Private Tales The Lotus Amid Pines

[Dao Maho]

A pine forest sets the scene of our story, a solitary but well used dirt road winds its way through the dense forestry.
They had left Belgrath and the spine mountains behind weeks ago after going some ways with a traveling circus.
The people in the circus caravan were most helpful whenever asked questions about the land and cities of Arethil, indeed the ambassadorial troupe might have learned all they needed to know from staying with the circus, but as misfortune would have it they split off from the caravan as it continued on its way to the orc stronghold, Bhathairk, and they continued on the road to Alliria.

The ornate carriage stuck out like a sore thumb in the woodlands. Its wooden furnishing was elaborate and its color scheme gaudy and bright, the nooks and crannies scrubbed and clean even through the recent dust of the road. It was pulled by two horses and flanked by six horsemen, easterners all in full lamellar armor, carrying shields, holding Qiang lances in their hands, and carrying Jian swords on their hips.
Two footmen rode on the back of the wagon and a driver with his second were at the front.

From the outside one couldn't see anything of the inside, but all the same Almond eyes peered out from the shadows within. They watched as the trees rolled by in time with the clop of the horses hooves, which failed to mark their progress since all of the great blasted pine trees looked nearly exactly the same as the ones they left behind the last bend.
Maho had dozed off once or twice as the monotony of traveling weighed heavily on her.
It was plush and comfortable inside the wagon, even if it was dark. The seats were the softest down and there was plenty of room for her to stretch out and sleep on one of the seats. But for all of her luggage hidden in the compartments inside and atop the carriage she failed to bring anything to do but a small mirror which she had bored of making silly faces at hours ago.
At least with the circus there was music to listen to and performers practicing their acts to watch. Her guards were not so talented, and the driver even less so.

So it was a complete shock when the carriage came to a stop, not an unwelcome surprise, but there was still hours of daylight left and it was far from time to make camp. She couldn't see out the narrow windows so, speaking their native language, she knocked on the ceiling and spoke to the driver.
"What's going on? Why have we stopped?"
The reply came quickly enough and in the same language.
"A tree lies fallen across the road, Mistress Ambassador. We are moving it now, do not worry."

She sat back in her seat. At least it was nothing dangerous, but she was anxious to move around and do something. She slid the mirror into her sash and announced,
"I'm coming out."
"But, Mistress Ambassador! It's not safe here!"
The driver protested, but she already had the heavy wooden door open. The spring operated stairs extended and allowed her to step down from the carriage. One of her footmen gave her his hand to help her step down onto the road in her Pokkuri Geta shoes, which jingled with tiny bells as she walked. She felt a slight breeze which brought great relief with it, she took a deep breath of the fresh air, tinged with the heavy scent of pine.
Her blue silk Kimono rippled in the refreshing draft, it's intricate decoration of flowers dancing for the briefest moment.

There was indeed a tree in the middle of the road, a massive pine with a thick trunk. Four of the guards had dismounted to secure ropes around the tree to attach to their horses while the remaining two stayed mounted and keeping watch. Her guards were vigilant, so she didn't feel any need to worry.
She pulled the ornate gold plated mirror from her sash and examined her face in this new scenery. She caught a small falling pine branch and tucked it behind her ear to an exquisite effect. She turned one way in the mirror, and then another, examining all the angles of her face. She turned her back to the working men and decided it wasn't a flattering background. She was about to change the scene when she noticed the base of the fallen tree reflected in her mirror... Fallen nothing, that tree was chopped down with an axe.

She glanced at the little pine stem tucked behind her ear, even for a stem of this size such a significant piece of the stem wouldn't fall naturally, and there was hardly any wind strong enough to rustle the branches that much. She turned her mirror slowly, gazing up into the trees in its clear reflection, she was in time to see a man draw the string of his bow with an arrow nocked, aimed at one of the guarding horsemen.

This is where time seemed to slow down in her mind. She had the briefest moment where she had to decide what to do. If she simply shouted a warning it might be too little too late. She had to do something else to maybe give her guards a chance.
As the archer let the arrow fly she turned with a shout in her native tongue, "Ready Yourselves!"
At the same moment she hurled the valuable gold mirror into the air, it flew true and intercepted the arrow midflight in an explosion of fragile shards.
There was a moment of shock from her guards, and even from the bandits hidden in the forest. That moment was broken by the voice of Maho once more,
"Ready yourselves! We're under attack!"

With that there was a sudden flurry of action. She was taken by one of the footmen and helped back into the carriage while the other raised his shield. The rest of the guards drew their weapons and raised their shields as a hail of arrows suddenly exploded from the underbrush beside the road, bouncing off of heavy shields and protecting the guards in the first assault, save the footmen who had turned his back to help his mistress into the carriage, he fell from the step with an arrow in his back, but still managed to close the heavy wooden door.

Belmont Lacroze
ZafiraJade​

 

[ZafiraJade]

Her steed needed a break.

