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 Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 4:21 pm
 The sensation of the slightest of touches made him flinch, pulling away from the soft tugs on his hair and the strange scent of roses he proceeded to glance about the clearing before beginning to question his fatigue as he watched tiny, black petals swirl around before him... He could have sworn he saw them take on the features of a familiar face, but he shook his head and drove away the thought... Perhaps he was tired...? The fact he'd been up early to tend to 'duties' and then headed out to aid a villager until well past the dead of night...he hadn't slept for many hours... Breathing a yawn he tried to move so he could see past the curtain separating them, but he was too tired to try and mess with the bandit's dreams... He begrudgingly closed his eyes and hoped whatever she had planned for him, he'd survive until morning at least...
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Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:29 pm
The next morning a guard would come racing into the throne room where the King and Queen would be, knowing Jack had given them the news. Villa had been in the room hearing this as she was told to offer them drinks then was asked to hold papers for the royals. She felt the head of the maids and servants just hated her.
She was concerned when hearing about Tala being captured by a bandit. She was worried for his safety. She kept quiet but hoped he was okay. She didn't know what to do but hoped the King and Queen could figure something out to save him since he was their only son.
In the early hours she had heard yells from the dungeon below and figured the two prisoners Jack brought back had been questioned and possibly worse while questioned but wasn't sure it did any good. As the doors opened and the messenger guard entered he held a rolled up piece of paper.
He came up to the royal couple and bowed kneeling and caught his breath before opening the letter and cleared his throat, reading it aloud. "Royal King and Queen. I hold your son and his life is mine to decide. Unless you deliver by way of one maid or one servant to the western forest line that lies off from the farm houses of one million coin I shall return your son to you in pieces till I am paid what I am owed for not killing him."
And that was all there was to the letter. The guard looked to the royal couple with worried eyes and worry on his face. Villa gulped worried now more about Tala's safety, hoping they would do something wise and not think of going in with guards, fear in her that if they did then Tala would be done for.
The adviser frowned cursing under his breath. "Those vile bandits. I knew the Queen was right in saying the Prince should not go. It was a large mistake to allow him passage and freedom to do as he wished." the adviser said in a tone Villa, aka Rosa, could only call as snobbish.
She bit her tongue, not wanting to blow who she was yet wanted to give him a good talking to or a good slap on the head for how he spoke of Tala and how Tala should not had done what he had to help someone who was in trouble and need of help.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:36 am
Exhaustion had claimed his consciousness eventually and Tala had slept through the night - even though he'd been tied in a vertical position to the tree, he somehow managed to drift off... When he awoke, the morning was fresh and cold - in his new attire, it wasn't necessarily effective in sealing out the chill and he found himself fighting off shivers. His eyes drifted across to the curtain where he was sure the female bandit was still asleep... she had no doubt hidden a ransom note on one of her associates to be found during interrogation, so the King had to be searching by now... How could this all have happened? He narrowed his eyes as he mulled over the night before... There was no chance either royal would let him out of their sight after this... He'd spent much of his time trying to work on his bindings, but it was to no avail, still, there was no harm in persistence...it took his mind off the fact he hadn't eaten for many hours.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:44 am
The bandit woman was asleep but was waking up, sure they had found her note now. Hearing stirring outside she got changed, wearing warm clothing. Coming out she saw Tala awake and trying to get free. Frowning she hated this but shrugged, knowing there was no way he was going to run off, not going to let herself get beaten out by a Prince.
Walking over to the center she began to put fresh wood and to light it, rubbing her hands together at the hot fire that burned and crackled happily. She set up a stand and fetched a pan and food, starting to get things ready to fix herself some breakfast, barely even looking over at him, not much of a morning person.
When she got the food cooking the smell would be wonderful and filling the area, the wonderful smell of eggs cooking with bacon revived with some water to bring the dried meat back to life. She cooked it over the fire, poking it some as she did this with her skillet, at times glancing over at Tala with hazel eyes silently.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 10:47 am
  King Trogan would summon Jack to his quarters, Lyssandra had been greatly upset to have lost her son for the second time and withdrew from the court for the day, but Trogan wasn't going to lie by and be threatened by a 'thief'. "How dare they think they can threaten me." Tala hadn't been with them long, but Trogan had become somewhat attached to the boy and wasn't going to be pushed around by someone beneath him. "Rally my arms, we will have the soldiers scour the land for this bandit...Have them track down this individual and make them regret their actions.""Sire..." Jack still held the note, "If we rush in with the militia, surely this bandit might turn on the boy...perhaps even kill him... would it not be safer just to send in a maid like the letter requests...?"Trogan gave a low growl, he didn't wish to shell out such a high price to get the boy back - who was to say he would be returned anyway? Bandits were never to be trusted. "Fine. Send a maid, but have my men ready. I want this brigand brought before me so I can strangle him myself." he locked eyes with the old warrior, then turned away, ending the conversation as he dismissed Jack from the room.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:24 am
When Villa heard this she quickly and carefully moved to follow Jack, wanting to be the maid sent to deliver the money. She carefully moved up to him looking down then about to see if the head of the maids was not in sight. Softly approaching she took a breath. "Ummm, Jack....can you send me?" she asked softly watching him with worried eyes.
