Frontier - Act Two, Chapter One

[Parrhesia]

The road to Tanith is a secure one, though Martane's nerves begin to show along the route. Try though she might to look self-assured and confident, there's clearly a lot playing on her mind.

There's not much to be found from the two hussars. Both are stern, tight-lipped men, Hendrick surely in his thirties, Kess younger and quieter. You sense that both feel themselves somewhat above you - particularly those of you who aren't even soldiers.

Cliving rarely speaks to either of the soldiers, but often talks to Meredith Martane - always in private. To the rest, he insists things are fine. He's clearly nervous.

Brenna is one of the few people to seem genuinely fine with how things are going. She's talkative and curious about pretty much anything but her reasons for staying around.

Rill is pensive at first, chewing her nails down and scarcely talking to anyone besides Inge - she seems to eventually get her nerve back, however, and is soon openly looking forward to reaching the destination.

It's a long march. Leisurely at first, but as the roads become rougher and more sloped it grows harder for those less suited to travel, and to the horses as well. One, Hendrick's, stumbles and breaks its forelegs going down a hill - he waits for the rest of you to move on without him, then catches up half an hour later on foot. You see men who are clearly brigands a couple of times, but not in large numbers - none even consider waylaying you.

But as you approach Tanith, the road gets easier - better than anywhere else in the country, smooth, fine cobblestone and under heavier guard. Martane begins to draw some attention - either through people who know her from living in Chenoworth, or who served under her parents and recognise the family. Martane seems pleased at first, until an old woman spits in her face and calls her a heretic. After that point, she travels in a hooded cloak, the only mark of her station the fine sky-and-sable silk of her shirts, saying little.

Still, it's not far from there, and as day breaks on the fifteenth morning of your journey, you can finally make out the city in the distance - tall towers, spires and walls, faint purple and white banners.

You'll surely be there within a few hours.

[scorri]

Ten walked up to Brenna and grinned at her. "So. Enjoying the trip so far? Very different from town I suppose."

Bekka meanwhile was glancing around, fidgeting nervously. Walking up to Cliving, she whispered to him, "Should... should we scout around here? I know that we're close but... That's almost worse. It makes sense that someone would attack while we're closer... Better chance we've let our guard down."

[Nanami Touko]

Arin made resolute to do his best to protect Lady Martane on his way to Tanith; not out of any fondness for her, but for his general respect towards royalty and the like. Not that he had much to do. The most he did was shout after the old woman who'd spit on her, with as much politeness as he could muster, though it still ended up being a rather foul display. After that, he spent time complaining to Feran about it, until the man smacked him, leaving him quiet for the rest of the trip. The entire rest of the trip. Even with Tanith looming on the horizon, he didn't say anything.

----------

Meanwhile, Sherry had been growing increasingly annoyed with Cliving. Not only was he not speaking very much to the group--specifically her--he had been talking in secret with Martane. As Bekka approached him near the end of their long walk, Sherry muscled her way into the conversation too, with an all too annoyed glare. "Hey, hey, what've you been talkin' to fuckin' Martane in secret about anyway?" she asked in her loudest whisper, "and why haven't you been tellin' us? Y'think you sleep with someone they tell you more'n before..."

[Shin]

Money was Feran's motivator, although the chance to bully Arin was icing on the cake of cruelty. Admittedly, the journey did grow long and tiresome. The boy's blubbering about how hard it was really got on his nerves, hadn't he been the one who was set on his duty? The fist to the face was but a lesson, Feran would have much to impart to the boy later. Still, there was something oddly satisfying about his hand on the boy's bare face. A pleasure unlike no other... hopefully he could get enough of a rise from the boy for some retaliation.

Not really liking anyone other than Su San or Barth in the group, Feran spied over at Sherry. The girl's sheer hostility a delight on the dull voyage, her outburst from earlier still holding a place in his heart.

[Parrhesia]

Brenna smiled. "It's... nice. I'm looking forward t' seeing inside. Sounds as we're gettin' good bread an' board, eh? Wonder if 's got a view."

"I'm sure we'll be fine," said Cliving. "'S when we get inside the bloody place as I'll get nervous. ... You holdin' up al- ?"

