Kyrisse

The First War

The next morning...

Sophia walked back into The Black Raven with Paul's cleaned clothes folded neatly in her hands. She wore a plain brown dress and her hair was again braided neatly down her back. Since she was having breakfast with the noble, she figured she'd give him his laundered clothes herself and settled down onto one of the tables near the fireplace. As she waited, she thought back to the night before, remembering that the Count's daughter had been there. Did the Count send his own daughter to spy on the duke-to-be? Or were the two lovers secretly meeting in the tavern? Did her sudden appearance and spilling 'accident' prevent them from their planned intimate encounter?

She paused at that thought. If that was the case then she'll have to move a little faster, maybe even seducing him right after breakfast. She was, after all, sure that she had left him a little frustrated when she left the night before.

She looked up just in time to see the noble coming down the stairs. She smiled and gave him a small wave.

---

Olivia woke up after just a few hours of sleep, yawning as she stretched. "Good morning," she greeted the handmaiden that was standing by the window.

Darma looked as if she had woken up even earlier than her mistress or didn't sleep at all. She turned to the noble at the sound of her voice. "Have you decided on the best course of action, milady?"

The blonde teenager sighed. "I do not want to go back, that much is certain. I do not want to be kept inside the castle, I do not want to have to beg to walk around town and then ignored, I do NOT want to marry that old coot."

"However, not returning to the castle would have your father in a fit," Darma finished.

Olivia sighed. "I know. And then it will be even more difficult to reason with him. But if I return now, I will not be able to meet Lord Paul later for our meal," she frowned.

"Then why not meet him in the Black Raven for breakfast? That way you will still be able to share a meal with him before we face the wrath of your father and be locked away in the castle," Darma suggested.

"I suppose it cannot be helped. Please, will you help me get dressed?"

The handmaiden was already unpacking Olivia's green dress even before she could even ask. Darma gave her a smile. "Of course. You do not even need to ask, milady."

A few minutes later, the two women were walking into the tavern where Paul was staying.

The First War

Sophia saw how his eyes moved over her body. It made her wonder for a brief second if he was starved for sex because he had gone too long without it or if he was genuinely attracted to her. And then realizing that she was analyzing his look too much, she brushed the thought away. She shouldn't really care because one way or the other, she'll eventually end up in his bed. She expected him to ask for it...even demand it from her. That was how most nobles and most men were, after all. But when he asked her to join him for breakfast, she looked up, surprised. "Breakfast?" she asked. It was an unusual request, one that she had never been asked before. But she regained her composure quickly and a smile spread across her face. "It would be an honor to accompany you to breakfast, my Lord."

She looked down at his clothes that were in her hands. "I should let you get your rest now, my Lord." She looked up and smiled again. "I will see you again in the morning," she said shyly as she gave him a bow, excused herself and left the room.

The First War

Once alone in the room Darma reserved for the two of them, Olivia recounted to her handmaiden the events that had transpired earlier, including what Winston had told her. The teasing smile on the dark haired girl's face was replaced by a frown, her comments about her mistress' meeting with Paul dying on her lips.

"You have been doubtful about your father for a while now. Do you believe the knight's words?" she asked.

"There must be a reason why he would think so about father. Besides, father has been getting more and more comfortable thinking that Adam would be the next Duke. He even went so far as to redesign the Family crest. But now that Lord Paul has returned, he must turn over the power." Olivia frowned as she paced the floor.

"Perhaps you should hear Lord Paul's opinions on the matter. I am sure you would want to hear what he has to say. I believe he had stayed his tongue as not to offend you or... he might not be too certain if you came to him as a spy for your father."

Olivia nodded. "Yes, I had the same notions. And yes, I have all intentions of meeting with him tomorrow." A small smile appeared on her lips.

Darma chuckled. "Make sure you ask him his opinions. Do not just flirt with him," she reminded.

"Darma!"

This time, Darma laughed out loud at Olivia's reproaching look. "I am just saying," she grinned and then shook her head. "But before anything else, I have heard that your father has found out that you and I have slipped out of the castle."

"What!? Olivia stopped pacing and stared at Darma with a horrified look on her face.

"If what Sir Winston said about your father is true, then he will no doubt be sending spies and guards to watch the Duke. And since you are his most favored child, I believe he would do all in his power to keep you away from Lord Paul," Darma mused out loud, unaware of how accurate her words were.

