Intermission; Rayvon and Draza
The cart and mule kept on moving, now leaving the castle grounds entirely as they approached the outer walls of the grand keep and palace. The last things on her way was to pass the training grounds of the courtyard before she would be fully off into town with the last of her goods to give away, and check on Granmere and friends to see how they were doing after the party the night prior.
Various militia men to full knights were training in some small numbers, those that Draza had not yet had the pleasure of meeting or of knowing their names, but she did recognize one from Arian out among them, though the exact name escaped her, a fact that surely just meant they hadn’t talked enough yet. Pulling her mule to a stop, she stands up in her cart and calls out, “Hark, Queen’s Blade in the training fields, how fare you this fine day?”
Rayvon’s hand slips on her blade as her concentration is broken and a knight smacks down with his blade across her shoulder. She winces at the impact, though it had done nothing to break through her armour. She rolls her shoulder uncertainly as she looks back at the small voice that had addressed her, her sword being sheathed at her hip. “Hmm, I fare well enough, though I suppose I just lost my spar. What of you, fae folk?”
Draza’s hands quickly slipped over her mouth, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you lose,” her tone drops a bit, losing some of the energy, “But er, I was just passing by and saw you and like wanted to say hey? I’ve not been seeing enough of my fellow Blades for my liking. What with the whole ‘horrible awful future missions of doomy death doom’ I’d like it if we were more comrades than co-workers, y’know?”
Rayvon raises a brow and chuckles, lowering her hood as she moved over to the cart. “A kind thought to have. I suppose we very might be the last friends we all know in the coming events.” She rubs her hands together, finding them sore before taking off her gloves, wrinkling her nose at the blisters that had begun to bubble up from her training sessions of late. “It is a good thing you do then, I suppose, to try and offer a potential familiar face for us all to return to. Ah, but I suppose many still do not know you. I myself, for example.” She tucks her gloves under her arm as the other crosses over her heart in a salute as she bows formally. “Rayvon Krayvitch of the Kingdom Liveria. And you are?”
While certainly not able to match the sheer coolness of an actual bad ass doing that salute, she does her own diminutive version of it in return, “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintanceship, Lady Krayvitch. I’m Draza Zorya of the Rheinfeld Republic, at your service.” She stands up a bit more after the fact before turning to her cart half full of sweets, “My services being a bit limited at the time, however.”
She eyes the cart and smiles sweetly, “Perhaps I could assist you then. We could banter as you go, then. A fair idea, no?”
Draza didn’t immediately pick up on what she meant, but it did click into place, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare impose on your training for you to accompany me into town. I’m not even on Blade business in my trip.”
Rayvon snorts, crossing her arms, “Am I not allowed to take off from Blades’ duties as well? It would be a refreshing break to accompany you, Lady Draza. I have been training enough this day and would prefer to handle business of a less… brutal nature, as well as it is to be trained with a blade.” Her eyes go over the cart curiously, eyeing the sugary treats and the sweet scent coming off of them. Her mouth waters as she remembers such scents flooding the kitchen in her youth every weekend. “Besides, it would be worth seeing the smiles of those who receive such boons.”
Scratching behind her head, Draza shrugged, “I suppose I could take your company if you’re so insistent upon it. Besides, I always, always make extra,” she said as she moved a blanket that covered another small basket mixed with the others, “Just in case. Y’know, if you’re interested, Lady Krayvitch.”
Her eyes are all but glued to the sweets that Draza reveals as she bites her lip and tries to turn her attention away from the golden cookies. “I, ah, as kind of a gesture that is, I imagine there are others who might like your sweets, Draza, and I would not feel right accepting them without compensating for the work you must had put into making them.”
“Pish posh dish wash, you’re gifting me with company, it’s only fair that I gift you back,” she said, slowly coaxing her mule to move again so they can talk about this while walking through the streets instead of just sitting in the courtyard.
Rayvon nods slowly, striding along the wagon lazily, “I suppose that could be true…” She smiles a tad and takes one of the cookies, nibbling upon it. “So, you are from the Republic. That could not have been easy. If I recall from my studies, Rheinfeld is a very harsh sort in regards to the other races.”
