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We Rise: Reborn

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:28 pm

Hooves slammed into the ground as the Phoenix pushed through enemy lines, her goal to get as far into the opposing territory as quickly as she could. Her large steed knocked over, and trampled, soldiers as she urged the animal forward. Sounds seemed slow, and dull, adrenaline rushing through her body. Covered completely in Dread garb, bright white and briliant gold, the Passerby soldiers were none the wiser to who she was.

The steed reared up onto its hind legs, bucking and kicking as the two were surrounded. Not wanting to hurt the animal, she dismounted and ordered it to go. It took off, disappearing through a mass of colliding bodies. With orders to take out everyone she could, she drew her sword, and began fighting deeper into their ranks. Blood splashed across her clothes, marring the beautiful white. It didn't matter. She knew that once she had fulfilled her mission none of that would matter any longer. Men surrounded her, pushing forward, closing her in. She defended as many attacks as she could, but she was outnumbered ten to one. It was time.

As she fell, drawing her last breath, her helmet fell from her face, revealing fire colored hair. Immediately the soldiers retreated, and the Phoenix smiled as the light left her eyes knowing that none of them would survive. Her body shuddered, bright light encasing her as it rose into the air. A shockwave went out, the force of it pulling in anyone within a half mile radius. Cries of fear and disorientation echoed across the land, as the soldiers tried to scatter. A second shockwave went out, followed by heat and fire, cleansing the land of all that were within the perimeter.

As the smoke cleared, a perfect circle of ash littered the ground, nothing left of the men that had been there moments before. Only a pale girl remained, lying immobile in the exact center. The Phoenix had been reborn from the ashes once again.

***

The Dread soldiers had not reached their Phoenix before she was taken, now the Passerby people had their ultimate weapon.

The soldiers took the unconscious girl into their city, unsure of what would happen once she were to awaken. In their fear they chained her down, locking her in a cell deep beneath the city where none would find her.

They didn't know that when darkness fell upon her mind, all memories, all knowledge faded away. Her past lives were lost, locked deep into her subconscious. The poor girl would wake, lost, alone, and deeply afraid.

***

It was days before the girl woke from her deep sleep, her body and mind recovering from the shock of her death and rebirth. When her eyes fluttered open, and feeling came back to her limbs, fear and panic descended upon her.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:28 pm

"Thief! Stop now, in the name of the king!"

Through the streets a young man ran ran, tearing around corners and done alleys as he attempted to evade the city guard. Every step put a little more distance between himself and the lightly armored guards. Even when he came to a dead end, William did not worry. Spinning around, he put the wall to his back and watched as steel and flesh, grinning at all three of them. "You've stolen your last coin, trash. You'll rot in the dungeon... if you live."

"You guys never learn, do you? How many times have we been down this road? Tell you what, let's cut to the chase. I'm going to humiliate you in front of each other, escape, you're going to get in trouble for losing me. So how about we just call it a day? You go your way... i'll go mine... and we'll just pick it up another time. Sound good?"

Of course neither of the three of them agreed to William's terms, choosing instead to rush forward with swords drawn. Immediately the thief broke into action. Though he wielded no weapons, he wore the same confident grin. The first slash came at him from above, easily sidestepped. William's hands went to the hilt of the sword as his foot slammed into the solider's stomach, dislodging the weapon and sending him sprawling to the ground.

The second attack was a swipe, a wide sweeping ark that required a quick dodge to avoid injury. The newly acquired sword shot from his hand, striking the guard's face with the handle, instantly breaking his nose. The third man, somewhat smarter and more prudent than his compatriots, hesitated while he tried to determine the best way to apprehend the accused thief. Realizing that he stood no chance against him, the guard let his sword fall to the ground.

"Good choice," William said with a smile. A bit of parkour took him to the roof tops and out of harm's way. It was the start of a beautiful day, and William was just getting started.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:28 pm

Time was lost inside the cell. Stone walls on all sides, a thick oak door locked shut, no windows with which to see the sun. There was nothing. The newly awoken Phoenix could have been down there for days, months, she had no idea. The chains on her wrists only have her so much room to move around inside the small, dirty space.

