Fantasy Knights of Pine Shrew

[Calibutcher]

Lady Janet followed the pair without complaint though she was adding up a list of things to discuss with her brother. Namely the lack of entertainment in his small castle town. She knew he was a budding and only just established kingdom yet he seemed to face far to much danger in the short time his kingdom had been around. Even with that she saw little to keep his people happy. After the coming battler changes would need to be made. She would see to them herself if she had too.

Jak hobbled out with Esmeraldas help. Arriving at the barracks she sat him down and he felt relief to be sitting he breathed heavily for a moment. Catching his breath he looked up to Esmeralda. "I may not be able to fight right now, but I cannot stand to be holed up in that little hut any longer. I'll have need of you yet to be sure. The men here have grown complacent and lazy. They need to be whuped back into shape. For now, I'll be able to yell at 'em enough from here." Jak sat upright and took in a long deep breath of air. It hurt to sit up straight but pain was just weakness leaving the body, so he endured. He pointed to a group of guards. "Oi you lot get over here!" The men looked at him in confusion for a moment before recognizing him. They rushed over and greeted him as a returned hero.

Lady Janet grew bored and grabbed Esmeralda by the shoulder. "Come along dear." She offered nothing else and headed for the stables. "I've a feeling you know the extent of what is going on around here as of late. If my Brother is willing to mention Argos in front of you I wonder what else he has shared." She ducked into the stables and went over to her pale white horse. A beautiful Arabian with its mane tied into neat braids. "We go riding Lady knight- sorry what is your name again?"

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda nodded intently as Jak addressed his current state, surprised that he had even lasted as long as he did in the infirmary. From what she knew of Jak, he was not one to stay in the healing process for long. She smiled as he began haggling the guards, glad that he was still here.

Suddenly, a hand-pulled her back, followed by the phrase "Come along dear," and Esmeralda immediately knew Lady Janet was trying to take her somewhere. She shrugged the lady's hand off her shoulder and walked with her to the stables where the lady began to ramble off about Esmeralda's potential roles in the kingdom. After the comment about Argos Esmeralda concluded that this lady was very observant, a quality she herself lacked.

She watched as Lady Janet walked over to her mare, and began to admire it. However, such a trance was cut off by the Lady asking Esmerelda her name.

"I am Lady Esmeralda Ruiz of Pineshrew," she walked over to her own horse a few stalls over and began saddling it. "If I may ask, where would you like to go Lady Janet?"

 

[Calibutcher]

"Knight Esmeralda Ruiz. What a wonderful name. You may not ask where we are going. But you are to follow." Lady Janet mounted her steed and ducked out of the stables as her horse walked out. "I would greatly prefer if you could find it in yourself to simply trust me. Women to women. Or you can go back to Baile and tell him I escaped you. I will agree to any story you fabricate to cover yourself if you so chose." Lady Janet offered nothing else and galloped towards the main gate.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda considered her options, both having their pros and cons. Lady Janet was a curiosity indeed but was she one worth following. While being a sister of the King offered her some credibility, this was a woman Esmeralda knew little to nothing about. This is why, when she was given the option to either go with her or stay Esmeralda didn't hesitate in deciding her position. She was a knight of Pineshrew tasked with protecting those who resided there, and she let the lady gallop off into the night, making no inclination to follow her. Leaning into her freshly saddled horse, Esmeralda let out a sigh and took the saddle off, placing it back on the rack.

"I hope Lady Janet will be safe, though she seems the kind of woman to know who to take care of herself," thought Esmeralda as she walked back to the throne room, "However, I don't think will like that I've let his sister go without any protection, and he may take my title away. Though that is highly unlikely due to the Argos situation currently plaguing the palace."

She placed both hands on the double doors of the throne room, trying to calm her shaking hands.

"Well here goes nothing," and she walked into the throne room.

"I have new my Lord," she said, with a slight bow, "Lady Janet has escaped me, I apologize most sincerely but she is gone."

Esmeralda kept her eyes on the ground not willing to look into the King's eyes.

 

[Calibutcher]

King Baile was talking to Alvaro when Esmeralda came into the doors. Notably alone. He waited a moment after she spoke to see if her sister would come around and explain her ruse but it was not so. Alvaro looked concerned as well and whispered to the King. “No.” Was Bailes only response for a time. Alvaro grew silent and looked towards his daughter forlorn. Baile stood from his throne. “There is not time for this. Go find her. She should still be within the city walls. Just bring her back here and I will deal with her myself then.” Baile waved for Esmeralda to go and turned back to his advisor.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda's fists clenched tightly as the King dismissed her, saying there was no time for this. Her gaze shot at her father, noticing the sympathy in his eyes causing her to feel slightly guilty.