“They can be, but if you throw yourself into their cause, and pull your weight… however little there is you can get by pretty well,” Draza replied, “I was picked on quite a lot until I found my niche.”
Cookie crumbs over her face, the Paladin goes to brush them away, “Pick on you? Now why would anyone do that to such a peddler of treats and good thoughts, hmm? Tis simply not right.”
“It was mostly the children, and I was young at the time too. But, for the most part, it’s because I’m small and weak, so people think they can get away with it,” she shrugged weakly, “But then I let them get to know me, I become their friend, I welcome even their jaded words with a hug, and they tend to stop being like that. Even the Templars learned to like me.”
“It sounds to be a rather charmed life, bullies aside,” she muses, glancing at the small Draza. “I am surprised, though. With your apparent gift for making friends, surely one must have stepped up as your champion. It makes no sense that no one would come to your aide, to be frank.”
“I mostly end up talking them out of it,” Draza chuckled, “I end up feeling bad that they’d risk themselves for me, and I can’t properly pay them back. And, well,” she grinned a bit, sheepishly, “When I’ve set my mind to something, I can usually talk my way into or out of anything. While keeping the friendship. Like uh,” she continued, “The Templar guys I was with? They risked themselves for me, and I paid them back as much as I could. I’m sure if I run into them again they’d be willing to pick that spot back up if I let them. And there was this one guy in the Republic, a former criminal… well, I’ve had offers, is all I’m saying.”
Rayvon watches Draza out of the corner of her eye before looking back ahead, “Perhaps it would be wise of you to take someone up on their offer. I have heard of the way you won the day at the Westernmost tower. I am afraid, though, that to many in this world, the idea of friendship and baked goods does not appeal. It would do you well to seek a guardian in our line of work.”
“It’d have to be someone I trusted, and someone who also isn’t a jerk, and strangely enough…” she stops, “Well, I just don’t know enough people well enough yet, is all. Even the ones who haven’t been the nicest to me are still nice people. I know they are, because… well, I just do.”
“You have a very innocent and naive look at people. I hope you do not have the misfortune of meeting the less wholesome of our force. I have the feeling there are many in this work for personal gain and more so willing to commit atrocities so long as they profit,” she glances aside at Draza, “But let us not allow that to ruin this day. Where is your first stop, small friend?”
“One Chester A. Mapleleaf, this is actually his cart I’m riding in, and while I have already paid him, I also have the treats to give extra thanks,” Draza said as she cast a glance up to Rayvon before resuming looking at the road, “He was inclined to rent it and the mule at a lower than normal price, and I’m just reimbursing him for it. He lives,” she points off down one of the many side roads off the main wide ones, “Third street after the red oak tree by the fountain. His is the house with the white trim windows.”
She looks down the road curiously before nodding, “Ah, I see. Kind of you, then…” She taps her lip curiously, looking at the basket of sweets she had taken from earlier. “Ah, Draza, you said these were all extra cookies, right? Might I request a trade of those fine baked goods for my service in the future? I seem to think I know a family who might appreciate them…” She coughs, a light flush upon her cheeks as she remembers the stone mason’s family.
“If they’d make a family happy to have, then you can take them off me for free. My treat, you don’t need to owe me anything for it,” Draza said, beaming a smile up at Rayvon, “But if it’s a speciality delivery, I could bake something even more fresh and tailored to their tastes if you’d prefer.”
Rayvon smiles sheepishly, “I wouldn’t know what their preferences are, I just feel as if I still owe them for my request and how rudely I barged in after the scare with the bombs.”
“Oh, back in Arian?” Draza asked, “That’s quite a journey to be taking when the ball is so soon approaching. Do you have time to make it there and back again if you were to go?”
Rayvon considers it before shaking her head, “Only if I were to rent a horse, but at that point, it would still be uncertain. No, it may be best if I were to hire someone to deliver them specifically, perhaps?”
“Or, if we are not thrown into the wilds again immediately after the ball, you can arrange transport, and I’ll get you fresh sweets for the trip as well?” Draza paused, “And also actual food rations. I can do more than sweets, I promise.”
She beams appreciatively at the sprite, “That is quite well of you, and it would be much appreciated. Would you mind my perhaps helping with the task, though? I would not feel right, you putting in all the work, Draza.”