A few times she had been visited by men and guards. They asked her questions in a language she didn't understand, then shouted and beat her for her silence. They gave her no clothes, and barely enough food and water to survive. Looking at her, one could see her bones poking out through her skin. She was severely malnourished.

For some reason they kept waving a book of familiar symbols in her face, calling her by a name she recognized: Thea. Maybe that was her name. Maybe that familiar writing was hers? But why were they shouting at her? Why couldn't she understand them?

Whispers broke through the door and the girl tensed, fear creeping up her spine. People were back, but why? She couldn't understand them!

"I swear! It's the Phoenix!"

"Bullshit."

"Take a look."

The door creaked open, and a sliver of light fell on her.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:29 pm

William crept through the town, skulking like a nocturnal creature trying to work its way home in the daytime, avoiding areas with sparse traffic. When he finally reached his home, he dropped down from his perch on a nearby roof and sneaked in through a hidden hatch next to the building. He removed his shoes and the scarf that concealed his identity, stashing them away inside a hidden niche in the rear closet, then made his way deeper into his home.

It was not a large place, barely large enough to suit a full grown man. Each room was walled off from the others, giving it a very disjointed kind of feel. Part of the building had been turned into something of a store front, a permanent vendor where the locals could bring their possessions for repair or sharpening. It was not uncommon for someone to bring in a pair of boot, a sword, or even a saddle. Gadgets are commonly brought in, as no one else seemed to be able to fix them effectively.

Underneath the structure was a single room, almost the same exact size as what existed above it. It was an open space, though cluttered with machines, gears, a random assortment of parts, and the like. The only sign that anyone lived there was a small space that had been cleared out enough to suit a bedroll. It was William's home sweet home, his sanctuary from the outside world. It was there that he changed his outfit, shedding the cumbersome long shirt for a sleeveless shirt and donning a new pair of pants, which bore several pockets perfect for holding objects he used often in his work.

He hadn't been to work long when he heard the knock on the wall.

"A customer already? Huh..." Curious thoughts circulated through William's mind as he raced up the ladder. After pulling a jacket over his arms and popping the collar up, he unlocked the hatched and pulled upward, sliding open the vendor door to find a stately fellow in nice clothing on the other side. Judging by his appearance, William believed him to be a noble of some kind, or perhaps someone with a very lucrative business.

"Sorry, sir. I haven't had time to open the shop yet. Can I help you?"

The fine-looking gentleman stood silently for a moment, regarding William almost passively, as if he acknowledged his presence but felt it beneath him to truly study him. The silence passed when the gentleman slid a piece of paper across the bar to William, who took it and carefully unfolded it.

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't read."

Again there was silence, and William understood right away what was happening. He was not stupid, and he knew William wasn't either. The charade was up long before it began, so the tinkerer dropped the act and focused again on the words.

"Hello craftsman. I wish to hire you for a special job that only one with talents such as yours would be able to handle. My servant, whom you have just met cannot speak, but he knows the details enough to detail exactly what it is that I require from you. I have already made arrangements to pay you for your time and services, should you accept my offer."

"Several days ago the Passerby army acquired an object of immense value, something that could turn the tide of this war in their favor. It is scheduled to be transferred from its current location to a safe place, where they can study it more thoroughly. It is imperative that it not reach its destination. You will intercept and obtain the object, then bring it back to my servant."

"In return for your services, I will pay you five hundred pieces of gold up front, and another thousand when the job is done. But be warned: the military will not let this item go easily. It must not be harmed, or our contract will be voided. I look forward to your answer."


For a long moment, William considered simply killing the servant once the down payment was obtained, but thought better of it. With that much liquid assets at his command, whomever the benefactor was would not be someone to trifle with.

"Alright... tell me more."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:29 pm

The men that had visited Thea had left without getting too close. They had just gawked at her, and threw things at her like she was an animal in a zoo to poke fun at. She didn't like it, but at least they didn't come into her cell, that she was thankful for.

Several hours passed before anyone else had come to her cell, and once again, whispers echoed around her. Words jumbled together, that foreign tongue confusing her, making her fear and panic rise. The voices were aggressive, speaking fast in hushed tones. Something was going on and it was frustrating to not know what.