This was the moment Sherry chose to arrive. Cliving said nothing at first, letting her vent, but couldn't help but interrupt. "Before what, Sherry? Before, you were one'f th' soldiers under my command. What's changed, eh? If I let my feelings get ahead'f me when what sort'f sergeant would I be? Wouldn't be worthy of th' damned rank! 'S that all that meant t' you? F'r me t' pick favourites? Fuck that. And fuck you if that's all that meant t' you." He nearly flinched, as though already regretting saying that. Said nothing else, though.

[scorri]

Bekka blinked and slowly backed away. "Err... right. Sarge, I'mma take Arin to scout anyways. Hope... yeah. Bye" Fleeing from that conversation, she rushed over to Arin and babbled at him, "Going scouting, you should come to. Either we split up and take each side of the path or we both go the same way. Splitting up probably makes more sense. I'mma take the left side, feel free to follow or take the right side." Pulling out her crossbow, she ducked off the path into the left side of the forest, hoping to just get away from the argument.

Ten nodded. "Yeah, should seem fine, place to stay and food would be nice. Hmm, wonder if they have baths again. I liked baths at last town."

[Nanami Touko]

Sherry expression grew visibly more angry as Cliving went on, until it was a face of sheer and utter outrage, unable to process he'd even said something like that. She couldn't have slapped him any quicker, the sound loudly echoing through their group. "Well then!" she said, no longer in any form of whisper, "if that's all it fuckin' meant t'me I would've walked out the room when we were done, instead of stayin' t'keep you company afterwards!" She huffed before starting again. "Maybe if you'd bothered to let us know what the fuck was goin' on this whole time I'd be less concerned, and I can take you not wanting to pick favorites at face value, but fuck you if y'think I'm that God damn shallow!"

----------

Whatever was happening between Sherry and the sergeant, Arin really wanted no part of it, and was glad to accept Bekka's invitation to scout as she came over. "Uh, yeah, sure, should we... No, that would make the most sense, yes." He didn't have much time for input, as she sped off. It was at least refreshing to see someone taking this as seriously as he felt he did. He headed off ahead of everyone towards the right, glad to get away from Feran and the ensuing argument.

[Shin]

Feran watched the outburst from Sherry, the girl in true form once again. The echoing of the slap filled his ears, her fuming continuing onwards - it was a sight to behold. Normally he was one to stay out of the conflicts of others, his usual role that of a cruel spectator, but that day something seemed different. Her sheer frustration, the concept of her betrayal by him, it had been brewing for a while and was now coming out at the seams.

"I see our sergeant is as adept at managing his personal life as he is the battlefield." Feran sneered, his face in a wide grin. "I see you're getting your full use out of your men. Sherry's had her turn, I do wonder who you'll lust upon next, I'm quite sure you want to give everyone a chance... wouldn't want to play favourites would you?"

[Parrhesia]

"Oh, they'll have them. Almost all th' mainland cities do - there's sure to be some in Tanith. It'd be nice t' wash the dirt off, feels as I've been marchin' for months. ... Uhhh, what's the deal with th' two Dracians there? Sherry an' th' sergeant. Think we should, uh... do somethin'?"

"Yeah, well..." Cliving scratched the cheek he'd been hit on. He quieted down. "Never said as that was it. Just... I can't do y' favours. You should know that."

He ignored Feran with a supreme effort of will. Sergeant's privilege, he thought to himself. Let 'em laugh it up. You're the one with th' rank at th' end 'f th' day.
"If you're going to shout," said Kess, walking in uninvited, "wait until you are alone. It isn't far until the capital. Surely you can wait that long."

Cliving closed his eyes, and his fists, without turning to look. All he said, though, was "Yeah. Whatever."

[Parrhesia]

Arin and Bekka find the surroundings largely clear - there's guards on the roads, but you've woken up before most - you see a couple of camps in the distance, and a third being deconstructed.

Walking to make a full circle of your own camp, you stumble upon Meredith Martane, who's just sat alone on the crest of a hill, looking out at the city. There's no guards around, and she doesn't seem to have noticed you.

