Tales of Weagrand - Part 1: Please, kidnap me

[Ursali]

The hostility directed towards him, and the princess, was to be expected, though he was grateful that Willow at least could see things for how they were. He remained firm as Raz stomped towards him, ready to take the punch that she looked to be winding up. She appeared to think better of it right at the end, but she'd still laid quite the accusation at his feet, one he would not allow to remain; he addressed the dragon first as she had been the first to speak. "Raz, look at me. Am I any better off than any of the other Falcons? I eat what you eat, sleep wherever we set up camp, the whole nine yards. I'm not even from Bravia by birth, but that's not relevant right now. My proof is in these letters, correspondence between myself, Bravia, other agents, and of course the princess herself. There shouldn't be anything that you aren't supposed to see in them if you'd like to look, Raz." Not without the cipher anyway... "The same goes for you Silvano; you've seen the state of my attire, I'm hardly holding out on anyone here."

He turned to Jilyn as he held out the letters for Raz or Silvano to snatch, if they so wanted to. "You seem to not understand your-- Our position, princess. We could make our own attempt to cross over to Bravia, braving the knights, the bandits, and whatever else lies in wait for us. Without any gold to feed us mind you, they would be taking your valuables were we to part ways." He sighed, hoping she understood; without the Falcons they were both as good as dead.

"Or you can ally with the Falcons. You can't expect them to trust you if you can't even trust our leader, no matter how much of a risk the spread of this knowledge is. Willow put it best; Rivane will die before he has a chance to divulge this information, that's the sort of man he is. And someone needs to know it should something happen to the both of us. If Rivane doesn't care to know that's fine, but he carries the weight of the Falcons lives on his shoulders; he deserves to know whatever will help him make a decision."

Edited November 20, 2023 by Ursali

[Mercenary on the Winds]

Rivane expected that the Princess could have no proof of her claim; it wasn't exactly a claim that could be proven without an existing agent, correspondence letters, or something to that effect, and if those were present, the Princess would be dead. However, everything today had gone against what Rivane had thought, and this was no different, as Cyrus, of all people, stepped up to take center stage holding letters. Rivane turned to look at the man as he revealed his real allegiance, to that of Bravia itself, and proclaiming the princess's words as the truth. "...You aren't one that I would think to be swayed by words, and I doubt that you've fallen for her that quickly," Rivane looked down at the papers in his hand, "So allow me to follow what you're saying, Cyrus, you are of Bravia's intelligence, and your mission is to bring the princess to Bravia in order to use what she possesses, is that the gist of your words?"

Rivane then narrowed his eyes, "I wondered why you were more insistent than usual about this mission in particular. There had always been a bit of mystery regarding your circumstances, even back when we were serving as knights. Were it perhaps anyone else, in any other situation, I'd have you at lance point, and call you a liar. Yet, you earn nothing from lying about this." Rivane went to reply to Cyrus's offer, when Jilyn spoke up, passionately, desperately even, to dissuade the man from his offer. He ignored Raz's anger at the new information, she hadn't struck Cyrus which was the most important part because Raz's words were poignant, and he was sure they would be shared by more than just her. Silvano echoes, and then Willow spoke up, giving Rivane the footing he needed for the situation, "Enough, all of you. I don't disagree with Raz or Silvano--it is quite a thing to simply lay at our feet, but the moment we became bandits, it didn't quite matter where any of us were from or what we did. We are the Wounded Falcons, and we have lived as the Wounded Falcons, we have fought as the Wounded Falcons. I'm sure that all of you have secrets you have yet to share, but in the heat of the moment, when you feel the pangs of hunger, or buckle under the strike of an opponent's blade, you'll care less who is there to support you." 

Rivane then looked back at Jilyn, "Your passion to defend your secrets is admirable, though, I question whether you realize how precarious of a situation you place it in by not saying. If you are the only one who knows of it, then should we fail, this war will continue until Halspria falls into dust, or Evelyn finally takes Bravia, and I doubt that the Blademaiden would stop with Bravia. Cyrus is correct; without any reason for us to truly believe you, your cause is without assistance, and without hope." Rivane then took a long sigh, before stepping closer to Jilyn, towering over her, "However, as a former knight of Halspria. I've worked with noblemen and women, and every single one of them speaks out of the side of their mouths. Everything they say is for the betterment of their own position, with no care for what their words might bring, or cause. You are the 2nd member of nobility, or royalty to have real passion, real purpose behind your words. In time, perhaps you'll tell me what it is that you must protect; but I can see it in your eyes, and hear it in your words--whatever it is does exist."

