing up with one of the last of the packs on the horses. By the time she had finished, she found the traveler, Lara and Lucas by the fire.
Quietly, Rekka took up a spot next to Lara. She said nothing and merely averted her gaze from the flames. Every time she tried to look at it directly, something weird stirred inside of her, making it uncomfortable for her. Lara and Bartimaeus were chatting about how they didn't know each other to which Lara suggested that they trade a question for a question. The traveler agreed only if he were given the chance to question any member of the party. Rekka glanced over at Lara as she told Bartimaeus that he could but that she didn't guarantee that they would answer him. He was fine with that, it seemed.
Rekka wasn't sure if she liked the question game very much. She had a habit of being asked about her eye if things came down to it. Sure enough, Bartimaeus focused in on her. Rekka looked back at him as he asked her if she had lost her eye during her service or somewhere else. Rekka hated that question because she hated the fact she lost her eye. Trying hard to keep herself from losing her temper and showing any hurt toward the questions, Rekka spoke as evenly and calmly as she could muster.
"...I lost it before my service to Cornelia's majesty back on Radient Garden." She had left it at that, not wanting to go into how she lost it. It was like asking a person that lost a limb how they had lost it. Some were fine with it when asked while others took offense. Rekka hurt from such a question because it only reminded her of her lost eye. She was always conscious of it. Due to her eye, she couldn't interact normally with others who weren't accustomed to seeing someone wearing an eye patch and knowing there was no eye underneath it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2012 1:47:02 GMT -5
The bard studied Rekka as she answered the question. "You are not a very open person are you..." He told her but with a smile. It was at about this time that Lara returned with the skillet. She had missed the question that Bartimaeus had asked Rekka.
Placing the meat in the skillet she let it begin to heat up. Meanwhile with her other hand she took out some of the bread rolls and handed one to Lucas and another to Rekka. The bread was special. It was made with nutrients that would help fill you daily needs of grains and dairy. However they were on there own for meat and water.
"That's not a polite thing to say to someone." Lucas said, sticking up for Rekka. Lara just looked at him slightly confused. Had she missed something.
Bartimaeus took his fish from the fire. "Everyone has a story sharp shooter. I am a Listener, a person who listens to stories and if I hear something that I think can be made into song I compose it."
"What is a bard doing all the way out here by himself? Are you going into the city?" Lara didn't want a fight. She was trying to prevent it at all cost. Everyone here didn't seem to like this bard. She had no reason to see him as an enemy yet though. If they got through today, they probably would never have to see him again.
"That is two questions. But I will answer them, in turn for an extra question. I wander these lands in search for the greatest epic of our generation. I just search for a story, either in progress or completed, that will be sung from world to world for millennium to come. A ballad of such grandiosity that it will make the listener weep, laugh, sing, and dance all in the same song!"
Lara could see the excitement in Bartimaeus's eyes when he spoke of the song he wanted to compose. "And I am not alone. Why right now I share my fire with you five."
That wasn't the exact answer Lara was looking for to her second question. In a way he had avoided her question. But Lara wasn't going to push for a further answer. She'd let the Bard ask more questions. He turned to Rekka again.
"I have another question for you my dear. You are no native of this world. Your hair, your looks, your accent, they are not of this world. By what world do you come from?"
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Post by Sprow on Dec 24, 2012 2:05:05 GMT -5
Rekka could feel the other studying her but she refused to give anymore than what she did. She didn't want to relive her traumatic experience. Of course, Bartimaeus didn't know that it wasn't an accident. He didn't know that she had been attacked and that after she had been attacked, her attacker killed her father as well who had protected her. The attacker had managed to slip away and now she was on a search for that person. Of course, after she got her training.
When the bard spoke to her, Rekka had already broken her gaze, looking at the ground now instead. She would rather not get into a fight if she could help it. This bard was probably just one of those types of people who didn't understand that asking people such a question wasn't right. She was glad though that he hadn't pried her further about it. Lucas had interjected, having heard all of this by telling the bard that it wasn't a polite thing to say to someone. Lara, whom had gotten up to get something, had come back just at that moment.
