Private Tales En Route

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

Valdr glanced at her when her hand rested on his arm and offered a not so fully convinced nod. "As you say, Esmeralda." He would offer her a smile in thanks for her efforts to assuage his concerns. "I have no doubt that you are." He would say gently.

Hours would pass in idle conversation or silence. So much so that soon, the full day had come and gone. Tomorrow he would do better.

When they finally stopped he would once more swing down from his horse in practiced grace before helping Esme down. "My lady." He would say in his usual warm tone and he helped her riding boots free of their stirrups and retrieved his cloak from around her lap, draping it over his shoulder. Then his hand was offered and he eased her from the saddle.

Not tents was just fine for Valdr, he never used them. Just a log to lay his pack against and he was good too. Which is what he did. First, however, he would help with Esmeralda's sleeping arrangements. A good deal of the best furs for comfort and to keep her warm. And more importantly, none of those flowers she was allergic to. He would then set down his bed roll and one of the furs for a blanket, keeping himself near enough to the fire.

"Thank you, Beth." He would say with a grateful smile to the lady-in-waiting.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Chatter filled the evening air.
Chicken soup had been heated up and bowls full of it were passed around.

Esmerelda sipped on it, immediately warming her insides.
"Valdr, I am still eager to hear of your travels if you do not mind."
The topic had been disturbed earlier that day, Esme thought now appropriate chance for the pair to continue their conversation.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

Valdr would look to Esmeralda and set his spoon down with a nod. "I'm not much in the ways of a skald but ill do my best to keep it engaging. Which kind of exploits would you care to hear? My delve into the Falwood to fight a wyvern that had been preying on the Cortosi Coast? A skirmish with a Van of Amol-Kalit scouting our lands? The stand of a small village again an orc warband? Or perhaps making battle against a horde of undead alongside the Knights of Anathaeum?"

He would ask, taking the moment of her response to have some of the soup. "Or would you rather hear tales of exploration?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Well," Esmerelda took a sip of her soup and a drink from her flask, offering it to him. "I do love a good fighting story."
She scooted slighty closer to the fire. "How about afterwards, you tell me about your first love?"
The fire let out a spit, and crackled loudly in the night.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

He would smile as she spoke, of course she loved a good fighting story. "Then I will speak of my meeting with Captain Helena of the Knights of Anathaeum and Eddy the Swift.. a re-animator." He would say wistfully. "Ereven of the Elves and a behemoth named Cahir.."

He paused to take a sip of water from his waterskin and offered it to her as he scooted closer. "Then I will save you the wait. I've never loved another.. not yet." He would say with a gentle tone. "And you?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

. "Ereven of the Elves and a behemoth named Cahir.."

Esmes eyes lit up, growing up around her brother and his friends, learning to fight from young, she always found such stories intruiging.

He would smile as she spoke, of course she loved a good fighting story. "Then I will speak of my meeting with Captain Helena of the Knights of Anathaeum and Eddy the Swift.. a re-animator." He would say wistfully. "Ereven of the Elves and a behemoth named Cahir.."

He paused to take a sip of water from his waterskin and offered it to her as he scooted closer. "Then I will save you the wait. I've never loved another.. not yet." He would say with a gentle tone. "And you?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

"Well, I find love to be a rather fickle thing. I was in love, once...but it was not in the stars."

She took his water and had a deep sip.

Esmerelda proceeded to lay on her back, staring at the stars.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"Some is, I'm sure." He would agree with her, making sure she had furs enough to make a good pillow for when she laid down.

"I had happened upon a hamlet, there were whispers of a warband somewhere in the region. Two knights and an Elf had already promised the people their protection. So when I heard they needed help, I stepped forward to lend my blade to their cause." His gaze would shift from her to study the flames of the fire. "Helena and Ereven saw to harrying their front lines, Eddy rallied the dead, and I prepared the village for seige."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"That is rather noble of you Valdr," she admired. He truly was a man of honour, so it seemed... than again it could all be a ruse simply to help in his favor. Regardless, she would give him the benefit of the doubt for now, until there were actions to test his words.