Rivane shook his head, "Cyrus. If you're here, then perhaps you can answer my next question. How desperate is Bravia for whatever our wayward Empress possesses? Because this may simply be our best option after all." 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Mercenary on the Winds

[Nanami Touko]

There was much that Jilyn wanted to add and keep saying, but Rivane spoke out and made clear his stance on everything, even going as far as to, seemingly, attempt to intimidate her as he continued on. She didn't flinch in the face of his approach, didn't shrink or back down. If he was trying to intimidate her, it wasn't going to work, not over this. "... If we can make it closer to Bravia, I will tell you, and only you, Rivane. This is simply... At least if it dies with me, Evelyn will never know. That is the second best outcome, as much as it would be horrible. So I will do anything else I can to help in getting us there... Anything else." She huffed and looked over at Cyrus. He likely knew what she was alluding to... Even if he wasn't aware of the exact nature of it. "Don't tell him more than necessary, Cyrus. You heard him."

[TheRoon]

When Jilyn made her case before Silvano he couldn't help but roll his eyes away from her, though he knew it was very serious information due to how Rivane and Cyrus had acted. "Pardon me then..." He turned his head toward Willow when she brought up her take on Cyrus' identity, and when Rivane put his foot down on the situation the silver haired gambler loosened his own stance. "...yeah you're right, both of you. It doesn't matter where any of us came from, all that matters is that we're trying to help each other survive." He looked at the crow, he eyed the letter briefly but he decided not to make any move toward it. With his injury Rivane would floor him faster than he could blink, hell he could do it even if he were healthy. "Sorry, really. I didn't mean anything by that."

Rivane had made his stance clear to the captive princess, Silvano silently agreed. They couldn't just escort her to Bravia without some trust, but in the gambler's case he couldn't find it in himself to give her any trust at all. The late king Jrevin had run Halspria into the ground, and with it his father's life. Silvano had abandoned the nation he was born in because of that, he had no love for a land that took his family and life away. He only wished he could have gotten back at the king somehow, and despite the fact Jilyn was very much not like her father and didn't carry his sins, he couldn't help but hold some dislike for the woman. Of course this crap had to be complicated, dammit...

[mcd900]

As she rose, Rina found the two nearest her with little in the way of answers to soothe her confusion; the feline crouched down towards her, speaking, and she held her ground; even in such a situation as this it would be unbecoming to be so easily cowed. Her eyes narrowed at the mention of her fellow Lower Rung; there was little need to guess what had become of him, given the swiftness of their attack and his notable lack of presence.

"Hmph. I am Rina de Minerve... knight of Halspria. Do not so much as think to implicate my having any designs on the princess' life. I should think it more appropriate for myself to do so of you, seeing as it was my duty to escort her..." Rina paused, her mind catching up with her initial indignance, trying to make sense of all that she had seen. "The king has not been killed. He is... He is resting at his estate; he is ill, and abed. Ser Evelyn's knights..."

It simply didn't make sense. She was not prone to making mistakes in her sight; and yet Ser Antonio had attacked the princess - she had seen it with her own eyes - even though they'd been casually conversing merely moments before, escorting that carriage together... and as if she needed anything else there Princess Jilyn was herself, practically debasing herself with every word she spoke as she asked these bandits for aid. At this, she began to struggle against her binds futilely.

And now she wishes to go to Bravia...? Why...? It... Would Ser Evelyn truly do this?

[Ether]

Well, it seemed that conflict had stopped just shy of coming to a head. Rivane felt enough sincerity from the Princess, citing that her demeanor was sufficiently removed from what he knew of the nobility, that he believed her words held merit. What Cyrus would say next would place just how much.

"Whatever you choose, Boss, I'm with you. I trust your judgment." Willow noted in the man's direction... this was no time for infighting. They had just put themselves on the knight's radar in a major way, and she trusted Rivane to know the best course of action more than anyone else in the camp. Still listening, Willow reached down and grasped their captive's shoulder as she began to struggle against her bonds.