Bartimaeus simply replied that everyone had a story and that he was a listener. One that listened to these stories to see if any were good to compose into a song if it could be. Lara then turned the subject back onto the bard, taking his mind off the subject for the time being by asking him what he was doing out here and if he were going into the city. Rekka was glad of the change of subject. Bartimaeus told Lara that she had asked two questions but he would answer them in exchange for asking two questions himself. With that, he told her that he was searching for the greatest epic of their generation. It was any story that he was searching for that would probably be sung from world to world for millennium to come. One that would make the listeners of the epic weep, dance and all of that. Rekka wasn't sure if anything they were doing would ever trigger something of that magnitude. He claimed that he wasn't alone and that he was sharing his fire with them right now.
Once he gave those answers, avoiding the question that Lara gave last to a degree, he turned his attention again on Rekka. Rekka could sense his gaze lingering on her again as he spoke to her directly. Breathing in, hoping it wasn't about to be about her eye again, Rekka forced herself to at least look over at him when he spoke. She was always told to look at others when they talked to her. Still, it was difficult for her to do so. He wanted to know what world that she came from?
"You're right. I'm not from this world. I come from Radiant Garden. I was born and raised there. I came to this world seeking medicine for my ailing mother. She has sent me a letter saying that she has gotten better since then." It seemed she was relieved to not be questioned about her eye again. It showed in the fashion that she had answered Bartimaeus's question this time around.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2012 21:49:50 GMT -5
Lara was curious as to how the bard had spotted that Rekka was not from this world. She had only learn from Rekka herself. Originally she had thought that Lara was just another person who had migrated to this world during the war. It wasn't until she heard about her mother that she learned different. For the Bard to pick up on something like that... it was kind of interesting and scary at the same time.
Lucas was pretty much of similar mind. His eyes were studying the bard intently. Bartimaeus nodded and even smiled after Rekka's reply. "How interesting. Makes for a great start for a heroine's tale if I do say so myself." He complimented.
Trying to keep the focus off of Rekka, mostly because she didn't think that Rekka liked it, Lara said, "Well you have one more question Bartimaeus."
Bartimaeus placed the fish he had in his hand in front of him and took a bite into it. Behind her, Lara could hear Ty and Justin heading back from the river with the small tapping of the horses as they made there way with them.
Inbetween bites he said, "That I do." He took another bite of the fish and glanced back over at Rekka. Was he going to question her again? Why was he so interested in her? However his gaze did not stay on her. It turned to Lara now. "Where is it you are going?"
That was a difficult question to answer. There wasn't a large amount of secrecy about their destination. Not much that one person could do with anyway. However Lara didn't want to give too much away. She settled with a simple answer. "Were heading over the mountains."
Bartimaeus raised an eyebrow. "You seek to take the mountain road...?"
Lara nodded. "Yes, that is the plan." A look of discomfort crossed the bard's face. "What?"
"That will be your question then. The mountain pass is crawling with bands of goblins. More so then just a year before. I traded with a merchant, who was told by a blacksmith, who spoke to a mercenary that a new power has risen in the mountains. He was a lone survivor among an entire band of thirty mercenaries."
While the information that the bard provided was interesting, there was no proof or reason that they should believe it solely based by his word. Still it was troubling news if it was true. But how were they to even know?
Justin and Ty had since returned and Lucas had given them some bread from the bag. The steaks were done, so she placed them on the ground to cool before handing out. "No offense bard, but why should we believe your word let alone the word of a merchant and a mercenary?" Justin asked.
The bard turned to Justin. "It is my turn to ask a question sir. That is how this game is played. A trade for a trade, a question for a question, secret for a secret."
Lara was starting to get slightly annoyed with this odd bard. "What is your question then?"