"I heard what the letter said and I want you to send me. I might be able to help. Please? I figured out how to summon my powers so maybe since they are light they could help. Please?" Rosa asked softly, her voice hushed so he could hear her but not others less they were close to the pair.
She didn't like seeing the Queen so worried nor did she like seeing the King worried and so angry either. She wanted to see them happy again and hated that losing Tala had made them so down. Sighing she hoped Tala wasn't hurt or injured in some form.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:43 am
Jack had almost forgotten Rosa had become a maid, he narrowed his eyes when she requested to be the one who would bring the ransom money to the bandit however... "For one, you are lucky you wouldn't be punished for eavesdropping..." he frowned, "I don't like seeing their Highnesses concerned, but I wouldn't want to see you coming to harm either... Were I able, I would go by myself, for it was my fault in the first place as I could not protect him..." the warrior narrowed his eyes, He knew he would not be able to stop her and that if he didn't allow her to go, she would perhaps approach the royals themselves... "I will inform the King of your volunteering and you will be made ready for your duty...All I ask is that you be wary...if that cretin bested me, I would fear for your protection..." When she would leave for her task, she would be given only a third of the gold and a note stating that the bandit would not receive a single coin more until the Prince was returned...
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 12:34 pm
When Rosa headed out with the money and note she rode a horse to the location, promising to make sure she'd stay safe and aware of her surroundings.
The bandit was waiting, growing impatient as she had began to pace a bit, not giving anything to Tala except one piece of meat but that was hours ago. She growled frowning and looked to Tala. "Seems they aren't too worried about you. No one has shown up yet." She stated flatly, glaring at the Prince.
She wanted her money and wanted it now. She started to charge an attack to strike him to release some frustration but let it drop when she heard a horse approaching. She muttered quietly annoyed. "About time they sent someone." she muttered and moved to look outside the trees that worked as her home.
She stepped out, allowing Tala to see out as she had the shadows move the trees some to allow him sight out in the open. She watched as Rosa's horse came to a stop, a normal horse was given to her. She dismounted and looked around before at the bandit with the money sack. "Do you have the money?" she asked strictly.
"Yes, is Tala alive and well?" Villa asked watching as the woman smirked, having the trees move more to show Tala safe to the maid. Villa sighed happy to see Tala safe.
The bandit held her hand out, dark power shooting out and grabbing the bag, bringing it to her including the note. When she read it she frowned, growling. "This is not acceptable. I will not be cheated out of money." She snapped glaring at Villa. "You tell your King and Queen that I will not be cheated. Tell them if they want their son whole they will have send you with the rest of the money. I will not be taken advantage of!" she snapped in rage that she was not being given all of the money.
When she turned and began to charge a spell in her hand Villa gasped quickly running up, slamming herself into the bandit to knock her off balance, a white light coming out of her own hands to slam into the bandit's hand, causing a bad burn to appear and the dark spell to drop before it could be used.
The bandit now lay kneeling on the ground growling, hissing in pain as she held her burned and smoking hand. "You filthy urchin!! How dare you hurt me! How dare they send someone to attack me!" she screamed in rage, starting to charge a spell with her good hand, eyes narrowed and furious at Villa. Villa gasped quickly moving back and moving to get to Tala, seeing the dark orb forming at her hand, not sure if her attack did anything to affect Tala's binds or not but had moved to try and get over to him to help him.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 12:55 pm
Seeing the fight ensue, Tala started trying to break free of the bandit's spell, he wanted to try and protect the female and grew more frustrated with his bindings until eventually they snapped and he dropped to the ground. He narrowed his eyes at the dark orb, then lunged at the bandit, wrapping his arms around her torso before hanging off her back as though trying to drag her to the ground. His free hand reached out, his intention to draw into himself the dark orb's power and therefore negate any chance of the female launching the attack towards Rosa... "Blast her already!" With his grip tight, he planned on riding out any attack thrown at the bandit in the hopes they could take her down once and for all.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:02 pm
"But what if I hurt you!" Rosa cried but saw his face and got the message, gulping and took aim, focusing as a white orb formed in front of her, gathering power as she kept her focus, clearing her mind.
The bandit looked up seeing this and screamed, her dark orb hitting and entering Tala's body as she struggled to get him off, grunting. "Get off of me you royal buffoon!" she snapped at him coldly.
Rosa kept focusing then opened her eyes, sending out the attack. The bandit saw this and screamed as the white light slammed into her body, the light burning her, showing her face beautiful before being scared by the power Rosa used. It also hit Tala but it was warm and did not burn him as it did the bandit woman.
