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 Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 12:17 pm
Her time in Zena had been fully interesting. Much better than she had thought it would be. Constynce had traveled to Zena upon her betrothed’s request, and the thought of a snow covered land was a little frightening to the Tale native. However, there was just as much life in Zena to be found. The people were so interesting, if not a little distant. Some were quite friendly though, and she was glad to have met them. The plant life was so different from home’s, and it had been a treat to explore and examine how the plants thrived under such weather. Unfortunately, she’d come to Zena for a reason other than exploring the world.
While she’d been present in most of the meetings that had taken place, she held little interest in what was occurring. The people of this Zenan tribe wanted an open and free trade deal with her fiance’s- er- her home. The chieftain’s son held the mindset of most Tale folks, and refused to allow an outsider such a firm hold in his community. Sitting in that large room with the fire roaring, Constynce felt colder under those stern and irritated expressions than she did when standing out in the wind. Thus, the meetings and negotiations proved fruitless in the end, leaving both sides rather discontented, and they were heading back.
Of course, when she was told it was time to leave, she couldn’t help feeling a wave of relief.
Constynce was packing her bag, which mostly consisted of plants she wanted to dry and press back in Tale. It would probably be difficult with these hardier plants, but she thought she could do it. Above all else... she was looking forward to having the sun on her skin again. Looking at the various layers she had to put on to protect herself from the cold, she sighed heavily and got to work. At the least, she had a little more time with that stony escort, Tryston. She’d been told that the bodyguard would be their escort out of Zena, seeing as he’d done such a fine job so far. Maybe she could finagle a few more tiny smiles out of the usually stoic face, which would be a fine ending to her time in the snowy lands.
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 12:43 pm
Tryston sharpened the blade that he had gotten from Lyrie. While the man hadn’t deemed him an official sword yet, he still had gifted his son with an older weapon. It wasn’t the finest looking piece, but it was still a sturdy make and could cut. He doubted he would need to cut anything as the trip had been calm thus far, but who knew? Tryston just shook his head. Somehow he had been drafted to continue his guarding mission despite Constynce being with her fiancé. Though honestly the appearance of the other male only served to make Tryston more uncomfortable.
Surely it was because he wasn’t a fellow sword.
The feeling of leaving his charge with someone that he didn’t know was strange. But perhaps that was from the fact that he was simply new to his role. Eventually as he guarded more people he would grow accustomed to separation. Tryston frowned at the thought. It wasn’t like he was completely inexperienced…. still the male just needed focus. Once this was over with he could go home to the mountains and begin his true role as a swordsman.
As the others prepared to move ahead, Tryston walked back towards where he had last seen the leaf girl. “Ready?” Approaching he glanced over at her bag, slightly bemused. “Did you get everything you needed?” Even here in Zena he could leave it to Constynce to find some plants to take along with her.
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 1:20 pm
Constynce looked up when someone entered the room, and smiled brightly. "Perhaps not everything, but enough." Now covered in her layers of pants, skirts, socks, and sweaters, plus a pair of boots, mittens, a hat and a scarf, she stiffly stood up. Once her bag was tied shut, she headed over toward Tryston. "I hear you're coming with us to the border. Thank you."
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 2:01 pm
It was still strange seeing her in so many layers of clothing, but it did serve to save the flush that he had before when he had first encountered her. He was glad that Zena was cold else he would fear for himself with so many women running around without much coverage. When he realized that he was staring at her while lost in his thoughts the male blinked, "As long as you can manage to carry it all then. Should you need help just let me know."
At her thanks, Tryston just shrugged. "It's my duty to protect my charge. Since your fiance is so busy it seems that he still needs me around to make sure that you arrive safely in Tale." He moved towards the door and held it open for her, "They're already with the caravan. If we don't move now then we may get separated by the snows."
Certainly it was clear enough for now, but the clouds in the distance foretold another snow coming from the mountains. Tryston wasn't too worried, however, since it seemed more like a light dusting would be on its way. It was a dangerous time though with the warmer months starting to work their way on the icy paths. Not that much of Zena ever seemed to melt, but there was always the chance of loose snow. And their paths would be in the mountains...It was another reason they needed him. Since he could navigate the safest paths for the party to take. Even if it should blizzard the boy would still know his way around the villages. Lyrie had made certain to teach him that.
As he noticed the others disappearing from sight Tryston moved to help Constynce out the door and onto the road, "Careful, it's slick here." His hand pressed against the small of her back as he guided her down the icy ground that lead towards the trail.Once her feet touched steady ground again Tryst would make certain to let go and take a step back before continuing on. The road ahead would be rocky, but far less slick than the snowy banks that were rarely touched.