“Someone’s life is improved, and you get to pay your debts,” she said, “That’s all I need in return for my work. Speaking of,” the mule came to a stop at a cul de sac, moving over to the house that it knew as home without Draza guiding it. She tugged at its reins and brought it to a stop, “Hopefully Sir Mapleleaf is home. Do you mind picking up,” she looks at the various baskets of goodies before picking one out that had a small bit of yellow ribbon tied to it, “That one?”
Rayvon nods and picks up the basket easily, happy to assist the diminutive Draza with her tasks for the day, “Certainly. I am glad to be of service.” She smiles and winks, taking a step back and gesturing for Draza to take the lead.
The sprite hopped out of the cart, and with a pat of the mule’s leg, she walked over to the door and knocked. After a few light rappings, the door began to click and stir, as a smaller less obvious door within the base of the upper door opened up, revealing a gnome of all things. He was a tired looking soul, old and weary, with thick glasses, but his face still lit up when he saw Draza, “Draza! What a surprise, are you returning Eustice so soon?”
Draza shook her head in response, “No sir, I’ve come bearing gifts of thanks. Sweets for your marvellous great grandchildren. I’m sure they’ll love it and gorge themselves silly for weeks. I mean, check out the basket size!” She excitedly pointed up at the basket in Rayvon’s hands.
“Oh my, Draza, now you didn’t have to go about--” he began, only to be interrupted by Draza taking his hand in hers, their sizes actually being fairly similar. “Oh just take them. Be glad I’m not doing this and paying in full. You can surely accept at least one kindness from me after you’ve given me your own.”
Mapleleaf blushed and frowned, “Confound it, alright. You, big friend of Draza, I’ll get the door for ye, one moment.” The gnome closed the door and went back inside as things like latches and machinations were heard on the other side.
Rayvon, who had been silent watching the display, raises her brows at the curiosity. She could not remember seeing so many different races in a day as she had here in Renalta. It was a curious thing, to say the least. She waits simply as the door makes its way open and nods her thanks. Even though the larger door was open, she still found herself having to duck her head to make sure she fit through. “Thank you, master Mapleleaf.”
“Oh, t’weren’t nothing my dear,” the gnome says with a grin as he appears to do something… he’s quickly stopped by Draza, whatever it was that he was doing. She silently gave a glare before her eyes went back to cheery. “So, where can Lady,” she stresses, “Krayvitch set the sweets down?” Draza asks as she surveys the abode. Things were certainly scaled down for a gnome and sprite to enjoy the home, but there were still larger pieces of furniture there, more appropriate for a child or a dwarf. “Oh, on the table, the big one,” he replied, pointing at a moderately sized dark oaken table off to the side, where a single chair sat, “Laern can take care of that later.”
Rayvon looks at the gnome shrewdly before awkwardly making her way to the oak table to set the basket. She found herself trying to make herself as small as possible lest she knock something over and cause a mess. With a sigh, she finds a space that seemed like she could not wreak much havoc and simply stays put there, giving Draza a pitiable look, displaying her discomfort for a brief moment.
Draza looked up and saw the discomfort before quickly turning back to Sir Mapleleaf, “I would love to stay and chat again, but I have other baskets to deliver. Perhaps after the ball if I’m not sequestered away on a mission immediately?”
The gnome nodded, “That’s quite alright, we’ll talk when we get the chance. Your company is always welcomed here, Draza.” With their leave granted, Draza made haste to leave with her companion so she did not continue to feel so unpleasant in the confines of the home. They had other stops to visit, and more pleasant ones for her at that.
Rayvon clears her throat and mutters to Draza in a hushed tone after leaving, “I am sorry, I am just not one for such confined places.” She flushes and looks away with an embarrassed smile. “I had not meant to rush you, Draza.”
“It’s quite fine, Lady Krayvitch,” said Draza, “There’s plenty of stops left, and most of them will be better sized for your comfort. And,” she adds, “Without lecherous eyes. Mapleleaf tried to get frisky with me first we met, but I had none of his shenanigans. I apologize that he even tried it with you.” Draza sighed, before giggling a bit as she shook her head, “Dirty old man.”
