Member
Liam shook his head as she ran off and turned to look at Will. "Isn't there anything I can do to stop her?" he asked, which made Will smile a bit.
"Never know, Sir. She might turn back herself."
This made Liam smile a bit as he grasped his friend's shoulder briefly before going back to help the rest of the men. They were ready to go within ten minutes and Liam wondered if they could slip out of the kingdom quietly but Will convinced him to stay. He had to stay in his future mother-in-law's good graces, after all. So they waited for "I won't be long to take half an hour. Liam's eye was nearly twitching by the time Raquelle reappeared with horse and servants in tow, and he watched her being lifted onto the mare before posing gracefully. Like for a painting. Liam looked over at Will, who had an amused sort of exasperation on his face, before setting the caravan in motion.
It was a peaceful enough start, despite the grim reason for the journey. The men tried to keep the morale as high as possible and Liam conversed with Will. Everyone seemed to be wondering where Marshal Derrick was. The King had asked for him to join them but no one had been able to find him anywhere in the castle or the city. The Queen had told her husband that she had sent him out on a errand and it probably was taking longer than originally anticipated, but there was no reason to worry about an adept man like the Marshal. Liam had thought he had seen a flicker of annoyed rage on her face, but he had probably only imagined it.
They hadn't been more than two hours before he heard the sweet voice of Raquelle calling to him. She hadn't been the most quiet about her displeasure since setting off, but she was directly addressing him for the first time. She asked to stop for a picnic and Liam heard Will disguise his bark of laughter as a cough. The prince closed his own eyes, as if asking for strength before sharing a look with his friend. Then Liam looked back at Raquelle, smiling patiently. "Raquelle, we don't have time for a picnic. The King, your stepfather, wants us in Verinia as quickly as possible. We do not stop until nightfall when we make camp."
~~~
Alphonse looked a bit startled by her declaration, her forcefulness. Sam hid a smile as she moved over to the fire and sat cross legged on a rug, then looked back at his question. "I slept very well. Thank you for letting us use your tent by the way. You've all be very kind." Her eyes flickered down to August and caught sight of his grin before Coralie spoke up and Sam looked over at her.
"I have made up my mind," Sam said firmly, smiling as she leaned back on her hands. It wasn't the dwarves she was worried about convincing. It was Dorothea. She looked back at the Marshal when asked if she was going to take responsibility for him on the road and her eyes narrowed slightly as she considered it. "Yeah. I suppose I am." And she smiled at his reaction to the idea of being carried. Coralie's next words made the smile falter a bit and she looked at August's uniform thoughtfully. She was right. Having a guard of ally kingdom prisoner would not make a good impression, seeing how no one knew the queen of said kingdom was attempting to begin a war. Sam looked over at Coralie. "So we make it so we don't have an Eldonian guard prisoner." She looked back at August with half a smile on her lips. "He needs to loose the uniform. Have you three...acquired something over the years that he could wear instead?" She looked between the pair of dwarves. "Look it's either let him go, which isn't an option, or leave him here to either freeze or starve to death. And you guys have already said you aren't murderers."
- Last Seen: 7 mos ago
- Old Guild Username: carsgovroom
- Joined: 11 yrs ago
- Posts: 520 (0.13 / day)
- VMs: 0
-
Username history
- carsgovroom 11 yrs ago
Status
Recent Statuses
7 yrs ago
Current
Day dreamin’ of summer vacation ☀️
10 yrs ago
Super sick. Not sure when it will pass.
10 yrs ago
Last day of Spring Break. Back to school and work tomorrow. :(
Bio
Call me cars. Or vroom. Or carsgovroom. Just another 20-something girl on the World Wide Web. I suppose I'd be considered a veteran RPer with probably a decade of RPing experience whose looking to have a bit of fun.
Most Recent Posts
Liam blinked up at Raquelle as she descended the steps, not quite sure what was happening or how this had happened without him hearing about it. "No," he started to say, shaking his head. "No, Raquelle, I don't think this would be appropriate. We don't know what to expect, and there are bandits on the road." But she was speaking and he hated to admit that her points were valid. But they were. Traveling with a lady would make them look less hostile, would look better than a group oof armed men marching across the border. They weren't out to start a war. They were going to cooperate.
He gritted his teeth, feeling up against a corner as he grudgingly felt himself complying to her will. The only thing he felt he had to object to was when she asked about her carriage. "No carriage," he told her, standing up straighter as though taking a defensive stance. "I suppose I can't stop you from joining us, Raquelle. But if you do you need to ride on horseback like everyone else. A carriage is too large, too slow, and this is an urgent task. We need to move quickly. So no carriage." He looked at her expectantly. "I hope that won't be too much of a problem for you."