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 2:28 pm
"Oh, I can handle this fine," she chirped, slinging the pack securely to herself. Despite finally having met the man, thinking of her fiance still sent an unpleasant pinch in her belly. Besides, what was he busy with? They were only walking home... Still, she smiled through her discomfort and followed.
"It's so much easier to balance with bare feet on the ground," she grumbled slightly as she was guided over the icy spots. She knew being barefoot on the ice wouldn't help, but she felt like pouting anyway. The amount of layers she had to wear to stay warm would make anyone grumpy! Looking at the caravan further ahead, she couldn't help herself snorting loudly. "If they didn't want us separated from them, they could have waited one more moment. I didn't take that long."
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Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2016 6:30 pm
Tryston faintly shook his head at her comment, "To each their own." He commented thoughtfully. He had been barefoot a few times while training, but for the most part boots had saved his feet several times in the worst of Zena's winters. It gave him traction when he was walking through the snows, but at the same time he still was reminded of those times he had to go barefoot -well mostly naked save for a pair of pants- while climbing through the freezing waterfalls at the top of the mountains. The others had joked that Lyrie must really have been wanting to punish him for training so hard - even to the point of death in those freezing waters.
"It's not you." Tryston commented quietly as he guided her along the trail, "They still had business to discuss." His expression shifted into more of a frown, "Council meetings may end, but the aftermath may take days to really sort out." At least that was what he had noticed since Serana had started attending those cursed meetings. Until her family had forbade him to guard her the two had always discussed the troubles that were present in the council. Well mostly he had listened to her talk about her concerns. Each time he felt that the girl was more and more troubled after their meetings.
Shaking his head Tryston returned to the present. "The weather should be fine today, but it's best if we stay close in case of a sudden storm." It almost looked like a smile threatened to cross his normally reserved features, "Nothing like your rain storms, but some snow could definitely make our paths much harder to climb."
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:20 pm
Constynce looked up at Tryston, brows knit curiously. More business? "Days?" Sighing heavily, she looked at the caravan ahead. What sort of life was she marrying into? Was she always going to be walking behind; there but not truly involved? Not that she wanted to play politics, but she had hoped for a slightly larger role than shadow... Would her new fiance even notice if she fell behind?
"That snow had better not slow us down. The weather won't be 'fine' again until we get nearer to Tale," she said with a playful smirk, pulling her outer coat tighter to make her point. She was quite looking forward to being warm without needing to depend on layers again!
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:23 am
As if he could sense what she was mulling over Tryston almost reached out a hand to Constynce. “It’s best that we are back here.” He commented with an attempt at a small smile, “Else we may go deaf from all of the arguing. It’s a mercy to allow you to enjoy the last of Zena as well. I truly hope that you’ve enjoyed seeing this country.” Feeling awkward in his attempt to steer the topic to lighter things a slightly flushing Tryston glanced to the side. Truly why hadn’t he just been hired to fight? This escorting business and communication thing…it really was not his forte.
“Was it really so bad?” Despite her playful smirk, Tryston took the girl at her words. “I’ve always thought the snow and ice of Zena was seen as charming…” He trailed off before glancing away again. Perhaps to someone who enjoyed life and plants so much….obviously it wouldn’t be charming at all to her, “Then hopefully we get you home quickly.” He finished before picking up his pace again.
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 6:52 pm
Tryston's gentle assurance made Constynce sigh softly. He was probably right. She shouldn't be so concerned about it. It would surely have been worse up ahead.
Looking around at the pure snow shimmering in the dim morning light, Constynce stretched an arm out to casually hook it with Tryston's. She really shouldn't tease. "Oh, it wasn't all bad. I promise!" she said quickly, giving his arm a tug. "It's just the cold that I don't like so much. ..The snow is really pretty. And the ice. " Just, too much of it... "I like how it all sparkles in the light." She looked up hopefully, leaning in to see if she'd fixed the irritation she'd caused.
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:59 pm
While her sudden touch made him tense up the male did feel a bit of relief at the reassurance, "Unfortunately for you that they both go together." He replied though her sparkling comment did bring the hint of a smile to his features, "I suppose though it's like how the rain was rather enjoyable....if not too hot?" He frowned as he thought about an ideal word for how the storm made everything feel before it hit, "More like my skin was sticky." Like he had ran through the evergreen trees along the mountain. Once that sap was on your skin then you'd feel it for hours later even after diving into the river.