"None of that, now. If you try to break out I'm gonna have to shove you into the dirt, neither of us want that." Willow noted to the woman, watching her intently. She was clearly in denial about what was going on here... or was she just a fine actress? That sort of thing was popular among the upper crust, wasn't it? Willow didn't really know.

"Are you in denial, or are you just acting? Princess can maybe shed some light on whether you would have just been kept out of the loop, but you saw your Captain swing at her with your own eyes, didn't you? Why would they try to kill her off if the Mad King was just taking bed rest?"

[Xinnidy]

"...Hmph." Raz leaned back, still glaring at Cyrus even past his reassurance and reasoning. Her wings flapped, following a click of the tongue, as Rivane followed with his own, sound comments. "...Quite the long con, Cyrus. I'll give you that. Still, I'll go with Rivane's decision. Still got my eyes on you." Her tail swished aggressively, and she turned towards Rivane. "Now answer the boss honestly. I'll follow his judgement, on Bravia and the princess."

Edited November 20, 2023 by Xinnidy

[Ursali]

"Yes. That is probably the most accurate way to refer to my position in Bravia, as well as my designated objective." The raven visibly relaxed as Rivane didn't immediately run him through, and further relaxed as he appeared to be of similar opinion to Willow. "I'll be honest, sir, when I joined you back when you left the knights it was mostly out of necessity; even back then Evelyn wasn't one to be trifled with. But know that was not the only reason I joined you and assuredly not the reason that I've stuck around for." He left it off there; he could save the rest of that story, and everything else that would follow from it, for after everyone had time to cool down. Case in point being the varied reactions between Silvano and Raz. Kagi had yet to speak up regarding the information, but they were busy with the prisoner.

"Don't worry about it, Silvano. And once I'm wrapped up here I'll take a look at you to make sure you did everything right." He gave the man a thumbs up with his free hand, hopefully conveying that there were no hard feelings between them. Raz would not be so easy to win over, however. He expected as much, the dragon appeared to be wary by nature and she was one of the Falcons that he'd expected to take the news the worst. "By all means, look as much as you like, I have nothing to hide." He didn't know if she actually intended to devote time to watching him or not, but that didn't make his statement any less truthful.

"From what I understand of it, Rivane, Bravia absolutely needs this information to have any hope of winning this war in a timely manner. Without it, even if they were to lead a successful charge on the capital, this war could still last for years." With the princess demanding that he give out only the absolute bare minimum that would have to do. "I hope that's enough for you, sir. I know what she can do and why it's so important for a timely victory, but only she knows the means by which it can be made to happen."

[Mercenary on the Winds]

Rivane looked at Jilyn's eyes, and a fierce, unyielding flame flickered behind her golden eyes. Rivane grinned, "Don't lose that look, Empress. You'll need that and more if you intend on following through." 

Rivane took a step back, and focused on Cyrus who seemed to be visibly relaxing as well. There had always been questions about who Cyrus really was, but the answers had always been out of curiosity more than anything else. His reasons for coming with him had been moot, the situation they found themselves in was the reality, and survival was always the correct choice. "You don't need to continue to strengthen your case, Cyrus. You're here amongst the Falcons which means that you are aligned with us. I don't believe that you're foolish enough to try to string us along, nor do I believe that you have." Rivane then turned the grin on Cyrus, "But in the case that you prove me wrong, I believe Raz will be first to you. Don't betray her trust."

Rivane then pondered on Cyrus's words, similar to what Jilyn herself said, but the more targeted scope made things a whole lot clearer. "So without this information, this war despite Halspria's precarious position is nowhere close to being ended... Hmm. I think that makes our objective clear. However," Rivane looked over at their newly awakened captive, "Perhaps it can be made clearer." 

Rivane stepped over to Rina, lance at his side, and stopped a distance from her, "Your equipment is of higher quality than would have been afforded to those of the lower rung, and you froze over your captain swinging upon the Empress. Either you have no idea what's going on, or you're playing the longest, and most dangerous game of your life. I missed your name but I overheard the rest, so if you ask me not to implicate you as having designs on the princess's life, perhaps you could tell me what you do know, if anything. Your commander swung on the Empress, that much you cannot deny, and unless you are prepared to contradict the words of the woman you seem sworn to protect--the Blademaiden was prepared to have her killed, and perhaps you as well, given that is seems as if you may be in the dark. But enlighten me, perhaps I speak out of turn." 

