Private Tales The Lost Sjælden

[Jiya Luana]

Another Head of House might have snapped Arryn up on the offer without thought. Or they might have discarded him entirely for not being one of their own. Jiya did neither. In fact, when she looked at him it was with measuring amounts of concern and deliberation. On the one hand, Arryn wasn't under her service. To ask him would be improper and might incur the wrath of a Prince - a fact that she could sense her butler sweating over from here.

On the other hand, she wanted someone who might be interested and wouldn't force her to come home when things got a little dangerous.

Jiya took a deep breath.

"You may come but," she held up a hand. "Promise not to make me leave at the first sign of danger. This will be dangerous but as long as I'm not about to die, I want to see this through. Deal?"

 

[Arryn Cross]

His easy smile faltered slightly at her request. That would be more of an issue. If he misjudged a danger to be less than it was, resulting in her injury or worse?.. She was asking a guard not to be a guard, but he had already agreed to respect her decisions. His jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared as he huffed with a sharp nod.

"We have a deal.." he answered reluctantly..

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya tried not to let her own amusement show as his smile wavered. She could almost see the cogs turning as he attempted to find the loopholes to her words and she resisted the urge to shake her head. She would have to be careful that he did not sink into old habits. At least, not when they might get in the way of their discovery.

"Good," she nodded and cast her eyes about the room for any other books she might need to take along with them. Most were now packed into various bags though the largest was a satchel she heaved over one shoulder. "Meet me at the Luana Manor in two hours with what you need and we shall depart."

 

[Arryn Cross]

She could try her very best to hide her amusement at him, but he knew it was there. He could almost feel it. For someone like him growing up around royals, nobles and fuckwits, he had faced amusement on his behalf many times in his life. At least hers wasn't malicious or conceited, at least he didn't think it was. She seemed far easier company than most that he was used to being around, though that often seemed too good to be true, and he hoped she wasn't yet to reveal that she was a stuck-up princess or a power-hungry psychopath any time soon..

After he escorted her out and attended to some other duties, he bathed, scrubbing his skin a little harder than usual, and using those bath salts that made him smell of sea fennel and cypress. He clipped his beard back to stubble and fussed with his hair before finding himself murmuring over the white shirt or the black as he stood in nothing but his shorts, holding both up.

'What the fuck are you doing?' came a boyish chuckle from his doorway, causing the guard to flinch. 'And what is that sme-- Is that you?' Brett laughed as he strode forward as though intent on taking a sniff of him. Arryn stepped aside, a hand shoving the boy out of his reach. He staggered and fell back onto the bed, where he now sat grinning up at him.

"Until you can best me in the training pit - I'd be careful if I were you." Arryn growled absently before settling on the black shirt and tossing the white one aside.

'What?! You smell delicious..' he shrugged innocently. 'I take it this means I'll be trainin' with Luther again - or are you gettin' yourself pretty for me, Cross?' he asked with a smirk, but he turned to hide it as Arryn's eyes narrowed wordlessly on him. 'Alright - alright.. Got it.'

"Make yourself useful." Arryn jerked his chin toward his armour and weapons, and the young squire quickly set about helping him adorn them with a 'Yessir'.

'Marguerite said you're goin off treasure huntin' with the Luna girl.'

"It's Luana - and it's Lady Luana to you, lad." Arryn huffed and dragged a hand down his face. "Fuck me, you need to learn quicker. You know if you're heard talking about them like that outside of this room it's a beating, and not an easy one."

'I know I know.. I won't.. But, I don't want you gettin' a beatin' neither..'

Arryn's jaw ticked and he cleared his throat, forcing a grin.. "And who's gonna beat me, you?"

'I'm serious Ar--'

"And so am I, kid." he interrupted sternly. "I said I'd help her with something and that's what I'm doing. Like you said, I don't stand a chance." he gave a lazy smirk and ruffled the boy's hair. "Nothin to worry about... Except Luther, if you're late, now get, and make sure Mitchell has my horse ready. We'll see what you've learned when I get back."

As agreed, two hours had passed before he arrived at the house of Luana smelling delicious.

 

[Jiya Luana]

It was a rather vexed looking Butler who answered Arryn's sharp rap at the manor door. Tall and with an unsightly nose that had no doubt earned him several unkind nicknames in his lifetime, Linton Mayor always looked at least a little vexed. The footmen who worked the most closely with him joked often amongst themselves that if the old man were to feel anything other than a simmering level of mild irritation his heart might give out. Today, however, the Steward for House Luana looked beyond a little vexed though he toned it down upon seeing who was at the door.