Bartimaeus turned back to Rekka. "Why does a native of Radiant Garden join an army of a world she has only recently been on?"
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Post by Sprow on Dec 25, 2012 22:58:48 GMT -5
Rekka didn't know how she was discovered to be an off worlder. She had assumed this guy was just more observant than most. Even still, it was scary. She gave the bard a confused look as he went on to say that it was interesting, making for an excellent beginning to a heroine's tale. Rekka wasn't sure about that. It wasn't like she was out to save the worlds or anything. Even if it were left up to her, she'd squander because of nerves being alone.
When Lara spoke, Rekka was glad of it. She brought it to the attention of Bartimaeus that he had one more question to ask. She gave Lara a thankful glance before going silent to hear what the bard would ask them next. He seemed to focus on her, making Rekka inwardly recoil. Why was he giving her so much attention? Was it something she did? Finally, he focused on Lara and asked her where they were going. Lara answered honestly about the mountains.
Bartimaeus asked them about taking the mountain road, Lara confirming they were headed that way. Supposedly, a new power had risen over there. It would be a dangerous pass. Rekka was sure though that Lara knew of this. Regardless, they were going. It was unsettling to hear that many people had been wiped out though.
Ty and Justin had finally returned to their group. As they did so, Justin went on to question him about how they were to know what had been said was true. Bartimaeus merely replied to Justin stating that it was his turn to ask the question since they had agreed upon trading an answer for a question to receive an answer. Avoiding a conflict, Lara asked him what was his question then. No sooner had she asked this when once again, the bard focused on Rekka.
Rekka looked over at him wondering why he could be so interested in someone like her. Why did he want to know so much about her? Looking over at him, she answered his question. "I joined because they gave me the medicine that is saving my mother's life from her illness. I also wanted to learn more about the blade that of which my father had given me so that I can seek revenge on the one that took my eye and my father's life." She had accidentally slipped that she had lost her eye. Realizing this, Rekka's eye widened for a moment before she looked away unhappily. She was embarrassed about slipping and the fact that he had finally managed to get that out of her. Why didn't she think beforehand? A tear didn't fall from her eye but she wasn't at all happy for blabbing that.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2012 23:58:35 GMT -5
The bard's eyes widened just slightly and his face couldn't hide a smile. Lara hadn't known much about Rekka's eye. She hadn't asked, trying to give Rekka her privacy. What kind of sick person would take out someone's eye and end another life? Rekka didn't seem like the type of girl to run around with a delinquent crowd.
"Perhaps it was some type of robbery or attack..." Lara thought to herself.
The bard leaned forward slightly as he spoke to Rekka. "Well I hope you find him and have your revenge." He leaned backward and gazed into the fire. "Is your question still the same then, dwarf?" He asked.
Justin glanced at Lara and she simply shrugged. Mine as well ask. They were here for quite a while. "There is no reason you should trust my words. But I traded a very valuable secret for that information. Plus I was given another route that could be taken instead."
"And what might that route be bard?" Ty asked.
The bard shook his head. "That my friend is a secret. A game of secrets is a very different game indeed. For there is always a winner and a looser. And I feel that this secret would most likely make me the loser."
Lara was not ready to play any other game with this man. He was already giving her a headache to begin with. "I think I'm getting tired of this game." She admitted aloud.
Bartimaeus nodded and continued tearing into his fish. Lara spread around the pot, the meat being cool enough now to just pick up and eat with your hands. It was warm, but not cold, and it left a very good full feeling in her stomach when she was finished.
"Bard, have you heard of or seen any enemies or dangers around these parts?" Lucas was the one to speak up. Lara was busy getting her sack from her horse. Each horse had a sleeping sack for each of them to sleep in. Well all except for Ty. He always slept on the ground, usually by the fire.
The bard shook his head in disagreement. "Nope. These parts have stayed mostly clean. Like I said the majority of dangers are closer to the mountains and farther away from the city. But you never know in these days. Some believe just asking about an enemy can call him to your door."
