Welcome to Gaia! ::

Parts 1-4: Page 1.
Parts 5-6: Page 3.
Parts 7-8: Page 4.
Parts 9-10: Page 5.
Parts 11-12: Page 6.
Part 13-14: Page 9.
It was a beautiful spring morning throughout Artolia. The previous day’s rain had gone, and the sun shone across the war torn continent. The rain had made battle in the dividing mountains near impossible, and with an end to the rain, came an end to the peace that was so rarely found in those mountains.
Of course, while it meant an end to a temporary peace for those at war, the third nation had a single being absolutely cursing the shine. A young Empyrian noble by the name of Cera had been enjoying the rain, and the fact that it impeded travel. For a scholar had been summoned from Decria to act as a tutor, and from personal experience with the people her father summoned to teach her, she knew it wasn’t going to be fun.
“I’m sure you’ll drive him off soon enough.” remarked Clairene, walking alongside the young noble.
“I’m sure I will as well. But I’d much rather not interact with the Decrian swine. My time could be put to such better use! The new additions to the militia need to be properly introduced, or a fight is bound to break out…”
Cera wanted to be at the barracks interacting with the militia. In all truth, the new additions probably wouldn’t cause any trouble at all. But the ability to interact with a large group of nice people in the sun was a far greater way to spend the day. Much better then in a stuffy library with some narcissistic scholar who thinks women, or perhaps twelve year olds, don’t have any way to know anything without his guidance. She just hoped this one knew well enough not to challenge her to a trading of spells.
The last one who had done that ended up with a three week migraine due to a hex and mental exhaustion. Cera was left eating food a dog would turn down for the duration of his migraine. Odd how her father decided to punish her right off the bat, without even bothering to listen to her side of the story.
“Crimson is attending to them.” responded Clairene. “They’ll be fine. At least until we drive this new guy off.”
“I doubt it will be over that quickly.”
“I know we can make it quick.”
“Clairene!” Interrupted Emilia, who had been walking behind them the entire time, alongside a third guard. “Don’t encourage such behavior. Do recall the last time you two decided to try to make it quick.”
“It was difficult to watch the punishment being handed down to our lady.” said the third.
“Don’t sound so sad, Julia.” Responded Cera. “I can’t imagine your face being sad. It’s the only true beauty I get to look upon, and I’d prefer it to be happy.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Julia, her name isn’t My Lady!” Exclaimed Clairene, pushing Julia, “It’s Cera! Why must you keep referring to her as my lady?”
“I’ve found that she harasses me more when I refer to her by name. And I’d much rather be yelled at by you then have Cera sick a group of bandits on me telling them I’ve no clothing under my armor.”
She referred to when they met the bandits that were now the new recruits. The groups they encountered were young and presumably single, and were easily provoked by the thought of Julia’s bare body. Even though they never managed to touch her breastplate as she single handedly restrained all three while unarmed.
“I merely made it so that we could plead self defense,” Cera said, giggling softly. “Don’t think we would’ve gotten their leader to agree to our terms if we decided to attack them first.”
“Then why did you command Clairene and Emilia to stand back?”
“Because I enjoy watching you fight. More when the odds are against you then when both sides are even in number.”
“Because you wanted them to succeed.”
“I admit, you would surely have had a magnificent reaction had they actually ripped your armor off, but that’s as far as I would have let it go.”
“The fact that you’d let it go that far almost makes me glad you’re going to have to meet this guy.”
“Who’s right inside here.” remarked Emilia, who proceeded to open the doors to the library. “Now remember, you agreed to make sure he wasn’t worth the time before dismissing him.”
“And don’t even bring up the Decrian king this time.” Clairene said with a sigh.
“Why shouldn’t I bring up the good-for-nothing lout? He’s a perfect example of the ineptitude of the Decrians.”
“Yes, but what you did was bordering on war mongering.”
The four stepped into the library, and began to look around.
“As I said before, I had no idea that he would go back and tell!”
“Tell what?” came a voice from behind a bookshelf. “Tell of why the Lady Melody is so late to coming to this session? I wasn’t summoned here to have my time wasted waiting for children.”