"You are here for her Ladyship?" it was half a question half a judgement. He looked the soldier over with an openly critical eye before giving a sniff and stepping to the side. "You may wait inside, she shall be down shor--"

A crash sounded from inside followed by a small cry from a maid. The vexed expression deepened and then a moment later Jiya was barging past. She'd changed out of her flowing trousers into something more form fitting and suited for trekking. Her crisp white shirt was tucked in to high waisted black breeches and on her feet were a sensible pair of sturdy boots. Curious golden vambraces stretched from her wrist to her elbow and gleamed when they caught the light, but otherwise she wore no jewellery nor wore cosmetics as other lady's of the city did.

"Don't wait up Linton! Any issues, contact Maz," she called over her shoulder as she skipped past him, heaving a rucksack that almost dwarfed her onto her back. From the jutting angles it was filled almost entirely with books.

"Lady, I really must pro--"

"Wonderful, you're here. Do you have your own horse?" she asked Arryn as she flowed down the manor steps to where a stable hand was bringing round her own horse.

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn was quite used to having people look at him with varying degrees of annoyance or disapproval, but there was something about the butler that made him clear his throat awkwardly and shift a little in discomfort.
"I am indeed." he answered with a dip of his chin.

He'd been about to politely insist that he wait outside when a crash interrupted the invitation anyway. Arryn's head tilted to look past the man in bewilderment, and there was little he could do to stop his lips from twisting in amusement at the sight of Jiya storming toward the door.

Arryn watched her stride out, his gaze quickly surveying her from head to toe as he folded his arms and backed away from the bothered butler with another nod in farewell. His smile threatened to crack into a full grin, but he resisted until he had turned away from the house and toward the stables.

"That I do, your Ladyship." he answered, his brow quirking at the hefty bag of books she carried. She'd likely have been insulted if he offered to take them from her.. Or would she be disgusted that he had not the manner to offer? She wasn't anything at all like most women he'd met, and Arryn had no fucking idea how to behave around her at all.

"So.. This is packing light?.." he asked with a light smirk.

 

[Jiya Luana]

The horse was a perfect stamp of the breed the Luana's were known for. Long legs and a flowing mane, it was built for speed. This one, in as close to white as a horse could get, with rich chocolate eyes, stamped its hoof in impatience as Jiya transferred the pack from her own back to the horses. When the stablehand stepped forward to help the Lady merely waved him away.

"Only the essential ledgers I could find with mention of the Key," Jiya explained flashing him a smile. There was a hesitancy in it, a sign that one too many people had mocked her for such a thing in the past and now she half guarded herself against similar reactions. "I hope Linus didn't glower at you too much, he's always been that way so I wouldn't take it too seriously," content that her precious belongings wouldn't slip off her horse she waved the stablehand away again and mounted with the ease of a woman who had learnt to ride before she could walk.

 

[Arryn Cross]

"Ah. Of course.." he answered, a little disarmed by the smile she flashed him. Brett was right, he really was in trouble, not just because she was beautiful and he wasn't blind - but because she was so much more than that, it seemed.

He glanced back toward the house with a laugh under his breath. "If I took every glower I received to heart, My Lady, i'd be a very unhappy person." he mused. Once again, he found himself uncertain of whether to offer his aid or not, and once again she proved just how little aid she required or seemed to want. He gave her a slightly baffled chuckle.

"Beautiful horse." he commented admirably, having always held a fondness for the creatures.

His horse was a chestnut brown Quarter Horse, with a black tail and mane, and by the way she glistened it was clear how well looked after she was. "This is Onora." he smiled fondly as he ran a welcomed hand down her face. "She has saved my life more times than I care to admit.." he laughed under his breath, patting the mare on the neck before mounting beside Jiya.

He cast his gaze over the skies which were crystal clear and showed no signs of change. "Looks like we're in for a pleasant ride." he nodded, and groaned internally as he heard the young squire's mocking voice in his mind.

'Looks like we're in for a pleasant ride...'

Yeah. Trouble..

 

[Jiya Luana]

"This is Arcamedes," Jiya smiled as she patted the white horses neck. The beast seemed to roll it's eyes. "He has put up with me since I ran away to Elbion," it had been the only thing she had taken aside from her pack of clothes when she had left her families mansion with no intention of returning. "He's probably excited to be doing something other than a pleasure ride," she laughed as they trotted out of the gates. She waved to the two guards on duty; the older one had enough experience to know the appropriate response was a firm nod of acknowledgement, but the younger guard waved back with a grin earning him a scowl from his superior.