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Post by Sprow on Dec 27, 2012 1:07:00 GMT -5
Lara's assumption of Rekka had been correct. Rekka definitely hadn't joined up with the wrong crowd which would've made more of a logical explanation as to why her eye had been taken, including her father's life. It was unfortunate but Rekka was in the right area at the wrong time. It was because of that timing that she ended up hurt like she was and lost her father to the incident to add insult to injury. If she ever found out who it was, she would kill them. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
Rekka refused to look at Bartimaeus at that moment. Only when he leaned in did she look over out of instinct. Hearing his words, Rekka wondered if he really meant them. "Thanks...I think." She wasn't sure how else to respond. Now that he leaned back and away from her, no longer focusing on her, Rekka tried to maker herself comfortable again. She didn't like having the spotlight put on her. She hated the feeling of being singled out.
While the bard was busy with Justin, Rekka focused on trying to eat. She was relieved that his attention had finally been taken away from her. She listened as apparently another route had been given to Bartimaeus. Ty asked what it was but the bard simply stated that it was a secret. According to the bard, a game of secrets only ended in a winner and a loser. He wasn't about to play that game with them should he turn out to be the loser. Understandable. Who would play a game if they knew they were going to most likely lose? It wasn't long before Lara finally stated that she was tired of this game.
There was a moment of peace before Lucas broke it, asking if the bard knew of any enemies that lay ahead of them. Rekka wondered if they might get an edge if they knew ahead of time. However, the bard made it clear that around these parts there wasn't danger. It was all more so towards the mountains and beyond. What he said next, Rekka wasn't sure if she liked it. The last thing she needed was worrying about an enemy popping up in their midst just because he heard they were talking about him. Not "him" specifically but one got the idea.
"Well, hopefully that doesn't happen."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2012 23:14:01 GMT -5
The bard nodded at Rekka's words. "It is always good to have hope."
Having finished her dinner, Lara was getting her sleeping sack ready near the fire. There were no tents for them. There just wasn't room to carry one. Instead they had only sleeping packs. She watched Justin and Lucas do the same. Glancing over at Rekka, Lucas asked if she wanted him to get hers for her.
Letting the two of them talk, Lara considered if they should keep a watch. While they probably wouldn't be attacked by enemies it might be smart to keep a watch with the bard around. Lara still didn't trust him.
"Ty would you mind taking the first watch?" She asked the tiger.
He nodded in acceptance. "Will be no problem Captain." Ty was getting cozy by the fire himself, glancing between the people coming and going and then the bard every so often. He still didn't trust him.
Lara figured she'd take the second watch. It would give Rekka and Lucas a full sleep. Lucas might have had to take a watch before, but Lara was sure that Rekka hadn't. Lara also wanted to give them all some fighting training before they got to the mountains. A brush up on their abilities or for some, a learning experience. But that was for another day.
Justin laid out his own sleeping pack and glanced at Lara. "You want me to take the second watch?" He asked.
Shaking her head she responded, "No Ill take the second. You can have the morning shift."
"Oye. Alright then... Hey Twinkle Fingers!" Justin shouted looking over at the bard.
Bartimaues raised an eyebrow. "Would you be calling me?"
"Duh ya lightweight. Bein a bard you can probably play that instrument over there. And got a tale perhaps for us to hear?" Justin asked. He wasn't being to kind in asking though.
The bard stood and grabbed a hold of his small lute. "I might. Would you like to hear one?"
"Well duh twinkle fingers!"
Ignoring the comment, the bard looked to everyone else. "Would you all like to hear a tale then?"
Lara's response was to shrug. She didn't mind hearing one. It would be something to wind them down anyway.