Men came into her room, four at least. They approached her, grabbing her by the arms and yanking her to her feet. The chains were removed from her wrists, replaced with heavier ones that encased her whole hand. A sack was forced over her body and a mask forcefully pulled down over her head to conceal her identity. Thea pulled back, struggling to get back, not wanting to go where they were taking her.

She cried out, terror seeping into her veins, its cold grip holding onto her tightly. "No! Please..!" Thea pleaded, but just as she couldn't understand them, they couldn't understand her.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:30 pm

The meeting continued a little while longer. William would speak, asking questions and making statements, to which the servant would reply with a gesture or a written response. They would meet again outside of the city, where the transaction could take place away from the prying eyes of the public and the guard. William kept his mouth shut and his tongue bit when it came to speaking about how he could complete the job. Details were the most important part of any transaction or interaction, but only those who needed to know should know.

When the silent servant left, William took a few moments to collect his thoughts, then went back to his shop to prepare. Burglary was just as much an art as it was a science. One could possess all the grace in the world, but without proper knowledge of the situation, getting caught would require no special skills or luck.

Of course, a bit of magic could go a long way for one who knew how to use it.

William prepared for the event moreso than any other in his past. He considered as many variables as possible and based his needs on the most logical outcomes. He knew the route the convoy would take. He knew the layout of the town. Weather. Population. Approximate size of the item he was tasked with retrieving. The only step left to take was the one that would decide the outcome of the entire job.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:30 pm

Thea was taken up many flights of stairs, her weak body barely able to handle the sudden movements. For a brief moment she felt the sun on her skin, but the mask over her face concealing her identity hindered her ability to see. She stumbled forward, reveling in the feeling of the suns rays on her skin; then suddenly she was shoved forward and into the back of, what felt like, a truck with a canvas top. The chains on her hands were hooked into a clasp on the floor, and once again she was unable to move properly. Hunched over, the cool metal against her legs sent shivers down her spine, the position more uncomfortable than had been in the cell.

She traveled like that for what felt like an eternity, when the vehicle suddenly came to a stop. Once again she yanked outside, a slight breeze had kicked up, but still warm compared to what she had been used to. Words were exchanged between her handler and someone else, anxiety welling up inside of her. Where was she going? Why did her face have to be hidden? And, as always, why were they speaking in a language she couldn’t understand. Thea didn’t know who she was, where she was, or what was going on. It would have been less difficult if she could at least understand the language, but she couldn’t. Not knowing why was going to drive her mad. More words were spoken, then she was pulled forward towards what sounded like another vehicle, but she didn’t want to go.

Again Thea pleaded for them to let her go, but her words fell on deaf ears, and she was shoved forward.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:30 pm

Over and over in his head, William reviewed the mission details, the repetition helping to steady himself and calm his nerves. He was not particularly fearful to do a job, but it did bring a rush of excitement that caused him to grin almost constantly. The danger fueled him, added fire to his blood in a way that nothing could replace. When the small, non-descript caravan came into view, William narrowed his eyes. His grin disappeared but only half way, the right corner of his mouth left curling upward.

The servant's information proved to be accurate to the very last detail. The few men and women on horseback were guards in disguise. There was a driver at the reigns of a wagon drawn by two brown horses with black manes and tails. Next to the driver was an older gentleman, presumably another guard, making four plus the driver. William didn't know if there was someone inside the covered wagon with the target item, but he was convinced that he'd be able to handle himself if there was.

Finally the time for action came. William's hands worked furiously to prepare for his assault. First he grasped a metal tube, half as long as he was tall, and, after muttering a brief word of magic, pointed it at a building across the road. From the makeshift cannon shot a thick metal arrow, the back of which was tied to a long chain that had been anchored to the tree. The bolt embedded itself in the stone, securing a line that would take him straight across.

While the guards below were still surprised and distracted, William leaped forward, using a shuttle to slide down the chain, which was hooked to his vest. The thief unbuckled the harness just as he neared the driver, sending him into a dive that dismounted both the driver and his bench neighbor. A flick of the reigns drove the horses into motion, the cart cutting down stone streets on his way to the city gates, the remaining guards in hot pursuit.