"How long have you been in the service of His Highness, then?" she cast a curious glance to her new companion. "And what did you to do annoy him to end up on Lady watch?"

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn's cheek dimpled as he shot her a sideways grin. "Quite the rebel. Seems you have some stories to keep us occupied on our travels." his brow quirked, and he eyed the two guards they passed.

Her questions earned her a quiet laugh and his shoulders rolled. "I've annoyed nobody that I know of.. At least none that are able to command me. Lynus has no need of me at the moment, and I get bored easily.." he smirked.

"I've known him since we were boys. He attempted to run away when he was eight, got himself lost in a place he had no business being and, of course, landed himself in trouble. I beat up four kids and got him home." he laughed at the memory, rubbing at the back of his neck. "I.. Well I had no home, and he convinced his parents to take me in and let me work in the palace. I was fed, clothed and trained, and I've been protecting his pampered ass since that day." he grinned, but it faded to something more serious.

"I'm not sure where I'd be if it weren't for him. I owe him a great deal." he nodded and cleared his throat.

"So. Tell me of Elbion..I want to hear more about the rebellious Lady Jiya." his grin returned.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya's smirk softened into a smile as he told his story then further into something contemplative. She had not imagined the Royal family capable of being... kind. She had come to loathe and resent her life from an early age and that had turned into a hatred for the nobility as a whole, regardless of the person themselves. As she'd become a woman in Elbion she had begun to admit that hatred was not only unhelpful and pointless, but that it was childish too. Stories such as Arryn's only reinforced that long ago epiphany and made her thankful she had reached it.

Or maybe she would have found herself seeking out those revolutionaries who were trying to tear it all down...

"It is important to have friends like that," she said softly, blinking the tangle of thoughts and memories from her eyes. "Elbion..." Jiya laughed and shook her head, glancing across to the soldier. "The version of the story told by the other nobles is probably far more interesting than the real one. My father did not want me to study abroad so I simply... left. I am thankful every day I did."

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn smiled his agreement, wondering if she had people that she could count on.. If she had someone. Relationships of any sort were so often arranged and forced in the small world of nobility. He had grown up amongst it, witnessed it for himself and felt sorry for the very few that he had not loathed. A former slave and he had far more freedom than any of them had had. Still, it was not his business to ask, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know either way.

"Your strength of character is admirable.." he commented sincerely and looked back to her with a flash of concern as he considered the alternatives. "I am glad that you did also." he smiled, clearing his throat as he settled his gaze back on the road ahead.

"So - what other uninteresting stories do you have for me? Told you, I get bored easy, and if i'm along for the ride you best try to keep me entertained." he grinned. "Lynus particularly hates it when I start whistling, but I say he's just jealous of my talent." he shrugged. That, and he was normally hungover.

 

[Jiya Luana]

"I don't mind whistling," Jiya stopped fighting the urge to smile. Linton would tell her it was improper and she could just hear what her mother would say, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Her mother had decided to leave almost as soon as Jiya had returned, taking her two youngest children with her, and had lost any right then to voice her opinions. Linton was easier to ignore. "I really am not that interesting, Ser. I spent most of my nights studying or working to pay for my tuition fees, and I was on my way to making my own collection of anti magic items when my fathers last request fell into my lap," she reined in her horse as a woman dressed in rags approached and dug into her pocket to press a few silvers into the womans beseeching hands.

"When I came back here, the Guards asked if I would continue my work for them so I began researching on the history of anti magic in Aniria and well... it led me to this quest."

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn's gaze had been set on the dimpled road ahead as she spoke, but as she paused her horse's stride, he watched the exchange closely, and then simply stared, his expression unreadable. How casually she continued on when he was still stuck in silent awe, watching the bedraggled woman gape at the silver coins in her palm and calling her blessings after Jiya as she continued on..

The guard frowned, but a quiet laugh tumbled free as he looked at the Lady Luana with incredulity. "Are you certain you're nobility?.." he asked. "Studying.. Working..Whistling..." he trailed off, glancing back toward the poor woman once more, wondering if Jila truly knew how rare such generosity was on the streets of Vel'Anir..

"You are anything but uninteresting, My Lady." he commented quietly and cleared his throat. He offered a small smile before his attention returned quickly to the road, and he gently urged his horse onward to pick up the pace.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya's horse seemed to take the new pace as a challenge and set off at a frisky trot causing the Lady atop to bite down on her lip to keep from laughing. She didn't ride the stallion enough anymore. Meetings, luncheons and silly social calls kept her mainly in carriages or pretty sitting rooms. She was almost looking forward to simply letting the horse go more than she was finding the artefacts.