Rayvon shuffles uncomfortably, her eyes going downcast. “Ah, I feel I have more than my fair share with lecherous beings of late,” she pouts, drawing her cloak tighter about herself. “Thank you, then, for coming to my aide before anything could happen.”
“It is nary a worry nor problem for me to save one’s good dignity and purity, see?,” Draza said in unusual metre but consistent rhyme. Probably intentional, as she doesn’t do that normally. An effort to try to lighten her mood as they continued their rounds.
She gives the sprite an amused look before nodding her head, “Still a kindness of you.” She chuckles and continues on, “Funny, I had thought you to need a guardian of sorts, but it seems you are the one playing the part of one.”
“Just doing my part to make someone’s day better when and where I can, s’all,” Draza says, almost dismissive of the notion of her as a guardian. “It’s no different than delivering the cookies, or handing out toys, or convincing a misguided child with great power to not kill others and instead take a sweet.”
Rayvon snorts and shakes her head but decides to muse over the strange words of the fae. She sets to walking alongside the cart once more before inquiring, “Perhaps, but you ought find a protector, yet, Draza. Your outlooks on life and talents are something we would all suffer to lose.”
She smiled up at Rayvon, before turning back to the road, “Maybe someday, Lady Krayvitch. But for now… I’m content and safe with the castle. Perhaps on our next… quest? Mission? Whichever,” she rolls her eyes, “I’ll find someone who can keep me safe if my own skills do not.”
She nods, still unconvinced that the sprite had a long life ahead of herself with these notions. Well wishes and sweet words, as kindly as they may be, did not save one wishing to change things. For now, though, she could spare the time by to be vigilant over the sprite. Who knew, perhaps a stray hawk would see fit to whisk the poor sprite away thinking her a morsel. The paladin, with that thought, suddenly found herself watching the skies as they continued along their way for the day.
Intermission; Aëyr and Draza
Lying flat on the top of the garden wall, Aëyr calmly surveyed the sky above her. As the day’s lights faded, she closed her eyes and embraced the blissful silence that now permeated her surroundings. A cool breeze lightly rustled the flowers and herbs below, and she embraced its gentle trickle across her skin.
Draza was relaxed, but not in the same way as Aëyr. Perhaps content would be better, because she was certainly tired from trying to stable the mule on her own. She certainly could have asked for help, but she likes the hard work; reminds her of home. From her time at the stalls, she decided that she’d take a brief jaunt through the gardens. Stop, smell the roses and whatever else was in bloom. Moving through, she saw that unsurprisingly she wasn’t alone in enjoying the garden, although the companion atop the wall wasn’t enjoying it for the same reason as she. “What ho, friend! Enjoying our fair weather?” Draza called out, before wiping the sweat and grime from her brow.
If Aëyr had had ears, they would have perked up at the voice of the sprite. A familiar voice to her, and at least not one of the pesky servants and commoners of the city. Instead, she turned onto her side and gazed down at the diminutive figure. She remained there pensively for a moment, before swinging down off the wall and landing with a dull thud. “Yes, I was.” She kicked the dry dirt at her feet absent-mindedly. “Though I would much rather it rain.”
“For the sound, smell, or feel of it?” Draza asked, “I myself love the smell of the rain upon a field. There’s a word for that, but I forget what it is.” With a sigh, she moved closer and looked up respectfully at Aëyr, “How have things been treating you since Arian?”
“For the air. It feels dry.” She looked down at the sprite, and finding this improper, kneeled down to look at her more head on. “I am not one for cities. Silence and solitude are my homes, be they free in nature, or locked in cages.” She held out her hand in greetings. “I am Aëyr, and you are Draza, yes?”
“Aëyr…” she leaned forward expectantly for a last name, “Lady Aëyr…”
She raises a pudgy eyebrow. “I am no lady.”
“But you do have a surname, right?” Draza asked.
Aëyr stares at her blankly for a moment. “No, Aëyr is the only name I possess.”
“Oh,” Draza blinked. She was not necessarily familiar with such a thing. Normally those had at least one, if not several types of additional names, some earned, given, taken, or otherwise. But only a first? Well, she could still be respectful to that, “Well, I can still be respectful to you, Lady Aëyr. You may not be a lady, but you still deserve the respect of one. Specifically as a Blade.”