She could see it from the way his powerful gait lowered into a walk that wasn't quite limping, but slower than it should have been. Zafira frowned lightly and gently pressed her hand against the horse's silky brown coat. It didn't make sense. She had stopped them for a rest just a few hours back. In front of her, at a good distance away, she could see a carriage at the front. Zafira trailed after them slowly, heading to the same direction as they were.

As she continued riding her horse, she thought of who could possibly be in there. She imaged a prince or maybe a princess. Maybe it was a foreign political leader about to create a treaty. Maybe it was just a noblewoman and Zafira's imagination was running high because of her boredom. She saw the carriage all of a sudden stop in the middle. Zafira continued riding, wanting to get to the Eastern parts as fast as possible. Exhaustion tore through her every fiber as she leaned forward on her horse a bit. Images of a warm bath, a good meal, and a bed filled Zafira's mind. The thought was so terribly irresistible that Zafira felt the need to race her horse. She refrained from doing so, noting that it would be cruel and unfair to the powerful creature beneath her.

Just as she reached the carriage and all its guards though, she saw a woman close to the carriage yell something out in a foreign language. For a moment, Zafira thought it was directed to her when all of a sudden she saw an arrow whip past her and hit a soldier. Zafira's horse squealed in protest and Zafira forced it to calm down before hopping off of him. Her eyes widened. She had unintentionally stepped in between an attack on bandits.

Zafira's green eyes switched into a brandy color as she took energy from one of the bandits attacking her. She clenched her hands tightly, forcing the man to suffocate before she let him fall by her feet, unconscious. Noting one of the bandits about to attack a soldier that was already fighting two bandits, Zafira let out a warning noise before forcing a stick beneath the man's foot. The bandit tripped and Zafira saw the soldier stab at him.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

Belmont's wooden cane clumped and broke mounds of dirt as he marched as best as he could across the dense forest. Everywhere around him trees were standing tall and swaying gently in the wind with his hair dancing with the delicate leaves.

Alliria.. then shall cometh my redemption.

The wizard's self-exile, while lasting for a good decade and then some had been halted due to an urging vision he had while exploring the ruins of the Forbidden City. Lumbert's destructors. He had been on the road for weeks, perhaps months, journeying through desolate wastelands, abandoned dwarven mountains, and now dense forests. His right foot had been bothering him the entire trip but was soon brought to relief by some medicine he had made from herbs he found last night while resting in the forest.

Belmont's breath became distant in and out, slowing as he focused on his objectives. The world itself was fleeting from him and his only conscious actions were balancing his clubbed right foot and his vision. If he made it in time, it shall be --

A strange noise brought his out of Belmont's isolated thinking and his head darted vertically and his eyes wisped around his immediate surroundings. A horse? Something shattering? Then footsteps were echoing through the forest and Belmont lifted his left hand with bright green energy emanating from his palm.

Whatever could it be? Warriors? A skirmish?

Belmont gripped his cane tightly and quickly limped to the origin of the noise. A carriage came within view and a group of guards around a lass? Belmont immediately also saw another dismounting her horse.

Must be an attack on these people. But where are the perpetrators?

Belmont carried his cane forward to take another step but was stopped by something digging into his left side. Pain was near, though he could not feel any entrance made into his body.

"It would be wise if you did not intervene in our lil' raid 'ere, lest ye have a death wish!" Belmont felt warm breath against his neck with a smell of rotting fish. The energy in his hand went dim but his mouth moved but no sound came. He was silently chanting.

"Now, hand over ye valuables and we will be on our merry way to killin' these people."

Belmont's lips went straight.

"How about:"

Belmont turned and looked at the fellow straight in the eyes. The now seen dagger was still to his side, but Belmont inched closer to the man's puffy and grizzly face.

"Die."

The man guffawed at Belmont but was soon starting to fall silent as his body started to shift and contort in ways that were unnatural. Screaming had followed but Belmont was more than prepared to fend off against measly bandits. The man's arms were inverted and his head spun until his neck broke, killing him instantly. His body fell to the floor in a disgusting mess.

Belmont held onto his cane with both hands and silently turned to the main scene of the carriage. Some guards had been struck by arrows but it was indefinite for Belmont to see anymore. He hobbled over to the young lass who had dismounted her horse, his lips moving once more but not for her but for rather anyone else who would want to make an attempt on his life.

Finally, something exciting on this journey to my home.

 

[ZafiraJade]

"WITCH!" she heard someone yell. Zafira's mouth opened in protest. Why the man said it as if it were an insult!

She turned to see the bandit running at her with hard, black eyes, a sword pointed straight towards her chest.

Zafira rolled her eyes and put a hand in front of her, freezing the man in his spot. A green hue covered the man's body and she pushed her hand forward, driving the blade pointed towards her into the man's leg. She let go of her hold, and the man let out a shout.

She felt the scrape of a knife press against her upper arm, and she bit back a cry. Turning, she grabbed the small, pocket knife at the belt of her trousers and stabbed the man's shoulders, driving her knees into his crotch. She ducked just before the man took a large swing at her head. Muttering a small enchantment, she rendered the man into a state of unconsciousness.