William, however, was not concerned. From a pocket inside his cloak he withdrew two small glass jars, both corked to trap the liquid inside them. He tossed them above his head, just high enough to come down on the ground behind the cart. Instantly brilliant flashes of light illuminated the area, accompanied by a loud POP! Both the three guards and the horses they rode cried out as their senses were assaulted by the grenades.

By the time they regained their senses, William, the cart, and its contents, were no where to be found.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:31 pm

The commotion outside her carriage, and the sudden jolts cause Thea to panic. Whatever was going on outside was bad news for her if she was being jerked around in the back. She heard the guards shouting, their tones urgent, only making the girl feel more fearful than she had been.

Thea began to pull at the chains on her hands, the thick metal clasps cutting into her wrists, bruising her pale skin. Frantically she struggled, her breaths coming out in ragged, panicked gasps. Loud noises assaulted her ears, causing her to freeze, petrified. If the guards didn't have her anymore, then who did? She was already in a foreign land, with people she didn't know, surrounded by a language she didn't understand. What could possibly make the situation worse?

Her body began to shake, and she felt tears well up in her eyes. Shifting as far away from the entrance as she could, she huddled, immobilized by her fear.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:31 pm

Satisfied at the amount of distance he had been able to put between himself and his pursuers, William pulled slowly and firmly on the reigns, bringing the horses to a gradual walking pace. Around another bend was part two of the escape plan. Underneath a cover of thatch simple wood framing was another cart, this one hitched to a single black mare. It was a much more plain-looking cart, just fancy enough to blend in with all the other middle class citizens in town. It was that wagon that would transport the stolen goods the rest of the way to his benefactor's servant.

William hopped down from his driver's perch and pulled their getaway vehicle onto the road. A small, sharp rock he produced and used the edge to cut the horses free, knowing that a knife cut would be obvious. Once the job was done, it was time to load up the goods. Not knowing what to expect, William pulled his jacket off, letting his arms feel the cool air against them. Sleeves could get in the way, after all. Without wasting even a moment, William unlocked the padlock with relative ease and threw open the doors.

He stood, mouth agape, at what he saw.

There was no weapon. No treasure chest stuffed to the brim with precious metals and gems. No item at all, but a girl. A young woman chained to the floor, huddled in the corner of the cart like an abused animal. For a long moment, William just stood there, trying to process what he was seeing.

Reasoning that she must have been a prisoner, possibly a fugitive or an abductee, William reached out and grasped the cold metal handle and pulled himself inside, his eyes darting back and forth between the woman and the lock.

"Ssshhh... keep quiet. Don't want to alert your friends..."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:31 pm


The door creaked open, startling Thea. She heard someone step inside, then more of that language. She wanted to disappear into the air, vanish without a trace, but that was impossible.

"Please.. don't hurt me..." she spoke in the only language she knew, pleading with whoever was in front of her. Without being able to see, she couldn't determine whether or not this new being was friend or foe. Her fear was crippling, and the closer he got to her, the more she shied away. He was going to hurt her, too, wasn't he?

Thea felt hot tears rolling down her cheeks, whimpering softly. What was the point in trying to speak to him? He couldn't understand her! No one could.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:32 pm

Immediately William froze, his pick still inside the heavy iron lock binding the woman to the floor. If he wasn't so sure of what he'd heard, he'd swear that he had fallen ill in the mind. But it was there, clear as a lightning strike on a rainy day. There was no mistaking the Dread dialect in the woman's voice. Her tone spoke volumes to the horror she had already been through.

William returned to his work, his fingers moving deftly, twirling and pressing his picks inside the lock. Though he possessed magic that could open locks, he preferred not to use it unless he had to. Softly he stepped forward, leaning toward the mysterious trembling body concealed from his view. "Ssshh... it's okay," William said softly in Dread, hoping that would calm her long enough to free her.

Slowly he pulled the dark bag off her head, discarding it to the floor, giving her a full view of the man who had just wrestled her from the army's grasp.

"You're safe now."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:33 pm

As the bag was pulled from her head, her hair fell down her back, the reds and oranges dull, matted with dirt. It was evident that she hadn't had a brush near her in quite some time. Thea stared up at the man with wide eyes, tears making muddy tracks down her dirtied, bruised cheeks. Did she hear him right? Not only did he understand what she said, he responded back to her.