“I truly do not deserve the respect you offer. I have neither class nor legends to my name. I exist merely to serve others, to better their lives.” She looks away for a moment thinking, before turning back to the sprite. “Were you not headed somewhere? I might join you, if you’d wish it.”
“And one who makes the lives better for people doesn’t deserve respect? Would you say a mother and her babe raised on her bosom doesn’t deserve respect of a noble, despite her noble profession of raising the child?” Draza stops after a moment, “Erm, regardless, I was going somewhere. A meal in my belly would be pleasant, and company at the table more so.”
With a slight smile gracing her face, Aëyr rose to her feet and slapped her blubbery waist. “I can always do with some nourishment.” She motioned for Draza to climb up onto her back. “I could carry you, if you’d like. We’ll make it there faster.”
She shook her head, “You don’t need to offer me that kindness. We can walk and talk just fine. So long,” she added, “As you don’t mind the walk and talk.”
Aëyr shrugged. “I don’t mind.” She moved off towards the dining hall, being sure not to walk at too fast a pace for the sprite’s little legs to keep up, knowing that she herself often walked faster than the norm. “As I see it, the form of respect you show me marks me as significant. I, for one, prefer to not draw the attention of others.”
“Would you have preferred I have left you be? If my company bothers you I’m sure that your speed could make haste to solitude,” Draza commented. “But! If you do contend to stay at my side for the duration, then I uh, do hope my respect marks you significant? In a good way. Or. Something.” Draza huffed and rubbed her eyes, “Not staying up so late tonight…”
“No, no, I do not mind your company. I simply dislike the crowds.” After a couple steps of silence, she resumes. “Although, I would prefer you to simply call me Aëyr, for whatever it is worth.” As they walked, Aëyr lightly brushed her forearm with her fingertips, thinking back to times past. “If I may ask, do you have any family?”
“I do have them, back in Rheinfeld. They’re living pretty happy simple lives, as they’d want to,” Draza says a bit listlessly, “Hopefully they’ll have nice boring happy lives for a long time. What about you? Also, why the opposition to the honour I keep trying to throw your way?”
“I had a shoal-sister back in the Free Holds, but we were separated. I can only hope she is doing well. As for honour,” she added, “I have no need of it. I would prefer not to be idolized for my actions, whether they have merit or not. As I said, I am not one for crowds.”
“I’m not quite sure how the honour gets crowds, alas, if you prefer I not then I’ll drop your ladyship off. Would respect do? Thanks? I offer a variety of responses to behaviours. I’m like one of my snack trays,” Draza joked.
“It’s—never mind, it doesn’t matter. There is no need for you to alter yourself for me. I would just prefer to be treated as an equal.” As they arrived at the dining hall, Aëyr opened the door to allow Draza to pass. “There is no need for formalities, seeing as we shall be serving together against the creatures from below the earth-bed.”
Draza stifled a laugh, “Not doing something to make you feel like you’re a great maiden would be altering myself. I’ve gotten so used to speaking well of others, I don’t think I could do any different for you. It’s habit, but I assure you of its sincerity.” She sighed as they finally passed the kitchen on the way to the dining hall, where they would get their meal, or at least she would. “Didn’t we already serve against one, however L--” she caught herself, “… Friend Aëyr? Or literally just Aëyr?” Draza seemed to actually be struggling with this notion of no honorifics, “Meryl and possibly others at Arian. Not the same as what’s ahead, but a taste nonetheless.”
“Aëyr. Just Aëyr, please,” she restated somewhat curtly. “Meryl…” she added, with a softer tone once more, “was not evil. It is not the same. I hope we shall never have to—to—to slay one such as her. If I am not mistaken, that is why you have come along, yes? To prevent, rather than to beget, violence?”
“Part of it! I also am good at making others join up and work with us. Or, well, that’s the hope,” Draza said, “And no, she is not and was not. She’s not malicious, just… uninformed. But, she was still something along the lines of what we have ahead, even if a child, ignorant and weak compared to a single soldier of theirs. So she totally counts,” Draza said, with a bit of a yawn.