"But you do like how the ice sparkles then?" He seemed thoughtful at the thought as his hand moved towards a pouch hanging at his side, "Does it ever snow in Tale?" Tryston's forehead creased more as he tried to sort his thoughts, "I'm not familiar with much outside of Zena so your weather confuses me."
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 5:31 pm
Smile softening, Constynce nodded lightly. "It's been nice to see, but I'm ready to be home." Home? She wasn't going home though. It was a new town, with new people, and her... Goodness, taking so long to settle in was making the process that much more difficult.
She nodded reassuringly. "Yes, the sparkle is so pretty! It's so.. pure, and fresh.." Head tipping slightly, she thought a moment before shaking her head. "This was my first time seeing snow. Perhaps in the northern most villages?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 5:51 pm
Home...that was right. Tale is her home as Zena is mine. That was why they liked such different things... Tryston almost flushed before he finally reached into his bag and picked something out. It was smooth and shimmered in the light - a crystal that had fallen from the necklace he would wear. "In the light it reflects colors as the ice and snow would. I have no need for such trinkets, but it can be a reminder of Zena for you. Just in case you may never get to see snow in the northern villages either...." He tossed it over towards her before pressing forward.
But it was only a few moments later that Tryston heard the first noises of a scuffle. It seemed that they were no longer alone. Gaze narrowing the boy reached for the sword at his side. A fight here? It seemed with the way the caravan was scrambling up ahead that no one was truly expecting such a foul surprise. Turning Tryston watched as the first of their attackers moved behind Constynce, "Move forward!" His voice, suddenly sharp, rang out in the mountain path as he reached around the girl to stop another's blade. Just one....more were up front? Cursing softly under his breath Tryston prepared to deal quickly with the assailant before focusing on guiding Constynce forward towards the rest of the caravan.
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 6:16 pm
Constynce looked over curiously as Tryston spoke. Hands flying up, she squeaked with surprise when she caught the crystal. It.. did look like a chunk of ice, but it wouldn't freeze her hand to hold it. A flush rose to her cheeks in awe. A.. gift? From Tryston? She tucked the little treasure deep into her pack, afraid to lose it in the snow.
The thank you she was about to give immediately stalled when she saw her escort tense up. It was only then that she realized something was wrong. She gasped sharply at the order, but quickly did as she was told. The clang of the swords so close behind her made her knees shake. She couldn't see what was happening, an her mind instantly went back to the tragedy of her home.
Her movements were impeded by the layers of clothing... In surprisingly quick thinking, she shed a few layers just in time for Tryston to push her along. "What's going on?" she cried out, shadows of tall bug women haunting her mind.
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 6:21 pm
"An attack." Tryston hurried them along in time to see more men popping out of the snows to attack the few guards that traveled with the caravan. "Don't ask why." Another pair of swords clang around them and the male reached around to stop another blade with his own. A faint frown crossed his features as he noted the strange handle before he moved again. It seemed that this group was pretty intent on stopping the caravan...but why?
His thoughts had no time to continue as he shoved another attacker off of a leaf guard, "Constynce...run!" The male's words were sharp as he moved her forward. It seemed more like they were stalling them on this part of the path...anyone else would have taken an attack more seriously. It seemed more like they were being played with...what exactly was this group waiting for?
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 7:29 pm
Constynce felt a little better being able to move, but the urge to panic clutched her stomach like an icy hand. An attack. Her family was already dead... Were they coming after her now? Were they finishing what they'd started with her family?!
The horrible thoughts weighed her own more than the clothes did, but the snapping order pulled her from sinking down. This wasn't like back then! This was very different. Looking back at Tryston while he fought, she bit her lip before running. Gasping at the cold air was making her lungs hurt while the bitter wind made her eyes water. He'd told her to not ask, but the question spun through her mind. Why? Why?
Focusing ahead, she saw her fiance running toward her with a couple guards on his heels. He.. was trying to reach her. For a moment, he became the knight from her story books.
That fantasy ended when a pair of attackers jumped out from hiding. One went after the chief-to-be, who spun and bolted back for the caravan while the two that had been with him fought. The two attackers easily met the Tale guards blow for blow while also clearly making sure that Constynce couldn't get by them easily. One brief window came, and she ran for the gap. Rather than escape though, it got her caught. An attacker jumped when she passed him, grabbed her arm and swung her to the ground. She was still moving too slowly with the layers on! A foot stepped on her stomach to pin her down, and the tip of a blade pressed to her chest menacingly, keeping the guards at bay.
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