"It's too much," Kaska dismissed, shaking her head at the woman. She leaned forward, not persuaded by the smile, and not buying into this subtle political type pratter going on. She cut right to the point, speaking firm and half pointing at the woman as she did so. "I get you want to do this right, but you're making things harder than it needs to be. Just because you've completed the mission doesn't mean you've done it right, or in any efficient manner. We were specifically told to make this appear like a casual trip, and you are being fool hardy by ignoring that detail. What if the owner of that bracelet is being watch, the very fort we're going to has eyes along the road, looking for unusual behavior, by riders none the less. And here you come in, acting out of the character we were ordered to take, and you give it all away and get it stolen? I mean really, you sit there making judging eyes at me, when you're just as blind sighted and risky as I am. We were given. Orders. We should follow them. To. The word."
A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Lia drummed her fingers for a moment, her face remaining as impassive as a statue of the purest stone.
She did not enjoy being spoken to in the manner that Kaska chose to phrase her words. It made anger bubble in her stomach, made her want to punch the woman in the face. The emotion was not typical from Lia, and thus she found herself surprised to feel that way.
Shock drifted across her face for a moment, not because of Kaska's little speech, but because how she herself had reacted to it. A frown touched the Ranger's face, and then she cleared her throat. "Fine."
The Sergeant said slowly.
"You have a point." She couldn't really deny that. They had quite literally been told to make this look as casual as possible, and the idea of the way to the Fortress being watched was not something she had even considered.
Her fingers flexed, and she took a breath. "We'll head to the next village."
She did not enjoy being spoken to in the manner that Kaska chose to phrase her words. It made anger bubble in her stomach, made her want to punch the woman in the face. The emotion was not typical from Lia, and thus she found herself surprised to feel that way.
Shock drifted across her face for a moment, not because of Kaska's little speech, but because how she herself had reacted to it. A frown touched the Ranger's face, and then she cleared her throat. "Fine."
The Sergeant said slowly.
"You have a point." She couldn't really deny that. They had quite literally been told to make this look as casual as possible, and the idea of the way to the Fortress being watched was not something she had even considered.
Her fingers flexed, and she took a breath. "We'll head to the next village."
Kaska nodded, sitting back in palpable relief. "Thank you." She hesitated, then added. "I have the coin. I'll have us reimbursed later." By her father no less, but she didn't say that.
She pulled up her legs to her chest, confident she could have a few more minutes to rest now that she had bought them this change. As it turned out, the girl did have a solid head on her. When she chose to use it. And as it was, two weeks of hard travel was something she'd chose to use it for.
She fell silent at that, nibbling on her dried meat.
She pulled up her legs to her chest, confident she could have a few more minutes to rest now that she had bought them this change. As it turned out, the girl did have a solid head on her. When she chose to use it. And as it was, two weeks of hard travel was something she'd chose to use it for.
She fell silent at that, nibbling on her dried meat.
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Lia stewed quietly, though with her calm demeanor it was near enough impossible to tell that was the case. The anger didn't necessarily come from Kaska being right, more that Lia herself had been wrong. The fact bothered her, more than the other girl 'winning'.
Still, she would have to deal with it. Lia knew that if she wanted to ascend in the ranks she would have to learn to take not only criticism, but also advice from others. It might not always come in the most...pretty of packages. A frown was shot at Kaska briefly, but her expression quickly returned to the same stoic blankness it usually was.
Briefly she wondered if this feeling would become more common. Fuck I hope not.
Lia thought to herself, becoming someone horrified at the idea of her getting upset that someone gave her a suggestion better than her own idea.
It seemed childish.
Still, she would have to deal with it. Lia knew that if she wanted to ascend in the ranks she would have to learn to take not only criticism, but also advice from others. It might not always come in the most...pretty of packages. A frown was shot at Kaska briefly, but her expression quickly returned to the same stoic blankness it usually was.
Briefly she wondered if this feeling would become more common. Fuck I hope not.
Lia thought to herself, becoming someone horrified at the idea of her getting upset that someone gave her a suggestion better than her own idea.
It seemed childish.