"I don't think you understood me properly, my King," replied Esmeralda, gritting her teeth "I watched her gallop outside the palace gates, it would be difficult to get her back because of this."

 

[Calibutcher]

Baile stopped speaking mid sentence with his advisor. “She left?” He stood back up and marched over to Esmeralda. “Am I remiss? Did I not give you simple enough instruction? Was I unclear in my direction to you. Go wherever she goes. Watch her. Keep her safe. Yet you have watched her leave. You did not try to stop her? What are you? An Agent of Argos sent to torment me?” Each question was followed by him talking a step closer until he was nigh face to face with her. Yet he towered over her and had to look down to meet her gaze.

“My enemy prepares for war and you grow tired of your duties? What are you? Unwilling or just incompetant?” He was practically roaring more than speaking. He grabbed her by both arms and lifted her so she was at eye level with him. “We have to find her now Damn you!” He tossed her towards the door and went for the door himself. “Alvaro! Watch the keep I’ll be back.” His advisor wanted to run to his daughter and help but he was torn now between duty and family. He bit his lip. And only whispered to himself. “Come back please Essie.”


Baile dragged Esmeralda by the arm all the way to the city gate. Baile raised a hand to any guard asking if he needed help. This late at night the streets were mostly empty so no one stood to gawk at the king as he took his knight to the gate. Once outside the gate he conjured dark magic and made a dark astral form of two horses. “Get on, this is faster.”

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda jumped as the King's voice turned from tired to angry. She began to back away as he marched towards her, truly terrified of what he might do to her. Tears pricked her eyes as he yelled at her, the severity of her actions finally kicking in.

"I should've just gone with Ja-" her thoughts were cut short as the King lifted her up, letting her see the pure rage that now encircled his eyes.

She was too shocked to cry as he pushed her towards the door, her eyes lifting up to catch her father's. The horrified expression on his face just made her want to burst into tears even more, but before she could do anything she was forced outside of the throne room. The King's grip on her arm was tight, and after a while became painful as they reached the city gate. As he released her Esmeralda began to rub her arm, and watched as he conjured two horses, and then ordered her to get on one. Despite her frightened state, she managed to climb on the beast and galloped after the King, not wanting to further upset him.

 

[Calibutcher]

King Baile began riding holding himself upright by simply gripping the flanks of the horse with his knees. Even as the beasts galloped at full speed in the direction of his sister kingdom he began moving his hands in a peculiar manner and a faint purple glow rose in a orb above him. The orb began to glow brighter and elongate forming a long arrow. The arrow pointed mostly the same direction they were already heading. He changed course slightly to better align with the arrow. "She shouldn't be too far away" He glanced back at Esmeralda. "Unless you took your time in telling me as well." He turned back and let his steed carry them towards there goal. Perhaps this would be a simple rescue mission after all and he could get back to worrying about the coming attack. Not his rouge sister.

As he began to let himself relax and think rationally again the arrow above his head changed direction suddenly. He frowned as it was now heading towards the forest. "No, Faster!" At his mention of the word both steeds began moving at even greater speed. Faster then any horse could carry a man Baile squinted looking ahead. He though he saw vauge shapes in the shadows. His concern grew when he realized there was more then one shape.

"They have found her already!" He shouted over the thunder of hooves. Who would dare attack a traveling lady other then the agents of his enemy. They closed the gap and the horror became all the clearer. Four riders who looked to be orcs and two Pegasus harrased Lady Janet. She screamed but could not turn her horse away as she was surrounded on all sides. "Kill them!" King Baile shouted for Esmeralda to do what she could but even he at this range had limited options. He reached up and grabbed the lance of darkness that had directed him to his sister. He hurled it and struck a Pegasus. The beast wailed and crashed to the ground. The Orcs began to panic at the new followers. They did not know of any dark magic users who would not be on there side here.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda struggled to stay on the horses as they shot through the woods, following the arrow. The sound of screams soon echoed in her ears, indicating something was going down. Esmeralda's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight before her. Lady Janet was in trouble, surrounded by what could only be assumed to be the agents of Argos.

"Perhaps I misjudged Lady Janet's ability to protect herself," thought Esmeralda.

