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 Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 6:34 pm
 His answer to her request was odd, and improper. Instead of answering with a yes and calling her by her title, minus her name, as he usually did. He also hadn't stuttered, which was so unusual she wondered if she'd imagined he hadn't. She didn't quite understand what he meant by helping them grieve. It was an honor to die in battle. Was he referring to those who returned home and died then? That would make more sense, unless his brothers had been more like him. If his parents had let him do whatever he wanted, was it because they didn't care? Had the others left them so proud, that there was little he could do to impress them? It wasn't difficult at all to imagine him spending time in a field or with the kingdom's homeless as he seemed to enjoy being filthy. Now, he couldn't help it as without assistance he couldn't make it to the bath alone. But he only ever seemed to care for himself like that when she told him to. It was highly offensive to her senses, and for a moment she recalled the condition his room had been in. That he'd told her about the pests made little difference. He was dirty and that was simply a fact by now.
She was excited to see the drawing, at first. The detail was as impressive as his sketch of her white baneberry. She narrowed her eyes slightly, wondering why he had asked her to pose for a drawing of her sister. She listened intently to the list of skills he had. His ability to speak Bexlockian was valuable, if proven to be accurate at least. How knowledgeable he was about economics was to be seen, though she had no need. Now aware that he'd also taught himself about pottery, for by his own words it was something he wasn't permitted to learn, she wondered again why he hadn't learned to dance. She took the drawing when it was offered to her, violet eyes going cold as they looked over the lines and took in the image overall. It sort of resembled her, but she was certain she'd never been posed like that around him. She certainly never showed such a warm smile, one which in her opinion was welcoming death. Did he harbor feelings for her sister, Victoria? She also believed it possible that he was on more than friendly terms with some of the female staff. The cook's assistant seemed to be very fond of him. She was a middle-aged woman though.
"Your drawings always look so alive, it would seem. Even the inanimate objects." She put the drawing on the end of her bed, behind them. She noticed the pencil had gone dull. He'd need a blade to sharp it and she wasn't comfortable letting him handle one. Certainly he wouldn't be able to kill her if she allowed him one, but injury was possible. She didn't want to deal with anything that came with it. "Test my lunch for poison. I'll return shortly." She said calmly and rose from her place on the bench to leave her bedroom, ultimately for her study. She sharped the pencil with a small blade, then grabbed another eraser. She paused in the doorway to look back inside. There were a few small canvases and sketches, done by her. They weren't as detailed, the lines were sloppy. They couldn't compare to the work of an untaught fool-turned-slave. How disappointing. She thought dismissively. Though she wished that she could make something comparable to his works, it wasn't an important skill for a Queen to have. She returned to her room and sat down on her chair after handing him the pencil and new eraser.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 7:37 pm
He let her scan the sketching, leaning down to poke his ankle before sitting back and finishing his tea while she looked over the picture. He had served her and her sister anytime they had a meeting, the books they discussed was fascinating and always edged him to secretly read her books. "It will look more like you when I finish, I draw what the person feels, I know you feel happiness when making something for princess Ester or talking of books with Princess Victoria." He sat up as she left, lifting the top off the plate and tasting her food while she left. He set the top under the table and attempted to get up and stand, wobbly at first. He sat back down quickly, his ankle protesting to the movement and calming once the weight came off it. He was shocked to see her return with a sharp pencil and another eraser, taking both and the sketchbook from behind him to continue. "Princess, how long will you be gone on the vacation? Will you be safe?" He asked, having forgotton or not knowing that he would be joining her and he saw how slaves were treated on carriages.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:21 pm
She began to cut into her food, making small pieces as she believed it made digestion go smoother. His comment immediately got on her nerves. "I am never safe, neither are you. Do you have webbing between your ears? I've already told you that you'll be coming with me. Or would you prefer to stay behind with Prince Joseph?" As she took a bite of her meal, she realized that it'd become cold in all of the time she'd spent questioning her slave. She placed the fork and knife down, no longer interested in eating. From her position next to the balcony, she had an excellent view of the back grounds of the castle. A few rolling hilltops covered in trees backed by a mountain range. By now her Uncle Erwine and younger brother Arric had left. Joseph would hopefully stay confined to his room, but thinking of him she knew she'd have to settle the matter between them. She'd have to write him a letter of challenge, formally. He wouldn't be able to refuse a proper duel, especially if their parents were in attendance. She'd have to send the letter from the other castle, to let her father know she wouldn't take the insult lying down.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:28 pm
Kenneth looked to the princess quickly, he was coming with her? How had he forgotten about that? "I'll come with you. I'm pretty sure when he recovers, he is going to break my whole foot next time for saving you." He looked to the plate of food as she stopped eating. "Is it cold?" He did help her pour more tea, leaning back and looking to the picture. "Your very generous princess, to let me sit around like this...thank you." He smiled, redoing some lines to give her a less Victoria look and more of herself. He set the drawing materials down a few minutes late, rubbing his back and hiding the fact that it hurt still, but those meds just made him so drowsy.