"In comparison to my siblings I would have to say so. They're both on their way to becoming some of the most powerful Dreadlords the kingdom has seen in a while. My little tinkering is nothing in comparison. Though... I may whistle better than them," she cocked her head to the side as though she were deeply considering it. "What about you, Ser? Any other hidden talents? Aside from the whistling of course."

 

[Arryn Cross]

He shot her a lazy grin at the mention of the whistling.

"Impressive family..." he commented with a light smile. "But, you not only kept your own mind, but you can also use it. A far rarer thing, and you'll make more difference than any Dreadlord.." his shoulder shrugged a shoulder.

"That's the second time in the past minute you've called me Ser.. I can take the hint, Jiya." he turned to flash her a smile, and his brows furrowed as he thought upon his talents..

"Some that should remain hidden." he laughed under his breath and rubbed at the back of his neck. "Mostly, I fight. Whether it's necessary, for sport or for fun, armed or unarmed, I've always loved to fight. Lynus has always allowed me into the pits and tournaments. I was the only one who would stand against him.." he smiled fondly, and his brows arched in thought..

"When at his best, Prince Lynus is quite the impressive man himself. You should meet him, when we return. I think he'd enjoy your company." he dipped his chin in a nod.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya fought to keep her face looking innocent when he finally called her by her first name but the dimpling of her cheeks gave away her amusement. Still, she listened to his words without passing comment on what she had been doing and the dimples slowly vanished and her nose scrunched up as though they had just passed something foul smelling.

"I'm sure the Prince is quite lovely, but I have no intentions of marrying him or entertaining any whispers of such a match. It's probably easier for us both if we kept our relationship to professional letters," it was the match that most women in Vel Anir wished for after whispers had started the latest proposal was to be dismissed. Until another ring sat on young Lynus' finger women would plot for his hand and take out anyone they saw as potential competition. Jiya had no desires to get caught up in some airheads jealous games. She glanced across to her companion and seemed to realise what her face must say.

"Nobles have nothing seemingly better to do than gossip, and I have no patience for it. It's why I try not to attend any social functions," she sighed and shook her head. "Just last week I merely spoke to Lord Urahil and I received several enquiries as to when I'd be announcing my engagement to his eldest son."

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn hadn't expected to laugh at such a thing, but he did. "Well, alright then.." he cleared his throat and rubbed at the back of his neck. "I meant no offence.. Only that, well, he's had it rough, and I can't help but think if he met you.." his throat cleared and he took a breath as he returned his attention to the road.

"I feel he would find you as endearing as I do. He's a good man, and he deserves to be happy. As do you, of course. It's just a shame there aren't many women like you, if any. Lynus has as little love for the games amongst nobility as I do.." his voice trailed off and he felt his skin heat slightly. She was far easier to talk to than was safe. He'd been close to a verbal assumption of Lord Urahil's son being an assclown but he'd managed to stop himself before then, at least..

"Apologies. I should have learned long ago to keep my opinions to myself. It's not my place." he dipped his chin and shot her a sheepish glance across his shoulder.

 

[Jiya Luana]

"Well..." Jiya hesitated. She had a habit of speaking before thinking - a habit which was not a bad thing in Elbion where one was encouraged to speak their mind and have a healthy debate - but she was not sure still if Arryn was of that same mindset. From how he hadn't blanched at her comment but laughed she liked to hope she had found a kindred soul but it was hard to tell when everyone in Aniria seemed to want to play a game. "It sounds like he would be a breath of fresh air, but... still not somebody I would be interested in having a relationship speculated about. Royals are..." she glanced sideways to her newfound companion.

"Messy." Yes that seemed like a safe word.

The gates of the city rose up in front of them and so did the open road beyond. The Falwood was a green smudge upon the horizon and Jiya found excitement stirring her blood. With a quick, wicked grin to Arryn she kicked her horse and sent the stallion into a canter.

 

[Arryn Cross]

A breath of fresh air.. Arryn tried not to wince at that. His friend was hard work, and not at all the man he once had been. Grief had its hold on him, and every day it had dragged him further into a deep dark pit. He had tried to pull him out of it, his mother and sister had tried too, but they were not who or what he needed..

"Yes they are." he agreed quickly. She was far more clever than most would give her credit for. He turned to throw a small smile her way when he noticed the grin and his brow quirked in question - and then she was off.

"Really?" he called, his own grin spreading quickly across his face as his head shook. "Looks like a challenge, girl.." he muttered to Onora and gave her a firm pat before kicking her into gear.