[scorri]

Ten shrugged. "No. Is their business. They sleep together and then one expect things to change and other does not. Nothing we can do. Better to focus on other things. Tell me, what do you think of person who hire us? I do not know her type."

Meanwhile, Bekka ran into Arin at the same time they ran into Meredith. Raising an eyebrow at Arin, she gestured towards the woman who'd hired them. Walking up to her, Bekka asked quietly, "Uhm... ma'am, is there anything we can do for you or should we just leave you alone?"

[Nanami Touko]

"You stay th'fuck out of this, you little shit disturber," Sherry threatened at Feran, letting the full ire of her gaze fall on him for a moment. Said ire dissipated as Cliving's own died down. "I didn't know that. Now I do. Never slept with a leader before, nor've I ever been a soldier before this. I said I'd take it at face value, and I am. Just don't need yer doubtin' me right away. Stings." She let out a sigh as to dispel any anger she had left, dropping her shoulders a bit. "Take it that means y'still won't tell any of us what ye've been talkin' to Martane about, huh?" She casually flipped off Kess; Martane wasn't around and he didn't have any more authority than she did, Sherry felt. They hadn't been attacked yet and she doubted this would be the best time for bandits to attack, out of all the other opportunities they'd had.

----------

Arin made his check, and was rather glad that nothing had been found. What he and Bekka did find, though, was Martane. He didn't want to scare the woman, and so didn't make any effort to approach her, but Bekka seemed interested in doing just that. He didn't think it was the best idea, but he didn't shout any objections; that would ruin both his intentions and would probably only bother Bekka. "Uhm, yes... We were just doing some scouting, and came upon you. Is there anything you need?"

[Parrhesia]

Brenna glanced back nervously, but forcibly redirected her focus back to Ten. "I, uh, I... I mean I don't know. Don't really get much business workin' with th' nobility, do I? She seems alright. Scared, though."

Kess stared impassively.

Cliving glanced back at him, shrugged, and walked away, beckoning Sherry to follow. "Want a bit of privacy? Should be a while b'fore we move out. Could do with some time alone. ... Though dependin' on how y' want t' spend it, might want t' wait for beds and baths. Could just talk. Get th' feelin' we ought t'."

Meredith shook herself from her reverie. "Oh... no, I'm fine. Stay, if you'd like. It's a lovely view from here. I'd like you to feel comfortable around me."

[Rothene]

Fifteen days was enough to inscribe Meredith's features into Su San's mind. He no longer had the need to gaze at her with poorly veiled lust so he decided to just start some civil conversation with the person in question. With some effort, the foreigner made his way to crest of the hill where Meredith was. Su San shook his head at the lack of guards nearby. Where were the hussars? Letting their charge be alone was extremely irresponsible, what if she got ambushed? That meant losing pay and that was something Su San will not stand.

Crashing through the foliage intentionally, Su San sat on the hill with the scouts and his employer before speaking to her in a disapproving tone, "Alone, no safe. What if the two no friendly? You die, Su San no pay. Where guards?"

[scorri]

Ten shrugged. "And a native like me has no reason, you know? And yes, I suppose. Scared seems right. Well. New topic. What do you want to talk about?"

Bekka hesitated and then sat down. She paused, considering saying some of her true feelings about the woman but then decided it wasn't worth potentially pissing off nobility. "I.. thank you. It is quite the view. So... your future wife... What is she like?"

[Parrhesia]

"It's fine," said Meredith, smiling a little wanly at Su San. "I'm flattered for your caring. But we're safe here."

She turned back towards Bekka. "Well, the truth is, I... haven't seen her in three years. She was just thirteen. Becoming a beautiful young woman, though. She takes after her mother. I... never knew her father well. He died. So did the one after him. But she was kind and polite then, if a little... quiet. Hopefully that's changed."

[Nanami Touko]

Sherry got mad at Kess' lack of response, so she made a childish face at him, sticking her tongue out at him and pulling an eyelid down. Perhaps a grown woman being so immature would at least illicit something. Watching him a little as she walked after Cliving, she nodded. "Yeah, sure. Not in any mood fer that, anyway. Should talk." She had a few things to ask him, and she was sure he had at least something to say to her.