"Then I will not go back to the castle. He has kept me locked away with no friends and no one to talk to for far too long... well, I mean, other people. You know that I greatly appreciate your company," she hurriedly assured her handmaiden. "And the bethrotal to that...that old man. Does he really think I would really go along with his plans?"

"I know, I know," Darma nodded. "But where would we stay? The town is small, your father's men will eventually find us. I would not want to encounter Crone," she shuddered at the thought of the man.

Olivia sighed and fell back on her bed.

---

Sophia knew that if she played her cards well, Paul would be lusting after her now. She thought that she was doing a good job and kept at it despite being tempted to check out his physique. She kept her eyes averted as he removed his clothes, glancing upward quickly as he handed her his soiled clothes. She glimpsed a well toned torso and she bit her lower lip. Show just a bit of interest... She willed a blush to color her cheeks as she looked down again.

"I will take my leave to have your garments cleaned, my Lord. Do you require anything else from me?" she asked, wondering how he'd answer her question.

The First War

Olivia nodded at the suggestion to meet with Paul the next day. Of course she will meet with him. He had, after all, invited her to share a meal with him. She wouldn't pass up a chance to spend a little more time with the object of her long standing infatuation.

All the while that the two were conversing, Darma studied the knight. He was tall -- taller than all the men she knew -- muscular and no doubt strong. His face was a little frightening with the burn scars on it and she was sure that people shied away from him just by his looks alone. But her mistress seemed to have taken a liking to him and that was enough for Darma to like him too. She returned his smile and then averted her gaze, lest he misunderstood the reason why she had been staring at him.

"The truth ... it begins with locating Duchess Eddithia. M'lord does not believe her to be ill and under medical care. He believes her to be banished from the Duchy by your fa-- By the Count."

Why did her father tell her that she was ill and was sent to the monastery to get well? If the Duchess has indeed been banished, what had she done that warranted banishment? Was it why none of her letters have been answered? There were already so many questions in her mind.

"Without drawing unwanted attention ... does m'lady think she could find the location of the Duchess and get such information to m'lord?"

There was really no reason why she should withheld information that she already have. "I already know where the Duchess is. Grandmother was sent to Blyth Priory. She--" her words were cut short by Darma intertwining her arm with hers.

"It's gotten awfully late, Iya. We should retire for the evenin' so we may have an early start for our journey back home in the morrow." Darma said in a strange accent she didn't have earlier. She turned to Winston and smiled. "We hope to be seein' you again next we visit, cousin. Tell Aunt May that Lorrie will visit her again soon," she said and then led Olivia away, her eyes darting towards several guards the teenager noted to be employed by her father.

"Good night! It was a pleasure meetin' you, sir," Olivia gave Winston a small wave and then cheerfully called out in the same strange accent Darma used. Both women disappeared into The Welcome Inn.

---

Sophia was pleased when she saw the way Paul looked at her. It was a familiar look men gave her when they were thinking lustful thoughts about her. She had half the mind to throw herself at him and get it over with but she stopped herself. She reminded herself that this was Paul Cranston, the next in line to be Duke. She can't treat him like her usual patrons. She had to earn his trust...perhaps even his affection so that she can deliver to the Count what he wants. "I would be glad to tell you stories of my own, my Lord. However, I am afraid that it is not much compared to yours. I am, after all, just a simple farm girl."

She stepped forward. "Now, may I help you change your clothes?"

The First War

Olivia sighed. She knew that the knight would react this way. She patiently waited for him to end his babble, fully planning on telling him that no harm has been done. Everyone, after all, has a right to his or her opinion. Or at least, that's what she believed. Many nobles, particularly her father, would not approve of her way of thinking. But just because he didn't approve doesn't mean she has to conform to their way of thinking. When the big knight pulled out a sword, the teenager took a step back, minsinterpreting the man's action as hostile. Darma reacted automatically, positioning herself between Winston and her mistress.

Olivia's eyes widened when the knight sank to his knees and offered her his sword. She raised a hand and touched Darma's arm, a sign for her to step down.

"But My Lady..."