Noticing the tired state of her companion, Aëyr designated that they make their way quickly to the tables and nab some food. “I can only hope we’ll be up for the challenge. I myself am best at fleeing, not fighting.” Looking at the food before them, she served herself a large chunk of sheep’s meat and a sliver of bread, quick to add copious amounts of salt. “though I do, of course, have other talents, if need be.”
Draza’s meal was far smaller by comparison, some berries, meat, and actually no bread. She’d had enough of that stuff in the morning and earlier. Now was a time for delicious dinner, best stuff first. Dessert would be later, if at all. Plopping into her mouth half of a blackberry, Draza suckled it a bit before chomping through and eating more with relish. Tired relish, but still relish. Wiping her mouth of any stains, Draza turned up to Aëyr, “You were pretty good at fighting, your footwork and sling were both impressive. What other talents do you mean, Aëyr?”
Aëyr sighed, debating whether or not to tell the sprite of her time in the Free Holds. While she had learned to shut out the shame that had come with her slavery, she was still fully aware of how poorly such things might be received. To have one’s freedom taken can be a great burden, but there were other things taken far worse. “Sex, mostly.”
There were few who would count sex amongst their talents, three groups primarily. Braggarts, whores, and sex slaves, and it was clear which one was Aëyr. “Oh,” Draza said, not saying much else, “I didn’t know.” She was quiet for a bit before speaking up, “No offence, but I don’t think that talent will be much use for the Blades compared to your fleetness and fighting finesse. Fornication, pardon my language, isn’t a common tactic for fighting off legions of horror.”
“Neither is baking cookies,” she responded.
A fair rebuttal, leaving Draza quiet for a moment before she almost spoke up. But, she caught herself, and thought more, looking at her meal. Then, she spoke, “I suppose both could be used to win allies in the fight.”
“I’ll do whatever is needed of me. After all, compared to the thousands at risk, what is the loss of one selkie’s decency?” Taking a seat at the table, Aëyr began to devour her food. “I’m sorry, I was cruel,” she added, with a twinge of regret. “Not all memories are as easy to digest.”
“You were being honest, and fair. Neither of those is a cruelty,” Draza said, still standing with her bit of meat. She went through meals pretty fast due to the whole ‘size’ thing, and was practically done as it was. But, she still climbed into a spot near Aëyr. She didn’t say anything, just looked at the woman, and kept thinking of what she had said. She was glad to have someone willing to give so much as an ally now, after the worry of some of the others, but also didn’t like seeing one with what felt like so little to give to give so much. That was not as fair as her sentiments were. But, these were quiet musings, as Draza ate her bit of meat in uncharacteristic silence, a respect for the woman. At least, she hoped.
The silence continued for a little while, as Aëyr quickly made work of her food. When she had finished, she licked the salt off of her lips, and turned once more to her ally. “I do not know that I make the best of friends, but I am glad to have you alongside me in the Blades. Perhaps our rabble of a team may just be able to combat the tide of this coming corruption.” The corner of her lips twitched upwards. “Though I admit I had been raised to swim with the tide, not against it.”
Draza shrugged, “Then we change the tides. We’ve banished gods, we can defeat the tide of corruption.” Though her words could be taken as pure bravado, she didn’t say it as much in a way that implied that. She was sincere enough in her saying it. She believed that victory would happen. “And, don’t fret. You’ll be a good friend of mine in no time.”
Rising from the table, Aëyr took her plate and held out her hand to take Draza’s, were she finished eating. “We shall see.” A pause. “I look forward to our next mission. Being cooped up here with so much freedom and so little to do leaves me somewhat sour. And yet you,” she commented, with a grin, “appear to be finding too much to do. Come, I think it time for you to rest. They will have need of us at our best potentials.”
Draza smiled sheepishly, “There’s always work to do, it may not always be world changing, but it’s there. And I was gonna,” she yawned, “Rest anyway. I promise.” She took the hand, grabbing the finger in her hands for a shake, knowing that’s probably not why it was offered at this point, but trying to bypass it. “I’m on my bed as soon as I’m done eating. Promise.”
Aëyr nodded. “I’ll see you at the ball, then. Sleep well.” With that, she returned her plate and left the dining hall, making her way out past the gardens and back into the city. Night had fallen, and she wanted to find somewhere to nap. Perhaps another nice wall would do.