As her eyes adjusted, she noticed that he had familiar symbols covering his arms. Who was he, and why could he understand her when no one else could? Even as the shackles fell from her wrists, she pulled her arms close to her body, recoiling from him in fear and distrust.

"You... understand me..? You really... hear me.."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:33 pm

"Yes, I hear you, now keep quiet or the guys that just had you will have you again." Nothing made sense. He was supposed to pick up a package. Not a person. There was very little that he hated more than surprises while he worked, as they tended to complicate matters. While William wasn't opposed to a bit of hard and/or dirty work, it was simpler when all the information was given.

For a moment, after releasing the girl, he kept his eyes locked on her, analyzing her as quickly as possible. Fear. Sadness. Pain. Confusion. Underfed. Dehydrated. Mistreated. The list was nearly endless, so William stopped counting. "Look, you have two choices. You can stay here, be their prisoner, get beat up and probably die, or you can come with me and get better. Your choice... but you have about ten seconds."

Truthfully she had fewer than that. He was staring at his ticket to a new life, enough money to set himself up for several years to come. Without that money, he would have to continue struggling to steal enough to keep himself afloat. But how could he sell a person? There was a reason that his benefactor failed to mention what exactly the cargo would be. He must have known. What use could he have for such a girl? Certainly not prostitution; while she was very pretty underneath the dirt and bruising, she looked pale and ill to William. She wouldn't last long on the corner.

"Time's up. You comin' or not?"

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:34 pm

Thea stared at the man in front of her, the seconds ticking by felt like an eternity. Her mind raced as she went over her options. The men that had her before were horrible to her, they shouted at her and beat her for not understand. But this man understood her. On the downside he also spoke the same foreign language as her tormentors; how much could she really trust him?

Then again he as giving her options. Go or stay. She had a choice. It was better than being beaten and starved, plus he said if she went with him she could get better. Thea turned her gaze to her frail body, then looked back up at her savior.

"I go with you."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:34 pm

With a nod of finality, William moved forward and scooped up the woman's starved form into his arms. Though he could count each vertebrae in her back if he so chose, he was still surprised by how little she weighed. Immediately he knew why she agreed to go with him. She knew that staying would probably lead to her death. Her chances were better going with a stranger.

William didn't blame he for not trusting him, and assumed she would not fault him for being untrusting of her. True, she looked about as combat capable as a lonely palm branch, but William did not know why she was guarded as much as she was. Chained to the floor... was she actually dangerous enough to hurt someone with her own bare hands?

Carefully William stepped out of the stolen cart, carrying the nameless woman to his own. Opening the door was tricky, but he did not ask for help. He didn't need help. He needed to understand. The inside of the vehicle was not quite plain, but not lavish either. A single bench seat sat against the back of the carriage, cushioned to make a rough ride slightly more comfortable. A small window sat to the passenger's left, with a single drape rolled up and tied to the top. Another window gave the passenger view of the driver with a pane of glass separating them.

William stepped inside and sat the girl on the bench. "Don't come out, no matter what you see or hear. You're not my prisoner, but it's safer if you stay put. Once the danger is passed, we can stop and get you something to eat. Do you understand?"

There was no mistaking the authoritative tone in William's voice. He was irritated by the change of events, and the extra liability that he had just added to his head. He was not cruel, necessarily, but he was not one to trifle with.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:35 pm

Scooped up and moved as if she weighed nothing, Thea couldn't help how she tensed up. She relaxed somewhat as it seemed as though all he was going to do was put her in a new cart. One with seats that she didn't have to be chained to. She nodded softly in answer to him, her gaze shifting out the window. He had told her before to keep quiet and so she planned on remaining so until otherwise instructed.

She wanted to tell him, however, that she had no way of paying for food. Being a prisoner from the day she woke up until just then, she had absolutely nothing but the sack that covered her naked body. Again she did not speak up, he had not given the okay. Tired and afraid Thea slumped in the seat, her eyes glued to the outside. She'd never been outside, so it was a lot for her to take in, not to mention she still needed to process what had just happened.