"I think it is time for me to retire." Esmerelda placed a hand infront of her mouth as she let out a yawn. "Sleep well Lord."

She stood up and greeted the others around the camp then made herself once again comfortable , almost instantly asleep in the warm of the furs and the assistance of her full stomach.

 

[Valentina]

Rayden sat with two other guards , their backs to the thick forest. The three spoke amongst themselves but Rayden barely participated in the conversation. He listened in every now and then on the converstion between the queen and the lord.

His eaves dropping interupted by Esmes lady in waiting, Beth.

"I brought you some soup," she smiled sheepishly, a flirtatious look in her eyes.
"Thank you Beth."

Once the maid left another guard bumped his shoulder and winked. Rayden simply let out a grunt.

The rest of the party started to settle down, with that, Rayden fetched himself some more water and prepared to take the first shift.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"There is nothing impressive about that Esmeralda.. if you have the ability to help, you should. No matter how dire the situation is." He would say gently, as if quoting someone else. He would smile faintly. "I took oaths to safeguard the helpless and will always see such oaths fulfilled."

When she announced she would be going to bed, Valdr would stand with her, his hand taking hers to help her stand before bowing his head. "Goodnight, my Queen." Once she settled back into her furs that he had prepared for her, he would sit back in his own furs and get let sleep take him.

He wouldn't sleep the whole night, just a handful of hours before he was back up and relieving one of the guards on watch.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmerelda tossed and turned all night through, nightmares of war and her brothers death plauging her. She had been there, the day it happened. Her and her brother both on the battle field, she turned after slaying a man - only to witness the horror of her own brothers beheading. As her nightmare came to that point she let out a scream in her sleep, shooting up right afterwards, awake and bewildered... It would be a long night

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

When she awoke, she would find Valdr at her side. He had noticed her stirring and as she shot up his hand would move to rest gently on her shoulder. "Easy, Esme." He would say gently before easing her back down. "Easy. Just a dream. "It can't harm you and I'll be watching over you."

He was sitting in the grass beside her, a simple fur draped over his shoulders and his elbows propped upon in his bent knees. "Breathe in slowly, think of the stars. Exhale, think of the moon."

It pained her to see she was haunted by something, probably a battle. As he knew her people all fought regardless of gender or station, it was something their peoples had in common. One hand moved to make sure she was covered fully by her furs, he even removed his own to lay it atop her. "Not yet sunrise, try to get some more sleep."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Thank you," she whispered and drifted off to sleep once again. Head on his forearm her eyes closed as she watched the stars.

The morning came quickly, at sunrise the group was already up and started packing. It was a long way to the coast and many suspected a storm approaching so it was best to get as far as possible before the roads became to muddy and they risked a stuck carriage.

Esmé and Valdr would be riding once again in their carraige. Still half asleep Esmerelda wasnt up for conversation, she simply stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

He just smiled down at her at her thanks. He didn't even try to move his arm after she fell asleep, he just remained there and let her sleep.

When sunrise came, he would pack his things quickly then hers. One of the soldiers would take the bundles from him to load it up on the other carriage and so he would help Esme back into their carriage.

As Esme lay there half asleep, Valdr would keep his eyes on the terrain around them. He would be surprised if there wasn't at least one bandit attack. Today, he had left his cuirass on the bench beside him and so he wore a loose tunic with the sleeves rolled up. If she looked, she would see a few tattoos on his newly exposed forearms.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

The group had been on the road for about two hours. Esmerelda had finally awoke properly. At this stage their were out of the forest and currently riding through a field.

She looked to Valdr, about to strike uo a conversation she spotted his tattoos.

Now she was intruged, were they similar in custom ?
"I like your tattoo, do you mind showing me it closely?" Esmerelda took his outstretched forearm now and inspected the markings, "are they symbolic?"


In Esmereldas culture, it was mainly warriors that were tattooed, she herself had markings on the upper half if her left leg.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

It had been quiet as Esme finished up her sleep, a time that Valdr had spent in his own reflection. When she finally awoke, he didn't notice until he felt her hand on his arm.