~~~
Sam had slipped on her boots and gotten off of the bed. She paused for a moment and stretched her arms, letting out relieved sigh as she did so. Glancing behind her to where Dorothea was still curled up on a pillow, Sam bit her lip. She knew Dorothea was not going to be pleased with what she was planning on doing. But the princess couldn't stop her, especially not in the form she was in now. Besides Sam was, at the end of the day, on her side. If getting home meant helping Dorothea and stopping a war then she had to help in the only way she knew she could.
Stepping out of the tent and into the clearing she saw two of the three dwarves all ready up and preparing. She could hear the sound of snoring coming from Florian's tent and she smiled. Maybe they had been trying to placate her like she was made of glass, but they had given her shelter and food and were willing to help Dorothea when they didn't have to. She liked them. Coralie had started prepapring breakfast and was packing up supplies while Alphonse was hovering around August. He was very pale, but his eyes were open and Sam was surprisingly glad to see that the chill hadn't killed him overnight. She could hear the two dwarves wondering what they were planning on doing with him and she moved forward. "Well if you don't take him with you then there's going to be no one around to keep an eye on him." Sam folded her arms over her chest and glanced over at Coralie. "I hope there's enough supplies because I'm not staying behind. I'm going to the capital with you." Her tone indicated that she wasn't willing to fight or debate this.
He gritted his teeth, feeling up against a corner as he grudgingly felt himself complying to her will. The only thing he felt he had to object to was when she asked about her carriage. "No carriage," he told her, standing up straighter as though taking a defensive stance. "I suppose I can't stop you from joining us, Raquelle. But if you do you need to ride on horseback like everyone else. A carriage is too large, too slow, and this is an urgent task. We need to move quickly. So no carriage." He looked at her expectantly. "I hope that won't be too much of a problem for you."
~~~
Sam had slipped on her boots and gotten off of the bed. She paused for a moment and stretched her arms, letting out relieved sigh as she did so. Glancing behind her to where Dorothea was still curled up on a pillow, Sam bit her lip. She knew Dorothea was not going to be pleased with what she was planning on doing. But the princess couldn't stop her, especially not in the form she was in now. Besides Sam was, at the end of the day, on her side. If getting home meant helping Dorothea and stopping a war then she had to help in the only way she knew she could.
Stepping out of the tent and into the clearing she saw two of the three dwarves all ready up and preparing. She could hear the sound of snoring coming from Florian's tent and she smiled. Maybe they had been trying to placate her like she was made of glass, but they had given her shelter and food and were willing to help Dorothea when they didn't have to. She liked them. Coralie had started prepapring breakfast and was packing up supplies while Alphonse was hovering around August. He was very pale, but his eyes were open and Sam was surprisingly glad to see that the chill hadn't killed him overnight. She could hear the two dwarves wondering what they were planning on doing with him and she moved forward. "Well if you don't take him with you then there's going to be no one around to keep an eye on him." Sam folded her arms over her chest and glanced over at Coralie. "I hope there's enough supplies because I'm not staying behind. I'm going to the capital with you." Her tone indicated that she wasn't willing to fight or debate this.
Sam smiled at the dwarf and nodded in thanks as he went off to the tent she would share with his sister. She turned and peered into their tent and considered the mattress for a moment before looking down at Dorothea with a half smile. “Hope you don’t mind sharing a bed, Princess. Because there’s no way that I’m taking the floor.”
She cast one last glance over to where Marshal August Derrick was secured to the tree and she saw that his eyes were closed. But the night was long and cold and she doubted he would get much sleep out in the open. He looked vulnerable. Sam found herself hoping that the cold or any forest creature wouldn’t kill him overnight, and then wondered why she cared.
She turned away and went into the tent and began arranging blankets and pillows on top of the straw before lying down and bundling herself up. It wasn’t the softest bed, like her bed back home, but it was more comfortable than she could have hoped for and she was warm. Sam gave Dorothea one last look before smiling a bit. “Night Dorothea.” Then she turned on her side and closed her eyes.
Sam had been afraid that her thoughts and troubles would keep her awake, that her conversation with August would replay over and over again and haunt her to sunrise. But maybe she had been more tired than troubled because she slipped into slumber rather quickly. But not before she had had a little bit of time to ponder over August’s words and wonder if he could be telling her the truth. Despite her exhaustion and how deeply she had been sleeping Sam woke early the next day. She could see dim sunlight through the canvas of the tent and knew could only be minutes away. Sam pushed herself up and turned her head to look at the doorway of the tent, a determined gleam in her eyes.
~~~
Prince Liam had gotten out of bed before dawn with a similar sort of determination. However he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. He had tossed restlessly all night, unable to drift off due to thoughts of Dorothea in a dungeon or Dorothea in a cage. He doubted he’d sleep peacefully until she was safe again.