----------

Arin quickly sat down, crossing his legs as he did. The view was rather nice, though he wasn't quite sure what to ask the Lady. "Erm..." before he could pose his question, Bekka asked her something, and he shut up again, not wanting to interrupt. Though, Sue did a good enough job of that, busting through some nearby shrubbery and posing his own question. A part of him felt she wouldn't be overwhelmed by another at that point, and quickly asked, "what's it like living in the nobility?" before shutting up again.

[Parrhesia]

Brenna sat down on a nearby tree stump - presumably grateful just to be able to take a moment or two off her feet. "Well, I... I mean I don't know any'f these people that well. Youse've all been so quiet recently - most of, at least. What d' you know about them? They talk t' you much?" Her brow furrowed. "Any 'f 'em start shit about your race?"

[scorri]

Raising an eyebrow, Bekka blinked. "Interesting. So why marry her now? Wouldn't it be better to get to know her again? Or is it all political? Don't quite see how that fits since... well... no heirs. But maybe. Still... seems odd to marry a sixteen year old who you haven't seen since she's thirteen when she could have changed quite a bit."

Ten shrugged. "Don't talk much to them. Cliving do not like my people but that is common. 'Sides that, most are fighters, not all polite, and... I do not know."

[Parrhesia]

Meredith shrugged. "I don't know... Arin, right? But it's all I've ever known. It's apparently far more formal in the mainlands - Tascaran and Othidian houses think that noble blood's been cheapened here, all the titles handed to worthy men and women. I don't pay too much mind to it. I wish others didn't."

She laughed at Bekka's question. "Oh, yes, it's definitely politics. But they're more careful to ... match better, of late. Too many cases in Tascara of couples blatantly having to produce heirs from... other sources. Cheapened the bloodline, some said. This way's cleaner for the more pragmatic traditionalists. Othidia's been slow to think the same way. There's some that won't be happy about this. But... they're a long way from home now, aren't they?"

[Rothene]

Hearing Meredith utter the word 'beautiful girl', Su San's attention heightened. He hoped for a bit more detail on her description because star crossed lovers tend to do that...or so he heard. Then Arin had the temerity to ask about life in a nobility. Oh no, don't talk about how terrible or wonderful your priviledged life is and make us feel like we're given the short end of the stick. We already have a noble in our ranks for that and one is more than enough, please continue about this lovely wife of yours!

***

Feeling bored, but at the same time disdaining company lacking in intellectual capacity for discussions of the varied ways mixing things together causes great explosions. Based on some judgement she made on how people carried themselves, Kirsten decided to seek out the company of the mature apothecary who seemed to have her head screwed on tight.

Approaching Mary, Kirsten introduced herself, "Hey, I'm Kirsten. I do not believe we have introduced ourselves despite 'working together' for so long."

[Parrhesia]

"Rill and Inge seem nice enough," said Brenna. "So does Mary, Arin... I mean, I was expectin' this lot t' be a bit... worse? Thought your group'd been through hell, but youse seem ... normal. Some'f you, anyway."

[Nanami Touko]

"Yes, Arin." It was a bit comforting that she'd taken the time to remember their names, though her speak of the royal life made him feel a bit bad that he'd been stuffing her onto a pedestal. She was still a person, like the rest of them, after all. "As for your wife, I think it's rather romantic. Star crossed lovers meeting after so long... Well, not star crossed, but... I've read too many stories, sorry."

[scorri]

Bekka shook her head slightly. "Nobility seems too caught up on that stuff. But uh... yeah. Hope things work out. Or.. something. Suppose the better it goes for you, the better it goes for us."

Ten shrugs. "Yeah, some are nice. Do not know where all come from but... Is nice we are as... balanced as we are I suppose."

[Parrhesia]

Meredith snorted. "Last time I saw her we weren't yet betrothed. It was... at the second Lord Avery's wake. He was twenty-three. Died childless. It was... a shame. Lady Harriet Avery doesn't wish to remarry, and I can't say that I blame her." She sighed. "Thank you, Bekka. Your thoughts... mean a lot. I've spent too long of my life feeling as though nobody's been looking out for me. ... Perhaps that's still true."