"Are you sure you're a Lady?.." he asked as he caught up to her, and then overtook her with a daring grin.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya's eyes widened as Arryn pulled not only level with her but then surged ahead. Her laughter was one of startled delight and as they rushed out under the large archway of the Southern Gate, Jiya finally let her horse have its head. Academes was a horse getting on in years but his bloodline was one of the best - she should know, she had bred him herself for her 13th Name Day. Like an arrow he soared forward, drawing once more level with Onora and her rider.

"So my mother keeps insisting!" she had to shout over the pounding of hooves. All along the great Southern Road people were hastily moving out of the way of the two horses, pulling carts to the side and small children into arms. "I like to keep proving her wrong." With a click of her tongue and a nudge from her outside leg she pulled ahead and veered right across Arryn's path, jumping one of several logs that had been left for people to sit on during their trek to the city, and took their race to the grasslands away from people.

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn couldn't help but laugh at Jiya's spirited response. When was the last time he'd rode for the sake of fun? As she veered across his path, he grinned wider, determined not to let her have the lead for long. Onora responded eagerly to his subtle cues, her powerful strides effortlessly carrying them forward, but his opponent was a formidable one.

"Prove away, My Lady!" Arryn called out, laughter dancing in his eyes. He guided Onora alongside her once more, the wind whipping through his hair. The grasslands stretched out before them like a vast, untamed sea, and the pounding hooves beneath them added a rhythmic percussion to the rush of the wind. Arryn's competitive spirit flared. He leaned forward, urging Onora to give her all, and the world around them blurred as they thundered across the open expanse.

As they neared a cluster of trees, Arryn decided to add a touch of flair to the race. He leaned slightly to the side, using his weight to guide Onora into a graceful arc around one of the trees. The maneuver was executed smoothly, and he shot Jiya a teasing grin as they rejoined the straight path.

"First to the riverbank decides the forfeit." he called, the challenge evident in his tone.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Jiya raised both brows at Arryn's challenge. This was a far cry from the man who had sworn her off danger only that morning and chided her much like a mother would her child. All it had apparently taken was a bet to make him cast off the form constraints of the city. Or maybe it was just the open road and the walls fading into the distance. Out here there didn't need to be a pretence as to who either of them where. She found herself grinning at the thought of getting to know the real soldier who had agreed to this adventure.

"Come, Archimedes," she leant over her horses neck so she was as flat as could be. The horse responded and his hooves flew across the grasslands, jumping ditches Jiya didn't see or skirting around raised roots. The pair burst through the first line of trees that marked the start of the Falwood as if they were enemy soldiers. The forest floor was a greater challenge to navigate but the old horse was not going to let the mare outdo him.

"Just a bit further, old friend," Jiya whispered in encouragement as they launched over a fallen tree, the sound of the river growing louder and louder.

 

[Arryn Cross]

Arryn's heart raced with the thrill of the chase as Jiya and Archimedes tore through the grasslands. The wind tousled his hair, and the rhythmic gallop of hooves echoed around them. As they entered the shadowy embrace of the Falwood, Arryn couldn't suppress his grin. Part of him had always been far more at home surrounded by trees and rivers, than he had ever been by people and buildings.

Jiya's command to Archimedes spurred Arryn to match her pace, navigating the dense forest with well honed skill. Onora proved herself a capable partner, deftly avoiding obstacles as they raced through the woods. The trees blurred past in a mosaic of greens and browns.

The river was in sight, and for a moment, it seemed like the race could swing either way.

However, the Falwood had other plans and just as victory seemed within reach, a low-hanging branch appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "No no no n--oof" All breath left his lungs as he was caught square in the chest, clotheslined straight from Onora's saddle and left dangling from the branch like a wayward marionette as the mare bolted on without him.

 

[Jiya Luana]

Archimedes had been a nose behind when the tree branch helpfully ejected the knight from his saddle, so Jiya was treated to the full spectacle. A startled laugh escaped her as her horse ploughed on after Onora, dashing past where Arryn dangled with a brief salute in his direction. Free of her rider, Onora won the race and splashed into the river. Still laughing Jiya urged her own horse after her. The two horses were forced to slow against the rivers current and uneven ground allowing her to pull alongside the mare and grab a hold of her reins.

"Beautifully won, Onora," Jiya said with a pat to the mares sweat-slick neck then steadily walked her back to where they had left Arryn. She flashed him a grin and halted the horses just in front of him. "How's the view up there?" she snickered.