“No, I just never thought a grown man would be so childish as to run to my father to tell of how badly I embarrassed him. Though…. I guess I shouldn’t have thought a Decrian scholar was capable of anything more.”
“Ah, the tongue of the young lady I’ve heard so much about.” the man said, stepping out from behind the bookshelf. “There’s a running bet of three hundred gold pieces that it can’t be tamed. And I intend to make that money my own.”
Cera’s thoughts had thus far not been proven wrong. The man seemed overly cocky, and had the classic Decrian look about it. He even sported a cape, which was an article that had been truly rare.
“Three hundred?” She responded, eyes fixated on the cape, “That all? Three hundred isn’t enough to get a sane person to even attempt it.”
“I’m sure you’ll learn to mind your tongue soon enough. But, for now, come this way. I must assess what there is to be taught.”
He led her behind the book case where a desk had been set up. Upon the desk was a test paper, a quill, and a lit candle, there for the fact that even though it was a bright sunny day outside, the light didn’t reach this specific part of the room. Seeing naught else to do, she sat to take the test.
After two minutes of the scholar looking over her shoulder at the parchment, she finished, and handed it to him remarking on how easy it was.
“You need not treat someone of my intellect like an uneducated child. I mean, I can understand if that’s the best you can come up with, but to even assume I don’t…”
“This was pertaining to information my king would have difficulty answering. I highly doubt you’ve gotten very many of them correct.”
“Your king?” She asked in response. A smile came to her face, but the smile remained closed. Emilia’s last hour long lecture reminded her not to insult the short fused leaders of the other nations. Though it would take two monarchies to wage a pointless war.
“If you’re going to take longer assessing it than I did working on it, might I have leave to check on some things? I don’t wish to be here for an hour waiting to hear I passed all expectations”
The man was far too absorbed by the piece of parchment to listen. He had a look of surprise on his face which made her think he had come unprepared.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She then turned to join with her guards by the library entrance. And just before exiting, he came out from behind the bookshelf, still looking at the paper, but not so absorbed.
“In all my years, I’ve never heard nor seen someone with the gall to call the Cera, ‘white winged abominations, created by ogres for the purpose of fooling the world into believing them to be angels’. Do you not know of the magnificent creatures you were named after?”
“I do.” She said, not bothering to turn around. “The Cera are a bunch of white winged harpies, created by the Tolerin ogres. All they do is play the part of angels, ever fooling the world into thinking they speak for the divine. I’m not surprised a Decrian still thinks them holy, after what they’ve been doing lately. Nothing but a bunch of elitist, backstabbing warmongers.” She turned to glance back at him. “Who still manage to pull a veil over the eyes of the cape wearing idiots of Decria. I take back what I said about coming back in a few minutes. You’re obviously not worth it.”
As she turned to exit the library, the man began to charge, fists in the air. He didn’t even notice the strange amount of magical rage she had placed within him.
“How dare you insult the great messengers! How dare you insult me! The great Al…”
He stopped his wild charge as Cera’s guards drew their weapons. He obviously had enough self control to not go running to his doom.
“Please.” Cera commented. “Please, try it. I beg of you. This world needs one less of your kind.”
He quickly straightened himself up. “I…. I don’t know what came over me!”
“Your weak mind couldn’t handle my tongue.” She said, before leaving the library. Emilia was shutting the door behind them as they left. “You’ll never attain that three hundred.”
“Three minutes,” Clairene remarked. “That took a while.”

Within the young noble’s room, Cera changed of the formal wear she was forced to wear for her short session with the Decrian swine, and into more casual clothes. Clothes fitting of a peasant, as they were, perfect for sneaking out of the manor unnoticed.
At the same time, Clairene, Julia, and Emilia were also changing out of their armor. The light blue armor marked with the Melody Crest, the Crest of the elite knights, the crest of Cera’s guard, and the crest of the Female Knights. Emilia’s armor was slightly more decorated, however, with a crown placed upon the final crest marking her position as the leader of the Female Knights.