Esmeralda swung her legs off the horse and stumbled onto the floor. Legs aching from a rough ride, Esmeralda struggled her way up, unsheathing her sword and the same time. Keeping her blade tilted to the ground, Esmeralda sprinted forward towards the cluster of enemies. Bringing her blade upwards, she sliced the ork nearest to her in half, paying no attention to the blood that now slid down her arm. She turned around and thrust her blade into the gut of another ork, watching as he fell to the floor.

 

[Calibutcher]

As a Pegasus dropped to the ground and a knight ran over and sliced an orc in half the other orcs cried out in disbelief. King Baile close in on the other side he armed himself with a sword made out of dark energy. He slashed an Orc clean in half with a single move. Only two Orcs and a pegasus remained. "Remember no survivors, not even us!" The Ork who spoke lept from his horse and straddled in front of Lady Janet. He brought his blade up to the lady's throat and let out a menacing snarl. The other Orc raised his blade at King Baile who conjured another sword and stabbed the orc while blocking the strike with his other blade. A dark tentacle shot from his back and lanced into the flank of the dark Pegasus. The creature brayed and flapped hard trying hard to get away.

"Let her GO!" Baile shouted.
"NO Survivors!" Even as King Baile lunged forward to bat away at the blade the curved orcish blade carved a line into Lady Janet's throat. Lady Janet croaked in pain and light magic flowed around her as it instinctively tried to heal her. But she could not heal a wound with a blade still there. The orc continued to pull back on the blade.

Lady Janet grabbed at the blade trying to wrench it away but she could not escape the blade. It dug deeper and her head separated from her neck. Baile cried out in anguish as Lady Janet's head rolled to the ground. In his agony, Black spikes shot out in all directions. Spikes impaled the other horse the orc and blades of energy even shot through Lady Janet into the orc. Several went towards Esmerelda as well.

Just as it began it was over. Baile looked at the lifeless body of his sister. No words could drop from his open mouth. He sat upon his steed unsure of what to do next.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda watched in horror as the ork decapitated Lady Janet's head, and watched as it rolled to the floor. Guilt weighed heavily on her heart as the scene began to play again and again in her mind.

"I can't do this anymore," thought Esmeralda, "I've messed up one too many times."

Jak.
Leo.
And now Janet, the King's sister.
She had let her die, she had let a wife, queen, sister, and friend to many die.

"This is all my fault,"

Esmeralda screamed out in pain as a black spike stabbed into her calf, sending blood streaming down her leg. Another shot into her right hip, though it was not as deep as the last. Tears streamed out of her face as she looked at the King, now realizing he was the one responsible for her pain. Fear shot down her spine, as she looked around, seeing that the rest of their enemies were gone, all stabbed to death by the same spikes that caused her own injury. Limping back to her horse, Esmeralda winced as she got back onto the saddle, keeping her horse at a canter as she headed back to the palace, fully knowing she probably couldn't endure the pain if she went any faster.

"The King is going to blame me," she thought on the ride home, "He's going to blame me and execute me for it."

She never looked behind her to see if the King was following her, for she was too afraid of what he would do when they got back.

"I wonder what death will be like," pondered Esmeralda, "I just hope it'll be quick."

Reaching the stables, Esmeralda began to attempt to get off the beast but ended up falling on the ground instead. Struggling to get up, Emserlda leaned on the stable's wall for support and waited for the King, wanting to know her fate now rather than later.

 

[Calibutcher]

KIng Baile recovered his dark magic and drew his spikes back, he didn't even really notice Esmeralda riding away. Instead, he was stuck staring at the corpse of his sister. Why had she been so foolish and reckless as to leave without guards. She should have stayed at the castle where it was safe. Baile dismounted and picked up her head. He wrapped it in the folds of his cloak and took her body down from the horse. No tears came yet but he felt many emotions stir in him as he considered his options. For now, he carried her in his arms and walked back to the castle. It took him near an hour but as he approached guards rushed out to meet him and escorted him back into the castle walls.

King Baile nearly walked past Esmeralda as she was sitting on the ground. He stopped and looked down at her. His face was tear-stained and had flecks of black blood on it from the orcs. He let out a sigh. He could see that she was injured at his own doing. He opened his mouth but had to swallow before he could talk as his throat was too dry. "Esmeralda get up." His voice betrayed his emotion as it cracked and pitched from his recent tears. He swallowed hard and choked ou the next worst. "Come with me to the throne room. Your father will want to see you. We will have words."