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:41 am
A few minutes later, she decided to leave. She spent the rest of the afternoon entertaining herself, all too happy to be able to move about freely without worrying about her family making appearances. She paid a visit to the barracks, to train and then to the war room to look over the map he father and uncle had been using to plan their next conquest. By the time she'd returned, she was tired. She'd eaten dinner in the dining hall, having servants test her food for her in place of her crippled slave. Afterwards, she returned to her room. Her slave had fallen asleep, annoyingly enough. She called for her maids and before going through her normal routine, she had a glass of wine brought up. She woke Kenneth. She added a tonic of her own making to the glass, in plain sight of her slave. She had him drink it, without bothering to explain what it was. It would keep him quiet, both tonight and for the morning at least. It would take a few days of travel to reach the other castle. She wanted to get off to a good start. The night was as restless for her as per usual, and come the morning she was feeling as sleep deprived as always.
The carriage was packed, various other things were taken care of. She saw to it that Kenneth was chained to the back of the carriage by his neck, and seated with the rest of her luggage.The journey was off to a calm, albeit awkward, start. Astrid was seated across from the Captain of the guard and there was no conversation between the two. Towards the end of the second day, an hour before nightfall, the carriage was suddenly brought to a stop. There was shouting, following swiftly with the sound of metal clanging against metal. She rose to her feet, setting aside the book she'd been reading, in order to look out the window. The door flew open before she could see what was happening and an armored fist came flying at her. She stumbled backwards to avoid it, tripping over the hem of her skirt as she moved. She kicked at the armored assailant and managed to drive the long, pointed heel of one of her shoes into the man's eye. She used the opportunity to open the other door and hurried out, holding her dress up to avoid tripping on it.
A look around told her that the seven guards, including the captain, had all been killed. The carriage was surrounded by an unknown number of armored strangers, most of those she could see, were splattered with blood. She grabbed a sword from a fallen guard and shut the door behind herself to try to protect her back. A rattle of chains told her that they'd gotten to her slave as well, though she was unaware that her attackers had broken his chains. Astrid assumed a defensive stance, trying to gauge the strength of her attackers. Was there a way out? They'd managed to kill her guards. Would this be how she dies? As one came towards her she engaged him fearlessly, blocking his attacks with swift, precise movements. As others moved in, she sought a way to keep distance between them. The way was blocked. She blocked and parried their attacks for as long as she could until her weapon was struck from her hands. An iron fist met with her abdomen, knocking the wind out of her lungs and causing her body to go numb from the pain for a brief period of time.
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 5:37 pm
Kenneth continued to draw after the princess left for a little bit, deciding to go sleep while she wasn't in the room. He curled up on the seat, deciding it not cold enough for a blanket and was rudely woken up a few hours later when she returned. "Hmmm...?" He watched her add something to the wine and became immediatly tense; knowing she was drugging him and with something he detested as well. He drank it anyway, deciding it was better to drink it than refuse in his current state. He became groggy and soon fell asleep quietly. He slept through out the night as a quiet heap on the seat, not snoring for once, but still groggy as he woke up in the morning. He helped pack her bags the best he could, seeming a bit out of it from whatever she gave him. He sat nestled next to her luggage on the carriage, a chain around his neck to keep him attached to the carriage. It was long enough to walk behind, but for the first day of travel, he slept sitting there. The second day he was more awake, having walked all morning behind the slow carriage before deciding to sit on the back of it.
