Capture

[Trinn]

OOC: I would just like to say, that I love all the names you gave to Elias's friends, and his horse. lol

Helena returned Elias's smile, feeling somehow comfortable with him. He had an easy going attitude unlike others of his rank. Even his companions, Bray and James, seemed like amiable fellows. It made her wish she had friends such as they. Well, she had Dashing, at least. The ferret rested in her lap now, sleeping. Helena stroked his soft silver fur and watched as the men made the last of their preparations. "You mean Lady Eliza, of course." She said knowingly. Her family kept track of all the other nobles. It was no secret that Eliza ran their house and Elias took his duties to the battlefield. "I'm sure I will be pleased to give her all my company for today."

At last they were ready, and the horses set off at a crisp jog. Helena eyed the thieves occasionally, and noted with amusement how fast their legs had to move. She also looked every so often at Elias, secretly admiring how gallant he appeared. Yes, gallant was a good word for him.

Several times Helena thought to speak, but then stopped, wondering if Elias might find it intrusive. Though he was gallant, he also seemed brooding. Just as she was going to attempt conversation anyways, a city rose in the distance. "It's beautiful." she said aloud, gazing out at Bellatona. It was a humble city, as far as cities went, but it was charming and seemed busy. The meadows and woods that surrounded it only added to the charm. Dashing stirred in her lap, as if sensing they were near their destination.

OOC: I decided to speed it up just a tad!

[Max452]

OOC: Hahaha thanks! I actually got Bray and James from Mass Effect 3, although, their personalities are quite different; I just liked the names. lol And Temperance, well, it was actually to be an ironic name given the fact that the horse is impatient. lol. Fun facts! :-p

"Yes, it is truly." Elias agreed with Helena's comment, not at all perturbed by it. "It is a great comfort to be home." He replied, giving her an easy smile before they reached the gates. His smile had faded just a tad when he felt his twin's irritation.
"Colonel, Grayson and the rest of the men are already camped inside the southeast courtyard; Lara has just informed me." James' horse trotted by the Colonel so that he may deliver his message. Lara was one of their magicians.
"Thank you, James. Escort Bray and our guests to the prison." Elias replied before halting Bray's steed before Eliza. James gave a nod and quickly (as to avoid the wrath of Lady Eliza) went to aid Bray in their new orders.

"Sister...it is good to see you!" Elias hopped off of his mount before motioning to help Helena with Temperance. "May I introduce Lady Toros?" He held out a hand for Helena to take so that he may help her off. He mostly did that to avoid a public tongue lashing, but as always, that never halted his sister from speaking her mind.

[Tismri]

Eliza stood without moving as her brother approached and greeted her. Her eyes shifted slightly toward the other soldiers as they hurriedly departed, and for good reason. Her twin was not the only one to receive scolding from her when it was deserved. For a short second, she also glanced at Lady Toros, recognizing her immediately. It had been quite some time since she'd last seen the girl, perhaps seven years or so. She had grown into quite a mature young woman. But Eliza immediately focus her attention back to her brother.
"Elias," she said, her tone boarderline threatening. "You're late." She allowed that simple statement to sink into his mind for a few moments before continuing. "Have you any idea how worried I get when you are late? I was nearly tearing out my hair with anxiety. I am very disappointed in you, brother. You must not care about me at all for thoughtlessly causing me so much concern. I do hope you don't keep the queen waiting when you have a rendevous with her. Not only is it unthoughtful, it is just plain rude. The next time you are going to be late, you could at least send a messenger ahead to let me know that you are all right."
Every word out of her mouth came from the same, dignified tone that reflected her graceful manner. She knew it likely wasn't his fault that they were late, and they weren't even discernably behind schedule according to anyone who wasn't as alert to the time as she. Elias had received this scolding numerous times before, and by now it was even partially a joke.
Finally, Eliza allowed a smile and gently took her twin's hands, her eyes lighting up with amusement.
"Welcome home, brother," she told him. Then she turned to their guest. "And welcome to you, Lady Helena," she greeted. "I welcome you to our home, though this turn is rather unexpected. I received word mere hours ago that Lord and Lady Toros were searching for their daughter. I believe they rather fear that you have run away." She glanced at the tied wounds on the girl's wrists and back up to her face. "Although I can see that wasn't quite the case. Poor dear, why don't you come inside, and we'll see what we can do for you?"