Another another few minutes, she stood up, seeming to take charge then. "The road is maybe five miles back in. The next town's maybe an hours ride. Reasonable, for circumstances. I'll claim I was looking for a friend, hence the long distance." Friend.
"Conveniently, he's not local." She used other resources too.
She went to her horse and pat him down, invigorated to reach a more reasonable end goal.She saddled up, looking expectantly to Lia. Now who was rushing who.
"Conveniently, he's not local." She used other resources too.
She went to her horse and pat him down, invigorated to reach a more reasonable end goal.She saddled up, looking expectantly to Lia. Now who was rushing who.
Lia shook her head, slowly standing and readjusting her Sword-Breaker.
There was a part of her that still wasn't entirely sure about this new direction, but it sounded right. The Ranger wandered over to her horse and pulled herself up into the saddle. "I'm sure it will work out."
Her tone was flat.
In truth though, the idea of sleeping in a bed once more appealed to her more than a little. Though she had always enjoyed camping, a feather bed was not something to be passed up. Specifically if you were not paying for it.
Without another word Lia heeled her horse to the left.
There was a part of her that still wasn't entirely sure about this new direction, but it sounded right. The Ranger wandered over to her horse and pulled herself up into the saddle. "I'm sure it will work out."
Her tone was flat.
In truth though, the idea of sleeping in a bed once more appealed to her more than a little. Though she had always enjoyed camping, a feather bed was not something to be passed up. Specifically if you were not paying for it.
Without another word Lia heeled her horse to the left.
Kaska pushed them forward, taking the lead and guiding them back to the road and towards the town. They moved briskly, time actually mattering now as the sun was already set, and coming in any later would draw more eyes than not. The blessed stable came into view at least, leaving Kaska to eagerly dismount and rubbing at her numb thighs.
"We should-" yawn, "Enter together. C'mere." She grabbed the horses reigns and brought them to the stable boy as he came scrambling out of the main office door. She pulled off her pack and slipped him his coin, rubbing her face as she turned to the inn.
She paused, considering Lia for a moment with pursed lips. "...Relax," she ordered. And then she slipped her arm through the woman's own, trying to walk her hip and hip inside.
"We should-" yawn, "Enter together. C'mere." She grabbed the horses reigns and brought them to the stable boy as he came scrambling out of the main office door. She pulled off her pack and slipped him his coin, rubbing her face as she turned to the inn.
She paused, considering Lia for a moment with pursed lips. "...Relax," she ordered. And then she slipped her arm through the woman's own, trying to walk her hip and hip inside.
Lia froze as Kaska touched her. "No."
Her feet firmly planted in the ground as the girl tried to sashay them forward into the Inn. She could understand blending in, she could understand looking relaxed, but she wasn't about to traipse around like some tavern wench.
Just because she was supposed to look relaxed didn't mean she had to look like a fool.
"We can walk normally." She told Kaska. "Or you can dance your way into the Inn and I'll come in after you."
Lia didn't particularly care which, but she was a Ranger not some silly little nit.
Her feet firmly planted in the ground as the girl tried to sashay them forward into the Inn. She could understand blending in, she could understand looking relaxed, but she wasn't about to traipse around like some tavern wench.
Just because she was supposed to look relaxed didn't mean she had to look like a fool.
"We can walk normally." She told Kaska. "Or you can dance your way into the Inn and I'll come in after you."
Lia didn't particularly care which, but she was a Ranger not some silly little nit.
Kaska gave her a very disappointed look, pulling her arm back and hardening on the spot. "Yes. Because Rangers with dignity arrive late at night after a day of casual, mission less travel. Careful, dear. That stick up your ass is dragging."
She huffed in frustration and turned to leave Lia there and flat out walk in on her own. She was impossible to work with, seriously. Lia thought Kaska was incompetent, but Kaska looked at her and saw all the things the woman would never excel at because of that ranger pride.
Seriously, she was just trying to salvage orders. As her father had drilled into her.
She huffed in frustration and turned to leave Lia there and flat out walk in on her own. She was impossible to work with, seriously. Lia thought Kaska was incompetent, but Kaska looked at her and saw all the things the woman would never excel at because of that ranger pride.
