Solace

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Maize Bensen

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

In due time, the outskirts of the capital city began to fade into the landscape of thick forests, and the Estalan retinue rode along the familiar, beaten path northward. Autumn had swept the country in earnest, a sultry wind carrying the feet of their mounts as they trampled the faces of fallen leaves. While Rhea flew above her wyvern in separation from the rest of the convoy, she had already been entrusted with the information by the king, and her red-haired companion would learn from her own accord. Riding at the top of the formation flanked by his two accompanying subordinates, they kept to the center of the caravan where a supply wagon was stationed, housing their travel provisions.

While Maize was certain that their mission to the Island Kingdom of Rozel would be one without conflict, it was of a fundamental practice to carry weapons when traveling beyond the boundaries of safety at any point. Even in their own borders, they were still required to maintain a watchful eye for the potential of ambush from highwaymen. Seeing as they were now a ways from the higher echelon of society, and only the ears of the party were present, it was the opportune moment to brief the members.

"Sorry for the rush; I know how important breakfast is for you lot," Maize kept his eyes trained forward as he chuckled, speaking just loud enough for those following behind to hear. "As you can probably tell, we are riding up the northern bit of the Kingsroad towards Port Sesta."

There would be several changes of environment throughout their travel, and they would see the dense woodlands once more when they would come closer towards the coast. "With enough momentum, we may even reach the port before we're expected, but four days is a realistic time frame." Maize continued. There'll be many towns and villages we pass through on the Kingsroad, but to stay on track, we'll only be stopping thrice before the port."

With the sensitivity and nature of their mission, it was imperative that they arrived in time of the archipelago's conference in Rozel. "First up is Bolsan, one of those quaint villages among many for a good night's rest. I'd say we'll step foot in Bolsan within five or six hours, give or take how tired our horses get."

"After that would be Banidrek; unfortunately, Banidrek is shadowed by the history that is the famous Fort Rigane, located right next to the town," Maize remembered the paragon of peerless military might that had been Fort Rigane, having heard of all the legends associated with the landmark. Named after King Erigan the First, it was said that the foundation of the mighty fortress had been constructed and tempered with the flames of dragons tamed under the magic of the Dracomage. "But as you all may know, Fort Rigane was mostly destroyed during the War of the New Leaf. I remember it well."

Preventing himself from going off-topic, Maize figured that if there was piqued curiosity about their stops, the group would express those interests at a later time. The knight cast a look beside him, watching Ren as his squire continued to ride on in complete quiet. Camellia had promised that Renvall Protego was far from the ordinary individual, though he was yet to see the boy display anything but a general lackluster attitude. Perhaps, their points of respite would lead the boy to open up to the others; Ren would be fighting alongside them when the time would come, and if the boy did not even know a single name besides his own, how could Maize place his trust in the squire's abilities?

"Had it not been for a recent raid from the pirate factions, our original destination would have been Vincero Harbor," Maize drew a sigh. "But with the damage sustained from that attack, it'll only serve as our last location of rest before setting out."

"Finally, that leaves Port Sesta as our destination. Other than Banidrek, I would expect Port Sesta to be densely crowded. It's a primary hub of commerce and travel, after all. We've a ship already prepared for our departure under orders of the Crown," the knight explained, drawing the notion from his previous experience. "If there are any questions, go ahead and ask 'em anytime. We'll have plenty of opportunities to sit and talk, so don't be shy."

Attack on Titan: Somnium

begone thot

Attack on Titan: Somnium

Reese Kestrel

_{Mountainous Training Area — Base Camp}

An awakening riddled with excruciating pain was the only proof of the existence that Reese still occupied. There was a weight heavier than the trample of a titan upon his body, his limbs protesting with each and every attempted motion. Only the boy's left eyelid raised upon command, struggling to see through the blurriness of his vision as he could make out the bearings of a tent. It was a battle in itself to adjust the position of his head in the slightest, and the episodes of vertigo were certainly not helping. Gritting his teeth, the boy strained his neck in order to raise his head to further scan his surroundings, his body beginning to shake from the asserted pressure.

"Stay down," a shadow urged from outside of his view, hastily approaching from the right and setting Reese's head back against the cushion. The boy only produced a low croak in response, the discomfort overwhelming for him. "Don't try to move or speak much, you'll worsen those injuries."

Reese thought hard about the events that had occurred, but not a single memory would come to him. He had no recollection of the events beyond spotting the avalanche on the mountain, and firing the red flare to signal its danger. His left eye surveyed the bandages tightly wrapped around a portion of his body, noting the pile of older ones stained with dried blood. "We're at base camp. You got caught up right in that avalanche; it was a huge mess, but at least your squad pulled through."

Hearing that the others had survived the ordeal relieved the boy, lightly nodding as Reese's vision was clearing up only slightly. "We bandaged those ordinary wounds of yours up. You've got a concussion, but so far, the glaring problem is that dislocated knee of yours."

Cursing in his mind, Reese felt a sharp pain as he took a deep breath, mustering enough strength to speak. "Time," the boy could only make out.

"Month, maybe a month and a half. You'll need a crutch for the time being," the medic answered, placing a hand on Reese's arm. "It hasn't been too long since you've got here; I have to check for any other potentially worse injuries, rest up for the time being."

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

May or may not have a post later. Today's my twentieth birthday.
Yikes I'm in that age decade now

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Renvall "Ren" Protego

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

Ren drew an impatient sigh as five minutes could not have gone any faster, inadvertently exposing his ears to the conversations between the pairs of group members. His hands laid on the crest of Snowball, the pauldrons on his shoulders rising and falling with a restless breath. There was no question that they would see combat with the pirate factions, much to the squire's elation; he had the royal blacksmith fashion him a sword for the specific occasion, and he had ensured that he brushed up on his swordplay. Unlike all of the lessons and spars, his life now depended on it.