[Trinn]

Lady Eliza's severe appearance caused Helena some alarm. That Elias was now getting berated only furthered her anxiety. She was about to come to his defense when Eliza's mood brightened, and it seemed her upbraiding was merely in good humor. Relieved, she returned the Lady's smile and bowed her head to Eliza in thanks. Her relief was short lived at the mention of her parents. Run away? Helena felt she was far too old for running away. Embarrassed, she sat up straighter to seem the twenty years that she was. "Not the case at all, Lady Eliza. I had been taking a walk on the beaches of Feinster when I was beset by two thugs. If it weren't for your brother, Lord Elias, I'm sure I would have been lost." And she looked at her rescuer gratifyingly. "You are both very gracious." Of course, whether Lady Eliza was really as gracious as her brother was yet to be seen. So far, it seemed she might still just be playing the part of a hosting noble. To ease her nerves, Helena stroked Dashing's silver fur with one hand, and Temperance's well kept mane with the other.

[Max452]

Elias did his best to withhold his urge to laugh at Eliza's attempt to scold him; she had done this so often that he merely found it amusing that she did so. It was a good reminder, her scolding, that she indeed cared for him. He placed his hands behind his back, allowing Eliza to vent her annoyance at him. Once her smile emerged, Elias slipped out a chuckle as he allowed his hands to come forward to greet his sister properly. "Thank you, Eliza; I've missed your scolding." He teased her as she and Lady Toros began to converse.

"Speaking of those miscreants, sister," Elias added to Helena's tale, "if you had noticed, I had them running behind that wagon; it appears they are thieves as well. Since you enjoy politics more than I, I thought you could rein your judgment upon them." Elias told her sheepishly before addressing Helena. "I am glad that I was able to help at the time that I did; come we must tend to your wounds, Lady Toros. My sister will take good care of you." He then gave a slight bow to both noble women. "If you will excuse me, I must see to my men and accommodate them accordingly. I will be in the southeast courtyard if you have any need of me; I am at your service." He mostly addressed Helena at the end.

OOC: You know what I thought would be funny. So Helena rejected her parent's arrangement of marriage to several nobles, what if, one of them was offered to Elias or even toward their elder brother? But Elias, the soldier he is, was completely oblivious. lol. I sense awkwardness in the future...lol. What you think?

[Tismri]

Eliza's eyes widened slightly at Helena's tale, shocked that these men would be so bold as to kidnap a noblewoman in the open.
"Oh, you poor dear," she murmurred, reaching out to take Helena's hand gracefully. She tsked when she saw the wounds the ropes had made in her wrists. They needed to be treated quickly or else they would scar. "Let us go inside and tend to these wounds. She glanced back at the two buffoons her brother had tied to the back of the wagon. One seemed terrified and miserable, but the other still appeared to have some spirit left in him.
"Well, kidnapping a woman of such standing as Lady Toros holds is typically considered treason," she said, a slight smile on her face as she gazed unconcerned at the two of them. "If that is true, then they will be facing death shortly. But only once we have established proof, and that could take several weeks, if the city's nobles are in an agreeable mood. I suppose they will have to settle down in the dungeon while the debate takes place." She shook her head with a disgusted look on her face. "Such a nasty place, the dungeon is. Even the wardens dislike going down there. A few of them have been known to skip bringing the meals to the prisoners in order to avoid it. I suppose they won't starve, though. There are plenty of rats and spiders to eat, I am sure." She turned away from the theives with a smirk on her face as she lead Helena to the house, still speaking conversationally, though with a raised voice so the prisoners could still hear. "Oh, and there is the matter of who exactly is to decide their punishment. Will it be we in Belatona, since this is where they were captured? Or the citizens of Feinster, as this crime took place on their doorstep? Or perhaps the Toros family will want to deal with them personally. Why, this debate could take months! And the head warden is due for leave this week as well." As the door closed behind her, Eliza sighed and smiled, glad to give up her act.
"There. Now their actions will speak for themselves. I do believe in granting mercy where it would be helpful. Give them a week, and if they seem repentant, their punishment will be less severe than what I currently have in mind."
~~~~~
Blake sat in the tavern, eyeing her surroundings. Everyone seemed...nervous...around her. It was as if they knew she was crazy, despite the fact that she kept the voices under control most of the time. Was it just that obvious? She didn't know. Still, that didn't stop people from coming to her and asking her to do things for them. Her gaze returned to the man in front of her.
"So yous sees, I just needs ya to spring our pals outta the prison," he told her. "It'll be tough, 'specially with all the guards and things--"
"Half in advance," she said, holding out her hand. "They'll be back with you tonight." The man seemed almost shocked by her sudden acceptance. He placed a few coins in her hand.
Hehehe, poor bastard has no idea what you have in store for him! a few voices recited gleefully. Others were growling, You should just kill him now. Blake ignored all of them, concentrating on keeping her appearance normal.
"If that's all, I will see you tonight," she told him, standing. He did the same and she parted ways from him.