On the floor already were their armaments. Emilia’s Halberd, Julia’s long sword, and Clairene’s broad sword and shield. Every weapon was also marked with the many crests, same as their armor. And as such, they couldn’t be taken along.
She still wondered why the only three Elite Female knights were commanded to guard a single noble child. How the general could keep three of the greatest soldiers in the kingdom out of the precautionary defensive armies.
No…. She didn’t wonder. None of them wondered. The entirety of the Female Knights were merely given the position of guards. The strongest were placed in the personal guards of the nobles. All because the general didn’t think women capable. If she hadn’t grown attached to Cera, Emilia wouldn’t be able to forgive him. The General. General Marx.
“Have you spoken to the guards at the entrance?” Cera asked Emilia.
“Yes. It’s Chris and Zeke today. They’ve agreed not to stop us.”
“Good,” Cera donned a hood, removing her face from sight. “Such a horrible name to give to such nice people. ‘Bandits’! Ha. The real victims are the rich planters, forcing innocent people out of their homes so that their fields can be worked by goblins. My militia….. Not a true fighting force. Definitely not capable of fighting the horrors of this world.”
And with that, the four set off, looking as little more then a quartet of peasants. Leaving the manor, they walked to the barracks which was only a small ways away. As near to the boarder as they were, forces were needed nearby in case of an unprovoked attacks. Cera had managed to convince Marx to lend her a barracks for her ‘friends’ to stay in. She told her it was a way to avoid having to fight bandits. These…. People. Farmers once, with families. They now lived in a barracks, living merely off the fact they were deemed a militia. But hardly any of them would really be able to fight. Many were too old, many were too young, some too weak. Good thing there was no such thing as too strong.
They were always happy to see her. For as soon as the lookout saw her, he raised the alarm.
“It’s lady Cera!” A large crowd of children yelled, running out of the barracks. “Cera! What shall we do today?”
“I am here for your will. What is it you wish to do?”
“Light up the sky again!”
“It’s not dark enough for that…” Cera said, looking at the afternoon sky. “Once the sun goes down, I’ll put on a show. But, before then, I want to play something.”
The crowd stayed silent for a small while until one child ran up, tapped her shoulder, then ran away yelling ‘Tag!’
And with that, the crowd dispersed, Cera with them. She quickly tagged another child, slightly older than she was.
Emilia then went to find the elders within the barracks. Crimson should be with them.
“After introducing us, the red haired one left to deliver Lady Melody’s message.” said the single elder she ran into. An old man with graying hair, one of the first that Cera had ‘saved’.
“Of course…” Emilia sighed. “Master Cedrick needs not stay away for such long times. Cera needs her brother.”
“And Empyria needs Cedrick where he is. We currently can’t stand up to the brute strength of Toleris and the magical might of Decria. Should one side fall, the other would doubtlessly come after us, and without the weapon that Cedrick is striving to make, it is said we would stand no chance.”
“But-” Emilia attempted to reply.
“You’re turning away from your country because of attachment to the girl…. And here we all thought that duty had rid of your heart.”
“And I thought age had not rid of yours, old man.” She scowled. “How dare you accuse me of not caring for my country!”
“Heh. You’ve changed, from the time we first met. Insulting my age, and not my position now? Perhaps you’ve adopted Cera’s view on us.”
“What’s that to do with anything!? You’re still just a coward who would turn to raiding defenseless people.”
“And you’re still the common knight knowing only what you’re told. You still think me a common bandit. Does that mean you still think Cera a normal child?”
“So now you assume I care not for Cera?”
“No. I’m just amused by the fact you’ve found out who Cera is for yourself, while you still take Marx’s word on who bandits are. Why do you still hate me, child?”
“Not….. I no longer care of what once occurred. I’ve seen no evidence that any bandit is truly evil. But you…. You talk too much.”
“Talking is all I can do these days.” He said with a sigh. “Child-”
“Don’t call me child.”
“Very well then. Knight.” He paused to draw breath. “I’ve finally spoken to Marx. He seemed nice.”
“He talks too much as well.”
“He’s a man that plans, rather then fights. If he didn’t talk, the Empyrian army would fall apart, just like if I didn’t, my fellows would be in a state of chaos while Cera was away.”