He strode on to his throne and the doors were opened wide for him. "Bring me a table." Servants obeyed his request and Alvaro rushed over to the king worry clear on his face.
"My lord, whatever happened?"
Baile laid lady Janet on the table and removed his cloak. He covered her body and head with the cloak and let her lay there. It was too gruesome a scene to look at. "You should ask your daughter what happened Alvaro. She should have been there."

Baile turned to the door and waited for Esmeralda to walk in.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda limped her way to the throne room at her King's beckoning, knowing whatever awaited her would be anything but good. Her mind was too flooded with thoughts to dwell too much on the pain that seemed to get worse with every step she took.

"I'm going to have to tread lightly with my words," thought Esmeralda as she now entered the throne room, "By taking full responsibility for the events that have transpired I will seal my fate but tell the truth which may make my fate less severe."

She heard the King say, "You should ask your daughter what happened Alvaro, she should have been there," letting her know that the King indeed did blame her for his sister's death, as he rightfully should.

Her father's gaze now turned to her, and she took deep breaths in and out, composing herself for the next phrase she was to utter.

"Due to my failures in protecting Lady Janet, we found her surrounded by orks and pegasi, and she was killed by them shortly after we arrived," she explained to her father, now fully ready for her fate.

 

[Calibutcher]

King Baile looked at his fallen knight. He looked to Alvaro he pleaded with his eyes only. King Baile found himself in an odd situation now facing the daughter of his advisor who while only newly knighted, had failed him in many ways. The death of his sister was the greatest debacle she had managed. By his right, he could have her killed. Imprisoned. Tortured. Left to rot in a dungeon never to be heard from again. Yet in these perilous times, he could not leave her to such. And with her father as his personal advisor. He owed the man more than that.

"Esmeralda, you bear the responsibility of Lady Janet's death. You have failed me as a knight of Pineshrew. Out of respect for your father and all that he has done for me, your punishment will not be as severe. You are still allowed to reside here with your father in Pineshrew." Alvaro let out a sigh of relief.
"But you are no longer a knight of Pineshrew."

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda's eyes widened at the King's words, which while being true were quite harsh.

"Stripping of my title was not the worse thing the King could do to me," thought Esmeralda, "Though without my father I'd be in a much worse situation."

And so, Esmeralda concluded she needed to leave, now more than ever. Leave the kingdom of Pineshrew and never come back. She turned and limped out of the throne room, no longer feeling safe. She stopped briefly by the infirmary and wrapped her leg for the journey she had ahead of her. Reaching her bedroom, she let her tears out and began packing a small backpack with her things, wanting to leave the palace as soon as possible.

"Essie," Alvaro said, barging into the room, "Are you okay, I mean with the whol-" His eyes narrowed in on the pack on her bed. "Where are you going, Essie?"

She continued to pack her bag, "Away Father."

He grabbed her by the wrists, "Where exactly is this 'away' you speak of? Please don't tell me you're leaving me

She looked her father in the eyes, noticing the deep concern that flooded them. "Father, I need to leave, I can't stay here anymore."

"Look, I'll talk to the King try and get your position bac-"

"No," she replied, "You will do no such thing."

"And why not?"

"I am responsible for the death of the King's sister, which means every time he looks, hears, or speaks about me, he is constantly reminded of what happened tonight. I need to leave, not just for the King's sake but for mine. Becoming a knight was a mistake, it simply isn't a profession that I am cut out for father. I'm sorry I've failed you."

Alvaro wiped the tears off of Esmeralda's face, "No my child, you've never failed, or disappointed me. I only ask, where do you plan to go?"

"Aunt Isabella's, she can find me a profession that suits me better."

"But she is in Creteos, that is at least a three-day ride."

Esmeralda motioned to her pack bag, "I'm leaving tonight for that very reason," she slung the bag over her shoulder, "Goodbye father," and she walked out of the doorway, now with a new purpose in mind.

 

[Calibutcher]

Corrian had been out stalking most of the night. Sleeping was not really terribly necessary for him most of the time. At least when he did sleep it was only in short increments. So when he saw King Baile and Esmeralda leave suddenly his interest was peaked. He did not give chase but he kept alert for the sounds of their return. Corrian had done as asked during the evening hours seeking out nay who would have secret actions. But in a castle town as small as this he was the most suspicious person around. People seemed to know each other well here and be about their own business. Gossip spread too fast here anyway for there to be any effective spying. Especially by a band of warrior beasts led by someone as brash as Argos. All the same, Corrian snooped about listening to conversations through windows. Nothing exciting happened until he heard the gate open again. He rushed that way and saw Esmeralda come back in injured.