It was before nightfall when Kenneth watched the guards and the captain get murdered so easily. He pushed himself against the carriage, trying to remain unseen in the dusk light. They went for the princess until seeing him and cutting his chains loose and hold him on his feet to check him over. "It's a slave, don't kill the princess, make more money from both our contract and selling her to the market." The leader of the mercenary group noted as one of the other armored fellows punched Astrid and lifted her into a wagon, tying up her feet, hands and stuffed some cloth into her mouth. "Princess! Don't hurt her!" He yelled, getting his chain free from the hands of the leader and running off down the road. It seemed like he was going to escape, but he only managed to get to one farm before he was dragged back and thrown into the wagon with Astrid. His hands and feet bound, but he could still speak, why did Astrid look so pissed off? "Your prettier when not yelling at me." he tried to make light of the situation, hopefully the farm family would be loyal to the crown and help them. "Don't make them mad, princess, they will hurt you more." he asked, her heels hurt too when being kicked into his legs.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:28 am
The second punch hurt horribly, causing her body to tremble involuntarily in response to it. She was weak, her vision hazy from tears and marred further by little black spots. She could do very little to struggle against her captors as she was held down, tied up and then gagged with what tasted to her like the dirtiest cloth they could find. But that could just be because she held such hatred for these ruffians. Her thoughts were bouncing back and forth between suspicion, visualizations of ridicule from her peers and fear of losing her future. She didn't miss the mention of a contract. So, this was planned ahead of time. The last minute change to her travel plans had been revealed in front of many people, but those who had the most to gain from her disappearance were her siblings. One of them had planned this, they'd have to be soft in the head to think that the mercenaries they'd hired would simply kill a woman like her. She took pride in the care she took to maintain her appearance, the only factor she couldn't control being sleep. She was capable, beautiful, and potentially useful as a political tool.
That her pathetic slave had been caught was of no surprise to her. They'd let him live to sell him off, not that she expected they'd get much for him. His comments however was just enough to cause her temper to flare up. She bent awkwardly to be able to kick him. This action caused one of the mercenaries to smack her. "Hey! Keep your feet to yourself!" She took in the sights around her, mainly focusing on the number of men in the back of the cart with them and the route they were taking. The cart felt sturdy, relatively new. The location of the farm correlated with what she'd seen on the map so she had a rough idea of where they were. To sell her, they'd have to take her elsewhere or look carefully for a native buyer who didn't mind the high risk. There were too many of them around the back of the cart and even if she could get rid of the binds somehow she wouldn't get far. She just had to try to be patient and wait for an opening. Even so, she lost her cool fairly quickly and spit out the cloth they'd shoved in her mouth, only for it to be shoved back in. This repeated twice more, until they decided to tie one around her mouth as well.
They rode for hours in the darkness until they arrived at an older building in one of the many black markets located across the kingdom. The two of them were picked up and then dropped down into an empty room which was designed much like a prison cell. The bars on the door were made of wood and the walls of the cell were stone. The floor was simply dirt and the only other item in the room was a rancid smelling bucket. She didn't even want to think about what was in there or if the thing was ever cleaned. The place was poorly lit and most of the windows were covered. Two of the men stayed behind to keep watch while the rest dispersed, probably to make further arrangements. Astrid completely disregarded Kenneth's existence as she tested her binds. How, even if she could loosen them, would she get out? She had no weapons, after what she'd done to the eye of one of them they'd even taken her shoes. Could she lure them in?
She glanced around and noticed that there were a few poles outside of the cell. Only if they were dumb enough to enter first, without making use of those. They'd managed to trap and kill her guards, they were no fools. She'd have to take her chances. Lord knows what they were planning, or when she'd get another chance. So she tried wriggling her legs to loosen the rope around her ankles.