The area around her went silent, and Zafira let out a breath, adrenaline coursing through her body. She turned to see a newcomer, a mage who seemed to be a bit older than her chanting something. Just as she was about to offer him a smile, she felt a blade press up against her throat. It was the soldier she'd saved.

"Please now, gentleman. Is this really necessary?" Zafira asked, quirking her head to the side. Still, she raised her hands above her head in surrender, aware of the blood trailing down her covered arm and lightly tapping the floor. Her voice came out in a teasing lilt, but she didn't break eye contact with the man.

 

[Dao Maho]

The combat was intense if brief. Swords clashed with dagger and shield, but with the slight tingle of magic in the air there were soon sounds of swiftly moving feet running through the forest and away from the road. Maho saw nothing of the combat outside, shut into the fortified carriage as she was. But the tingle of magic was all too familiar to her.

As soon as the sounds of fighting stopped she immediately heard the sounds of talking, speaking the native common tongue of this land. Her guards were only lightly versed in the common tongue here so she quickly made her way to the door of the carriage, the steps lowered on their springs once more and she stepped out to see one of her men had a dagger at the throat of a foreign woman. There was also a man there relying heavily on a cane.

She sharply instructed her guard in their own tongue to release the obvious magic user, to which he complied immediately and without question. Then she turned her attention to the two newcomers as her guards warily turned to the chores of tending their wounded, including the footman with an arrow in his back. He was not dead, but the wound was serious. Removing the tree from the road was also among their concerns and her driver crawled out from under the wagon to aid them.

She remained standing up on the step of her wagon, because if she stood on the ground the two Arethilians would have been a few inches if not significantly taller than her. She didn't like being reminded of her age when it didn't matter, and she especially didn't want to give them the impression that she might be an inexperienced or naïve child.

She gave a dimpled smile and spoke in a heavily accented but sufficiently fluent common tongue of Arethil.
"I assume my guards were not the ones casting magic to make our enemies flee. So it must be you two that I must thank for aiding us in our time of need."
She looked at the few dead bandits on the side of the road, then back at the newcomers.
"I am not well acquainted with the land of Arethil, is this a simple bandit attack? Or could this have been... How do you say... Part of a larger 'plot'?"
Her voice was singsong and liltingly smooth, even in the awkward common tongue. She had practiced the language considerably in order to maintain poise and professional air that she would have held using her own language in a court. Whenever she learned a new language she always loathed to rely on native speakers to assist her.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

By the time he had reached the woman and was just about to greet her with an acquainted wave, Belmont had seen one of the guards put a knife to her throat. He listened to her response and looked around to see two more guards coming to Belmont, spears aimed just a mere few inches from his neck. He let his concentration go and stood still.

"Gentlemen... Gentlemen..." He slapped his cane to the ground to provide extra support and the guards moved uneasily at the gesture.

"Don't worry. I'm just a frail little mage. No need to point your spears so as if I was something more."

Belmont took his gaze to the mage woman and noticed her bleeding. He looked to the guards next to him and back to her. He didn't know the total extent of the injury, but seeing as how unafflicted she looked it could only be a mere small wound. The wizard Had just then seen another woman come out of the big carriage that had been the main target of this attack. With a sound of a foreign tongue, the guard released the woman mage and the rest had repositioned their spears from Belmont's neck. He didn't recognize the language used but nodded in thanks nonetheless.

"I assume my guards were not the ones casting magic to make our enemies flee. So it must be you two that I must thank for aiding us in our time of need."

"I am not well acquainted with the land of Arethil, is this a simple bandit attack? Or could this have been... How do you say... Part of a larger 'plot'?"

Belmont smiled and replied in a calm voice while trying to hide the pain that had, unfortunately, come back to his clubbed foot. He saw how the woman had all of this protection that she must be a noble, but in-depth he could feel magic from her.

"It's nothing, m' lady though I must insist that this 'attack' couldn't have been more than a mere raid but judging from the number of guards you have I would say that no mere forest bandit, especially in Arethil, would even think to lay their swords upon you."

Belmont moved his cane forward and walked to the unconscious body by the mage woman, kneeled, and inspected his clothing and found what looked to be a handkerchief in the left pocket of his torn trousers. The design had a split of red and black with the head of a dragon in the middle painted with gold. He looked to the mage woman and inquired her about this particular design.

"I have been gone from these lands for ages though I must ask if you know if this design looks familiar to you? I may very well think this may be a criminal syndicate or something of the sort. It would explain the bold ambush on this lass."

The wizard struggled to get back up from his knee and threw the cloth at the dark-haired woman.

 

[ZafiraJade]

At the man's comment on being a 'frail, little mage', Zafira held back a chuckle. She highly doubted it. No frail mage could kill a man from the inside out with just an enchantment. She didn't say anything though, eyeing the mage with interest. It didn't help that she also thought of him as handsome.