“His planning is flawed…”
“He did it to keep you from harm.”
“Is that what he’s saying now?”
“He says he doesn’t want to watch you die in a field, while he can help it.”
“He assumes I’d die.”
“No, he assumes that one of your knights would die. A common man, he doesn’t want to see a woman to take a grave while there are men to fill them.”
“He thinks only men deserve such an honor.”
“There is no honor in death.”
“Not in a common death.”
“Not in an early death. Why do you so wish that you couldn’t live your full life?”
“I don’t want to die.”
“Yes, I know. You don’t want to die. But, at the same time, you fear losing life less then losing worth.”
“What!?” She turned and raised her fist, preparing to strike.
“I enjoyed this.” The man was wearing a wide smile. “Every time we talk, I learn something new. Before I met you, I thought that feeling could only exist in one’s youth.”
She sighed and turned around.
“I hate it. Your pleasure is my pain.”
And with that, she walked off to go look over Cera.
Cera’s game of tag had evolved from simple tapping to tackling, due to the occasional disagreement on if someone had been tagged or not. The children were a mess of red, green and brown, from scratches, grass stains and mud. Cera was no exception. Yet she was smiling wider then one could usually see her smile, so Emilia didn’t stop it.
The game set with the sun, however. Everybody watched it set. And after the sun disappeared from the sky, the crowd gathered around Cera, who had earlier agreed to a performance.
“Which deity should we honor today?” She asked the crowd.
“Serris! Creator of the Cera!”
So, putting aside her scorn for the villainous creatures that had inspired her name, she thrust her hands into the air, and from them, two jets of pure white aether shot into the sky. Once they reached one hundred feet, both jets divided into three, spreading out to the sides and widening to take the appearance of wings. A side product of the split was a large amount of shining dust, that formed into a body in front of the wings. A finishing touch was a third jet of aether, this time red, passing through the figures hand and assuming the shape of a spear. So in the sky stood a glowing white, six winged figure with a crimson red spear in hand.
Afterwards, she was escorted back to the manner by her guards, each telling her she shouldn’t stay too late.
So again, they snuck into the manor attempting to make it seem they hadn’t ever been gone. First order of business upon their return would be to get Cera cleaned up. As it was hardly fitting of a young noble to look so filthy.
However, upon returning to the lady’s room, they saw a figure slumped against the far wall. It was garbed completely in black, and armed with weapons typical of an assassin. Though the real oddity was the cloth thrown over it’s face. And the trail of what seemed to be blood on the wall, apparently coming from it’s head.

The night passed like a breeze, leading to an early wakening. Cera was actually looking forward to meeting with Astel. Astel was pure. Happy. Loved. She had not fallen victim to the hellhole that was reality yet. Of course, such innocence it made more fragile with every passing year, and Cera found herself thinking it was only going to be too soon before Astel adopted her mother’s mindset. And Cera wanted to know as much of the innocence that came before that as possible.
Of course, as the horses and carriage were being prepared, Cera had some free time to wander. Julia and Clairene were seeing to the preparations, and Crimson was off, doing what she does. One could only hope she stayed out of trouble in her spare time, but with such abilities, none would ever know.
Cera went to pay Emilia a visit in her holding cell. There was no interaction, as Emilia was asleep, but it wasn’t possible to overlook the many dents in the wall, and occasional broken bar in the cell door, most speckled with blood. Emilia’s hands were cut up a decent bit. Cera made very sure to heal them before leaving.
Then came the ride. A ride that usually took five days, yet one with extraordinary ability could cut it down to three. Cera had cut it down to a day and a half, through combination of performance enhancement and healing, of the horses. She did, in effect, give them magical steroids and cut out the side effects. Yet doing so was a task requiring of much concentration and effort, which always kept her mind busy while traveling.
Julia and Clairene, however, weren’t kept so busy. Throughout the early portion of the ride, they remained only half awake. Julia was tired enough to rest her head on Clairene’s shoulder. Clairene was so tired she didn’t even notice. Cera, who was sitting opposite them, paid them no mind, thinking only of her only true friend in her age group.