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There was a farmer, herding his cattle into the barn for the night who'd noticed someone running down the road. He witnessed the young man being chased, hit and then dragged away. He sent one of his kids to the town nearby to alert the city guard about the strange sight. In the time that it took for Astrid and Kenneth to be transported elsewhere, the city guard found the royal carriage and the slain bodies of the royal guard hidden underneath some foliage. A messenger was sent, but it would be quite a long time until word reached the castle and even longer until it would reach King, Queen or Advisor.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 7:26 am
Kenneth was moved in between two mercs, feeling rather cramped at how close they were but more so worried as the princess dealt with their treatment of her. It took several hours before they were thrown into a stone cell. Kenneth sat up and looked to the princess, unable to help her sit up. "Shhh." He looked around, there had to be a way to get out without the guards noticing them. He scooted up close to the princess, rather uncomfortable closeness to reach her hands and try to get the binds looser. "Don't move until they come in, when I have their attention, sneak out." He loosened the ones on her feet, difficult if his hands had been bound behind him instead of in front, but they were more worried around the princess than him escaping. He scooted as far as he could into the stone cell and began to fling insults at the guards, some words not meant for a princess's ear. After a few minutes, the two guards opened the cell and went over to restrain Kenneth who kept their attention. The princess had to go, hopefully she would come back and get him once she got to safety. By the time she escaped, and they had noticed, she was long gone and it sent the whole merc band into a seething rage. No payment for them to sell a princess anymore, but they still had Kenneth who was bound even worse than before, having to be lifted up to get on his feet to be put on display. His mouth bound with a rag to keep from further insults.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:56 am
Astrid flinched when her slave drew too close for comfort. She could hear his breathing from this short distance. It was embarrassing, somehow, despite their situation. Perhaps because her hands were tied behind her back and in order to whisper to her he was practically at her ear. Should she be glad that only for a few brief seconds could she feel his breath behind her ear? Even as he described his plan to her, she didn't trust him. Why wouldn't he simply save himself? By untying her and calling attention to it, the mercenaries would be drawn to her and he could make his escape. He hated violence as much as she hated to be in pain. Why would he offer himself up for more torment, to save one who had tortured him before? She'd come close to killing him a few times. So, he had no reason to save her life. If he hoped to redeem himself for his many failures, possibly earn his freedom this time; he was truly a fool. But, apparently a man of his word. Her binds were loosened to the point that she could easily break free of them whenever she wanted.
As he called attention to himself, she broke free and took advantage of the opening he'd created. She crept out of the building cautiously, then stole one of their horses and rode for a guard house. It took a little convincing to get them to believe what she told them. But soon enough they started to grab their gear to go to the location she'd described. She ran out of patience waiting for them and mounted the stolen horse again. By now they could be moving her slave to another location. They'd abducted him illegally, stolen him from her and she would reclaim what belonged to her. She rode, the guards calling out in surprise and hurrying as quickly as they could to match her speed. She had the horse rear and kick the doors down, startling the mercenaries left behind. She swung a sword, borrowed from the guard station, as she rode towards him. The strike landed and sliced the man's throat open, clanging as it met with the man's chest piece. As she'd expected, the cell was empty. She urged the horse forward, following through the next set of doors and running down the streets.
The guards weren't too far behind. She could hear their head calling for her to wait for them, but disregarded his calls. She had a score to settle. She spotted the stand where Kenneth was on display. They'd tied him to a pole which was attached to a stage, positioned with enough height for the passerby to be able to see him easier. Two of the men were standing around him, calling for offers to be made quickly. They shouted that he was a discount slave, hardy enough to be worked to the bone and disposed of if desired. That struck a nerve, spurring her to ride her horse into a full crowd at a gallop. People screamed and scattered to avoid being trampled. She swung the sword to and fro to knock obstacles out of her way. Obstacles being some guards and hired protection. The guard hurried in behind her although at a much more careful pace. After passing by, she made a sharp turn and went straight for one of the two mercenaries. She had the horse rear again and positioned her sword to thrust it into the man's neck as the horse's hooves came down. She released the sword that was now so deep into the man's chest that it couldn't be retrieved.
The guards came in to calm the disturbance. She dismounted, picking up a dagger from the fallen mercenary's sword belt and then stepped on to the stage where Kenneth was bound. She cut the rope haphazardly, accidentally slicing up his arms as she sawed downwards. She ignored the shouting of the crowd. Basically, all the noise and trouble she was responsible for. She cut through his binds and grabbed hold of his arm, unfortunately where the burn mark was. Then pulled him with her over to the horse where she forced him to get up, then she climbed up behind him. She rode, a few anxious guards in tow, back to the guard station. Once there, she dismounted and helped him to get down. Then she impatiently dragged him along behind her to a somewhat empty hallway. She turned to face him and let go of him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why? You could have easily made an escape instead of assisting me. What was your reason this time?"