Seriously, she was just trying to salvage orders. As her father had drilled into her.
"Rangers arrive however they arrive whenever they arrive." Lia stated simply. More than confident in her own ways. She had already compromised by coming here in the first place, she wasn't about to go around like some trollop. That wasn't who she was.
It would never be.
She was sure that her mother wished she was, at least more so than currently, but Lia had never been much for her own femininity. The young Ranger knew how to have fun when it was time to have fun, but in her mind this was very much still a mission, and it was very much still important to her.
Perhaps on the way back Kaska could have convinced her of this, but right now? Right now Lia's head was still in the space of doing her assignment.
Her job.
That was all that mattered to her. So, she followed after Kaska, her face the same stoic expression as always.
It would never be.
She was sure that her mother wished she was, at least more so than currently, but Lia had never been much for her own femininity. The young Ranger knew how to have fun when it was time to have fun, but in her mind this was very much still a mission, and it was very much still important to her.
Perhaps on the way back Kaska could have convinced her of this, but right now? Right now Lia's head was still in the space of doing her assignment.
Her job.
That was all that mattered to her. So, she followed after Kaska, her face the same stoic expression as always.
Kaska walked in a much less reserved manner than Lia, doing her own part to explain away their slightly holey story and arrival time. Regardless, she remained convinced that anyone with half a brain looking for the transport of this item would smell something amiss with them in a heartbeat.
She inquired after a guy named Smith, looked effectively heart broken to realize the one in the corner was not the one she was searching after, and took their room key and Lia up to the space she had secured them. It was effectively the same as the one from the night before, just better beds. She had specifically requested good bedding.
Kaska tied off her coin pouch, tucking it primly into her armor as she nodded a goodbye to the inn lady and accepted the space. A quick glance would show a far amount of coin in her purse. Like perhaps she could have afford a month of inns after all.
She went right to the bed and faceplanted in, groaning in relief. "Beeeed."
She inquired after a guy named Smith, looked effectively heart broken to realize the one in the corner was not the one she was searching after, and took their room key and Lia up to the space she had secured them. It was effectively the same as the one from the night before, just better beds. She had specifically requested good bedding.
Kaska tied off her coin pouch, tucking it primly into her armor as she nodded a goodbye to the inn lady and accepted the space. A quick glance would show a far amount of coin in her purse. Like perhaps she could have afford a month of inns after all.
She went right to the bed and faceplanted in, groaning in relief. "Beeeed."
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Lia frowned as she stepped into the room, though she flashed the Innkeeper a quick smile to let her know there were no objections to the room.
The truth of it was they had deviated from the plan, her plan. That made The Sergeant more than a little uncomfortable. She had spent two days setting their route and doing calculations to find out exactly how they would get anywhere at all. Now that they were here...
It was unsettling.
She didn't like it. "Certainly better than the forest floor."
Lia could admit that much. Not even she like to sleep with rocks in her back, and as she sat herself down and began to slowly strip off her armor she could at least appreciate the bed itself.
The truth of it was they had deviated from the plan, her plan. That made The Sergeant more than a little uncomfortable. She had spent two days setting their route and doing calculations to find out exactly how they would get anywhere at all. Now that they were here...
It was unsettling.
She didn't like it. "Certainly better than the forest floor."
Lia could admit that much. Not even she like to sleep with rocks in her back, and as she sat herself down and began to slowly strip off her armor she could at least appreciate the bed itself.
Kaska mumbled something incoherent, then seemed to drift off into stillness for a moment.
She forced herself to stir, blinking hard and shaking out her head. Right. Can't sleep yet. Gotta do this right. She pushed herself up with a huff, also tugging off her gear and mulling silently. As before, she changed out of shirts, into the same fresher clothing of last night. She brushed out her hair, she splashed off her face, she sat on the bed, rubbing a bruise on her shin.
"I will go save face," she mumbled to Lia, much less enthused that last time. She grabbed her book and started for the door, leaving her stuff, even her weapons, behind.
She forced herself to stir, blinking hard and shaking out her head. Right. Can't sleep yet. Gotta do this right. She pushed herself up with a huff, also tugging off her gear and mulling silently. As before, she changed out of shirts, into the same fresher clothing of last night. She brushed out her hair, she splashed off her face, she sat on the bed, rubbing a bruise on her shin.