He had dressed quickly, wearing the colors of Itelia over his chainmail, and strode purposefully through the castle and out into the courtyard where his caravan was already assembling and preparing for the journey. Will was there, wearing the same colors as Liam, and the other fifteen men where all Eldonians who had volunteered to retrieve their lost princess. They were loading saddle bags and other supplies onto the spare horses and Liam was nodding approvingly. Until he saw something unexpected.
“Will, what is that doing here?” he asked suddenly, his brow furrowing as he pointed to the carriage positioned behind the other horses. He hadn’t asked for a carriage. Carriages may have been able to carry their supplies but they also were too slow.
Will looked to where he was pointing and went a bit pale. His expression was unhappy and slightly annoyed. “The Princess Raquelle will be joining us, Sire.”
Liam looked at him as though this were some sort of practical joke. “…What?”
She cast one last glance over to where Marshal August Derrick was secured to the tree and she saw that his eyes were closed. But the night was long and cold and she doubted he would get much sleep out in the open. He looked vulnerable. Sam found herself hoping that the cold or any forest creature wouldn’t kill him overnight, and then wondered why she cared.
She turned away and went into the tent and began arranging blankets and pillows on top of the straw before lying down and bundling herself up. It wasn’t the softest bed, like her bed back home, but it was more comfortable than she could have hoped for and she was warm. Sam gave Dorothea one last look before smiling a bit. “Night Dorothea.” Then she turned on her side and closed her eyes.
Sam had been afraid that her thoughts and troubles would keep her awake, that her conversation with August would replay over and over again and haunt her to sunrise. But maybe she had been more tired than troubled because she slipped into slumber rather quickly. But not before she had had a little bit of time to ponder over August’s words and wonder if he could be telling her the truth. Despite her exhaustion and how deeply she had been sleeping Sam woke early the next day. She could see dim sunlight through the canvas of the tent and knew could only be minutes away. Sam pushed herself up and turned her head to look at the doorway of the tent, a determined gleam in her eyes.
~~~
Prince Liam had gotten out of bed before dawn with a similar sort of determination. However he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. He had tossed restlessly all night, unable to drift off due to thoughts of Dorothea in a dungeon or Dorothea in a cage. He doubted he’d sleep peacefully until she was safe again.
He had dressed quickly, wearing the colors of Itelia over his chainmail, and strode purposefully through the castle and out into the courtyard where his caravan was already assembling and preparing for the journey. Will was there, wearing the same colors as Liam, and the other fifteen men where all Eldonians who had volunteered to retrieve their lost princess. They were loading saddle bags and other supplies onto the spare horses and Liam was nodding approvingly. Until he saw something unexpected.
“Will, what is that doing here?” he asked suddenly, his brow furrowing as he pointed to the carriage positioned behind the other horses. He hadn’t asked for a carriage. Carriages may have been able to carry their supplies but they also were too slow.
Will looked to where he was pointing and went a bit pale. His expression was unhappy and slightly annoyed. “The Princess Raquelle will be joining us, Sire.”
Liam looked at him as though this were some sort of practical joke. “…What?”
Sam smiled, a genuine one instead of a smirk when he said she was fishing for compliments. He was grinning, too. It was the first time she'd seen him really smile beyond his smirking and wicked grins. It was sort of handsome. If you liked that sort of thing. "Yeah. Maybe I am. I don't know, sometimes I like a good lie. They can be a nice confidence booster, and I think I'm going to need as much of it as I can get." The smile slipped a bit as he continued speaking and she thought about the ragtag group behind her. She knew that they couldn't convince anyone of anything on their own. But would they really follow her? Would the people of this world really listen to her? He was right about her having fear. She had a lot of it. But despite the fear she couldn't stop herself from letting out a small laugh when he spoke about his sword. "Me? Wielding a sword? That's a scary thought."
For the first time since she had left the fire Dorothea called out to her. And Sam turned away from the Marshal to look back at her. "Yeah, in a minute!" She looked back at August and was quiet for a moment. "You know you're not half bad when you aren't acting like an evil asshole. I want to believe you. But I don't know if I can." Sam glanced down, the corner of her mouth twitching up into a half smile. "I won't tell Dorothea, though. About you secretly working against the queen. Even if it is a lie." She nodded down at the cloth hanging around his neck. "I'm going to have to put that gag back on you." Sam hesitated, searching his face again for any sign of deception but not seeing any. She just didn't know. "Goodnight August."
She reached forward and regagged him before rising to her feet and turning around back towards the fire. Her expression was troubled for a moment but when she got closer to the cat and the dwarves she wore a smile. "Pretty sure he was playing me the whole time," she told them with a shrug, reassuring them that everything was fine. But she discreetly glanced back to look at where August was tied up when the dwarves weren't looking, curiosity in her gaze. "It's been a long and trying day," Sam said, brushed her hair back behind her ear when she looked back at the four of them, smiling tiredly. Her exhaustion was completely genuine. "Where can Dorothea and I sleep?"