"Y-Your Grace, please. We need--" "Silence!" She shouted at the guard, her voice cracking with sudden emotion. She took in an unsteady breath and attempted to maintain what little calm she had at the moment as she stared daggers at Kenneth. She was unaware of the lashings he'd received for helping her, or the blood which was seeping through the back of his shirt.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 3:10 pm
Kenneth struggled with the guards as he watched Astrid go out of view and escape, smiling slightly. Once they turned and found the princess gone, they grabbed him and took him outside to beat. They tied him up to hold on his knees while they lashed him. He didn't know when it would stop, being used to it since Astrid did it most of the year. It hurt more this time, but once they were done his wounds were ignored, something he wasn't use to. They dragged him to a stage and forced him to stand and be tied to another pole for sale. Is this what slave's dealt with? Being sold constantly or until they were worked to death? He heard them shout prices, ask questions as the guard lifted his head up, his shirt, thankfully Astrid wasn't there when others asked for more inspections of him. Lots were interested, it started with copper than went to gold pieces.
He looked up when the crowd began to scream and panic, seeing Astrid riding a horse and shoving her sword into one of the man's chest, the other man running off to escape. He watched her climb the stage and winced as she cut through the ropes like a pissed off God. He wobbled a bit, suddenly yelping when she grasped on to his arm where it still was fragile from being burnt. Being tugged to the horse and forced to climb on. He relaxed as best he could on the horse, holding a hand to his arm and wincing as the ride was rough, but he couldn't complain. She came back for something he thought was always a object to be thrown away when not needed anymore. Then again, she didn't like to have her property stolen either. He was dragged off the horse and down a hallway before she stopped and looked at him. "I don't always need a reason, you didn't deserve to be thrown into that life, princess. Believe me, I didn't wish to see you thrown around like that or hit by them, I wanted you to get somewhere safe, even if I didn't." He swayed again, the pain in his back told him he had more open wounds than Astrid had ever given him and that they were bleeding. "I might be a slave, princess, but I still have the ability to know as much as it would of made any other slave happy to see you tossed in with their lot, I knew that you didn't deserve it. Your too beautiful to have dirt on your skin." He smiled lightly, looking to his arms where several cuts were from her, they bled lightly but not as much it felt like on his back. The guards waited, they knew he needed some medical attention.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:49 pm
She eyed him skeptically, and then huffed. What was he hoping to gain? She didn't trust that he had done it to help her. True, from the time since she was young she was given anything money could buy. But she'd never had anyone be so loyal to her. So, how could she believe it? "You really expect--?!" As she heard her voice crack again and grow weak, she took a few steps away from him. She shook her head, eyes tearing up uncontrollably. It didn't make sense. It just didn't make sense. Why had he done it? Other than to simply help her, to protect her in what weak little way he could? What reason could there be? There had to be some other reason. Something he wasn't telling her. No one did anything without expecting some sort of reward of some sort. She couldn't hide the emotion showing itself on her face. He was a complete moron if his claims were true. She lost control, but instead of turning away from him she stepped back towards him. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, her own breathing irregular as she strained to hold back from sobbing. She didn't know why she was so upset, but she didn't want to let those feelings loose.
Though she opened her mouth to speak to him, she couldn't speak without the sound coming out like a sob. She let go quickly and turned her back to him, walking over to stand in front of a corner. She would leave the room, but with what had just happened she wanted to be near someone she knew. Even if she wasn't sure if she could trust him or not. The guards took their chance to try treating his wounds. She turned her head and shouted at them when they tried to take him from the room. Instead of words, it was a weird noise which sounded like the human language but not. Then quickly looked back at the wall to hide her face as she tried to calm herself down. The guards obliged her will and brought a chair into the hallway for her slave to sit down in. They treated his wounds in awkward silence, which was only broken by sudden loud sobs from Astrid. They were quickly suppressed, only to be emitted again, suppressed again, then emitted again.