"I will go save face," she mumbled to Lia, much less enthused that last time. She grabbed her book and started for the door, leaving her stuff, even her weapons, behind.
Lia mumbled something back, though just what would have been impossible to tell even if one were standing right besides her. She was in no mood to have any sort of conversation with anyone, especially given the fact that she already felt a bit defeated after the days events.
Confidence was something of a difficulty for her. Not in general life, but in leading the way for being a Ranger. She had wanted this her entire life, and the idea that she could screw it up with being overzealous had never really occurred to her. Lia was shaken, and she knew exactly why.
It was like a needle had been driven into the exact right point.
Her fingers flexed slightly as she pulled off the last strap of her armor, the pauldron gauntlet on her left arm falling free onto the floor with a loud clatter. She frowned slightly, placing it with the other pieces and her sword leaning against the chair.
"Shape up." She said quietly to herself. "This isn't the end of the world, just one misstep."
Female Commanders within the Rangers were rare, she knew that she had an uphill battle, but she wasn't about to let this set her back.
Confidence was something of a difficulty for her. Not in general life, but in leading the way for being a Ranger. She had wanted this her entire life, and the idea that she could screw it up with being overzealous had never really occurred to her. Lia was shaken, and she knew exactly why.
It was like a needle had been driven into the exact right point.
Her fingers flexed slightly as she pulled off the last strap of her armor, the pauldron gauntlet on her left arm falling free onto the floor with a loud clatter. She frowned slightly, placing it with the other pieces and her sword leaning against the chair.
"Shape up." She said quietly to herself. "This isn't the end of the world, just one misstep."
Female Commanders within the Rangers were rare, she knew that she had an uphill battle, but she wasn't about to let this set her back.
Not two hours later, Kaska returned, her weariness showing. She placed her book on the table, kicked off her shoes, and slipped into bed without a word. She turned her back to room and closed her eyes, oblivious to the inner turmoil she had prompted in her superior.
If left like that, she'd sleep solidly until dawn.
If left like that, she'd sleep solidly until dawn.
Lia was already asleep by the time Kaska turned in, and the night went on without much of any incident at all. It seemed that the village they had decided to stay in was as sleepy as the last.
No emergencies, no fires, and no monsters attacked the town.
The Sergeant of course was the first one to wake up, her eyes snapping open with an almost startling shock. Her gaze wandered around the inside of the room, slowly floating over the meager furniture. Her armor still sat within the chair besides the bed, but there was something moved...
Her cuirass which she had left on the chair now lay on the floor, it's inside turned out and...
"FUCK!" The word boomed through the room as Lia suddenly sprang out of her bed in nothing but her small-clothes.
An instant passed and she flipped over the platemail, searching for the small pouch that had been sown on it's inside.
"KASKA!" Her voice was practically a howl. "Wake up!"
No emergencies, no fires, and no monsters attacked the town.
The Sergeant of course was the first one to wake up, her eyes snapping open with an almost startling shock. Her gaze wandered around the inside of the room, slowly floating over the meager furniture. Her armor still sat within the chair besides the bed, but there was something moved...
Her cuirass which she had left on the chair now lay on the floor, it's inside turned out and...
"FUCK!" The word boomed through the room as Lia suddenly sprang out of her bed in nothing but her small-clothes.
An instant passed and she flipped over the platemail, searching for the small pouch that had been sown on it's inside.
"KASKA!" Her voice was practically a howl. "Wake up!"
Kaska jolted awake, a viscous shot of adrenaline pumping through her at the woman's scream. She had a dagger in her palm by the time the blanket was sliding off her, her face serious, yet disoriented, as it took in the room in an instant.
"...Holy shit," she cursed, the air swooshing out of her as she found no attacker in the room. She turned tired and grumpy in an instant. "W-What, Lia? What the hell."
She crawled off the bed, shoulders hanging as she shuffled a step towards her deranged partner.
"...Holy shit," she cursed, the air swooshing out of her as she found no attacker in the room. She turned tired and grumpy in an instant. "W-What, Lia? What the hell."