The Phoenix was now in the hands of a complete stranger, one who could build her up, or tear her down at a moments notice.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:35 pm

The ride was silent for a few miles, with neither a person or an animal to be seen anywhere near the carriage. Having doubled back and around, William had avoided the patrol guards as if he'd known exactly where they would be and when. The girl inside might have considered it odd if it were for the extreme circumstances under which she found herself. William, however, didn't think anything of it, having spent almost his entire life skirting the guards whenever possible.

Soon the road turned from dirt to stone, the horse's hooves clomping on the hard rock as they approached their first waypoint. Irontown, built at the base of a tall mountain, was an industrious place, not very clean by nature but not poor. Whenever supplies ran low, William would travel to Irontown to replenish his materials, and the local entertainment wasn't half bad either. He had friends there, places he and his companion could rest and relax.

Outside of Brass Bull, a small inn just inside the town limits, William brought his horse and buggy to a stop, then hopped down to secure the reigns. Two knocks on the carriage door announced his coming, though he was much softer than before. Peeking inside, seeing her wide eyes and weak form, William shook his head. "This won't do... you're a dead giveaway." A quick trip to a trunk atop the wagon yielded a long dark cloak, something one would wear on a rainy day, even though the sun was high overhead without a cloud in the sky.

"Here... put this on and come with me," he said softly, trying to sound less like a brute. "We'll get you something to eat and try to figure out what to do from here. If you have to speak, whisper only to me. No one hear takes kindly to Dreads."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:35 pm

Dreads? What what a Dread? Confused beyond belief, all she did was nod and pull the cloak on over her body. Even if she weren't as frail as she was the garment would still have been big on her. Thea was almost consumed by the thing, but she nodded in thanks, just glad that she got to wear more clothes instead of less.

Despite her reluctance to trust him, as she stepped out of the carriage she instantly moved by his side. Shoulders hunched, eyes downcast she remained close to him, uncertainty in her decision to go with him. But what other choice did she have? It was obvious that her health was in a massive decline due to her previous circumstances, but could she really trust this man? She'd have to for now, at least until she got better enough to take care of herself.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:36 pm

Leading her inside, William wasted no time winding their way between tables to the bar, where the pub owner stood chatting with other patrons. By the sounds of their laughter, it was apparent to him that they knew each other well, their jokes markedly shared only by them, for to others they made no sense at all. When his eyes fell on William, his demeanor did not change.

"William! Good to see ya, lad? You've been gone a long time."

William smiled and waved his hand at the boisterous barkeep. "Well if you saw me every day you wouldn't miss me when I was gone. You have room?"

"Uhm... Yeah, I got room. How long are ya stayin'?" Noticing the cloaked figure next to his 'old friend', the innkeeper leaned forward and gestured to her. "Got yerself a young filly under there, eh? Maybe the mayor's daughter? I didn't think you liked 'em that young."

"I don't!" William exclaimed, genuinely surprised by the suggestion that he would ever willingly violate a girl before her time was right. "She's... she's from out of town. We're layin' low, just for tonight. Then we head north toward Claren Point."

A wink of his eye was all the innkeeper did to acknowledge the hushed conversation. William, grateful for the end of questioning, straightened out and took the key from his friend. There would be a time to learn more about the girl. She had a name. She had a family. She had a past somewhere. But did he really want to know? Wouldn't it be harder to hand her over, knowing more about her than simply her monetary value?

Up the stairs he lead her, to a room at the end of the hall. It was the nicest room in the inn, the only one that came with heated water, thanks to William's handy work. It was the machine that provided the hot water than earned him the innkeeper's friendship and respect. He locked the door behind them, then pushed back her hood.

"So, what's your name?" What was the harm in knowing a name?

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:36 pm

The loud environment, coupled with the foreign language, made Thea's heart race. The panicked feeling was rising again, her body shaking. Only when she was led away from the main area did she begin to relax again. It took a moment for her to realize he was speaking to her.

Her brow furrowed, catching her lip between her teeth. That's what the men had called her, that's what it said in the book with strange symbols. It had said the girl with fire read hair was called Thea. But anything else was lost.

"Thea. I.. think..."