For the first time since she had left the fire Dorothea called out to her. And Sam turned away from the Marshal to look back at her. "Yeah, in a minute!" She looked back at August and was quiet for a moment. "You know you're not half bad when you aren't acting like an evil asshole. I want to believe you. But I don't know if I can." Sam glanced down, the corner of her mouth twitching up into a half smile. "I won't tell Dorothea, though. About you secretly working against the queen. Even if it is a lie." She nodded down at the cloth hanging around his neck. "I'm going to have to put that gag back on you." Sam hesitated, searching his face again for any sign of deception but not seeing any. She just didn't know. "Goodnight August."
She reached forward and regagged him before rising to her feet and turning around back towards the fire. Her expression was troubled for a moment but when she got closer to the cat and the dwarves she wore a smile. "Pretty sure he was playing me the whole time," she told them with a shrug, reassuring them that everything was fine. But she discreetly glanced back to look at where August was tied up when the dwarves weren't looking, curiosity in her gaze. "It's been a long and trying day," Sam said, brushed her hair back behind her ear when she looked back at the four of them, smiling tiredly. Her exhaustion was completely genuine. "Where can Dorothea and I sleep?"
At the remark about her name Sam's smirk mirrored his. "My name's actually Samantha. That's a girl's name." Mostly the smirk and comment were to mask the profound effect his words were having on her. She was invaluable due to her otherworldly status. She was a person with no loyalties or bias, someone who had no preconceived notions about this world and could see things for what they were. Who could change this world with her observations and words. A potentially powerful ally to the ones who she saw fit and a dangerous weapon to those she did not. This world was a chess board and he was telling her she was a queen on it. The most powerful piece. "Essentially what you're saying is that the greatest weapon in this world is me. You think I can stop this war before it has a chance to happen. Stop Narissa. With just a few words." What he was asking of her, or at least what she thought he was asking of her...it made her a bit tense just thinking about it.
He advised her to stay true to herself and to not listen to anyone. His smirk was back when he emphasized not listening to him. She smirked back. "You mean like right now, for instance? All of this could have just been a pack of lies to fluff my ego and manipulate me." Sam nodded her head, considering that option. Maybe he was playing her. Or maybe he was being honest. She wasn't entirely sure what she believe. "Even if I did believe a word of this you know I won't let you go. I'd have to keep up appearances so Dorothea won't suspect you're not actually evil." Her smirk slipped a bit as her expression became serious. "And even if I did believe you, and I took action...I can't do it alone. I need help. If for no other reason then the fact that I have no idea where to go." Her lips pursed she mulled all of this over and Sam met his gaze when a thought came to her. "You know back in my world I was never brave enough to take this one stupid exam. So tell me August. What makes you think I'm brave enough to save your world?"
He advised her to stay true to herself and to not listen to anyone. His smirk was back when he emphasized not listening to him. She smirked back. "You mean like right now, for instance? All of this could have just been a pack of lies to fluff my ego and manipulate me." Sam nodded her head, considering that option. Maybe he was playing her. Or maybe he was being honest. She wasn't entirely sure what she believe. "Even if I did believe a word of this you know I won't let you go. I'd have to keep up appearances so Dorothea won't suspect you're not actually evil." Her smirk slipped a bit as her expression became serious. "And even if I did believe you, and I took action...I can't do it alone. I need help. If for no other reason then the fact that I have no idea where to go." Her lips pursed she mulled all of this over and Sam met his gaze when a thought came to her. "You know back in my world I was never brave enough to take this one stupid exam. So tell me August. What makes you think I'm brave enough to save your world?"
Sam could feel Dorothea and the dwarves gazing nervously and disapprovingly at her as she knelt there in front of him and listened. She was leaning as close as she dared, gazing intently at him as he spoke, never taking her eyes off of his. She looked into his eyes, searching for any indication of a trick or a lie, but saw only intense determination as he told her about his true motivations for serving the queen: to find her weakness and use it to destroy her. He told her that she couldn't tell Dorothea, that her attitude about him could never change. Sam's eyes narrowed a bit as she considered this, almost tempted to glance behind her to see the cat but refusing to break eye contact with August Derrick. She searched for any sign of a lie in his eyes and face, a tell or a nervous twitch. She found nothing. He appeared to be genuinely honest. Or he was a very good liar.