He waited until King Baile arrived later with a body. Corrian inhaled sharply. It was lady Janet. He cursed to himself. "Bad luck lady knight." He considered for a moment. "Oh crap, bad luck me." Lady Janet was at least partially his charge as well. His visit to the king came not long after Esmeralda as the body of Lady Janet was still laid on the table. "I'm sorry for your loss my lord."
"Save your grief. Take your pay and leave me."
"As it pleases you, my lord." Corrian made his way to the treasury and received his wage. He made his way to the main gate with his horse and waited for Esmeralda to show up. King Baile had only briefly mentioned her dismissal, but Corrian could guess she would probably be leaving.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda tied her bag over her horse, sighing as she got on. Looking down at her injured ankle, she was reminded of what events had transpired which just made her want to cry. She resolved herself at the thoughts of seeing her aunt Isabella again, it had been so long since she'd seen her last.

"I hope she won't mind me showing up unannounced." thought Esmeralda as she got back onto her horse.

Taking one last look at her home, Esmeralda muttered "Till we meet again father," and galloped toward the city gates. She was surprised to find Corrian waiting for her, making her wonder if he had been detained as well.

"Hello Corrian, I'm assuming you've been let go as well," she asked him.

 

[Calibutcher]

Corrian shrugged. "Well, I got paid for what I did at least. Not much else worth sticking around for here. After all, you can't pay me enough to fight a losing battle." Corrian sat up in his saddle. "So lead the way, wherever you are going has got to be better than here. I have no contracts at the moment and if you are leaving it'll be safer for us to travel together. Argos likely will still have agents patrolling the border." Corrian lead his horse out the gate. "Oh, and you'll need to have someone help you before your leg gets infected."

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda nodded at Corrian's words and agreed with him wholeheartedly.

"I'm heading to Cretos," said Esmeralda, as she sent her horse into a gallop, now finally beginning her three-day journey.

However, they only rode for about 2 hours before Esmeralda suddenly became very tired, then realizing how long it had been since she had last slept. She felt the deep lures of sleep take over her system, causing her eyes to droop and brain to go numb. Esmeralda's body dropped to the ground, sending a sharp pain through her body. Esmeralda's torso shot up at the pain, head throbbing from just having fallen off a horse. Her horse, being well trained, did not run from her but did let out a confused snort at the action. Using her horse as a wall, Esmeralda began to stand back up, but stumbled back down, ankle too injured to stand on in its current state.

"Do you think we could stop here for the night," asked Esmeralda, looking at Corrian, "I don't think I can go any further without resting for a bit."

 

[Calibutcher]

In the two hours of riding Esmeralda Didn't say much. Who could blame her? She was no longer a knight and surely had a lot on her mind to process. He refrained from witty comments and snide remarks. He was not her friend but he had no reason to be her enemy. Two hours in and she fell from her mount. Corrian pulled on the Reigns and turned back. He lept from his mount to check on her. Quickly though he could see the cause of her ailment. She had simply fallen asleep on her mount.

He half-smiled at the request for rest."No Esmeralda we cannot rest here for the night. It is only just morning. If we wait till nightfall we will surely be found." He looked around there would be no suitable place to hide for miles yet. He sighed. "You do need your rest though." Corrian helped her to her feet and then hefted her back on her horse. "One day you should learn how to sleep and ride." He tied his horse to hers and jumped up on her horse behind her. "You sleep, I'll keep you from falling off." He reached around her and grabbed the reigns. He could not push the horse as fast now but it was better than walking. "I know the way to Creotos anyway." He cantered along on her horse with his following close behind. He would not risk staying in these lands overnight without a proper hiding place at least.

He rode well into the afternoon, a roadside inn however looked to be a much better place to stay than anything else he had found. He got a room and paid for horse keep and the like. He helped the tired knight to her bed. However, before going to rest himself he unwrapped her ankle wound. Only then did he find that was not her only wound. A stab wound near her hip needed work as well. "You're a mess." He cleaned her wounds and rebandaged them. "You'll need to clean those daily if you want them to heal. Anyway. NIght." He laid out a matt on the floor and laid down to rest for a bit.

 

[walkthewolf101]

Esmeralda was too tired to care as Corrian rode them to the inn, keeping his promise to not let her fall. He then led her to bed, redressed her wounds, and went to bed himself soonafter. Snuggling into the pillow, Esmeralda began to slip into a dream.

