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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 1, 2008 10:52:37 GMT -5
Afine glaced at Caleb as he raced away, she realized she was alone with the rest of the troops. Her face fell into a frown, and she sighed, 'Just my luck.' She was about to hop onto Midnight when one of the soldiers decided differently, "Don't even think about it Princess, or we'll cut you in two." He ran towards her, sword in hand, wailing like a madman.
Afine decided what to do. She dove for the spear, out of the sight of the man, the rest of the soldiers dazed. She grabbed the spear only to meet eyes with the rest of them. "Tsk, tsk Princess, what have I told you?" He grinned as he turned around. Afine sighed again, 'I've doomed myself,' She thought unpleasantly.
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 1, 2008 11:17:40 GMT -5
It was only after a few minutes he realized that he heard nothing behind him. His heart sank even though adrenalin was running through his body. He looked around and saw no signs that anyone except him had been through the undergrowth around him. He put his swords in his sheath and turned around, more than a little furious. He had told her to follow what he said and she hadn't. He started running back towards the way he had come from.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 1, 2008 12:40:20 GMT -5
Now in a helpless position, all Afine could do was pray Caleb would somehow notice she was not in the forest. She took on a defensive pose and waited for any movement. The men were surrounding her, she did not know their plans but she knew they were not good.
Her face hardened as time went on, anything could happen, and she knew that she endangered herself and Caleb by not making a run for it, 'Stupid subborn attitude,' She thought as her eyes went over each man. She tried to think of a means of escape but nothing came to mind.
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 1, 2008 13:03:40 GMT -5
Caleb came to a stop near the edge of the trees from where he could hear the cavalry soldiers. They had dismounted and he realized that they were obviously not as good on foot. But there were way too many. He had made a potential mistake by killing the captain. Now the fate of Afine was the common soldiers hands, something he wouldn't trust her to for a short interval.
He took out his swords again and looked around. His gaze lingered on the tree he was standing under and climbed it swiftly. He moved slowly onto a branch and towards the group now surrounding Afine. He jumped down, slicing the two in front through their faces and neck as he landed badly in a crouch and ended up onto his knees. He grabbed Afine by her hand and almost threw her away turning just in time to see a spear heading from his head.
He blocked it with a sword, thrusting the other into the assailant. He moved back step after step as the attacks grew from all side. He avoided direct body blows but some still got through to close enough to cut through the light armor and make a few cuts in his skin. Killing the ones in his reach, he reached around and let her horse lose towards the troops, creating just enough time for them to escape. He turned around and hoped she had run away.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 1, 2008 13:25:23 GMT -5
Afine ran, past the trees, tripping, once or twice, not looking back. She shuddered as she saw animals, dead. She almost ran into a tree. She stopped at an opening, covered in pine needles and small flowers. She sat under one of the moss covered pine trees, hoping Caleb would come after her.
She sat there, for what seemed like forever. All she had was her bow and arrow safely fastened to her back. She picked random flowers and made a tiara, sitting it atop her head. She sat down again, fiddling with her thumbs. 'Come on Caleb,' She thought restlessly,'Where are you?'
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 2, 2008 1:09:51 GMT -5
Caleb stumbled out of the bushes near a large tree and kept himself from falling to the ground by supporting himself with his swords. He was glad to see Afine waiting for him nearby. He ran a bit closer, a bit short of breath. The force behind them had been reduced considerably but he had been injured in a few places, nothing disabling but wounds that nevertheless hurt the same.
He spoke, quickly pointing at the tree with the low branches at a distance. "Princess, we climb into that tree and wait for them to leave. Go, fast. They are close...", he warned her and looked back. He waited for her to move first, he would of course follow after her but not before he was sure she would be secure.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 3, 2008 13:30:48 GMT -5
Afine looked towards the tree, and scarped up some courage. Never in her life has she climbed a tree, hoping this wouldn't be difficult she started the task, taking her time. She carefully made her way half way up before ehr foot got caught. "Darn it," She mumbled. She pulled hard enough so she wouldn't fall off, but it didn't bug, "Why now?" She asked no one in particullar.
She heaved and her foot got free, but it took a while, and she got nervous. Time was of the essance. She silently apologized to Caleb and made her way up to the tallest branch with ease. She smiled at her triumph. She settled on the branch making she she wouldn't fall.
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 3, 2008 13:49:49 GMT -5
Caleb waited impatiently for her to climb up. He almost shouted at her when she got stuck. He probably would have had he not seen that her leg had broken through some moss between the branches. It wasn't really her fault. And besides, if he did should, he would just call the soldiers to them. He waited for her to get to to a place where she was no longer visible from the ground, where he was standing.