Astel. The only person who Cera felt human around. The militia… She felt as though she was an evil puppet master, drawing together the unfortunate and forcing them to live in a barracks. None of them seemed to mind, having been given the choice to avoid the life of a bandit. She was sure she was the only one who thought that way, but all in all, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
Her parents thought nothing of her. With Cedrick, the Melody line continued. This was all they were concerned with. Cera had just been an unfortunate bump on the road. Another being to care for, another mouth to feed. They expected everything of Cedrick, and nothing of Cera, and didn’t hesitate to show it.
Julia and Clairene were paid to be there. Clairene was originally in it just for the money, happy to play the part of the mercenary knight. It had taken months to get her to open up, and now she felt like a sister. But her original purpose still slightly bothered Cera.
Julia didn’t really care for the money. The money came alongside the honor. The honor of wearing armor. The pay was insignificant, so long as she could prove her family wrong. ‘They always said a woman would never be in armor,’ she often said. Truth is, she didn’t care much for fighting, only for the honor that it could bring. Julia was overjoyed when sent to guard Cera. Cera was ever so angry at the fact that this was merely because it meant she would have a smaller chance of being forced into a fight. So, on every chance, Cera would attempt to rid her of her armor, or get her into a fight. And it evolved into a habit that she had Crimson and Amber aid in.
Then there were Crimson and Amber. One night, general Marx had been staying at the Melody Manner. He had, at the time, been making decisions that had angered the upper middle class. And one had gone so far as to send two of his personal assassins to rid of the general. Cera sensed them as they passed her room, and stopped them to talk. There she befriended them, even though they both refused to tell her why they were there. To this day they shroud their purpose, even though Cera had known it all along. Even though they were no longer working for the man who sent them, Cera wasn’t very happy they were keeping secrets from her.
Cedrick was her brother. She honestly felt that if it wasn’t for blood, he wouldn’t care either. Far too much time he spent at the mines, refining exploding rock into weaponry. Too long he left her to the mercy of the lords of the house. If not for her guard…
And last but not least was Emilia. Commander of the female knights. Titles galore, she had. One of the greatest warriors in Empyria. Then she was downgraded to the rank of personal guard. She wanted to fight. She wanted battles to be won off her spear, and yet it was all taken away by one decision by General Marx. The outrage was overpowering in the first few weeks. She treated Cera like an enemy rather then a charge. And while the outrage had long since died down, Cera still felt she was a burden to the dreams and ambitions of Emilia. But she’d die before letting it show.
But Astel was different. The first time Astel met Cera, both had no idea who the other was. Astel thought Cera to be of the middle class, and thought no differently of her. Cera was harboring under the illusion that all nobles were like her father. Astel was pleasantly surprised at Cera’s identity. Cera was horrified to find one so pure could have been bred in a similar situation. Since then, they had gotten along fine, calling upon each other more often then any other. Cera was very used to this road due to it.
Julia yawned, breaking Cera’s concentration. And for a moment, the balance within the horses was thrown off, which rattled the carriage violently, waking both Julia and Clairene simultaneously. And so the late morning began with two people being suddenly awoken.
“Cera,” Julia said, rubbing her eyes. “Is that really good for the horses?”
“Yes,” She responded, still attempting to concentrate.
“Of course it is,” Clairene said with a smile. “These horses were bred to run. And they’ve got the advantage of having Cera here. Nothing can go wrong when Cera’s here.”
“But it can’t feel good. … For the horses and all.”
“The horses feel fine,” Cera responded again. “I’m ridding them of any negative occurrences as they pop up, making them faster, better, stronger… Harder even. All in all this is the best work out a horse can get.”
“But how can you be sure they feel fine?”
“By monitoring them closely. In all honesty, I’m doing everything to keep them comfortable short of giving them the feeling that they’re being fed. Which they will attain when it’s time to feed them.”
“It’s funny, though,” Clairene responded, still smiling. “They do so much for us, and all they get is food. … Bad food, in comparison.”
“They enjoy it, though. Giving them more would spoil them.”