Would he believe that she was unsure? Would he toss her out, or abandon her if he thought she was lying? She didn't want that. She'd die if she was left alone.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:37 pm

"Thea, hmm?" There was certainly something peculiar about the way she spoke her name, as if she had to struggle to come up with it. The mystery surrounding the girl was starting to thicken like milk to cream. Just as troubling as that was Thea's subdued demeanor.

The way she held herself, William had seen before, but those people were slaves, the will for freedom having been beaten out of them. Thea carried herself so timidly that he could not even begin to imagine the horrors she faced.

"Fessik will bring up some food any minute. We can stay here tonight, then move on in the morning. We have to follow the sun west for almost another full day. In the meantime, you can clean up and rest."

"So... what'd you do?"

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:37 pm

Thea turned a confused look up towards her companion, shaking her head slightly. Her eyes narrowed in thought trying to understand what he was asking her. "I... don't know.." She searched her memory trying to find an answer, but everything came up blank. The only thing she could remember was that dark, cold cell.

Shuddering at the memories, she seemed to shrink in on herself, arms wrapped tightly around her body. They hurt her so badly, and she didn't know why, it was one of the things that plagued her mind everyday. What had she done to be treated so horribly?

"Where are we going?" Unable to find the answers she was searching for within her own mind, she decided to find out what she could from him. Since he didn't know her, she couldn't ask about herself, but he seemed to have a plan, a destination in mind. Thea wanted to know where.

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:38 pm

'She doesn't know?'

William stood silently for a moment, try to figure out if Thea was lying to him. But standing there in her potato sack as the only coverings she had, it was clear that she was telling the truth. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, massaging away as if his head hurt but the pain would not stop. It radiated from his back and neck, bringing achy soreness to the rest of his body.

"West. That's all you really need to know. Not to be rude... there's just nothing out there. The men who hired me will be waiting for you there." It sounded cold... 'the men who hired me...' It felt like lead dripping from his tongue, leaving a metallic bitter taste in his mouth, like a blood-soaked turnip. William knew immediately that he needs to backtrack a little, as he did not want to upset the girl. After all, he didn't believe he was doing anything wrong.

"The man was willing to pay quite a bit for your return. Whoever he is, he clearly cares about you a lot. Enough to bankrupt himself, perhaps." It was a large sum of coin; maybe the benefactor really was emptying his coffers for her safe return. William wondered if that was the reason for the lack of details regarding the 'package'. If he had known it was a person, would he still have taken the job?

William did not have time to mull over the moral conundrum. A sharp rapping fell upon the locked door. William moved to the door, unlocked, and opened it for Fessik, who stood in the hall with a large platter of food and drink.

"I put extra on here in case your lady friend was hungry. Don't worry, i'll make sure it goes on your tab." Fessik winked as he spoke in the Passerby language.

"Oh so generous you are, my friend. How could I ever survive without you keeping track of my debt?" William was clearly joking, though to Thea, who could not understand what they were saying, they could have been plotting against her and just laughing to cover up their intent. "I don't mean to be rude, but we're both exhausted from traveling. See that we aren't disturbed."

"Mmmhmm... you got it," Fessik said with a grin as he stepped back out the door, leaving the platter behind on a small table."

"That's enough of that," William said with a sigh, locking the door behind the innkeeper. "Please, have a seat. Eat and drink your fill. There's plenty."

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Post by Danry Sat May 13, 2017 12:39 pm

The men who hired him? So, she wasn't going to stay with her nameless companion for too much longer then. For some reason, that knowledge made her uneasy, and she found herself trying to make herself as small as possible as if she were going to be beaten again. The knock on the door nearly sent her into a panic attack, but she remained silent and still, her wide terrified eyes on the door until the innkeeper left.

The smell of the food wafted across her nose, and her stomach clenched in hunger, making a noise similar to an angry bear. A deep red hue fell across her cheeks, embarrassment and shame draping over her like a thick blanket. Never in the short time she was aware of things, had she ever seen or smelt food so wondrous. Her eyes shifted to William as she made tentative movements towards the plate.

Before she even touched the food, again she turned her attention to William, suspicion and fear reflected in her hues. Was this a test? What if she failed? Thea felt so afraid that he was going to hurt her that she ended up backing away from it, shaking her head. "No, I... not hungry..."

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