Rosa watched and when the light faded she ran up quickly hoping Tala was alright. The bandit woman would be on the ground, groaning, passed out from the blow she just took, at times twitching as some smoke rose off her body with fresh burn marks on her body due to the darkness that controlled her due to her dark magic using and letting it run her.
"Tala, are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?" Rosa asked quickly looking him over then noticed the woman holding a black rose mark under her eye, confused as she hadn't seen that sort of mark before on anyone and began to wonder who this woman was and why anyone would pick to steal and use others like she had.
"Do you think your father is going to go hard on her?" she asked, seeing the crimson locks of the woman's hair now free laying against the black clothing she had been wearing but without her mask since the light attack Rosa used had destroyed it.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:18 pm
Tala braced himself as he saw the light rushing towards him. He had no idea what would happen, but was surprised when the light brushed across him like the sun's rays on a warm summer day... Rising to his feet, Tala dusted himself off before turning to face the female, "Thanks for your help." he didn't smile, but he was grateful, not caring any less what his father did to the bandit... Crouching, he would bind the bandit's wrists and ankles before lifting her up and placing her on Rosa's horse like a bound animal. "I am guessing my freedom has been compromised...?" he had no doubt that the royals would keep him under lock and key after this faux pas... But he would have news for them as he was not an animal that would be caged... "We should be getting back..."
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:30 pm
Rosa watched and nodded sighing. "Yes I think so but I hope you can get them to understand...along with the people of this land. I know the life of royalty is hard but I hope they will let you have some freedom. I also hope I am not questioned to how she got burned or to why her clothing in places is torn. You do not think your father will question it, do you?"
Rosa asked, a little worried as she walked to her horse and got on it, sighing looking to Tala. "Wish to ride with me or you wish to walk and stretch your legs for possibly the last time outside the castle walls?" She asked giving a soft smile. "And....I think I'm getting better. I didn't hurt you with my attack so maybe I'm getting better at controlling my power." she said giggling softly and offered a hand to Tala if he wished to ride.
If he wished to walk she would retract her hand and hand him the reins to lead them back, looking down to him smiling. "Maybe some time we could get away and have lunch or some mean together? I know it cannot happen at the castle. They told me the royal family never eats with the help and the help is to be seen and not heard less spoken to and if can be done not even seen just to complete our tasks and keep things running."
Rosa said sighing softly and looked at the sky as it was growing later into the afternoon nearing dusk as the sky darkened slowly on their way back, the air cool and welcoming nice in the soft weather's breeze.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:39 pm
"He will probably think I did it....so you should be fine..." Tala muttered, choosing to walk rather than ride - there were more than enough bodies on the horse anyway, with their prisoner now riding shotgun. He didn't turn down lunch, but knew with limitations and no doubt an extended 'prison sentence' for being captured, it was highly unlikely they would get the chance... Tala would lead the horse back, walking slowly as though planning to spend as long as he could outside the castle walls... Eventually they approached the gates where the guard had already seen them and rushed to greet them... Before he knew it, Tala was whisked away, leaving Rosa and their prisoner in the courtyard.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:53 pm
Rosa tried to reach out for him but as he was taken away she lowered her hand and sighed looking down at the unconscious woman. Slowly she dismounted the horse and lead it in more, going to the stables and taking the woman down, walking inside the castle with the prisoner on her back.
She moved slowly yelping and jumping some as she heard a yell at her and was terrified, groaning, wishing not now. She then decided it best to hurry up and try to lose her to get the prisoner before the King and Queen, not wanting to deal with getting yelled at for being out.
Rosa heard talking and darted down a hallway, not sure if she turned rightly or not but had ran into a pair of doors trying to stop and landed with a hard thud, groaning as she started to get up seeing the bandit woman in front of her on the floor also starting to wake up. Rosa looked up then back down, standing and dusted herself off, curtsying silently not speaking and moved turning to leave after seeing the King and Queen, wanting to make a quick exit in hopes of avoiding trouble.
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writing_in_waters_star Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:07 pm
Lyssandra was overjoyed to have her son back, but his uncomfortableness with being embraced by the queen left them at an uneasy silence, she smiled sweetly before taking her leave as the advisor appeared and proceeded to give him quite the dressing down about how foolish his actions had been and the amount of trouble it would have caused if something serious had happened. He was reminded how the kingdom was still on guard about the Demon King and then lectured that had it been Sino that had taken him prisoner, there would have been no bargaining with the man and the kingdom would be lost. Eventually, the man left Tala alone, but the Prince quickly became aware of the guards posted not only outside his door, but beneath his window as well... It was clear he was going nowhere without an escort... Sitting in the window, the male drew a knee up to his chest and leant back against the wall, glaring outside at the moon as it shone across the kingdom.
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