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Post by Sprow on Dec 29, 2012 15:02:39 GMT -5
Rekka gave the bard a quizzical look when he responded to her words. Was he implying something? Or was she being paranoid? Whatever the case, she didn't like that response either. He made it sound cryptic. Still, she gave a nod at that, leaving it. No need to further the conversation about danger or enemies. She didn't want to jinx them further if their talk brought them bad luck. With that, everyone started getting their sleeping sacks. Rekka had gotten to her feet, heading over to her horse when Lucas turned to her and asked her if she'd like him to get her's for her.
"No, that'll be fine. I can get it myself, thank you, Lucas." She gave him a smile and a nod before heading right up to where the bags had been set down and took out her sleeping sack. Setting it down on the ground, she heard Lara asking Ty if he could take the first watch. The tiger agreed, having settled himself near the fire, simply watching them all.
Rekka had never done a watch before but she knew the general idea. A person was to stay up while the others slept. After a few hours, another person took up the watch to make sure no danger would come their way. If it did, the watch was suppose to warn the others and help defend them if they had to depending on how soon the danger arrived. It wasn't long before she heard Justin ask Lara if she wanted him to do the second watch. Lara rejected the idea and then telling him that he could take the morning shift.
Settling herself into her sack, after taking off her boots and setting them aside, Rekka heard Justin ask Bartimaeus if he would play his instrument and tell them a tale. He wasn't too kind in asking though. The bard didn't seem to mind it too much as he turned to retrieve his lute. As he did so, he then asked if everyone would like for him to tell them a tale. Rekka looked over at Lara, who simply shrugged. Justin wanted to hear one. As Rekka looked over at Bartimaeus, she gave a nod. It would be nice to listen to a tale. It's not like they had anything else better to do before drifting off into sleep.
"Yes, please."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2012 18:37:08 GMT -5
With the lute resting on his lap, the bard stroked his chin in thought. "Hmm... Well seeing as you are all knights and soldiers of the king how about a tale about a knight then?"
Lara laid down on her mat and tried to get comfy. She spotted Lucas, and Justin doing the same. "Go on then bard!" Justin called out.
Bringing his hand up to the lute, he struck a tune. "This tale takes place during the great war not too many years ago. And as all tales begin this one begins with a tragedy." As the bard played the lute and struck into song, his magic took a hold of them all. It was a special magic, one of lyrics and songs. Part of Bartimaeus's power was that when he told a tale, he told it with such vivid image that it made the hearers go into a trance. In this trance they were brought into the tale, as if they were right by the hero of the tale.
Lara found herself standing outside of a prison cell. Inside the cell was a man stripped of his clothes and chained to the wall. He had long blond hair and his face had become bearded. In front of him was another man, his jailer. In one hand, the jailer held a prong, in the other a knife.
"We've got our orders prisoner! The Emperor has decided to cut your tongue and gorge your eyes out. Then were going to cut your heart out and serve it to him at dinner."
The prisoner squirmed at hearing this, doing his best to try and escape his chains or do something to stop all of this. Lara wished she could go inside and save the man, he was only in his early twenties! He had such a long life still to live! But somehow she knew she could not.
Lara watched with disgust as the jailer forced the prisoner's mouth open and grabbed his tongue with the tongs. With the knife he cut the tongue off! The prisoners screams were cut off as blood gushed out from his mouth. All the while the jailer laughed. "Can't talk anymore now can ya! Next go the eyes!"
Bringing the knife up to cut out the eyes, a loud boom suddenly came from an adjacent open cell. What came next was dust and the shaking of the ground. Someone had just blown a wall into the adjacent cell!
"What the...?" The prisoner asked with confusion. Through a hole in the wall came soldiers dressed in white armor. One came up to the jailer and slew him as others ran down the hallway.
Lara watched them run past as the scene around her suddenly grew hazy and fuzzy. Then the scene disappeared all together and was replaced by a different one. She found herself standing in what could only be Twilight Town. They stood among various white knights, watching them train with wooden swords. Currently they followed a man dressed in grand armor with five golden stars on his breast plate. Lara spotted blueish colored hair and a goatee around his mouth.