At her touch he would look her way and smile. "Good morning, Esme." At her question, he would rotate his forearm for her. "This gryphon is the symbol of my House. Though it is normally portrayed differently for others under our banner, this variation proves that I was Knighted. The shield beside it marks me as one of the Nobles as we shield our people."

As he spoke he would move closer, allowing her to get a better look. "How about you? You have any such markings?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esme found the symbolism unique and poetic.

"I myself also have markings yes, they are on my upper thiegh." She soothed her dress out. "They are tribal markings, some for battles I have fought, others my rankings and skill." She gave him a soft smile and suddenly a sad look seemed to over come her face. War...once again the nightmare from the previous evening krept into her mind.

There was no time to think of such things, Esme cleared her throat. "Would you like to Ride for a while Valdr?"

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

So she had markings on her thigh, an unlikely place for a Queen, but then again she was a warrior first. The movement at her dress did manage to draw his gaze, something that was quickly corrected. "So yours tell stories of your battles?"

"Were those battles why you had trouble sleeping last night?" He would ask quietly. She wouldn't be the first he met that was haunted, nor would she be the last. "Actually, I don't need to know, not until you're ready."

He would sit back. "Yes, I wouldn't mind going for a ride again."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"I shall tell you on our ride." With that Esmerelda stopped the carrige and the pair excited and made their way to their horses. She mounted first with a helping hand from Valdr and greeted the gaurds that would be riding along side them .

"As for my marking, they represent the differant rank, it is added onto as you grow stronger. They are also unique as they are tribal markings. With battles..well we accumulate scars instead of markings." As she said this she subconscious rubbed the back of her head.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"Its a date." Valdr would say with a grin. He would then pull on his cuirass and fasten his sword belt. Once the carriage stopped, he would help her from the carriage and tighten the last few straps. Valdr then helped her up into the saddle and ensured her riding boots were snugly in the stirrups.

As she spoke of the tattoo, he couldn't help but look at her thigh briefly, granted it was covered by the skirts of her dress. He too, would greet the guards that chose to ride with them before he swung up into his coursers saddle.

"Dont even get me started on scars." Valdr said with a smirk to her. "You could read mine like a book." Despite the guards joining them, he ensured he had his full armament. One could never be too careful. "So then, where too, for this ride?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

So then, where too, for this ride?

"Im certain those scars come with a few stories." She winked.

"As for a ride, there is a creek we will be passing soon where the horses can stop for a drink. How about a little race? "

"Your majesty," Rayden cleared his throat. she turned to him just as she was about to kick off. Rayden tossed Esme her sword , normally such a thing would be rude, but amongst Esmereldas people it was the norm. "Just incase."

Esme caught rhe sword mid air. Placed in the hilt in her saddle, looked to Valdr and gave him a cheeky smile. "Lets go lover boy." With that, she was off.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"Perhaps then, I will tell you those stories." He would say back with a smirk. He was getting more comfortable with her and letting down some of his outer layers of decorum.

His heels almost dug into his coursers side, only to stop as Rayden tossed her, her sword. That alone, wasn't uncommon to him given Anirians militaristic lifestyle.

As she turned her head to him though, his heels would push in, giving him a head start on Esme. "Come now! Show me that Routian horse mastery!" He would shout over his shoulder with a smile of his own. He wanted a real race, and he was sure her horse would be quicker given the weight of his own barding.

He could see the creek in the distance, so that would be his target.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esme smiled at the challange and road after Valdr with a speed.
The braid in her hair came loose and her hair now whipped around wildly. Neck and neck the pair raced in the direction of the stream, through a flock of birds the that flew up out of the grass alongside them.

As they galloped Esme decided to show off a little. Leaving her horses reighns she grabbed onto the stallions mane.

She had not practiced this move in a couple months but was up for the challange, unhooking her boots she placed each foot after the other on her horses saddle and stood on its back.


Esmerelda lifted her arms, now outstretched on either side. Out if now where she began laughing.
Seeing a jump Esmerelda widnened her legs and adjusted her stand, back arched. She and her stallion made the clean break, once his hooves hit the ground again she slid down into her saddle and eventually slowed down.