As the wizard spoke to the girl, Zafira memorized the details of her. She looked young, maybe a few years younger than her with perfect porcelain skin, slanted eyes, and an aura that commanded respect. Even her voice, thick with an accent was melodic. Zafira could feel the underlying currents of the woman's magic, and she wondered if the male mage could feel it too. She noticed the injured soldier behind the seemingly royal woman and automatically wanted to go and aid him. It was a simple fix, but Zafira refrained from doing so. So habitual to fix anything Zafira deemed as broken, she sometimes lost sight of the fact that these guards were quite literally the ones who had just threatened her.

Zafira caught the flag immediately with her uninjured hand. She held back the cry she wanted to yell out as her other hand moved to inspect the flag. Zafira had been to plenty of lands. She'd explored countries far from her home Elibon, but this flag...

Zafira couldn't pinpoint it. She'd seen it before, but she'd seen many flags of similar origin. If anything, the flag wasn't a symbol for one country, rather a group. Tracing the dragon lightly, Zafira reluctantly looked up at the pair. It truly was a magnificent looking emblem.

"I'd think so too. It's not a country flag, but Alliria's library would be able to identify it," Zafira said, handing the woman the flag. She could feel her blood start to seep against the folds of her forest green dress. It was deeper than Zafira had suspected which only annoyed Zafira. Healing a small cut was one thing, but taking energy from her own self and healing a deep wound was another. Quietly, as everyone continued talking, Zafira's eyes morphed into a brandy color, very unusual for most mages, and she wrapped a hand around her upper arm. Slowly, she stitched the wound back together before letting her hand fall to the side as if nothing happened.

 

[Mila Litwin]

Amidst all the carnage and fighting ongoing outside, another occupant sat inside the previously occupied carriage, completely oblivious to whatever ordeal was occuring on the outside. A crimson-haired female, originating from a much too similar-land as the rest of the entourage, paid a hefty sum of coin to provide protection to the Eastern Ambassador, managed to somehow doze off into a slumber throughout the entire journey, and managed through, some extreme stroke of dumb luck, managed to sleep completely through the various fighting and ongoing screams, obsessed in her own thoughts.

Albeit, the aforementioned managed to be interrupted nearing the end, due to an arrow rather suddenly bursting through one of the various carriage walls, and smashing straight through, narrowly managing to avoid the dozing woman's skull, and nigh-immediately waking her up to a startle, with a yelp being heard from the carriages interior.

Litwin leaped to a stand, and rather un-gracefully, managed to quickly clamber out of the opened door, and nigh-stumble straight out into the previous battlefield, glaring around at the various littered corpses. Her immediate sight was one of admittedly surprise, two evident prisoners being held by the various guards, and the one she was paid to protect in some form of negotiations, only to be surrounded by various corpses in the forest. Certainly not a comfortable sight to wake up to, and she didn't take it as such.

Soon after, they were marching straight for Maho's flank, and took guard on her right- a palm simultaneously moving to remove some curved blade from it's sheath, a Kilij, evidently foreign in design, her grip remained tight on it's handle, and gaze locked on both magic casters, oblivious to the feats that just occured.

"What the /Hell/ did I miss?" gets inquired in a rather low whisper Maho's way, in the Eastern tongue.

 

[Dao Maho]

Before Zarifa Jade could hand Maho the handkerchief the remaining footman rushed from aiding his comrade to interposed himself between her and the Ambassador, accepting the cloth in Maho's place so that the magic user didn't cross an appropriately safe distance of their charge.
But before she was able to analyze the small square of cloth there was a rather ungraceful commotion behind Maho as Mila Litwin stumbled out the door past her as she remained standing on the steps of the carriage.

She looked a little surprised at the sudden appearance, having almost completely forgotten about the other girl in the carnage. She answered her in the Eastern Tongue.
"We were attacked by bandits, these two wandering magic users were fortunately nearby to prevent a massacre."
She handed Mila the handkerchief, "Do you know anything about this symbol? It was found on one of the dead bandits."

She turned back to the two Arethelians and spoke in common,
"I believe it is polite for strangers to introduce themselves when they interact as friend instead of foe. I am Maho Dao, Ambassador of the Easterlings, as you call us. And this is Mila Litwin, another magic user in my employ."
She would have berated Mila for being lax in her duties, but not in front of potential allies.

 

[Mila Litwin]

Mila's gaze continued idle examination of the surrounding area, various corpses being examined and stared at for an uncomfortable period of time, and the duo of magic users rather noticeably being examined, before the aforementioned cloth was offered out. Litwin offered little more than a shrug in response, as her weapon was slowly sheathed once more, and her palm took the cloth up instead.

"-bandits, oh, right, okay. That probably explains why I almost had my head took off inside there." motioning towards the carriage, now laced with arrows, all the while, "I trust everything is fine out here? How many of ours are lost, wounded and killed, if we've took count yet?" once more gets inquired in the foreign tongue, before her gaze swapped to examination of the handkerchief, checking over the various symbols and such.

Admittedly, it was completely foreign to her, never having even set foot on the continent in her life before this expedition- a simple shrug is offered Maho's way, before the cloth is offered back out, and Litwin's palm returned to idle hovering over her weapons guard, with noticeable and constant glances around the area. Her posture evidently now one of alertness, despite her previous stumble mere moments ago.