“Makes me wonder if we’re spoiled.”
“No, not quite. You have to work that much harder to get that much more. It doesn’t spoil, it gives incentive.”
“Incentive,” Julia responded with a laugh. “No better incentive then getting thrown in a dungeon for doing your job.”
“Mother is easily frightened by beautiful women coming around her man.”
“I didn’t go anywhere near him, and yet every single time out of the three I’ve agreed to speak with them, I’ve been imprisoned. And now they’ve started doing it to Emilia.”
“That’s because Emilia wasn’t wearing her armor appropriately.” Clairene responded, with a low chuckle. “And because you’ve got such good looks about you.”
Julia responded with a sharp look.
“But even more then either of those reasons,” Cera responded, still concentrating, “It’s because of rumor. Rumor that I had a young half sister, named Tet. I’m still wondering if she was frightened more by the fact she might exist, or by the fact her name might not begin with a ‘C’.”
“Driven to such lengths by a rumor…”
“I truly hate that I was imprisoned multiple times because of a rumor.”
“Rumors are annoying,” Cera sighed.
“True,” The two knights agreed.
And so the carriage continued out. Cera concentrating, Julia thinking, and Clairene watching the scenery go by. A nice spring, it was. The constant rain that accompanied the winters of northern Empyria were becoming less common, and flowers were beginning to grow. A few would be blooming as they returned from Astel’s place of residence. It was truly something to look forward to.
At about mid day, they stopped in town to get something to eat. A relatively quick stop, in which Cera was adamant in getting the horses nourishment. The way she had been pushing them, they would really need it. Previous experiences with horses… Dieing… Had taught her to give them a certain amount of care in the very least.
And as soon as business was finished, they set off again. Clairene took to annoying Julia, while Cera continued blessing the horses. The faster the trip, the better. Entertainment along the way…. Was limited, and Julia’s patience was wearing thin. In the mid afternoon, Cera noticed what she realized to be the halfway point. A small town, of little importance, far enough from the greed of the wealthy to be in no danger of losing their lands.
“One town which will never be turned by the hands of the… Noble… to a path of banditry.”
“Truly a blessing,” Responded Julia.
“Heh,” Said Clairene with a smile. “You fear more people joining your militia?”
“My lady does not fear it.”
“My lady has a name. And a want for people to live lives of their own.”
“I’d prefer that the arrogant slobs would not take the livelihood of men, and turn it into the torture of goblins.” Cera responded. “If only all three nations didn’t have their evils about them. The overconfidence of Decria, the mindlessness of Toleris, and the greed of Empyria.”
“It’s nature. The same that binds you to your will binds them to their greed.” Julia sighed.
“My will.” Cera gave a chuckle. “Such a force that dives people the wrong way. It’s…. Impurity, and I’m not exempt from it.”
“One can only learn to live with it,” Clairene said with a smile. “Force it to work for the good of all, rather then one’s self.”
“How I do try…”
“How you do succeed! Cera. Don’t go doubting yourself. The remaining purity in the world is rare, and can’t afford to doubt its intentions.”
“I’m sure Astel goes on without doubt in herself. Knowing no other way, yet.”
“So you’re comparing yourself to Astel?” Clairene asked.
“All is impure compared to her. The gods, even..” Julia remarked.
“Once mortals, who attained power to transcend. They have power, not purity.” Cera responded.
“Must you be so negative of all symbols?”
“Of all but lady Astel Derrice.”
And with that, Cera dropped out of the conversation to concentrate fully on the horses. The place she planned to rest the night at was only a small ways away, and she wanted to get there as soon as possible. So as Clairene and Julia continued to talk, she continued to concentrate. On the purity of Astel. On the pure minds of the horses, who knew not the troubles of the world they were in.
And all to quickly, the sun set. Right on time, as they were passing through a mid sized town. A mid sized Manse held it’s place at the towns edge, single handedly holding sway over the decisions made within the town. But, alas, this was irrelevant as they were just looking for an inn to stay at. And a stable to house the horses temporarily.
