The Village of Hobble
"Thank you, but no," the Blood Mage said to Maes's offer of produce. He eyed over the insignia etched with Eudicia's trademark. "I'll meet
them where they are. It seems I've got some intriguing business ahead of me." He then glanced over to Aveline with a smirk. "You know, you ought not to call her High Ruler if you're not a defector. It's rather...confusing to send such a mixed message. Some may see it as
disrespect. And what a travesty that would be to be a supporter and yet disrespectful. Have a good day."
Gregory Thadorius entered the tailor's shop by the sound of a bell, his narrow face fixed with the slightest of smiles. His gait made him look as though he were floating as he glided over to where Geirolf was making a scene. The soldier next to the criminal held the chains of his cuffs in one hand and a dirty shirt in the other. Ender's patience was clearly being prodded, yet it seemed the soldier carried with him a focused mind. It was enough to broaden Thadorius's smile just ever so slightly more as he approached the pair. The tailor looked about ready to cry before his attention snapped to the newcomer, taking note of his recognizable glowing eyes.
"How can I help you this fine day?" the tailor asked as his voice cracked on inflection. His head nodded over to Geirolf in a silent plea.
"I'm here for a little chat with these two," Thadorius answered warmly.
"Thank god," the tailor said in his sigh of relief. "Let me know if I'm needed. I'll be in the back."
As the tailor quickly vacated the room, Ender turned towards the Blood Mage. "He wants to elope, but we've nothing to wear," he explained in jest. Thadorius didn't seem to find it funny despite his remaining smile.
"The Wolf of the Valley," Thadorius observed. He stared at the man as if looking straight through him, ever fixed and never wavering with a blink. "I'm Magi Thadorius."
"He tried to run away once," Ender said. "That's why I still have to lug him around on a leash."
"A pity," the Blood Mage added as he peeled his gaze away from the alleged criminal. "Chains are not a good look. Have you tried the satin?"
"They might only have watermelon colors," said Ender. A frown flickered on Thadorius's thin lips. And he brought his hand up to stroke the tuft of a beard patch upon his chin in thought.
"You shouldn't delay your delivery," Thadorius said.
"You're more than welcome to take him from here."
"Do your job, soldier," the Magi snapped, and then turned to Geirolf once again. "I believe you to be an innocent man, Mr. Wolff. "I look forward to your
trial."
"Did you need something from us or are you here for the lace?" Ender asked dryly. Thadorius stared blandly at the soldier for a moment.
"Yes, well," the Magi began with a sigh, "as much as I find him innocent, he seems a handful. No offense, Wolff, but I see you're much too similar to my
son and it's a bit of a hassle. Of course, that is the intent, but as an official representative of High Queen Jashyr herself I hereby give this soldier permission to kill you should he deem it more fit for his other mission."
"Other mission?" Ender repeated in confusion.
"Yes, the farmer and his produce outside," Thadorius answered. "The magi with them informed me of their unfortunate note. And of your...gift. You really should watch out for anyone watching, soldier. But I suppose we all have our vices, and I have better things to do than to report you. And you have better things to do than fooling around with the likes of this man if he causes too much trouble. That poor farmer and the dapper man are a far greater priority. They'd better make it to a
safe place. Or I will come for you."
The cryptic nature of Thadorius's wording caused Ender pause, eyes narrowing contemplatively before offering a curt nod. "Then I best be on my way," he said.
"Without a new outfit?" Thadorius jokingly asked.
Nothing about this situation was going smoothly. He had a Blood Mage on his ass and a rowdy criminal who apparently didn't even care about a deal for his life. Alleged criminal, anyway. Ender had always been taught that what may seem the obvious answer may not be the true answer. And so they parted ways from Thadorius after purchasing a simple pair of pants and the shirt Geirolf had dirtied with his hands. This was it for the pseudo-soldier.
In the alley between the tailor's and a residence, Ender uncuffed Geirolf and handed over the mostly clean set of clothes. "Do with your life what you will," he said. "Fuck the world and its rules. I know you don't want to deal with me or my shit and I've got two people out there I need to save. You'll just get in the way with the way you've been. So live your life. You're welcome."
He didn't really give the man the time to respond with a quip, at least not to his face. Ender turned and marched right out of the alley with a purpose. It possibly wasn't the right thing to do, but he wasn't a man to care for rights and wrongs to begin with. He returned to Maes's cart sans the criminal that began the whole adventure.
"Destination still stands," Ender informed the trio as he hopped into the back of the cart. "We head for Redden. We can make it to Hadoume before nightfall. They should have available lodging for the lot of us."
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West of Soper
The Aegis was visibly rigid as Arabella came over to aid with the preparation of the fire. But despite something about her presence tensing his posture, he remained otherwise professional. His eyes glanced over to the countess in their midst as she refused to lift a finger. Her life was something even he as a noble couldn't rightly fathom. Saren likely endured a very different upbringing than he resulting in the woman before them. Her very survival would, indeed, depend heavily on those around her. Marnia and Alexander were dutiful in their oaths and resolve. Despite Lady Dynagra's frosty demeanor, they would protect her life at whatever cost. It was their calling, after all. And every life mattered.
But Marnia's return, arm wrapped around Zahar's neck for support, rang alarms in Alexander's soul. He immediately stood before the kindling had proper time to catch a spark. She looked haggard and sickly upon approach, and he looked between the two for answers. Something happened, and it looked to him the same aftershock one suffered after an invasion of Shadow Magic.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the countess approach, and while the lesson was on pause, it was still a tad relieving to see the noblewoman give in. If only just for a moment. It appeared the woman latched onto the word that gave way to Arabella's background. Her father was a blacksmith. He knew as much due to their own paths crossing at the man's untimely demise. It seemed Arabella did not recognize him still. Or perhaps she did and it was only a matter of time before she exacted revenge. Was she even the sort?
Lady Dynagra crossed the line when accusing Arabella of more than just being a humble daughter to a blacksmith. Blacksmiths, after all, still held the negative stigma left behind by the unsavory guild that made their trade more than just steel and horse shoes. It was a scandal that swept the entirety of Estwynd harboring ill will towards any blacksmith even if they were not part of the unfortunate underworld trade market. Arabella's father was an innocent man to such crimes committed by the Guild of Blacksmiths to which inspired his end.
He could see the hurt it caused Arabella which only furthered the fire in his own being. "That was uncalled for," Alexander said to Saren sternly. "There's absolutely no reason to be judgemental towards anyone here today. I can't separate you two, and I can't have you going off on your own. So learn to deal with whatever prejudices you are harboring towards an innocent woman."
His voice trailed off in his reprimand as he noticed the woods behind the countess fade with the gray of fog. It settled far off at the top of the hill and began spilling down the slope behind Saren. "Time to pack up," Alexander said as he made his way over to the gryphons. They flapped their wings and snapped at the air anxiously. "Marnia, are you alright to fly? The fog is coming. Which way did Miss Dane head off to?"
He made his way over to the supplies nearly tripping over Arabella in the process. "Apologies, Miss Dane!" he said as he scooped one of the packs up and secured it to the saddle. "Marnia, we'll discuss what happened when we get to a safe place. Is Soper Northfold run today?"
@Doctor Jax @Elle Joyner @rissa @Starlighter