"-who are these? Do we know their names? How do we know they're not affiliated with the lot who attacked us?" another flurry of questions soon followed, with a rather quick motion towards the magic-casting duo once again.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

"I'd think so too. It's not a country flag, but Alliria's library would be able to identify it,"

Belmont looked to the ground in a thinking mood, his head turned to a woman who had exited the carriage. Magic surrounded her as it did himself and the two other women. Her demeanor had presented herself with a serious but laid back mood. He had to admit, all of these people he had just met moments ago are unique though he cannot surely trust them just yet.

"I believe it is polite for strangers to introduce themselves when they interact as friend instead of foe. I am Maho Dao, Ambassador of the Easterlings, as you call us. And this is Mila Litwin, another magic user in my employ."

"Yes, indeed. My name is Belmont, Wizard of Nowhere. If I may, Mila, I only stumbled upon the scene myself only moments ago. Your question is rather an insightful one and I think 'he' might just give us an answer."

Belmont looked towards the unconscious man that laid a few feet from Zafira and walked back to him. Instead of inspecting his body any further, he poked the man's head with his cane a few times to awaken him from whatever the young lady had done to him. The bandit groaned and covered his head with his hands as if to signal a massive headache. His eyes squinted towards Belmont and instantly went for his knife that laid inches from his right hand. Belmont quickly swept into action and slammed his cane into the bandit's palm, crushing the man's hand between the walking stick and the tough, durable dirt.

"Ayy! Mer- Mercy!" The man whelped in pain.

Belmont could see Maho's guards near him in curiosity and amusement. He couldn't blame them. It's not like every day you see a bandit whelp for mercy to a man who can barely walk.

"I found your little piss rag in your pocket. It looks to be something you affiliate your wretched self with. What is it?!" Belmont spat and his teeth ground against each other.

"T'was our hirer! We is not apart of his whatever you call it! He wanted us to take it as a little 'signature' to his name! Please!" The lone bandit let out a scream as his hand was crushed further and further, almost to the point of breaking.

 

[ZafiraJade]

"My name is Zafira," the woman with the green eyes said, looking at the newcomer with suspicion. Zafira couldn't speak the language, but she wasn't a fool. The soldier woman was asking the ambassador about them despite having just shown up. Zafira forced herself to calm down, reminding herself that the beautiful Eastern woman resembling a princess had to have the best care. It was her guard's job to worry and fret over her. "And I was just on my way to Alliria,"

She turned to the wizard, Belmont, who was starting to wake up the man Zafira had rendered unconscious. Zafira winced lightly at his action. She had completely slowed down his systems. temporarily numbing some of them. Waking up beforehand would be excruciating. As the man's walking stick went down on the bandit, Zafira looked away. She'd seen bones stick out, crushed into dust, and blood pooling deep within the stomach. Still, none of it compared to watching torture which Zafira had a small stomach for.

Still, Zafira wasn't one to take being attacked lightly. With the walking cane still firmly crushing the man's hand, Zafira crouched down, her black high boots glinting lightly with the red dust on the floor.

"And who is your hirer?" Zafira asked, lightly lifting the man's chin so that he would look at her. The poor man was petrified, but Zafira schooled any remorse or sympathy she felt. They needed answers. The faster they found them, the faster Zafira could get to Alliria.

"And why did he attack this fine woman here?" The man let out another piercing scream as Belmont dug his cane deeper against the man's hand. She could see his fingers starting to turn blue.

"You have about a minute before the circulation of your blood stops on your fingers. At that point, it won't matter if your hand is broken or not. You would have to amputate it. Tell me, Sir, how well can you do without your right hand? Is your hirer worth that much?" Zafira asked quietly. Her voice wasn't threatening. Soft and persistent, she looked at the man, praying to the stars that he had some sense and would answer their questions. His hand was still saveable, but it wouldn't be for long.

 

[Dao Maho]

An interesting group they were. All magic users of some art or another. This was more fortuitous than Maho could have hoped. To have so many magic users will definitely be a force to be reckoned with, and then there was the potential of this plot against herself. She had many enemies back in her homeland across what the Arethelians called the Ocean of Fjirstaf to the east. Indignant and 'dishonored' nobles and dignitaries who hoped to marry into her powerful family or to have her talents and influence at their disposal. But she didn't recognize that emblem on the cloth, though it was obviously planted on their prisoner on purpose. This clue was meant to be found.

What enemies could she have already made on this continent? And what could they have hoped to gain by leaving this calling card should their attempt have failed. She felt like she was a tiger being lured by easy prey into an ambush, her prey beckoning her, goading her to follow it, to come kill it. An amateurish tactic, but one that could just as easily work by driving the tiger mad with wondering if there was truly any merit to following the goading rabbit into a cave.

Would Maho Dao, daughter of the emperors most trusted and powerful ally, be so easily caught? There were truly hundreds of reasons anyone would want her captured. Ransom and leverage on her family for one. But who in Arethil knew of her or her family? Some exiled and forgotten family that had a grudge with the Dao or her father?