"Do... Do you want some privacy, Your Grace? We can clear a room for you? P-please?" A guard asked uncomfortably. Her presence in the hallway was preventing them from being able to do their job properly, since she was close to the door which leads to the prison cells. Astrid kept her head low, covering her eyes by placing a hand upon her forehead. She followed the guard to a different room, stopping to shout a barely understandable name. "Ke--ken-neth!" She waited for her slave to either follow her or to be brought into the room with her before she walked over to another corner to collect herself. The guards soon started asking questions, Astrid only answered with a nod of her head for 'yes' or a furious noise or shaking of her head as a 'no'. They also asked for Kenneth to tell them what had happened, from the beginning. During this interview, a legitimate doctor finally made an appearance and wanted to check their wounds.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:18 pm
Kenneth stood there, letting her pace back and fourth before he realized she was sobbing. He kept quiet, not knowing what to do in such a situation, but crumbling into the chair he was offered and showing how much it took to stand for that little bit after having been standing to a pole he was attached too. They took his shirt off, cleaning the wounds with such care he hadn't seen from guards before. they stuck clean cloth to try and stop the bleeding until a doctor could come and check them both. He slipped his shirt back on and was helped up by a guard when Astrid asked for him; by name? "Princess? Are you okay?" He asked, the guard letting him walk on his own once they got to the room and he sat down beside Astrid. "W-We were traveling to the castle in Reinbrook countryside, The guards were walking beside the carriage and some on their horses...arrows hit them and then men jumped out of the bushes. They brutally killed the guards and attacked the princess. I-I got away and hoped to find help, I saw a farm and headed to it but they caught up and got me..." He said, listening to the princess sob and turning to her to grab her hands and hold them up to lay his lips gently to them. "Deep breaths, princess." He said it softly, the doctor checking the princess's arms, feet and face before going to Kenneth and going wide eyed. "Well everything is in shape, your both fine." He lied, not willing to treat a slave, even with the glares from the guards. "What? He is a slave, just sell him and get a healthier one." He crossed his arms, Kenneth tried to hide how insulted he felt, it didn't hurt as much when Astrid told him, but another random person? It hurt worse than the wounds.
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 7:02 am
Astrid glanced at him as he took hold of her hands. She stared, for a moment managing to remain quiet as she watched him kiss them. She could barely felt it, she was so worked up. It was soft and a bit cold. Her hands were filthy as well, which bothered her. The gesture of a gentleman, not the depraved slave she knew. Then she thought of how many other women, all not nearly as good as she knew she was, he must've done this to. She yanked her hands away, just in time for the doctor's inspection. Her face was a little swollen where she'd been hit earlier, there was a bump on her forehead and walking around without shoes had left her feet with a few small cuts. They were cleaned and bandaged. As the doctor moved on to treat her slave, she started to turn back to her corner. She didn't pay attention to the man's excuse so much as the look on his face. She swiftly kicked him in the stomach, wincing as her foot throbbed in pain. She reached down to grab the portly man by his shirt and screamed hoarsely into his face. "How dare you not know your place, you filthy peasant! I should have you beaten to death for this insult!"
The man was horribly confused and began pleading for her forgiveness. "You dare to look down on me?! My property? You think I would keep anything of no value around me?! It isn't your place to decide such things anyway! Care for his injuries or I'll see to it that you're publicly humiliated and die a slow, painful death!" She was pretty close to beating him at this point, if only a weapon of some kind were within reach. She let go of the doctor, who promptly scrambled over to treat Kenneth's wounds. She watched him, the only reason she hadn't already had him put to death was for the sake of her slave. He was still recovering from the injuries her brother had given him. She didn't know what or even if anything had happened to him after she'd left. Of course she noticed the new whip-wounds on his back. The fresh as well as the old ones. The bloody shirt he'd been wearing caught her attention and she looked down at her dress. She had a few streaks of his blood on her chest. She'd been riding behind him on the saddle, after all. Though she was disappointed to lose yet another dress because of her slave, there was little else she could do about it.