"I will be perfectly fine, Darma," the Count's daughter assured, stepping from behind Darma and approaching the knight. Even in a kneeling position, his head still came up the same level as Olivia's. She shook her head and leaned down to lay a hand gently on his arm. "There is no need to kneel down to me, Sir Winston. I am not a queen nor am I a princess worthy. And there is no need to have me use your sword on you. I do not prosecute people just because they spoke their mind. On the contrary, I appreciate your candor. Thought I did not mean to keep you in the dark about who I am. I hope that now that you are aware of who I am, you will not hesitate to speak to me as freely as you did."

"Please, stand. I do not take offense for your honest opinion of my father. Lately, I have been hearing strange things about him and as such, I would like to see for myself if any of them are true."

Fabula Nova Crystallis: War of Transgression

Why am I here?

Nyxia marvelled at how high up in the sky she was. It was strange, being borne into the air on an airship. She felt light and a little unsteady on her feet. True, she had often wondered how it would feel to soar through the sky as she watched the fal'Cie Dahaka emerge from Taejin's Tower and glide effortlessly through it. But never in a million years could she imagine that she'd be where she was now.

Why am I here? the unanswered question flashed through her mind again and this time, she found herself looking towards the floating continent that was to be their destination. Cocoon. She often looked up at the sky and wondered why anyone would be tempted to live there in the Viper's nest. 'Within this shell lies paradise.' How can it be paradise when those living there are merely slaves of the demon Lindzei?

Or at least, that was what she was taught as a child. Everything had been simple then. The fal'Cies were gods put in place by the maker to provide, protect and nurture the land and its people. She looked up to them and often prayed for protection and blessing. She was content and never found herself wanting. She thought back to the events that led her to leave Oerba and ultimately join the war effort.

"Mother, I--"

"I know. I'm dying. It doesn't matter. Save your strength. There are still those who need you." The bloodied hand of Oerba Xin Yulia gently stroked the cheek of her daughter. "I am proud of you, Nyxia. Of who you are, of what you've become and I will look after you even in the after life. So will your father..." she paused as her body was wracked with cough and blood trickled down her lips. "He may not have been able to say it often but he is proud of you, he always was. And in his last moment, you were the one that freed him from his torment. That Cieth... that attacked... That... was... your father, Nyxia." Her brown eyes shone with tears and slowly, the light faded from them.

With the memory came resentment towards her father for his secrets, for the destruction and death he brought upon Oerba and for her mother's untimely demise. But she bore a deeper resentment and stronger anger towards the fal'Cie Anima. What sort of god would condemn its follower to such a horrible fate? They had been taught to pay homage to Anima, to thank this 'benevolent god' for the protection he bestows upon Oerba. But what kind of protection was it that turned her father into a monster that brought death to the village? She thought about confronting this 'god' and demanding an explanation so many times. She wanted to cry at it, to shout at it, to accuse it and to destroy it all at the same time. But the elder of the village, knowing the rage that had built up inside her from the death of both her parents, forbade her to. And in the end, she opted to leave, to wander throughout Gran Pulse in hopes of finding herself and finding some sort of purpose to her existence.

Why am I here?

That ever present question that she had never been able to answer before loomed in her head. But as she stared at Cocoon as it loomed closer, for once in her life, she had an answer.

War is destruction. I bring destruction. Perhaps fighting in it would give my life the meaning I've searched for for so long.

Finally, the airship docked on Cocoon's outer rim. Nyxia was brought out of her reverie by the sight of Lake Bresha. It was different from the bodies of water seen on Pulse but it was, nevertheless, a beautiful place. Perhaps there is some truth to this cursed place being a paradise after all. She didn't waste any time. She was, after all, not on Cocoon to do some sight seeing. With a single leap, she was off the airship.

She took a deep breath. "Oerba Xin Nyxia, this is where your story begins," she said to herself.

After the Asteroid-Closed

Cody and Audrianna

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Collaboration of: @Wick & @Kyrisse

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---

Cody slowly woke up. His arms had been wrapped around Audrianna and his head was in her lap. It took him a moment to realize where he was laying. Instead of jumping up and giving her room he rolled to the side slightly and pulled her closer still. When his face was about level with her stomach he moved her shirt a little and kissed her stomach softly and sensuously. He looked up and pulled himself up to her mouth and kissed her on the lips. He repositioned himself so he could hold her in his arms.

Watching Cody sleep made Audrianna feel sleepy too and she soon found herself nodding off. She dreamt of fire, smoke and people rushing out coughing and choking. She dreamt of a burning boy streaking through the sky, strong arms protectively around her, bullets ricocheting off an invisible dome around her and Cody's face. A mixture of emotions were on his face: anger, fear, concern, determination. He strode towards her, grabbed her by the waist and lowered his head towards her. Audrianna closed her eyes, anticipating a kiss... a kiss that she felt on her tummy.