She lifted the skirt of her Kimono and descended the rest of the way to the ground and approached the writhing prisoner. She walked on her elevated wooden shoes and was careful to not get any part of herself dirty in the least, but the irony of this obsession for cleanliness was evident as she seemed completely unperturbed by the sight of the tortured man.
"I can predict his words. He will have no idea who hired him, an anonymous man who hid his appearance in a dark robe and hood, no doubt. This man knows nothing useful except the location where he was contacted."

The guards had the tree secured to their horses and they were finally moving the tree out of the road. Their wounds were bound and the guards stood by to mount their horses. The wounded footman will have to ride inside the carriage until they stopped to make camp.

 

[Mila Litwin]

"Wizard of nowhere."

Mila repeats Belmont's words in a flat tone, the first time she's actually spoken Common thus far- her pronunciations noticeably rough and un-practiced. Her attention soon after snaps back onto Belmont, none the less, glancing the male over in a brief of idle examination; "That title sounds extremely pointless, to be honest with you. You're certainly from /somewhere/. Nowhere is just being unnecessarily abrasive and needlessly mysterious."

A huff follows her words soon after, before her attention is caught onto the pointed out bandit, before Maho started her march for the group herself. Litwin rather promptly followed just a step behind, kicking a stray corpse out of her way rather un-gracefully, as she remained a constant guard at the Ambassador's side. "I'd still advise caution with these two. As far as we know, they cant be trusted yet. Two people coming out of nowhere to miraculously save you just doesn't add up. They'll be wanting something in return, if they're not here to do the bandits jobs themselves." another mutter of warning in the Eastern tongue.

The appearance of two magic users out of nowhere didn't add up to Mila. After all, she wasn't use to random acts of charity from strangers. They always wanted something out of return. Some service, or to undergo their own agenda in the process- and she expected no less of these two foreigners. None the less, her attention differed, for just a moment, only the various guards still moving the trees;

"Once you're done with that, get on guard, don't prepare the carriage until directed to. Set up constant watch around the area until we're beginning to move again- it's probably best we don't let them catch us off guard a second time, assuming there is more."

And soon after, they were quick to comply. The various guards who'd already finished moving the tree being put into another task, setting up watch around the area, surrounding the carriage, and leaving a rather secure time to interrogate the downed prisoner.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

"I can predict his words. He will have no idea who hired him, an anonymous man who hid his appearance in a dark robe and hood, no doubt. This man knows nothing useful except the location where he was contacted."

"Then I do feel like we shall see more of this fellow once we reach nearer the city." Belmont looked to Maho and then released his cane from the Bandit's crippled hand and wiped the ruffian's blood from the shiny wood.

"Oh, bless ye sir!" The bandit had begun to speak before Belmont knocked him in the face with his cane. Belmont turned towards the group and noticed Maho's main guard, the woman who made the remark of his origin. Belmont limped and returned with a snip of personal exposition.

"I am the wizard of nowhere, lass, because my home was blown to hell." Belmont's lips curled into a frown as he remembered Lumbert. The recurring screams echoed in his mind though he kept his feelings hidden. He stared at the dirt ground for a brief moment before turning back to Mila.

"What you say is true, about two strangers suddenly showing. But heed this, if I had other plans up my sleeve for this lovely woman," Belmont pointed to Maho. "then none of you be alive to see it."

He was bluffing of course, but his abilities deemed it true. Belmont took his cane and walked toward the front of the carriage and looked back to the others with an impatient glance.

"Now, if you all don't mind, after we are done in this area and with our newly acquainted prisoner, I suggest we be on our way lest another attack shall reveal itself upon us."

 

[ZafiraJade]

"Two strangers that protected your ambassador while you were seemingly asleep," Zafira pointed out calmly. She wasn't upset. She was merely stating a fact, and reminding the woman her manners.

She turned her attention back to the man who was writhing in pain.

Zafira swallowed back her relief when she saw the man's hand. Yes, it was mangled and looked absolutely terrible, but it was salvageable.

Calmly, she grabbed the man'd hand. Hurriedly, he pulled it away but she held it in a firm grip. "Relax yourself," she commanded unkindly, forcing him to meet her golden eyes. She looked down and focused on finding his life thread before following the broken bits and mending it. She left some of the pain though as a reminder of this event.

Zafira leaned back, closing her eyes. She'd been expending too much of her own energy. She could feel it in the pounding at the center of her head.

She didn't trust the people around her. Not even the ambassador who was looking at them with a glint in her eyes as if she knew something they didn't. Zafira kept a calm face, offering a wicked smile to the people around her.

"Now that all this is done with, shall we head to our destination?" Zafira asked mischeivously, her voice low and playful.

 

[Mila Litwin]

Mila simply let out a grunt in response to both the magic users words, shaking her head; "Evidently so, you've been acting fine thus far. It's yet to be seen if you keep that up though, or if it's just some act." snarling out under her breath, before opting to simply turn around once again, and offer complete disregard to the duo and the tortured prisoner, atleast temporarily.