“All right. Since I doubt the innkeeper or stable owner will take me seriously, it falls upon you two to set things up,” Cera sighed, getting out of the carriage.
“I’ll deal with the inn keeper,” Julia started.
“No, I think I will,” Clairene responded.
“Fine. Deal with the inn keeper. I’ll tend to the horses.”
“Now that you’ve put it that way….”
“Clairene,” Julia responded, getting ever so slightly annoyed. “Which do you wish to do?”
“It all depends on what you do,” Clairene said with a smile.
“Then I’ll deal with the inn keeper.”
“No, I wish to deal with him.”
At this, Julia got fed up. She drew her long sword and pointed it at Clairene.
“Test not my patience, Clairene.”
Clairene’s grin merely widened at the show. Julia, the reluctant azure blade, drawing her sword first. Not something one caused very often. She wanted to savor it.
“Not your patience, but your sword arm. I’m surprised you can still hold that thing.”
“I can do more then hold it.” Julia said, making a small motion with it to cut Clairene’s cheek. “Want to see it’s limits?”
And with that, Clairene pulled the shield off her back and bashed it into the broad side of the sword, before punching it forward into Julia’s chest. And as Julia stumbled back, Clairene drew her sword as well.
“I do need some exercise,” Clairene remarked, playing with her sword a little.
“Make it quick,” Cera pouted, beginning to feed the horses what she could. They still had a half a day’s worth of running to do.
“Right.” Clairene responded, hurling her shield at Julia’s face, then running behind it as it drew her attention. As it was deflected, she moved to press her cross guard again Julia’s upper blade, forcing it back. And as it was forced back, she placed the blade of her sword against Julia’s neck.
“Earn your pay,” She said, rolling to the side to pick up her shield again, and held it at ready.
“Earn your armor.” Julia responded, running forward and making a slash at Clairene’s shield side. And, though Clairene blocked it with her shield, the oddly large amount of force behind it sent her rolling into a wall.
“Playing…. Like that?” Clairene’s smile was now gargantuan. She threw her shield again, this time with a lot more force behind it. Julia was forced to duck under it. Of course, this time the shield meant very little, as Clairene wasn’t using it as a distraction. This time, as she attacked, she relied on the armor of her gauntlet to grab hold of Julia’s blade, forcing it out of the way before she made a stab at Julia’s face. She moved her hair out of the way, but her sandy brown locks weren’t exempt from the attack. And as Julia couldn’t fight with Clairene holding her blade, she delivered a kick to Clairene’s stomach, forcing her back quite a way and relinquishing her hold on the blade.
After which, she removed her left hand from the hilt, and slid it down the broad side of the blade, causing it to glow blue. She then grabbed it halfway down, and charged forward at Clairene. All until Cera yelled ‘Halt!’
“Clairene wins due to a strike on Julia’s hair. Clairene….”
“I’ll…” Clairene looked at Julia, still smiling. “I’ll tend to the horses.”
And with that, Clairene placed her weapons back, then lead the horses off. And Julia, with a sigh, sheathed her sword before entering the inn. A short while after, she procured a room, and brought Cera inside. To a small room completely unlike Cera’s. A single bed….
“I do hope you’ve brought a comfortable shirt, as you’re to serve as my pillow today.” Cera paused. “And I don’t wish to rest on armor.”
“I’m sure Clairene would be more comfortable.”
“Clairene’s tending to the horses. You’ve got the job of everything related to this inn.”
Julia was void of clothing beneath her armor. And didn’t come prepared with a shirt. So with a sigh, she responded, “You can’t cast off the habit your nurse formed? Just for this night?”
Cera’s look clearly said no. And so Julia removed her breastplate. But not before tearing a part of the bed’s sheets to wrap around her upper body. She would allow Cera to use her stomach as a pillow, but nothing more.

hm... everyone must still be reading =o
It's well written o.o

Zis is a lie.
Well writen is highly improbable.

>.<

'Tis better than my last story. 42 pages of off-colour humour and inside jokes. D:

Any inside jokes I could fathom getting?

I spotted a mistake. I am for the your will?

Anyways, is nice!