[Nanami Touko]

Rivane was a good man, that much was certain. There wasn't more to say to him now, nor anyone it seemed... There was just one loose end left. "Rina, stop." Jilyn approached beside Rivane, arms crossed. "My father is dead. The  High Tower has slain him and my mother-- good riddance, but they mistakenly chose to paint me with the same brush. A part of me cannot blame their fear, but it is misplaced, and now we find ourselves in this situation... If you weren't aware of Evelyn's plans, then you can help me, can't you? Maybe you think yourself above working with... Ex knights, of Halspria," she glanced at Rivane and then Cyrus, "but I wish to see the bloodshed stopped, which means ending this war... And with Evelyn on her warpath, all I can do is turn to Bravia. Continue what I had been doing in aiding them. They will end this war, the people will be free to recover, and hopefully, I will take my seat as the next Empress. I can only preach peace and hope the people listen..."

[scorri]

"Hmmhmm... look, I know I'm not smart but even I know there's more going on here than you're willing to let yourself believe right now." Kagi had more to say but suddenly Rivane and the princess were joining them. They grinned up at their captain, commenting, "She certainly seems to be clueless. Though maybe she just doesn't like ex-knights and bandits." They stood up, stretching before glancing at Cyrus. "Working for Bravia, huh? Neat. Always appreciated having you by me in a fight, so I don't see why this changes anything." They didn't really care that much about loyalties. After all, they weren't from either of the countries involved in all of this and it worked out well since that was where they were headed now. Turning back to Rina, they paused and then pulled her sword off their back and handed it to Rivane. "Captain, this was hers. Figured we shouldn't leave it with her, but also I can't use it anyways. Figure you probably want to hold onto it, no?"

[TheRoon]

Silvano just gave Cyrus a wink in response to not cut into the conversation too deeply, he listened to the princess as she addressed the lady knight with some sound words. Really does sound like she's different from her old asshole dad, still... "Whatever Rivane decides works for me I guess, goin' solo sucks and I ain't doin' that anymore. Especially on this wound." He walked back to his log and sighed. "Still, going to Bravia to end a war sounds pretty out of reach for a small pack of bandits. Rivane excused of course, if anyone here can do it he might. I'll just be along for the ride and see what kind of games I can cook up." Silvano did his best to keep out of his jaded thoughts, he brought his dice back out and shook his hand while he kept his gaze on Rina and Jilyn. He wondered if either of them knew about the other sword he needed to find, probably best to ask when things settle down.

[mcd900]

Rina was quiet a moment; a long moment, as each of her captors - no, that wasn't quite right - several of her captors and the princess - spoke to her. Her silence hung in the air a moment as her eyes shifted from face to face; to the dryad, the feline, the former knight, lingering on the princess. She opened her mouth as if to speak, finding no voice, biting her tongue instead, her gaze lowering to the ground.

It was another long moment, then, before her gaze rose once more, glancing momentarily, almost longingly at her rapier as the feline made to pass it to the lance-bearing falcon. There was a look in her eyes like a withheld sigh of disbelief; but when the words finally surfaced. they stood resolute. "There can be no other explanation for the princess - forgive me... the empress - to stand before me, unharmed yet for my own fellow knights' betrayal."

"I am no fool... and yet, they have sought to make a fool of me and a mockery of our oaths. Lower Rung I may be, but I have not forgotten my loyalty; my duty to my liege. I should be willing to aid you, empress. Fortuitous saviors these people may be, though... I shall not forget their designs upon you. And if it is your wish to return to your rightful reign, then I will protest any of their attempts to dishonor you... intentional or otherwise."

[Mercenary on the Winds]

Rivane looked over at the sword; a gorgeous silver rapier, possibly expensive, but the gaze on their captive knight's eyes was that of a cat watching her favorite toy be dangled in front of her. Then her look turned resolute, not unlike a noble with their pride wounded, and spoke of her designs for her situation. Rivane chuckled, and handed out the rapier, "Protest as you will, though, hopefully not with the bite of your blade. The fact remains that if we are to support the empress and her journey to Bravia we will need gold. Her belongings will be a good start, but if this was enough to sate us all, few would starve in the empire. You'll have to take her place, or come up with your own idea to keep us afloat until we can figure something else out." Rivane then looked at her with a bored expression, "My goal not to dishonor, or anyone else, but my goal is not one that was chosen for me, or any of the Falcons. I don't know how long you were a knight, but you'll understand quickly what has to be done in order to survive. That, unfortunately, is the only thing that was afforded to any of the soldiers under the crown. We were given the choice, to live, or to die, and to live, is always the correct choice. So until we can do otherwise, we will do what we must, for it is all we can do." 