Reaching the creek, she found herself out of breath, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

For now, nothing else on the road mattered to Valdr as they raced. He didn't care about winning, he was just enjoying himself with the woman who could possibly become his wife, and that was a thought that made him feel all the more lucky.

He stole glances at her as they rode until she did something that captured his full attention. He saw her boots slip free of the stirrups, one after the other, and then slowly she stood atop the saddle. It was something Valdr had only seen done a handful of times and he, himself had only done twice when in pitched combat.

Impressed, amazed, a tad bit worried, his horse slowed as he pulled near, just in case she fell. As she laughed, he got lost in the noise, though it was once again replaced by a sudden pang of worry as her horse leapt.

There was no reason to worry, however, as the landing was flawless and soon after, she was back in the saddle. Valdr would pull his courser alongside her as they reached the creek. "Most impressive, Esme." He would say with a smile.

He was about to say something, when he heard it. A faint whistling sound. Instinct had him lean back and an arrow would whizz past where his head used to be.

Bandits. At least a half dozen of them. Shouts would erupt from the small foliage near the creek as they charged the pair.

In a fluid motion, Valdr would spur his courser forward while he reached down and pulled his helmet on. "Dismount!" He would shout to Esme as he charged the bandits.

His shield would lift to deflect an arrow as he reached back to grab a javelin from its perch. The first bandit would get trampled beneath Valdr's courser, the mighty hoof crushing his kneecap and crippling. The second would take a javelin right through his brigadine armor and into his heart, his face twisting in first shock, then pain before he collapsed.

With his first javelin gone, Valdr would mirror what Esme did only a moment before. He would rise onto his saddle and leap from it into two more bandits. They would cushion the landing, but he would get separated from his shield in the landing.

Recovering in a roll, steel gauntlet would raise to catch a downward slash as Valdr drew his blade free from its scabbard. With the fourth bandit recovered from the tumble and rushing in, Valdr would twist, dragging the caught sword into the path of the incoming blade, before driving the pommel of his sword into the caught bandits gut. Another twist would propel bandit three into bandit four.

As both recovered, Valdr would flick his blade in his hand, catching it by the blade. He knew Esme was skilled with a sword and had her with her, he still couldn't help a cautioned glance her way.

With a majority of the bandits focused on the Knight, the perceived immediate threat, one bandit would rush Esme and her horse with a brandished axe, while the other fired arrows at her horse.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esme looked in Valdrs direction and saw the reason for his command.
In a swift movement Esmerelda removed her sword from its sheath and jumped off of her horse, as she landed the bandit with his axe was but meer inches away, she thrust it forward into his chest and lifted her boot and pushed against his now stiff body to release her blade.

The queen roared and slapped her horse on the rear, the stallion raced back to the group that had not yet made it into the clearing. Esmerelda was rashed by yet another bandit, this one weilding a short sword.
Iron met iron but the young royal quickly dismantled the man and sliced his head clean off. Hot, deep red liquid now painter her face.

She turned to look for Valdr, if more emerged now they had a better chance fighting back to back. As she looked in his direction she felt a seething pain in her side, on of the archers had caught her, fortuntly the arrow didnt penetrate her bode, only scathed her side. Her once lavish blue dress now sported a growing red stain.

"There!"
The last archer, Esme had spotted him, the man remained hiding in the safety of the shrubbery as the rest of his merry men charged the pair.

As quick as light Esme pulled a dagger out from under her skirt and cut a slit in her dress, making it more mobile now for herself to move. Then she closed her eye, took a deep breath and threw her dagger into the trees.

Thud.

About four men were left now from what Esmerelda could tell. She charged the one running straight towards them, the man was huge, wielded 2 axes and weight on his side.
Esme did not faulter, she ran full speed but at the last second dropped to the ground and swept his legs out from under him.

Now she was the one with an advantage, the scoundrel lay flat on his back with the tip of her sword resting in the nape of his kneck.

With that, Rayden and the other gaurds rushed through the trees.

"I hope you know how to speak," The queen spat in the bandits face.