He gave her a grave smile when he pointed out that he couldn't stop her from telling Dorothea if that's what she wanted to do. Sam smirked in response. "No, not really," she agreed. Her tone was just as quiet as his, as she knew Dorothea must be straining her ears to listen to their conversation. Her eyes narrowed a bit more as she considered him one last time before speaking again. "But maybe I won't tell her. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. You have to admit, August, that it's difficult for me to trust you after everything you did to me today. Even if you're telling the truth and everything you did was to keep up appearances with the queen. You still kidnapped me."
She was biting her lip in thought, going over every exchange they had shared in her head. He had in fact kidnapped her. And chased her through the woods. And held a knife up to her eye and threatened to pluck it out. Among other things. That hadn't seemed like a man who was secretly against his evil mistress. But August had told her that he had been forced to do terrible things to keep Narissa's trust. And then he had hid her from men who had seemed eager to impale her, and then from the queen herself. He had probably saved her life. Sam studied the enigma of a man before her again before speaking. "Alright. Let's pretend I believe you for a moment. You said I'm Dorothea's best asset. That my voice is the most powerful." Her brow furrowed, attempting to understand. "What did you mean? I'm not from this world, why would anyone listen to anything I have to say?"
He gave her a grave smile when he pointed out that he couldn't stop her from telling Dorothea if that's what she wanted to do. Sam smirked in response. "No, not really," she agreed. Her tone was just as quiet as his, as she knew Dorothea must be straining her ears to listen to their conversation. Her eyes narrowed a bit more as she considered him one last time before speaking again. "But maybe I won't tell her. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. You have to admit, August, that it's difficult for me to trust you after everything you did to me today. Even if you're telling the truth and everything you did was to keep up appearances with the queen. You still kidnapped me."
She was biting her lip in thought, going over every exchange they had shared in her head. He had in fact kidnapped her. And chased her through the woods. And held a knife up to her eye and threatened to pluck it out. Among other things. That hadn't seemed like a man who was secretly against his evil mistress. But August had told her that he had been forced to do terrible things to keep Narissa's trust. And then he had hid her from men who had seemed eager to impale her, and then from the queen herself. He had probably saved her life. Sam studied the enigma of a man before her again before speaking. "Alright. Let's pretend I believe you for a moment. You said I'm Dorothea's best asset. That my voice is the most powerful." Her brow furrowed, attempting to understand. "What did you mean? I'm not from this world, why would anyone listen to anything I have to say?"
Sam wanted to take her eyes away from him, from the man who had broken into her home and kidnapped her and threatened to slice her ear off. But as he spoke to her, ignoring the warnings from Dorothea and the dwarves, she found that she couldn't look away from his eyes. He words washed over her and she ignored everything else about the campground. For those moments it was like he was the only thing that existed. And then he was gagged and Dorothea and the dwarves tried to resume a normal conversation. But when Sam turned back to the fire she could feel his gaze on her and she could not get what he had said out of her mind.
She hated how his words impacted her. She hated him, she shouldn't have been listening to him. But Sam knew he was right. Once he had said the plan would fail she knew it was true. She hadn't wanted to admit it before but now she could no longer lie to herself. She hated how she felt her heart aching at the thought of a war ravaging a world that was not her own, of how she had allowed herself to be walked over. That wasn't like her. Ever since finding herself here she had been acting so unlike herself that looking back now it made her a bit sick. Sam wasn't the sort of person who cowered and hid away, or was dependent and timid. She was independent, she was a fighter, she controlled her life, and she could take care of herself. Sam lived alone without apprehension in one of the unfriendliest cities in her world, and had worked her way through law school on her own, defying age old beliefs that women couldn't do it. She had been acting like a victim, something she told herself she'd never do. Sam wasn't from this world. She wasn't made of porcelain. She wasn't a damsel in distress or some purehearted maiden. She was the goddamn hero of her life story. She may not have skills and strength like the Marshal's, but Sam wasn't weak.
And she did know that things were never what they seemed. And she knew that she wasn't satisfied with the gag around the Marshal's mouth. He had more to tell her, some more to explain. And Sam was going to hear it. Princess of Eldonia be damned.
Sam looked over at the cat and, despite the fact that she liked Dorothea, she felt angry with herself for letting a cat tell her what to do. Dorothea may have been a princess but Sam wasn't one of her subjects. "Don't stop me," she told her firmly before standing up and striding purposely over to the Marshal. Her movements dared the four at the fire to stop her and she paused in front of the Marshal to consider him for a moment. Then she bent down and pulled the cloth down from his mouth so it hung around his neck and knelt so they were at eye level. "First," Sam began, glaring at him with her own ferocity, "you're going to tell me your name. Then you're going to tell me why it is you care so much about stopping the queen when you, in fact, work for the queen. And convince me. Convince me that you mean it. Because maybe then I'll listen to the rest of what you have to say."