Rivane turned to the princess, "Empress, you can speak with her, for now she will remain bound. She'll need time to think on what to do, and what comes next. Cyrus," Rivane's golden eyes turned on his companion turned man of Bravia, "You'll be tasked with keeping an eye on the Empress. I know her stance, and I know that she'll not try to strike out on her own, but I doubt we will be the only bandits longing for a chance as something new, and they won't be as restrained as we. I will return the knight's sword to her later, I could see it on her eyes, this is dear to her. For now... I'll require a map." 

[Xinnidy]

"Hmm... Going to Bravia is a tall ask, but not above our means, really. At least, if the reward is fitting. The better question is how we survive until then." Raz kept her attention between Rivane and the princess, "Pawning off that jewelry will help for a time, but we need to find a safe place to do it first." Walking towards Rivane, she picked her backpack, rummaging through belongings until she drew a parchment. "Here, Chief. We've got a few options we can go on the way to Bravia, but we'll inevitably be crossing people's turf one way or another."

[Ether]

Well, Miss Prisoner seemed to at the very least be accepting reality, though her insistence on protecting the Princess', or Empress as she was now insisting, honour felt tone-deaf. Rivane had covered the basics well enough... in a perfect world there would be no need to such things, but perfect was the last word to describe the world as-is.

"Well you heard the man, Cyrus. If you're watching Empress, and she's talking to Ms. Feisty here, I'll keep you company for the time being. As for you... it's as Rivane said. It'd be great to not have to resort to stuff like this, but that's not the hand we were dealt. If you want to keep your Empress clean... take her place, or pony up another idea. If we're going to Bravia in the middle of all this, we'll need even more supplies than we thought..."

[Ursali]

"Thank you, Sir, you're trust means more than you know." He returned the Falcon's grin with a smirk. "You don't have to worry about that, I'm plenty aware of how adept she would be at shooting me out of the sky." This really was the best he could've hoped for with how sudden his reveal was, Kagi taking a neutral opinion on his reveal as well, but the circumstances had demanded it be as such. Rivane was in agreement that their final destination would be Bravia, but there was still the matter of their prisoner to settle. "It's a story I wouldn't mind telling, within reason, once we've settled for dinner if you'd like to hear it Kagi."

He watched as the prin- Empress addressed the prisoner, her words finally enough to lift her out of Evelyn's web of deceit. At Rivane's call he moved over proper, standing adjacent to the Empress. If it was his task he would do it dutifully, and perhaps if she were to follow him around he would be able to impress the gravity of their financial station into her. If they truly were going to go with Raz's plan to earn additional gold then giving her more motivation would only be better for their overhead.

"Perhaps she could join her, if she is so insistent to protect her honor. Draw gazes onto herself and off of the Empress." He didn't relish the idea of forcing either of them to use their bodies for money, but there were only so many scams you could run in one town at a time. Especially right as you roll in. As long as someone was around to make sure that hands were kept to themselves it would probably be fine...

[Nanami Touko]

"Rina..." It was both shocking and heartwarming to know that some of the knights still held her in such high regard. That they would see her, rightfully, as Empress, despite Evelyn's ploys and attempts. Beyond that, that Rina would accept her as a ruler despite her father... "... Thank you. Though... It is as they say, gold is... It is scarce. While my jewelry will aid us for the short term, we are a full band, planning travel, with mouths to feed, weapons and armor to maintain, and supplies to procure..."

She sighed. "If I can help that at all by using the good looks my parents have bestowed me, then I will not shy away from it. Understood? It's just a little dancing... And you can help me with it, if you're worried about me being... ogled too intensely, or something." She didn't voice it, but she didn't quite appreciate Rivane's decision to keep Rina bound... Still, it was a safety measure, that much she grasped. At mention of a map, she perked up some, slowly making her way over to watch. She hadn't been taught much about the roads that crossed Halspria, so she couldn't help being interested.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Nanami Touko

[Mercenary on the Winds]

Raz hurried off, and procured a map from her things, the map that had kept them alive all the time, so it was a treasured part of their band. Raz, being the scout, was the one to handle it, and it had all sort of markings and scribbles over it. Though, the markings and scribbling vanished as one moved outside of Halspria; it would be new territory for the Falcons. "Thank you, Raz, let's see..." 