"All of you, get off watch, and resume your positions. We're moving once again. Prepare to transport- and this time- actually keep your eyes open. Make sure we don't get ambushed again."

An order was barked out to the various guards in the foreign language once more, and exactly as instructed, they started moving towards their various positions. Some moved to mount the horses and front of the carriage, while others simply remained on foot and moved onto the various flanks. The guard force was admittedly shortened in numbers since the ambush, albeit- it still had some fighting force left to it, and the road was cleared.

Litwin's attention soon after turned back to the Ambassador, with another glance between the other duo, eyes narrowing for just a moment; "Ambassador. The carriage is ready to move out once more, whenever you give the word. I'm assuming we're still routed for the same destination, or has this event caused any change in our course?"

A quick inquiry was offered as Litwin moved in closer on the Maho's side, returning her palm to idly grip her weapons hilt, and continuing to stare down the other duo. It was evident she still wasn't the most trusting of them by her posture and body movements alone.

 

[Dao Maho]

Seemed they were bringing the prisoner with them, she was fine with that, but there was no chance of the filthy man riding in the carriage with them. Perhaps tied to the top of the carriage? or even the bottom was fine with her, she didn't care so long as she didn't have to stare at him for the remainder of their journey.

On Mila's inquiry Maho nodded her head and turned to go back inside the carriage. The arrows had been pulled out of the carriage, but now the fair and unblemished craftsmanship was tainted.
"Nothing has changed, we will continue on our way to Alliria. I refuse to be intimidated by this bold attempt on my life. Once I've established an embassy in the city we can return our attention to this investigation, providing our enemy doesn't for our hand before then."

She climbed the steps with the aid of the footman, who offered her his hand to help her up. She stopped short half way through the door and turned to the two magic users. Even though she had little logical reason to trust them, she had a good sense about them. Magic users in Arethil were recluses almost by nature, so she couldn't fault them for a lack of decorum or social tact.
"You may travel with us for as long as you wish. I've always been taught that there is safety in numbers."

With that she disappeared inside the carriage that served as a signal to continue their journey.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

"Evidently so, you've been acting fine thus far. It's yet to be seen if you keep that up though, or if it's just some act."

"Your suspicions are admirable I'll give you that. It's similar to that of a paranoid hermit." Belmont sneered and chuckled half heartily to himself as he looked at Maho's guard. He thought if she was asleep during this entire fight, then she is not a worthy guard though redemption is always available.

The wizard responded to Maho's hospitality with a nod. He had never liked traveling in groups and if he must travel with one, such as now, he will be traveling far behind. If an attack like this was brewed from an unknown enemy, who knows what still may happen on their journey. He looked to Zafira and asked her a question.

"Say, if they have guards already stationed at the carriage, would you want to accompany be on their behind? I think it will provide us some much-needed cover on their flank and good isolation from her 'personal guard'." Belmont spoke in a persuasive tone and it seemed the best option for them both. It would offer a chance for him to be alone and keep focusing on his already primary objective and how he will later tend to that, but also get to know this unknown sorceress. He had to admit, she was striking...

 

[ZafiraJade]

Zafira was surprised by the ambassador's comment. She wanted to travel with them? Automatically, Zafira was on guard. The ambassador was a foreigner, had just been attacked, and had a soldier who had the audacity to treat Zafira and the wizard next to her with the utmost suspicion when they had quite literally just saved her and her guards.

Zafira had a habit of being reckless, but she was not a fool.

She thought of the situation carefully. Alliria was only a day's journey away. They would presumably stop somewhere at night and head to the city in the morning. Plus, Maho was right. There was strength in numbers, and given the weakness, Zafira felt after healing not only herself but the excruciating wounds the bandit had, it would be smart to travel with them.

"Your suspicions are admirable I'll give you that. It's similar to that of a paranoid hermit."

At Belmont's comment. Zafira bit back a smile. She was glad to know that she wasn't the only one to feel so strongly at the guard. She understood her wariness, but not her crassness or ingratitude. Zafira offered the wizard a charming smile.

"That sounds absolutely perfect,"

She slid on her hood, the remnants of her eyes still golden as they slowly swirled back into its original color. Calmly, she went up to her neglected her horse and fed it the last bit of her fruit, brushing its mane softly.

Zafira doubted they'd be able to ride him. He was too exhausted from their previous journey. Belmont and Zafira would have to walk for a bit, so that the creature could grow its strength. Normally, that would irk Zafira, even if just a bit. But she was curious about her companion.

 

[Dao Maho]

Already ensconced in her carriage she took her seat once more. The footman seated in the corner of the seat across from her as he tended his own wound, making room for Mila Litwin to sit as well.
Once all the passengers were inside and the guards in position the carriage began moving again.

Maho examined the remains of her mirror, the shattered fragments of the delicate looking glass laid out on her lap. She drew her fan and covered her mouth in contemplation. While the matter of this strange threat was indeed important she still couldn't allow this to interfere with her intentions of establishing an embassy her in Arethil. Since Alliria is known for its trade it seemed to be the best location to make a base.