Jak swung towards the mage with no avial, dark magic spreading through his body. He fell to the ground dead, his face forever in pain.

Leo, surronded by wolves began to swing his pitchfork in a panic, unaware of that his fate was already set. The wolves jumped on him as a pack, mauling his body to bits.

Lady Janet had tears streaming down her face, throat hoarse from screaming. Her eyes pleaded to Esmeralda to save her as the ork sliced her head off, leaving it to roll to the floor.

The three images of the people whose blood was now on Esmeralda's head now stood side by side, replaying over and over and over again, all with the same result.

Esmeralda woke up in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. She looked around, trying to figure out where she was, until her eyes fell on Corrian's sleeping figure, then the memories flooded back to her. She swung her legs over the bed and slowly stood herself up, keeping her weight off her injured ankle. She walked over to her bags that were placed on a chair and put on an overcoat and grabbed her coinpurse.

Heading downstairs, Esmeralda asked for a glass of milk and sat down, thoughts swarming her head. A little later a barmaid walked up to her, and handed her the glass. She sipped on it as she watched the sun rise, wondering how far they were from Cretos now.

 

[Calibutcher]

Corrian heard Esmeralda wake with a start. He opened a single eyelid and watched as she limped out of the room. It seemed they had slept enough for the night. By his estimation, it was nigh morning now. He had slept plenty as well. After she walked out he stretched himself out on the floor before slowly rolling up off the floor. She had not really packed to leave yet so he decided he could join her for breakfast.

He sat at the bar next to her and ordered some hot oats. He picked up the bowl and partially uncovered his face turning away from Esmeralda to slurp down the food. He wiped at his mouth and recovered his face. "Rough night huh?" He slid some coins across the table to pay for his meal and a bit extra. "You want any real food yet? Or are you still in denial?" He didn't know the extent of Esmeralda's past but being relieved of knighthood would surely be a traumatic event. Corrian had pissed off a couple of nobles when he had failed a job or not finished it to the desired extent. But never a king.

 

[walkthewolf101]

"I'm not very hungry," replied Esmeralda to Corrian's comment on breakfeast.

She then left to their room and changed into a fresh set on clothes, opting for a dress over pants so that fabric would come into contact with her ankle less often. She tied her longsword onto her waist, and finshed packing her bags and head back downstairs, eagar to get to Cretos as soon as possible.

Heading to the barns, Esmeralda hoisted her way onto her stead, and galloped off to Cretos.

:::::: (Two days later) ::::::

Esmeralda sent her horse into a trot as she neared her aunt's land, barely recongizing it after the 11 yesrs she had been gone. Flowers were strung down the fence line to her aunt's cottage. Esmeralda let out two ong whistles, signaling she had come home.

A stout woman, whose age was in her forties walked out the cottage confused. That is until she recongized her neice, and her face light up with joy.

"Oh dearest Essie," she said, running up the girl, "Is that really you."

Esmeralda couldn't help but smile as she got off her horse, engulfing her aunt in a hug. "Yes, Aunt Isabella, it really is."

The two sperated and her aunt got a good look at her, "My, my look how you've grown! Not making mud pies anymore I assume."

"No, no, not anymore."

Her aunt let out a laugh at the girl's comment, causing her to look behind Esmeralda. She was greeted by the black figure of Corrian, to which she smiled at.

"And who is this Esmeralda, a friend of yours?"

Esmeralda turned behind her, remebering her traveling companion.

"Aunt, this is Corrian," she replied.

"Pleasure to meet you Corrian I am Esmeralda's Aunt Isabella," She took her neices ahnds in hers, "Come along you two, put your horses in the stables. I'm sure we have much to talk about."

And she led them inside.

 

[Calibutcher]

Two days of hard riding brought Corrian and Esmeralda to Cretos. He trailed behind though as they came into farmland unfamiliar to him. The pair had not talked much in their travels so far. She was all boxed up, offering only the necessities on any conversation. All the same, he stayed with her. He couldn't quite figure why he wanted to stay around here but no other business called to him and she seemed like a soul who needed help. More importantly, she was one of the few to see him as anything more than just an assassin.

He watched awkwardly as Aunt Isabella and Esmeralda greeted each other warmly. He feared this may be the parting of ways for them. Yet Isabella offered no qualms with his company. "Greetings M'lady" He didn't have time to say much else before he too was invited inside. "As long as I'm not a burden" Yet Isabelle offered no qualms and soon he found himself in her quaint home.