Rivane looked to the west first; The Halidom of Euphrasia would be their destination if they were to immediately charge west. On the one hand, it would likely be easier for them to make gold--they could expect less people to recognize the Empress, so they could be a bit more liberal with their operation. Money was going to be a top concern, given that from the sounds of it, they'd have two extra mouths to feed, and they would need to maintain their equipment more than they usually did. The Knights were not going to let up on them, and even if they could take the equipment of the fallen, they had to be able to fell them first. On paper, it seemed like the Halidom was the obvious choice, but there was a glaring concern. While the enemy was obvious to them, it wouldn't be to the Pope. The Halidom had strictly enforced their borders amidst a bid to remain staunchly neutral, not once had they taken action in the conflict that could see them as sliding one way or the other. It could be relied upon that the religious stronghold would remain neutral until their dying breath, but their situation was different. Evelyn had the narrative; a group of bandits had whisked away the princess, and a desperate plea to the rulers of the various states was something to consider. They could perhaps handle the knights, but if the Halidom were to assist in hunting them down? 

The other path was south. They would travel on the fringe of the empire, where gold was sure to be scarce, and a far greater number of people would recognize the Empress's face, and by now, Rivane was sure that Evelyn was drafting up a reward for their capture which would be sure to cause the desperate to flock. But the benefit was that they would be crossing into Bravia much sooner. While the gold and supplies were likely to be far scarcer, they would be much more under their own power, and the fear of the Halidom acting against them would be but a distant memory. Neither option was particularly favorable to their mission...

"Hmph. I should have expected that decisions such as this weren't ever going to be easy... No matter which path we choose... It will be fraught with difficulty, just different types. We can move to the West, through the Halidom; much less likely that the average person will recognize the Empress, and because they aren't at war, we can expect more gold to procure. However, there is the threat of the Halidom being turned against us; as far as any outsiders are concerned, we are bandits that have kidnapped the Empress for our own nefarious uses. It wouldn't be an action that would be perceived as taking a side in a conflict; only assisting in rescuing royalty, and keeping the war from encroaching on their borders. I think this to be a threat unmatched by our other option--I do not think that we could handle the pursuing knights, and the Halidom. The other, then, is to the south. Our gold will likely be far scarcer as we'd be traveling the fringes of the empire, and then trying to sneak through where the bulk of the war has been fought. We are more likely to face other bandits, and those looking for a quick fix of gold. But, we can be fairly sure that we'll be fighting on our own merits, not afraid of the Halidom turning their eyes, and blades on us... But these are only my initial thoughts. Such a decision isn't one I intend to make alone, nor immediately." 

[scorri]

Kagi leaned on their axe, peering around Rivane's arm to look at Raz's map, a very serious look on their face, as though deep in thought. "Hmm, hmm... I think south, personally. More fights that way! Plus no dealing with the politics of another country. Fah. Not worth the trouble to go that way." They shook their head, before bouncing off, swinging their axe onto their back as they did. "I'm going to go do some exercises, since I didn't get much practice in during that fight. Anyone that wants to join me is free to! Let me know when you've made the final decision, bossman." Realistically they knew that at the end of the day, their opinion was not going to be given the most weight. Not when there were people like Cyrus and Raz around to advise Rivane. As far as the cat was concerned, their job was to swing an axe and take a hit, not figure out their path moving forward. They would leave that for the smarter folks and take the time to make sure that next battle, they would be better prepared. Not going to embarrass myself like that again.

[Xinnidy]

"Halidom would be entirely new territory for us, Rivane... though it's  not like south is much better. Still far from where we prefer to operate. Still..." Raz seemed a bit enticed ny the prospect of more gold near the halidom, but the risks were as real as Rivane's descriptions. "Mind, we'd still be on the outskirts of the halidom from the start so..." It was a big risk, to be sure. "Honestly... We're damned in both places, but at least what we know from the south may help. It'll be up to you, Rivane... but like you said, if the Halidom decides to chase us as well, we're done."

"Tsk." There was no way around the risks during this operation, "Being short on money really makes going through the Halidom tempting, but I hate that I don't know left from right about the place. Being out of funds and desperate on the south is no better either..." Hopefully they could leverage the princess for funds sooner than later...