He then quickly made his way up and rested next to her in a crouch, just as the first of the soldiers broke through. He looked around for a while and signaled behind him. They had spread out thin and were searching the woods. He looked at Afine as they passed under the tree without any notice. He waited a while longer. He motioned for her to wait while he climbed down quietly and slowly to check the area. He then signaled for Afine to come down when he was sure there were no soldiers around. He hoped she wouldn't fall now.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 3, 2008 13:56:18 GMT -5
Afine climbed carelessly down the tree, it wouldn't matter much now how reckless she was. A couple branches from the bottom she decided to jump down. as soon as she hit the grounf she smiled. She patted her clothes down, free of dirt and waited for the next signal Caleb gave. She really didn't have this in mind, she was kind of she could enjoy herself through the woods. 'Atleast it's better then being caged in a castle,'She thought knowingly.
She was surprised she still had all her arrows, she thought for sure she'd lost some of them. She smiled and then picked a flower, picking off the petals, waitign for Caleb. She was sure he was thinking deeply.
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 3, 2008 14:15:21 GMT -5
He looked around trying to think of a way around what might be out into their path once the word of their escape got to whoever was controlling them. He turned to Afine and was about to speak when he saw her playing with the flower. His expression turned into that of an amused smile before he interrupted her and spoke, "Anyone we encounter now from the military, we kill. No questions, no talks. We cut across the jungle, the road would be swarming with soldiers after this."
He paused and smiled before continuing, "It seems you will get to see more, just like you wished." He didn't say anything about that mistake she had made by not running when he had hold her to. He figured she would recognize it and correct it herself.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 3, 2008 14:24:29 GMT -5
"We? As in I take part in killing as well?" Afine looked like her stomach was about to burst. She wasn't use to seeing dead bodies and she never thougth she would have to kill anyone. Although she can't just leave it up to Caleb. She straightened and faced him. "I suppose if you need my help, I must assist." She smiled up towards him, one of her dimples showing.
"Which way are we heading?" She asked randomnly, eager to continue their journey. Her face was flushed again, with the rosy shine as she looked off into the trees.
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 3, 2008 23:41:33 GMT -5
He looked up at the sky, dusk was still a long way off. He wondered how long it would be when they would have delayed them enough not the reach the cottage on time. And what if they did? Would they find anything more than more rebellious soldiers waiting for them? Their chances had grown slim and would with each coming day. He decided to think not like the strategist but like just like a soldier or a guard following orders. He could get her their, then see how it goes. "We travel parallel to the road to keep out of sight...", he said pointing ahead.
He would have to get his wounds cleaned somewhere on the way. He hoped they would find water.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 4, 2008 15:17:25 GMT -5
"Are you sure you can go on?" She looked at him in worry, she saw the gashes, for the first time."Those look like they hurt," She reached out to him, but then decided not to. She looked to the ground in embaressment. Her face becoming slightly red. She picked up another flower and starting creating a bracelet.
'Your such a silly person Afine,'She told herself as set set the braclet on her left hand. She needed to occupy herself.
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Post by knightc3 on Jul 7, 2008 5:11:26 GMT -5
He shook his head to say that was not a concern right now. Yes, she was right they hurt but it would hurt more if they were caught. He was about to move when he turned back and looked at Afine. He was frustrated to see her like this but said calmly, "Look, princess Afine, I know you probably don't realize the seriousness of the situation and this might seem a bit harsh to you... but I want you to grow up, break out of the protective cacoon you seem to have encased yourself in right now and help me... please. This is in way, going to a pleasant journey. It was never meant to be, and now specially failure comes hand in hand with death."
"You have to earn my services because, if you have considered it, if the military has revolted, I should be against you. But I am giving you the benifit of the doubt right now... Afine. You will only earn the title of 'Princess' from me, let alone that of queen, once I think you deserve. Right now... I dont see any reason to award it to you."
If this didn't work, he was as good as dead along with Princess Afine and the rest of her family.
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Post by xDuckyBoo on Jul 11, 2008 8:34:35 GMT -5
Afine looked up to him, so one has ever said a word like that to her, she didn't know if to cry, or to bash him over the head. She decided to go neutral, she would ignore any further questions unless they were important and had to do with the situation, being childish was in no way needed for this quest, but she thought that she was being stupid and childish all along, might as well just be quiet. "Onward then Caleb," She said in monotone. Her face hardening, because she knew he was right, and yet again was too childish to admit it.
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