“I do not believe we have fully discussed the terms if I win.” “There's no need, you know what I want and that's enough.” Florian's reply filled with confidence had everyone contemplating whether she had a reason to be confident or if she was just clueless. Axtor conceded “Very well, we will discuss the terms after then. I hope you realize that I will not take pity on you just because you are a woman. I will end this quickly.” Axtor leans in to whisper something to Florian “Although, I am curious as to who you are and why you are with those two.” Florian looked irked at his words. “I hope you remember your words sir.” Florian sets her elbow to the table and waits for the captain to reciprocate. Rhetta and Khio observed that Florian seemed quite familiar with arm wrestling. Florian swallowed her doubts trying to dismiss them and maintain her poker face. 'If they're that nervous this guy must be really strong...I said I could do it, but can I actually win? If he's like me it's goin
Rennier wakes up in an unfamiliar bed, and to a room he does not recognise. The room is small, yet comfortable. It holds a single bed, a chair in the corner as well as a small basin of water. Near the other wall rests a writing desk and chair. He can see the window, closed and with the curtains drawn. It certainly is a long way off from a dungeon cell and considerably closer to a room you would find at an inn. Rennier's surprise wore off quickly and shifted into caution, he sat up and glanced at his face in the mirror. Devoid of his mask and covering, his body covered in bandages from treatment. He looked up from where he sat and could see himself in the mirror. Rennier is smaller compared to his peers, slight in physique and stature. He had always been told he has a very effeminate grace to him. It explained why many of his undercover missions were always done in the guise of a woman. Earthen green eyes paired with jaw length blonde hair, he had no care for fashion aside from his ex
“If you knew, you could have spared me the effort of a disguise.” Laila chimed.“I am always thorough in my investigations. I must admit I was quite intrigued about the Dahlia house. Especially how famous it is for raising 'flowers'.” “Famous only to those who know the true nature of the 'flowers' that are cultivated.” Laila's tone turned into something melancholic, it did not go unnoticed by Tayoshi. She sets down the payment on the table and walks towards the door to see herself out. Laila touches the door handle, pausing for a brief moment. “Before I forget, I was asked to give you a message.”“A message?” he inquires. “Some random gentleman gave me quite the sum just to pass this on to you; My mentee will be visiting you soon, I hope you welcome them well.”“A mentee? The person who gave you this message, what did he look like?” Tayoshi's voice took on a stark fascination, and overwhelming urge to confirm his suspicions. “Hm, well...I thought he was quite old at first. Despit
“Still! I can't believe that people were selling children! This is why the knights exist to put a stop to this sort of thing and protect the people of the empire. Khio seethed with fury, her knuckles turning white at how harshly her hands tightened around the reins. Even Rhetta who kept a level head held a look of distaste and some kind of darkness burning in her eyes. 'Florian is very calm in spite of the topic...Most noble ladies who suffered a minor offence would suffer from being traumatized and enraged for days.' Rhetta thinks back to before she earned her title as the strategist. Back to the time when she was a lower ranked knight doing grunt work. There was a case she assisted on; a case of the abduction of a noble lady who had called off her engagement. The ex-fiancée in question had 'kidnapped' her. For an afternoon she was subjected to stay with the man and have tea with him. When the knights arrived all ready for a fight to the death, imagine their surprise when there was
The words spoken so calmly, seemingly in her usual tone, a cold and dangerous chill rung from it. The look on Rhetta's face was dark and dangerous. An unfamiliar expression of rage is present. Khio said nothing and handed her sword over without so much a debate or comment. Rhetta unsheathed the sword, discarding the blade. She repeats the action with her own sword, until she is only left with two empty sheaths. The swords remained forgotten on the ground, Florian noticed how oddly serene Khio seemed. She turned her attention to the spooked horses instead. Florian looked at Rhetta leaving, marching straight towards the knights and opted to go with her. Khio grabbed Florian's arm with a firm grip and held her back, Khio just shook her head. “Leave this to Rhetta, there's nothing you can do right now.” The weight of Khio's words felt like a cautionary tale. Florian trusted Khio's sense enough knowing if she had to worry Khio would have been the one on the front line before her anywa
Maral and Dren look back to see Florian easily picking up their baskets and packages that had them loaded like mules. To their surprise, they struggled carrying that amount of weight and every time they got used to it, the loads only increased. Florian shifted the weight to one hand and happily waved at the dumbfounded kids. “Wow miss! You're so strong!” Maral exclaims, Florian grins bashfully “You bet I am!” The horses take a slow and steady walk, heading straight towards the village and slow enough for Florian to walk comfortably alongside them. The path draws closer to an entrance, occasionally having to retreat out of sight to avoid the gazes of the wandering knights. Eventually, they arrive in the village of Kilerth. The sun sat at its peak, affording them a few more hours of travelling. Kilerth, like many of the villages before, was a slum-like village with poor conditions. However Kilerth possessed its own peculiarity, much like night and day, the village both held the good
They walk towards the inn, glancing around to make sure no one is following just in case. Khio fastens the horses' reins to the horizontal post, with enough reach for the water trough and food. The inn's door holds a sign with the name in front. Another unique name appeared, as the sign read: 'Axe Baron Inn.' No matter how unusual a name, an inn is still an inn and some good rest is highly needed. Now thinking about it... It had been days since any of them got a decent night of sleep. Rhetta looks at the top of the door, noticing some words carved into the wood. Rhetta reads the words aloud “Ad pacificos?” “It means 'To the peacemakers.' if I recall correctly.” Florian states “What's that supposed to mean?” Khio grumbles, hating how every place has a weird slogan that doesn't make obvious sense. “It means this is the safest place for us to rest, it's the same as Onion Ore, neutral ground. Axe Baron is a little more...strict you could say.” Florian pushes open the heavy door and h
“I'm just hoping when we all get together, Basil will explain the situation to us. It's obvious he knows something we don't.”“Oho, I see you're dropping the honorific now Florian. Still- you came here on his word without knowing anything.” Khio jests and nudges Florian with her elbow. “Look, I don't call him by his title aside from an official capacity. He's always been like that, he never really explains anything and expects you to figure everything out by yourself.” “Mhm, sure...” Khio retorts, enjoying Florian's disgruntled expressions. “Basil hates wasting energy, there is always a reason for the things he does. So I will put my trust in his laziness alone.” “Still, it's difficult to trust someone hatching schemes when we don't know the outcome.” Rhetta adds, Khio nods furiously in agreement and stares at Florian as if to imply the voice of reason had spoken. Rhetta fiddles with her hands impatiently “Considering everything, you have proven that you want to help. I don't com