[Nanami Touko]

With discussions of where to take the group next and allegiances being realized fully, for the moment, the Falcons had nothing more to do but to move. Their base would no longer serve any purpose, the chances of their returning to it slim. Everything was packed up and they set on their ways towards the south; towards Bravia. It was early spring, so the sun would come late. A good five to six hours they walked along the countryside, Rivane keeping their rear guarded on horseback. Either the knights had no real catch on their trail, or they had doubled back to acquire reinforcements. Either way, it was a welcome reprieve, and it made setting up camp all the safer with no one visibly on their tails.

Jilyn had been tasked with taking care of Rina, given her bindings and their slight familiarity, so she sat with the woman a small ways away from the rest of the group, helping her with her hair and her armor as they all began to settle down for rest. "I am sorry for this, Rina," Jilyn offered. "Hopefully they will realize that you are not a threat and they will undo this rope... For now, please, bear with it. Shall I fetch you something to eat or drink?" They had rations, for the moment. Once Jilyn had finished with Rina's hair and armor, as she waited for the woman's reply, she began stripping herself of all her jewellery and gold. She would present it to Rivane and he could see it sold as he saw fit.

[scorri]

Kagi flopped against the base of a tree, sharpening their axe and quietly humming to the night sky. It was an old tune, one they had learned back in their tribe, but one that brought comfort on dark nights. It was one they often had found themselves humming after a battle, helping as they came down from the rush, but tonight it was a quieter tone, more thoughtful, or at least as thoughtful as the cat could get. Spotting one of their companions waking by, they stopped humming and called out, "Hey Sil! Come sit with me for a bit. Keep me company while I work on my axe, yeah?"

[Mercenary on the Winds]

The start of their march towards Bravia was... almost unnervingly quiet. With what he knew of the Blademaiden, she was not a tactical genius, but she was smart enough to know that she needed to move quickly if she was going to recapture the princess, and deal with them. Either they'd returned for reinforcements--a lot of reinforcements--or they'd completely shaken them, which Rivane felt unlikely. Raz was situated to the front of the group, her talents best fit for leading, Kagi and Silvano not far behind her, with Cyrus watching over the empress, and their captive. Their march with her had gone without incident, though it was clear that she was certainly going to follow through on her words regarding the empress and her honor. A part of it had Rivane rolling his eyes, but a piece of him locked away, almost brought a smirk to the man's face. The frontlines were not where the knights in shining armor from the tales his father and mother returned with were born. It was where men, and women went to die, where their futures splintered and fractured like their shields underneath their foe's heavy blows, bodies broke like their poorly maintained swords, and at the head of it all, a man who could have cared less if the whole world stopped turning. There was no heroism in being a knight for the mad fool, there was hardly gold in it either yet it was the bulk of those who had nothing left who made up the force, and whatever was left were those devoted to the cause, and those devoted to the slaughter. So few were those who valued the oath they took as knights. 

Rivane looked down at the rapier at his hip; an excellently weighted one, a gift, or perhaps a symbol of her finally becoming a knight. That could be returned to her in time, it wouldn't do to have no leverage in the moment. As they arrived, and setup camp as best they good, the group carried on as they normally would have, just with the two new guests in consideration. Rivane moved almost immediately for Cyrus's tent, he hadn't questioned more than he needed to in the moment, but Rivane did need to know how far it went. He had an idea that there was something to Cyrus, the information that he had been given was so... sparse, almost as if the man had materialized, ready to fly, and fight. All men and women came from somewhere, had a reason for their being, and Cyrus's simply hadn't existed, until now, it seemed. "Cyrus. I wanted to wait until things settled more, and I think that time has come. As we head to Bravia... it would be best to know how much you can tell me." The Empress and their captive would have to wait until he had this to mull over. 

[Xinnidy]

Scouting ahead at their brisk pace was notably tiring, especially so short on food and supplies. "Haah..." Raz returned to the camp starving, looking for anything that could help stave off the feeling. "Just a little more... a litte more and we get to a town proper." She couldn't wait to pawn off some jewelry and get an actual bed for the night. "Hmm... how's the prisoner handling it?" Approaching Jil and Rina, Raz kept a cautious eye on the princess. "And you, for that matter, Majesty. Getting used to being on the run?"