She hated how his words impacted her. She hated him, she shouldn't have been listening to him. But Sam knew he was right. Once he had said the plan would fail she knew it was true. She hadn't wanted to admit it before but now she could no longer lie to herself. She hated how she felt her heart aching at the thought of a war ravaging a world that was not her own, of how she had allowed herself to be walked over. That wasn't like her. Ever since finding herself here she had been acting so unlike herself that looking back now it made her a bit sick. Sam wasn't the sort of person who cowered and hid away, or was dependent and timid. She was independent, she was a fighter, she controlled her life, and she could take care of herself. Sam lived alone without apprehension in one of the unfriendliest cities in her world, and had worked her way through law school on her own, defying age old beliefs that women couldn't do it. She had been acting like a victim, something she told herself she'd never do. Sam wasn't from this world. She wasn't made of porcelain. She wasn't a damsel in distress or some purehearted maiden. She was the goddamn hero of her life story. She may not have skills and strength like the Marshal's, but Sam wasn't weak.
And she did know that things were never what they seemed. And she knew that she wasn't satisfied with the gag around the Marshal's mouth. He had more to tell her, some more to explain. And Sam was going to hear it. Princess of Eldonia be damned.
Sam looked over at the cat and, despite the fact that she liked Dorothea, she felt angry with herself for letting a cat tell her what to do. Dorothea may have been a princess but Sam wasn't one of her subjects. "Don't stop me," she told her firmly before standing up and striding purposely over to the Marshal. Her movements dared the four at the fire to stop her and she paused in front of the Marshal to consider him for a moment. Then she bent down and pulled the cloth down from his mouth so it hung around his neck and knelt so they were at eye level. "First," Sam began, glaring at him with her own ferocity, "you're going to tell me your name. Then you're going to tell me why it is you care so much about stopping the queen when you, in fact, work for the queen. And convince me. Convince me that you mean it. Because maybe then I'll listen to the rest of what you have to say."
Once the voices had faded away Nora had tried pounding on the door again and shouting for help. It was fruitless, she knew that. But it was better than sitting there doing nothing and crying. At least she was trying to do something that wasn't cowering in fear, although she was very afraid. But who wouldn't be after getting kidnapped? The drug was loosing its effect on her by the minute and she was pretty sure she would be able to stand steadily on her own soon. But for the moment Nora huddled against the door and pushed against it, fiddled with the knob, and tried everything she could think of the break it open.
If only she was stronger. She slammed her palm against the door furiously one last time and then rested her head against it. If they came back later and opened the door she might be able to try and fight her way out. But right now she still felt a bit lightheaded from the drug. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the metal door. Surely someone had seen something? The spot on the street had been very empty but someone had to have noticed a girl had been taken. Someone had to be looking for her.
At first Nora thought she was just hearing things. But the wheezing, grinding sound only got louder and she felt the air rush around her, blowing her long hair everywhere. Nora turned from her position on the floor and saw something fading in and out of existence on the other side of the little room. She felt her mouth fall open as it materialized more and more, and then she was staring at what looked like a blue wooden phone booth that said POLICE over the door. She was afraid to move, to touch it in order to prove to herself that it was solid and real. But she was just building up her courage to do something when the doors opened.
Light hit her in the eye and it blinded her. Nora squeezed her eyes shut to protect them from the sudden brightness, and wasn't sure she'd ever open them again until she heard a semi-familiar voice say hello. She carefully opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the light for a moment before finding the source of the voice. It was the woman from the street, with the cropped hair and the beeping gadget. Nora's eyes widened as she looked up at her and she opened her mouth, though no words came out. She sat there with her back against the door, completely speechless for a long moment. "Hello," was all Nora could say in response. The woman could make an entrance, she had to admit. First nearly knocking her into the street and now this box thing. Nora wanted to say something clever, but she didn't seem able to find her wits. "You, uh, certainly know how to make an impression."
If only she was stronger. She slammed her palm against the door furiously one last time and then rested her head against it. If they came back later and opened the door she might be able to try and fight her way out. But right now she still felt a bit lightheaded from the drug. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the metal door. Surely someone had seen something? The spot on the street had been very empty but someone had to have noticed a girl had been taken. Someone had to be looking for her.
At first Nora thought she was just hearing things. But the wheezing, grinding sound only got louder and she felt the air rush around her, blowing her long hair everywhere. Nora turned from her position on the floor and saw something fading in and out of existence on the other side of the little room. She felt her mouth fall open as it materialized more and more, and then she was staring at what looked like a blue wooden phone booth that said POLICE over the door. She was afraid to move, to touch it in order to prove to herself that it was solid and real. But she was just building up her courage to do something when the doors opened.