She crawled off the bed, shoulders hanging as she shuffled a step towards her deranged partner.
"It's gone!" She called out to the other woman.
The armor that had been so neatly stacked and piled in the chair was now tossed and thrown all over the place, Lia having gone through the entire section in search of the small pouch.
"It's gone." The Sergeant quickly repeated, her paranoia spiking as she let out a string of curses and swears the likes of which should only have come from an Allirian sailor on the night of his daughters wedding. "Someone took it."
They had to have.
The pouch had been there the night before, she'd fallen asleep watching it. She knew it. She knew it had still been there.
Her gaze darted to Kaska, and then towards the door. In an instant she stood up, drawing the sword-breaker from it's sheathe and stalking towards the exit still dressed in her small clothes. Anxiety gripped her, and a singular drive to recover the object of her mission burned inside.
The armor that had been so neatly stacked and piled in the chair was now tossed and thrown all over the place, Lia having gone through the entire section in search of the small pouch.
"It's gone." The Sergeant quickly repeated, her paranoia spiking as she let out a string of curses and swears the likes of which should only have come from an Allirian sailor on the night of his daughters wedding. "Someone took it."
They had to have.
The pouch had been there the night before, she'd fallen asleep watching it. She knew it. She knew it had still been there.
Her gaze darted to Kaska, and then towards the door. In an instant she stood up, drawing the sword-breaker from it's sheathe and stalking towards the exit still dressed in her small clothes. Anxiety gripped her, and a singular drive to recover the object of her mission burned inside.
"What?" The woman's words made no sense. Gone? How. How could she lose it? "You said you were keeping it on you, how the-" She cursed, dropping the dagger and snatching up her bow before chasing after her. At least she had slept in clothing. "Where are you going?" She called down the hall after her. She chased barefoot after her superior, genuinely at a loss for scene they were creating.
Lia whirled around, the blade in her hand coming up. "Someone took it."
Her voice was heated with anger, rage. There was no hint of the panic that she was feeling in the middle of her chest. The Sergeant had no idea how someone could have managed it, how they could have sneaked into the room and taken the pouch with both she and Kaska sleeping, but it had been done.
There was no explanation.
"It was there when I went to sleep." The sword-breaker shook slightly as Lia's grip on it tightened, her anger more than clear. "You didn't take it."
She assumed anyway. "So somebody else did."
The entire pouch was gone from her armor, not just the bracelet. That meant someone had cut it out from her armor in order to not make as much noise. A thief had come in the night, and Lia intended on finding that thief.
Her voice was heated with anger, rage. There was no hint of the panic that she was feeling in the middle of her chest. The Sergeant had no idea how someone could have managed it, how they could have sneaked into the room and taken the pouch with both she and Kaska sleeping, but it had been done.
There was no explanation.
"It was there when I went to sleep." The sword-breaker shook slightly as Lia's grip on it tightened, her anger more than clear. "You didn't take it."
She assumed anyway. "So somebody else did."
The entire pouch was gone from her armor, not just the bracelet. That meant someone had cut it out from her armor in order to not make as much noise. A thief had come in the night, and Lia intended on finding that thief.
Kaska stood flabbergasted for a moment.
She didn't understand how this was possible either. How could someone come in so seemlessly and take something from two rangers-- from Lia -- it couldn't be.
What?
"Well-" She flailed, taking a moment to get her head on straight before taking control. "Get your clothing on. Now. I'll go to the stables, whoever it is is gone, the boy will know. Meet me there with our stuff. And grab my shoes!" She called out, already running lithely to the stairs, intending to follow through on her own orders.
She didn't understand how this was possible either. How could someone come in so seemlessly and take something from two rangers-- from Lia -- it couldn't be.
What?
"Well-" She flailed, taking a moment to get her head on straight before taking control. "Get your clothing on. Now. I'll go to the stables, whoever it is is gone, the boy will know. Meet me there with our stuff. And grab my shoes!" She called out, already running lithely to the stairs, intending to follow through on her own orders.
Lia glanced down at herself, seemingly becoming aware for the first time that she was standing there practically naked. A flush of red flowed over her skin, but she nodded and headed back into the room.