Once again, she woke up with a start. She would have jumped off the bed had it not been for the weight that was on her lap. She looked down and found Cody actually kissing her stomach. She blinked. "What are you--" she her words were cut short when he pulled himself up and covered her mouth with his. At first she didn't know how to respond but eventually, she melted in his arms and began returning the kiss.

Cody felt her surprise and then he kissed the questions out of her with a smile. Pulling her further into his arms he laid halfway on top of her and continued kissing her and let his hands explore in anticipation of her telling him to go fuck himself. He couldn't ignore his desires and all he wanted in the entire world was her. Something in the back of his mind asked him what she wanted, and if anyone could smack the crap out of them self he would have smacked that side into oblivion right then and there.

It took a lot of effort and self control but he pulled his mouth from hers and asked her through a hoarse voice "Audrianna, I want you and I need to know you are okay with this, because if not I need to stop now or I can't promise that I will be able to if we go much further." His breathing was ragged and his eyes were glazed over with lust.

Audrianna wanted to tell him that he could continue what he had started, really, she did and nearly grabbed him to continue where the left off. But a large part of her was scared that she was just some sort of fad Cody was into at the moment or a rebound after he had lost his fiance. Her past relationships were like that. The way things were, there was also not a lot of choices available to him and she wondered if he would have ever looked her way if the world wasn't in the sorry state it was in now. Gently, she laid a hand on his chest but didn't push him away. "Why me? What am I to you?" she asked, grimacing slightly. Never mind sounding clingy. She had to ask.

Cody stopped and looked into her eyes. "You really don't know?" Cody couldn't figure out what he had done to confuse her and then it dawned on him. He had told her that he had been keeping an eye on her and watching her for most of the last year. That didn't mean that she had paid him any attention at all. "I forget that you are much more timid than I am sometimes. I've had feelings for you for a long time now. I know it sounds creepy when I say that I've been watching you but...it was kind of hard not to. Once I saw you ...that was it for me. You stole my heart."

A telltale smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "But you never talked to me the whole time we were locked in this bunker."

Cody scratched his head and looked at her. She had a point. He hadn't spoken to her too much and he had had to stay in his military Commander state of mind most of the time, til recently. "Audrey, the world is a different place and I really don't know how I'm going to date you in this world. It's extremely dangerous out there and there isn't anywhere I can safely take you outside of the bunker. If you want to we can take it slow." He dropped his head and willed his hormones to recede. "Woman you are killing me." He said as he buried his face in her neck as he held her.

Audrianna's lips finally curved up into a smile and then she laughed. "I didn't mean that you should take me out on a date out there, silly. I just had my doubts cause... well, there are a lot of better girls than me in this bunker and...and you being you... you can have anyone you want." The laughter died on her lips and she looked self conscious.

Cody heard her words and they made him so angry he stiffened. He reached over to the floor and grabbed his boots and started to put them on. "You not only put yourself down when you do that you insult my choice in you. Do you really think I would spend my time and effort on a woman that wasn't worth it? Do you think so little of me or do you just like to hear compliments continually?" He stood up to leave the room and stopped to look at her once more.

Audrianna knew that he had a good reason to be angry at her. But she couldn't help it. Her low self esteem made her doubt that she could be more than a friend to someone despite the desperate yearning for it. "I'm sorry. I-I have difficulty believing that someone would want me, would want to be more than just acquaintances or just friends." She took a deep breath. "Nobody ever did before." She looked down at her hands for a few moments before she climbed off the bed, put on her shoes and walked to the door. She kept her eyes averted as she excused herself, muttering another sorry under her breath as she kept her head down.

Cody was blocking the door so when Audrianna moved to leave she had to stop before opening the door. Cody was beyond frustrated with her low self confidence. It was entirely annoying and unnecessary but he couldn't just walk away from her. He ran his hand through his already messed up hair. Audrianna was an enigma to him and he wasn't sure how to handle her affliction.