Light hit her in the eye and it blinded her. Nora squeezed her eyes shut to protect them from the sudden brightness, and wasn't sure she'd ever open them again until she heard a semi-familiar voice say hello. She carefully opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the light for a moment before finding the source of the voice. It was the woman from the street, with the cropped hair and the beeping gadget. Nora's eyes widened as she looked up at her and she opened her mouth, though no words came out. She sat there with her back against the door, completely speechless for a long moment. "Hello," was all Nora could say in response. The woman could make an entrance, she had to admit. First nearly knocking her into the street and now this box thing. Nora wanted to say something clever, but she didn't seem able to find her wits. "You, uh, certainly know how to make an impression."
The only thing Nora experienced when she started to wake up was confusion. Her thoughts and senses were cloudy and she was only vaguely aware of what had happened or what was currently happening to her. She thought she might be being carried in someone's strong arms, but for all she knew she was dreaming. Her eyes half opened and she stared at the world upside down. At least a world composed of smudgy shapes that she couldn't make out in her current state. She could hear voices, but they sounded far away and she couldn't make out what they were saying. Nora made indiscernible sounds of her own as her head turned lazily, and she thought she felt someone lift her head.
She opened her eyes wider and gazed up with unfocused eyes at a face that was almost recognizable to her. But whatever the man had drugged her with was potent and she couldn't distinguish the person's features. She thought he was a man, though. At least she was pretty sure she thought that. The person whispered to her and Nora felt her eyes droop lazily again. Before she fell unconscious for the second time she was aware that she was being carried somewhere else, but Nora slipped away before she had much time to think about it.
The floor was cold. She could feel in through her jacket and jeans. Nora made a soft moaning sound as she finally started to come to, opening her eyes blearily to find herself lying on the floor or what looked like a small closet. She also had the worst headache imaginable. Her limbs felt heavy and clumsy as she pushed herself up into a sitting position and tried to get a better sense of her surroundings. There wasn't much light in the room. The electric lamp's bulb was nearly dead and there was a little bit of light coming from the crack under the door. Nora wondered where she was for an instant before the memories flooded back to her. The arm pulling her against someone, the hand holding the cloth over her face.
"Hey!" Nora immediately started yelling, crawling over to the door and starting to pound against it. "Hey, let me out of here!" Her voice was scratchy from not being used and it took a lot of effort to move her arms. But she didn't stop. Not until she heard something smash against the door which caused her to yelp and fall away from it.
A loud voice yelled at her to be quiet and she saw shadows on the other side of the door. Nora moved back over to it and pressed her ear against the metal door. She heard someone telling another person a lot of things that didn't make much sense to her, but she heard him saying something about "the two need to have compatible DNA" and they still had to get "the other one" and for someone else to "go to Mary's." The drag they had used still scrambled her mind but Nora worked to commit those phrases to memory. Then the voices and footsteps got farther away and soon Nora was left alone in a closet with only a dying lantern for company.
She opened her eyes wider and gazed up with unfocused eyes at a face that was almost recognizable to her. But whatever the man had drugged her with was potent and she couldn't distinguish the person's features. She thought he was a man, though. At least she was pretty sure she thought that. The person whispered to her and Nora felt her eyes droop lazily again. Before she fell unconscious for the second time she was aware that she was being carried somewhere else, but Nora slipped away before she had much time to think about it.
The floor was cold. She could feel in through her jacket and jeans. Nora made a soft moaning sound as she finally started to come to, opening her eyes blearily to find herself lying on the floor or what looked like a small closet. She also had the worst headache imaginable. Her limbs felt heavy and clumsy as she pushed herself up into a sitting position and tried to get a better sense of her surroundings. There wasn't much light in the room. The electric lamp's bulb was nearly dead and there was a little bit of light coming from the crack under the door. Nora wondered where she was for an instant before the memories flooded back to her. The arm pulling her against someone, the hand holding the cloth over her face.
"Hey!" Nora immediately started yelling, crawling over to the door and starting to pound against it. "Hey, let me out of here!" Her voice was scratchy from not being used and it took a lot of effort to move her arms. But she didn't stop. Not until she heard something smash against the door which caused her to yelp and fall away from it.
A loud voice yelled at her to be quiet and she saw shadows on the other side of the door. Nora moved back over to it and pressed her ear against the metal door. She heard someone telling another person a lot of things that didn't make much sense to her, but she heard him saying something about "the two need to have compatible DNA" and they still had to get "the other one" and for someone else to "go to Mary's." The drag they had used still scrambled her mind but Nora worked to commit those phrases to memory. Then the voices and footsteps got farther away and soon Nora was left alone in a closet with only a dying lantern for company.