He spoke with another man in grand armor as the walked past the troops. "This is an honor Grand General! The new recruits are all training hard just because you grace us with your company." The man said to the blue haired man.
"Well what kind of General would I be, if I did not look at our recruits. Be honest with me now man. How are they really? Will they be ready in two weeks time?"
The man next to him stayed silent for a moment. "Honestly General Wilder?"
The General nodded. "Always Captain."
"There are a few promising ones. But I have many who will probably die at the front lines of the upcoming battle."
"Well let us at least hope that they can hold the lines. We are throwing it all in this last battle. The Emperor himself will battle there, according to our sources."
"I will do my best to teach them sir!" They came to a stop at one of the exchanges. There Lara spotted the prisoner from before. He was dressed in dark blue armor. The suit he wore went from neck to toe with different plates covering a small thin layer of material underneath. The shoulder plates were pointed and the the armored gloves with points of steel. He wore no helm, his long blond hair now chopped and the long beard gone leaving his face bare.
He fought with expertise. His opponent could only defend against him until finally he was disarmed. The General had a bright smile on his lips. "Good job soldier! What is your name?"
The once prisoner turned around but held no smile on his face. He could say nothing. The Captain next to the general pipped in. "Sorry sir. That one is a mute. We found him captured. We really don't know who he is."
The General nodded. "I see. Well good job soldier." Once again the scene around Lara began to grow fuzzy and hazy until it vanished all together and was replaced with a different one.
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Post by Sprow on Dec 30, 2012 0:02:41 GMT -5
Rekka remained seated in her sleeping sack. She wasn't fully submerged in it and was merely seated comfortably in it. She wasn't sure how she'd sleep in it but that was another thing. Focusing on the bard, Rekka watched as Bartimaeus rested the lute on his lap, stroking his chin in thought before suggesting a tale about a knight. Lucas, Lara and Justin made themselves comfortable as well,mostly lying on their mats before Justin replied.
It didn't take the bard long to spring into action. Rekka silently sat there as Bartimaeus explained to them that the tale started with a tragedy that took place during the great war. It had been a war known throughout the worlds. The bard soon after began to play his lute and started to sing. As soon as he did, Rekka was startled to find herself suddenly in what appeared to be in some kind of prison. Was this the bard's doing? This certainly was an interesting way of telling a tale.
Rekka looked at her surroundings and then focused on what was in the prison cell. A man in his twenties was chained up and there was a jailer that was saying some scary things. She wasn't sure what the prisoner was in here for but a part of her wanted to help him. Unfortunately, she couldn't do anything but watch in horror as the guy's tongue was removed. Rekka could understand what it must've been like because she knew what it was like to lose a body part due to someone else's doing. She could in a way, feel for the prisoner. Before his eyes could get hurt next, there was some kind of explosion.
Just like the jailer, Rekka looked over to find white knights running toward them. The jailer was killed in an instant. Before anything else could be seen, the scene suddenly changed. Rekka looked around, startled by the sudden change. Before her, she could see some sort of knight with blue hair and a goatee. The way he walked suggested an air of authority. His armor was even decked out. Surely, he was someone important.
Sure enough, after a bit, she could hear him talking with another official. He was their grand general, it seemed. It looked as though this world were preparing for war. There were many people here, preparing and training for battle. Rekka looked at them all, wondering if she could get any training in. Probably not, this world was controlled by the bard and these were past events that they couldn't really do anything in. At least, that's what it seemed.
Eventually, they came upon the same prisoner from earlier in the other scene. The way he didn't smile, Rekka could understand. It wasn't easy for her to get over her own disfigurement. At least she only lost an eye though, this poor guy couldn't speak anymore and because of that no one knew his name. It was depressing to her to not be able to tell people who she was vocally. Couldn't he write though? It didn't seem like it if they were saying that. How sad.
As Rekka took a good look at the man, the scene started to shift again. Looking around, she wondered where it was they were being taken to next.
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