Almost as soon as she was inside the Sergeant pulled on her clothes and then armor. The straps were tugged into place faster than they had any right to, her blade was pulled onto her back, but the sword-breaker never made it into her scabbard. She grabbed Kaska's things, then began to head out the door.
Suddenly she stopped, glancing at the lock on the heavy wood.
A frown touched her lips, and she leaned down. Her eyes inspected the lock, lips thinning as she spotted a small mark of black powder on the rim of the steel. Her fingers reached out, touching the powder and rubbing it between her finger tips.
Lia tilted her head, frowning before she slowly stood and turned to head towards the stables.
Almost as soon as she was inside the Sergeant pulled on her clothes and then armor. The straps were tugged into place faster than they had any right to, her blade was pulled onto her back, but the sword-breaker never made it into her scabbard. She grabbed Kaska's things, then began to head out the door.
Suddenly she stopped, glancing at the lock on the heavy wood.
A frown touched her lips, and she leaned down. Her eyes inspected the lock, lips thinning as she spotted a small mark of black powder on the rim of the steel. Her fingers reached out, touching the powder and rubbing it between her finger tips.
Lia tilted her head, frowning before she slowly stood and turned to head towards the stables.
"He's gone west," Kaska barked the moment Lia was in view, hurriedly saddling up her horse. The stable boy stood dazed besides Lia's own, fussing a bit ineffectively with the woman's saddle in an attempt to help.
"Did you get my stuff? Good." She smacked her horse on the rump, leaving him and dashing to take her load off Lia's hands. She shoved on her shoes and dawned her cloak, leaving her gear swaddled up in a blanket that she began to secure to her horse by the front. She could get it on during the ride.
"He left three hours ago, if we ride hard, I think we could overtake him by nightfall." She patted her hands over herself, trying to make sure she had everything she needed. "Are you good?"
"Did you get my stuff? Good." She smacked her horse on the rump, leaving him and dashing to take her load off Lia's hands. She shoved on her shoes and dawned her cloak, leaving her gear swaddled up in a blanket that she began to secure to her horse by the front. She could get it on during the ride.
"He left three hours ago, if we ride hard, I think we could overtake him by nightfall." She patted her hands over herself, trying to make sure she had everything she needed. "Are you good?"
The sword-breaker slid back into it's sheath finally, her expression unchanged.
Something was wrong, off. She didn't know what it was, she didn't know why, but she could feel it right in her stomach. Lips thinned as she reached her horse, head jerking in a tight nod as she grabbed the pommel of her saddle and quickly clambered up onto the Horse.
The great beat shifted slightly, taking two steps to the left before Lia managed to rein him in. After a moment the horse calmed itself and The Sergeant motioned over to Kaska. "Lets go."
She didn't wait for the other girl to respond.
Her horse broke into a gallop, practically sprinting out of the small village and thundering down the road towards the west.
Why west? Why back towards Alliria?
Something was wrong, off. She didn't know what it was, she didn't know why, but she could feel it right in her stomach. Lips thinned as she reached her horse, head jerking in a tight nod as she grabbed the pommel of her saddle and quickly clambered up onto the Horse.
The great beat shifted slightly, taking two steps to the left before Lia managed to rein him in. After a moment the horse calmed itself and The Sergeant motioned over to Kaska. "Lets go."
She didn't wait for the other girl to respond.
Her horse broke into a gallop, practically sprinting out of the small village and thundering down the road towards the west.
Why west? Why back towards Alliria?
Kaska pulled herself up and rode after the woman, no laxidasicalness about her actions now. They rode the horses hard, until it was clear they would need to give them a break. She whistled for Lia to circle back to her, letting her own horse slow into a canter, then a trott.
"He'd have to rest as well. We need to give them a moment," she panted, stroking her horses mane. She jumped down and untied the blanket, fumbling to get her gear properly on while she could. "Have you caught any sight of his trail?"
"He'd have to rest as well. We need to give them a moment," she panted, stroking her horses mane. She jumped down and untied the blanket, fumbling to get her gear properly on while she could. "Have you caught any sight of his trail?"