"Audrey, I don't know how to get through to you. Quit apologizing to me first off and secondly..." He stopped to think how to word it. "If others haven't noticed your kind heart and beauty inside and out how is that my fault? I can't help the stupidity of the human race and the male side carries more than their fair share of it." He knew that was bound to crack a smile from her and he wasn't disappointed. He put his arm around her and pulled her to him and tilted her chin up to him. "Please even if you never speak to me again, Please learn your worth. You are worth a lot more than you think you are. To me you are priceless and I hardly seem worthy." He grinned at her then and chuckled. "And I know what I'm worth and I'm quite the catch." He teased her as he stood there with his hair going off to the right straight out at a funny angle while his eyes were smiling at her and looked just a little tired and haggard, needing a shower and just exhausted.

Audrianna put her arms around Cody's wait. "Thank you. I'll...try my best to be a little bit more confident about myself," she said. Deciding to live up to her word and be a little bit more courageous, she added. "You better not look at any other girl then."

Cody grinned and said "What other girls?" He lifted her to him and kissed her deeply. His finally under control hormones threatened to rebel so he put her down and looked at her again and murmured, "Scrumptious". Smiling he turned and opened the door. "I don't know about you love, but I need a cold shower."

---

@King Tai@RumikoOhara@alexfangtalon@POOHEAD189@FunnyGuy@kurai assassin

The First War

Olivia would have wanted to argue with Winston about what she knew to be true. Duchess Eddithia, her grandmother, was sick and was sent to the monastery to be treated. The monks at Blyth Priory were good at treating the sick and she heard that they could even cure terminal illnesses. Of course she had never been to the religious house herself but what reason does she have to doubt it? Although she did wonder why her grandmother didn't reply to any of her letters, the last one being sent a month ago. Was it because she wasn't being taken care of? No, no, that's impossible. But even with those thoughts, the knight's words have already planted a seed of doubt in her head.

What was going on? Why did this knight spoke venomous words against her father? What made him hate the Count so? Did her father really plan on taking over something that was not rightfully his? Why hadn't Lord Paul spoken ill of her father? Was it because she was Lars' daughter and he was afraid that she'd abandon logical thinking and side with the Count no matter what wrong he did? Or did he fear that she was acting as her father's spy?

Her thoughts were interrupted when a man was thrown out of the inn she was to stay in. She shook her head and gave her escort a smile. "There is no need to escort me home. The gates have long been closed by now so it would be best if I spent the night. And besides, this place is not as dreadful as it appears." She gestured towards the drunk who was muttering to himself in the mud. "They do throw out the unruly ones," she chuckled.

"Forgive me, m'lady, but ... I failed to ask you for your Family Name."

She looked at Winston again, wondering how he'd react if he found out that she was Count Barker's daughter. Would he retract his words? And would he cease to be friendly towards her? Either way, she didn't see any reason why she should conceal who she is. "My family name...it's--"

"There you are, Lady Iya," Darma called out as she approached the two. "I thought you would not be joining me tonight and would be occupying a handsome Lord's bed," she teased casually.

Olivia's cheeks burned bright red. "O-of course not! I..." she turned to Winston, suddenly extra glad that he was there. "This is Sir Winston, one of Lord Paul's knight. He was kind enough to walk me here." She gestured to her dark haired handmaiden. "This is my handmaiden, Darma."

Darma looked at the big man, smiled and gave him a polite bow. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Sir Winston. I am grateful to you for keeping my lady safe." She turned back to Olivia. "I have already made the necessary arrangements for our lodging tonight."

Olivia nodded then turned towards Winston. "I hope you will not think badly of me or regret having spoken so freely to me. Rest assured that what you have told me will not reach ears you do not intend for it to reach." She lowered her voice so that only Winston could hear what she said next. "My family name is Barker. I am the Count's daughter."

---

Sophia was breathing rapidly from both anxiousness and excitement from Paul's thorough search of her body. She needed to keep up the act if she were to earn enough trust to loosen his tongue around her. It was a shame that she had to act differently with this man. If the order had just been to bed him then he would have already be on his back and her on top of him. At least he's handsome and probably well endowed, she thought, resisting the urge to have her eyes stray downwards.

Noticing how his eyes were still on his body, she almost grinned. Oh, it would be so easy to play to your lust, Paul Cranston. But not yet. She kept her legs tightly pressed together for a few more seconds before she hurried to fix her dress and straightened up.