Her brows furrowed ever so slightly, delicately even, like a practiced motion that only slightly interfered with the flow of her fair skin and expression.
She would have to move quickly once they made it to Alliria, she had to fortify herself solidify her powerbase and begin the duties of an ambassador before her enemies have the chance to stop her, she will be forced to watch her back of course, but once she is comfortably established in Alliria she can then turn more of her attention to dealing with this personal threat to her life.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

Belmont gave a half-smile at Zafira's response. He saw her go to her steed and he admired the appearance of her horse. It appeared to be well taken care of which greatly reflects the character of the owner. Though, it did look a bit hungry just as Zafira pulled out some food. He contemplated just walking the entire way without the need of horseback and to Belmont, it didn't seem that much of a problem.

"I must say, that is one beautiful horse but I would doubt that it could handle the weight of the two of us. If you'd like, I wouldn't mind walking." He looked down at his club foot and back to Zafira. The jester might've been something of stupid or idiotic to make as any commoner would see that he could barely walk as it is even with his cane.

"Don't worry. I've already walked hundreds and hundreds of miles on this. It doesn't bother me and it keeps things in the present with the slight sting it presents."

Belmont looked towards the now moving carriage and figured that everyone must be on their way.

"Shall we, lass?"

 

[ZafiraJade]

He had a nice smile, Zafira noticed.

Lips quirking to one side of his rugged face, eyes staring into hers as he talked. Definitely, a very nice smile.

Zafira was about to tell him that they wouldn't be able to ride him anyway when she understood the second implication of his words. Zafira turned her head away, smothering her smile. So he had a sense of humor too. Zafira looked down curiously at his leg as the carriage the ambassador was in started moving. Zafira wrapped the rein that encased the horse around her wrist before looking up at the man.

It would be a hard journey. They'd walk till nightfall before stopping again, and while Zafira had no doubt the man would be able to walk the entire time, the physician's daughter in her needed to help.

"Mind if I?" Zafira was already leaning down. She didn't know what was wrong with his leg, but she knew of a small trick her father had taught her that aided in pain temporarily. Zafira put her hand out, eyes flashing gold. The pained leg fell into a green cast before disappearing completely. Zafira saw his life thread in her mind, a bright golden string that showcased every vein and tendril. As Zafira's eyes went to the broken leg, she noticed how it was mangled. Zafira closed it.

Zafira stood up, blinking a few times. "It's not a permanent fix, but it should ease the journey a bit," Zafira said as the pair started to walk. Zafira pulled her steed with her, the clanks of his hooves familiar and calming.

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" she asked curiously, tilting her head lightly in the direction of the man.

 

[Belmont Lacroze]

Belmont made contact with Zafira's eyes and noticed their brilliant color as she looked down at his lame foot. The wizard gave a slight flinch of the body when the lass had knelt down to his leg. He had never been in such close quarters with anyone in a long time and the fact that she was next to his club foot also made him nervous. He always tried his best to protect though he knew it would probably be best to amputate it sometime.

The wizard could feel the magic flow through his leg and instant relief soon followed.

"Th- Thank you." Belmont hasn't been in the presence of such hospitality and kindness in a very long time and his mannerisms surely showed it. He was so used to being exiled that he was more than content of the fact that he would die alone with nobody knowing. He had closed his mind off from everything except for anger and hate which nearly consumes him now. But Zafira, he thought, she shone like a beacon in his dark world. He snapped out of his inner thoughts as soon as she asked about his foot.

"I have had it ever since I was born. I never really got any treatment for it so I let it stay though it brings great pain sometimes. Consequently, however, it reminds me that I am still here and alive." Belmont's tone grew grim. He looked to the road and into the oblivion that lay before them all. He started to walk and alas no sting was felt as his lame foot trudged the coarse dirt. A half-smile presented itself across this thin lips, curving his cheeks into splendor.

 

[ZafiraJade]

"Of course," she shrugged.

Zafira walked a small distance away from Belmont, an appropriate amount for strangers. He had seemed uncomfortable with her touch. She didn't blame him. It was the same hindrance that her father's clients would have. Something about having someone look at you - properly look at you physically with nothing but a clinical stare, was unnerving.

Maybe that was why Zafira could never be a proper physician.

The people who she healed never looked at her with anything but awe - as if she were some higher being rather than the flawed person she was.

"And you never went to a healer?" Zafira asked incredulously. Her mouth shut tightly, realizing how blunt that had come up. She winced slightly at her mannerism. She wasn't usually so blunt. It only happened whenever she talked medical. To diffuse it, she let out a soft chuckle.

"I'm sorry, not what I meant. If you want, I could always whip up an elixir for you. It wouldn't heal the leg, but it would basically be what I did in a bottle," she winked.

The day passed with them having light conversation, the distance between the pair lessening considerably. Soon, the dark encompassed them. Zafira saw her horse let out a snort in protest. He wouldn't walk another step. Zafira sighed and called for the soldier in front of them to stop. Knocking lightly on the carriage, Zafira waited for the ambassador.

"We should stop now. It's a good place for camp,"