Sam took the food, feeling even more eternally grateful to Coralie and the rest of them. The bowl was warm in her hands and she blew into it a bit to cool the steaming stew. She nibbled on the cornbread while she waited for it to lower to a temperature that would not scald her tongue and the insides of her mouth, and soon she was consuming spoonfuls of the stew. She could feel herself becoming warmer by the minute and she settled a bit to watch their host's reactions.
The three seemed stunned by her story, but the real surprise came when Dorothea began to speak. Sam hid a smile, wondering if her face had worn a similar expression when she had heard Dorothea speak for the first time. But if anyone could convince them it was Dorothea. The three denied at first, not particularly surprising, but as Dorothea continued to tell her part of the story Sam could see their expressions changing from shock and disbelief, to horror that their kingdom was in trouble and acceptance of the outlandish tale. She could see it on their faces during the long pause that followed the end of Dorothea's account. It filled Sam with relief. She became less tense, knowing that they believed.
The dwarves seemed to be lost for words, not that Sam blamed them, but soon the talking continued and Dorothea told them what she needed. Or rather where she needed to go. And the three offered to help her almost at once. And then everything seemed to be falling together. They had a safe place to sleep and people to guide them through this unfamiliar territory. Dorothea suggested to her that she stay, as it was close to the hollow and the mirror. Sam looked around the camp, and nodded her head a bit. It was a safe place to wait until her way back home opened once again. It was inhabited by three people who had already shown how welcoming they could be. And she was tried of trudging through the woods. It wasn't a bad plan at all, even though Sam didn't like the fact that it might take a long time for her opportunity to go home to even present itself. But still... "You're probably right," she said, leaning back a bit to set her empty bowl on the ground beside her. "If that's alright with you guys, of course." Sam said this to the dwarves.
Then another voice spoke up, horribly familiar, and Sam winced as she turned to look at where the Marshal was tied up. The tranquilizer the dwarves had used on him had worn off and he was perfectly awake and had apparently been listening. He pointed out the flaws in their plan and she didn't want to admit that he was probably right. But he was probably right. When he accused the dwarves of being bandits Sam looked over at the three questioningly and saw the uncomfortable, guilty faces. But she didn't speak until he said that the girl was Dorothea's best asset. And there was only one person that girl could be.
"Me?" Sam said, looking over at him with her eyes narrowed. "An asset? No. No, no, no. I'm not an asset, and definitely not the best one. I'm just...lost. And confused. And useless." She looked around at all five of them, as though daring them to disagree. "I am literally useless." Her gaze fixed upon the Marshal again and her eyebrows furrowed. "Anyway why are you suggesting that? Why do you even care? You work for the Queen."
The three seemed stunned by her story, but the real surprise came when Dorothea began to speak. Sam hid a smile, wondering if her face had worn a similar expression when she had heard Dorothea speak for the first time. But if anyone could convince them it was Dorothea. The three denied at first, not particularly surprising, but as Dorothea continued to tell her part of the story Sam could see their expressions changing from shock and disbelief, to horror that their kingdom was in trouble and acceptance of the outlandish tale. She could see it on their faces during the long pause that followed the end of Dorothea's account. It filled Sam with relief. She became less tense, knowing that they believed.
The dwarves seemed to be lost for words, not that Sam blamed them, but soon the talking continued and Dorothea told them what she needed. Or rather where she needed to go. And the three offered to help her almost at once. And then everything seemed to be falling together. They had a safe place to sleep and people to guide them through this unfamiliar territory. Dorothea suggested to her that she stay, as it was close to the hollow and the mirror. Sam looked around the camp, and nodded her head a bit. It was a safe place to wait until her way back home opened once again. It was inhabited by three people who had already shown how welcoming they could be. And she was tried of trudging through the woods. It wasn't a bad plan at all, even though Sam didn't like the fact that it might take a long time for her opportunity to go home to even present itself. But still... "You're probably right," she said, leaning back a bit to set her empty bowl on the ground beside her. "If that's alright with you guys, of course." Sam said this to the dwarves.
Then another voice spoke up, horribly familiar, and Sam winced as she turned to look at where the Marshal was tied up. The tranquilizer the dwarves had used on him had worn off and he was perfectly awake and had apparently been listening. He pointed out the flaws in their plan and she didn't want to admit that he was probably right. But he was probably right. When he accused the dwarves of being bandits Sam looked over at the three questioningly and saw the uncomfortable, guilty faces. But she didn't speak until he said that the girl was Dorothea's best asset. And there was only one person that girl could be.
"Me?" Sam said, looking over at him with her eyes narrowed. "An asset? No. No, no, no. I'm not an asset, and definitely not the best one. I'm just...lost. And confused. And useless." She looked around at all five of them, as though daring them to disagree. "I am literally useless." Her gaze fixed upon the Marshal again and her eyebrows furrowed. "Anyway why are you suggesting that? Why do you even care? You work for the Queen."
© 2007-2024