As soon as his wounds were treated, she had the doctor thrown out of the room. She took a seat in a chair next to Kenneth and sighed, exhausted. When water was offered to them, she accepted and made a request for a light meal to be brought in. Not for her, but for her slave. She wouldn't touch any of the stuff but with what he'd been through his body needed the nourishment. She described in her own words what had happened, what the men looked like and more importantly what her missing jewelry looked like. They'd left her signet ring with her but had taken their luggage and even the jeweled circlet, embroidered veil, necklace and the other rings she'd been wearing. She didn't care how unlikely it was that they'd be returned to her, she wanted them back. There was also the key to the golden collar still around her slave's neck. It was fairly heavy and she was sure that he could do without it. When the guard asked her if she wanted an armed escort to the castle, she thought on it quietly. "There would be little point in having an armed escort. My royal guards were armed to the teeth but here I am. If I ride through the night, we'll make it to the castle by the morning. I'll need two horses, a map and compass..." She trailed off, looking over to Kenneth with bloodshot eyes.
He appeared to be worn out. Would he be able to ride on his own like this? Could she ride with him to keep hold of all night? She brought a hand to her forehead again and closed her eyes. "Never mind the second horse, bring me one strong enough to carry two for the trip. You'll be compensated shortly." One of the guards hurried out of the room to see the royal order through. Another asked her if she wouldn't prefer to spend the night in town, just to be on the safe side. "No." She responded flatly, she didn't trust the lords in this area and felt that this town was a particularly dangerous place for her to be right now. Even if it was nearer to her would-be killer, she was safer with the rest of the royal family. Returning to the castle was also an option. She'd arrive later than news of what had happened, but at the very least she needed to be present to speak with her parents. She redirected her tired gaze from the floor to stare at her slave. "Are you able to move without fainting?" She spoke softly to him, mainly due to how sore her throat felt at the moment.
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:54 am
He sat there in pain, sitting sideways in the chair to avoid it touching his back. He watched Astrid threaten the doctor and couldn't help but smile slightly before wincing as the doctor began to treat his wounds. A bandage was wrapped around his torso and chest to help the wounds heal and not break open easily. He relaxed against the chair, fiddling with the steel chain that was connected to the gold collar, hearing one of the items lost was the key to it. "They had some of your luggage with them at the auction, we will deliver to the castle on its own." Another guard left, leaving only three in the room. The doctor had been thrown out and told to fix his attitude about slaves or leave the town by one of the guards.
Kenneth could feel the princess's eyes on him, did she feel pity for his wounds or did she not know why he got them? "From civilian reports, your slave was publicly punished for helping you escape. People paid to see it so we took that gold and are holding it as evidence." A guard noted as a small plate was brought in and set in front of the princess. Kenneth was confused as she had them move the plate in front of him. "T-Thank you, Princess." He ate what was on the plate, listening to her tell of what happened. It took no time for him to finish the small plate and a glass of water. "Yes." He nodded, a guard came in and held a dress fitted for her to ride a horse with and some clean clothes for Ken. He looked tired, his back numb for awhile from the doctor having sewed cuts closed.
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 5:11 pm
That he'd been beaten publicly was an embarrassment. The size of the crowd now made sense, but why on earth had they beaten him so badly if they were going to sell him? What good was a slave in that condition? How had they managed to get gold offers for him? The only purpose she could think of was hard labor in the mines, or something dangerous and undesirable like that. Astrid accepted the clothing, though she didn't intend to change in the station. She couldn't reach the tie in the back of the dress she was wearing now and the one she'd been given wasn't as nice as she was used to. She didn't want her skin to be itchy during the trip. She sipped at the water she'd been given, quietly waiting for the items she'd requested to be ready. When they were she had Kenneth mount the horse, just as she had before, and climbed up behind him. Her arms were by his sides to help him stay seated as she took hold of the reigns.
She rode through the night, stopping now and then to give their horse a break. The horse they'd been given was fast and agile, quite suitable for her standards. In this area, there were various predators. Mainly wolves, though sometimes bears or mountain lions were known to come down from higher up. Howling was apparent throughout their trip, though it was impossible to see the animals in the brush. It was just after dawn when she stopped again. They were close enough to the castle that she could see it, it was just a short ride. She dismounted and turned to look up at her slave, she still held on to the reigns. "I need you to untie the back of my dress. Are you able to?" He looked unsteady, she wasn't sure if having him do this was a good idea either due to his past expressions towards her. But she felt that showing up covering in dirt and blood would be worse.
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