"T-there is no need to apologize, my Lord. I understand the need for nobles to practice caution when in the presence of a lowly peasant such as I. I only agreed to come up to your room to assist you, my Lord, to make amends on my earlier mistake of spilling ale on you. As soon as you have shed your soiled garments and changed into clean ones, I will immediately launder it and leave it with the barkeep so you may use it in the morning." She paused, lowering her head down. "But it would please me if you can spare a little of your time tomorrow to walk with me and perhaps grace me with stories about you and your life as a noble," she requested a little shyly.

OOC

Eddithia is Paul's mom, right? You wrote grandmother.

The First War

Olivia would have protested when Winston took her arm but strangely enough, she felt at ease and safe with him by her side. And so he let him, oblivious to what he was worrying about. At his next words, she stopped and stared up at him in shock. "Poisoned?" she repeated. Lord Richard, the man who had spent so many hours telling her stories when she was a child and at that time, the heir to the Duchy, had died of a rare illness and not of poison. She could still remember how devastated she felt upon hearing the news of his passing after so many days of being bed ridden. Why did Winston say that he had been poisoned? Was he misinformed?

"... it was not only Richard who died over the nine years that Lord Paul was absent from Westrock. Several younger House of Cranston children ... heirs to Westrock in their own right, also passed over the years ... until finally, the Count's own son ... I don't recall his name ... until he himself is now heir to the title of Duke of Westrock."

Adam is in line for the throne if Lord Paul didn't return..." She thought to herself. Should she believe the words of this man or should she dismiss is as, like he had said, unfounded suspicion?

"Lord Richard died of a rare illness that ran rampant in Westrock at that time..." she said, reciting what she had been told years ago as they stopped near the inn she was to stay in.

---

Paul's hands all over her body wasn't entirely unpleasant but she pasted a look of discomfort on her face. She was, after all, playing the innocent. It wasn't really a difficult task especially since she was not hiding any form of weapon on her. The only weapon she would use against him is that area where his hands was moving towards. A man touching her in her groin was nothing new and she would have grinded against his hand. But instead of acting the way she usually does in this kind of situation, she feigned suprise and embarrassment. Her breath hitched in her throat. "M-my Lord!" she exclaimed, trying to twist her hands free from his grip.

A look of alarm crossed her face despite the automatic surge of pleasure she felt from his touch. She closed her legs tightly. "I came only to rectify the offense I made earlier and not to be groped like some sort of criminal or accused of carrying weapons I do not have."

The First War

Olivia was enjoying her walk and conversation with the knight. It was rare for her to be able to converse with anyone aside from those that are permitted to be around her: her parents, her brothers, Darma and a handful of servants, so this was a treat for her. She listened to Winston's words, occasionally glancing towards him. "I am sure there is more to you than just your loyalty to your Lord," she said, her words sincere. She lapsed back to silence to hear what else he had to say. At the idea of Paul protecting her, the same wide smile she had worn when the Duke-to-be invited her to share a meal spread across his face. It was such a romantic notion. True, he was her mother's younger brother and she should not be having such thoughts about him but she couldn't help it.

The smile faltered when she heard the rest of what the big man had to say. She would have been offended by his words had it not been for her own suspicions about her father. Count Barker has been anxious ever since he heard about Paul's return. Was it because he was fretting over how to welcome the heir to the Duchy? Or was it because his plans on taking over what wasn’t rightfully his were being derailed Paul’s return? She had her suspicions about her father for a while now and hearing it from another made it painfully clear that he wasn’t as innocent as she wanted to believe. While Winston was a new acquaintance, he must have good reason why he would say that about her father.

"Is the Count truly evil?" she asked in a quieter voice.

---

Sophia was suprised when Paul yanked her back and spun her around so that they were face to face with each other. In a matter of seconds, he had her hands pinned to her back. Her surprise was apparent on her face as she blinked at what the man was doing. "W-what are you doing, my Lord?" she asked. She didn't have any weapon or poison concealed on her person. She would have but she figured having some sort of weapon would throw suspicion on her identity and purpose. Being unarmed, she was innocent to his accusations and she played to it. ”W-what knife do you mean? I have no weapons with me nor do I carry poison, my Lord. I--” She swallowed hard as he kept searching her body. ”I-I’m a mere peasant who happened to catch a glimpse of someone she thought attractive. I-If I had not spilt the ale on you so boldly, I doubt you would have even looked in my direction.” She averted her eyes from his. ”I apologize if I have given you reason to doubt my intention.”