The squire did find the varying selections of their caravan to be one of mismatch, though Ren was sure that their band was more than enough to take on a bunch of sea dogs, with the backing of the Rozelian Kingdom. Setting himself beside Maize's mount, he watched as the Dauntless climbed to the back of his horse, one hand resting atop of the other. "Time's up!" the knight made the announcement for the wary and unwary, his mount letting out a whine as it began to trot away from the stable grounds.

With the group in tow, Ren kept his steed alongside the knight as they rode across the Walk of the Magi. Waterfalls poured into the Estalan waterfront that stretched below the bridge and beyond, ripples of sunlight warming the surface of their land. The Walk of the Magi was an ancient construction, embedded with the footsteps from Estalan kings and queens of yore. There was a powerful energy that resided within the cobblestone at their feet, almost as if the very air in their atmosphere was one of magical construct.

"After we steer through Greymont and go beyond the gate of the capital city," Maize said, his gaze trailing to the side. "I'll speak of our route and approach."

Beyond the bridge, the Capital City of Greymont stood, a beacon of the nation's profound diversity and magical influence. The streets teemed with bustling activity, the dense population experiencing something different with each passing day. Of course, no establishment could exist with impoverishment, and crime such as petty theft did come and go within the poorer districts. Unlike other nations, Estala was one which prided in its diverse population, embracing any and all kinds of cultures.

For Ren, accepting the laguz was the defeating clause of Estala; they were only prone to causing trouble for the nation. It was one of the reasons why other countries looked down upon them and refused certain agreements such as trade, and in addition, the sub-humans were the main cut of the population that committed the most crime within their borders. "Nothing but savages," he cursed under his breath, recoiling in disgust as their party rode past a trading post filled with laguz.

Everything else within Greymont was a pleasantry to behold, for the most part. Ren paid no mind to the crowds of ordinary people that began to form around the central street, where their mounts traveled on. Word began to spread of their convoy with the Crown Prince in tow, and the many faces of youth and old age began to flock towards them, excited for the opportunity to lay eyes on Eli Estali himself. The very thought of these people almost worshiping the prince aggravated him; with zero accolades to Eli's credit besides his family name, how was it that these people could deem these nobles as something greater than themselves?

As the city watch stepped into the crowds to regulate their traffic towards the gates, a moment of relief washed over Ren as they finally reached the entrance. "Send word to His Majesty that we've departed," Maize relayed the message to one of the watchmen, turning back to look upon the faces of the group members. "The less time spent on horseback, the better. Hope you've enjoyed Greymont and done everything while you can! Let's move."

Attack on Titan: Somnium

Reese Kestrel

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @LetMeDoStuff @FrostedCaramel

The boy produced a small laugh, a hand running through his eyes as an episode of drowsiness dulled his senses for the moment. Reese wiped his face of the lethargy, stomach growling of hunger as Tanner tossed him some bread. As fashionably late as they already were for the journey back down, it would have to suffice. Even with the closeness in friendship that they all shared, he still wished for nothing more but the strength to shoulder the weight that those like Gabriel carried, the resolve to create the future where all of them could live without those insecurities or terrors.

Even with his fear for the titans, Reese knew that he had to try harder for the years to come. Where faith was shattered through the breached walls, there was nothing more important to the boy than the lives around him. "I'll run circles around you, meatbag," he looked on through Gabriel's punch against his arm, imitating a subordinate's compliance as he scurried behind the giant.

After triple-checking his designated belongings and fitting inside the winter cloak, Reese hefted the pack of supplies to his back, rolling his shoulders as they settled underneath the weight. He spent some time in tying his hair in its usual style, keeping his hood down and allowing the cool breeze to compliment the sun's warmth. Just as Reese doubled towards the squadrons of cadets at the end of the camp, a greater pressure forced itself upon his temples, causing him to groan in agitation.

"Never again," he shook his head at the flashes of memories from the previous night, his own indulgence being the reasoning for his condition. The boy pressed his palms against the sides of his face, slapping himself repeatedly to refocus. Being entrusted by the instructors and accompanying soldiers with the knowledge of the safe zones required his utmost attention, especially when the looming danger of natural catastrophe was present.

Unlike climbing upwards, the adventure to the base of the plateau kept Reese attentive and aware of his surroundings, the responsibility in long-range communication through one of the many flare guns being latched on his belt. They were roughly half of the way down to their destination, the final push still far from their group. While some of the others would chat amongst themselves in whispers, he kept to himself as they continued to traverse within the danger zone.

Those hushed conversations ceased to continue as a rumbling caused the cadets to stop in their tracks, attempting to locate the source of the fury as Reese could begin to see chunks of snowfall tumble from the branches around them. "Avalanche!" one of the guides had taken the word right out of his mouth.

"Shit, shit, shit," Reese attempted to conceal his panic as their situation had turned into the worst within mere moments, quickly drawing the gun from its holster and loading the red flare. His arm raised as high as it could, firing the flare gun as the trail of crimson smoke would signal the danger that threatened to swallow up the entire division of soldiers.

While their group had come to a halt due to the revelation, Reese shouted at the top of his lungs, clapping his hands together to gather the others' attention. "We can't stop!" his urgency was joined by the orders from their guide to descend towards the group ahead, where the closest safe zone was located. "Let's go!"

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Renvall "Ren" Protego

Ren had scowled for the moment that Maize ruffled a hand through his shaggy hair, and looked on as the knight took to the center of the gathering. While they had been meant to travel rather lightly, armor remained as a valuable component to any soldier's equipment, taking note of the knight's variation; plate mail adorned the right side of the man's body from shoulderblade to boot, the thick layer of gambeson protruding along the cracks and lingering underneath of the crimson cape along his left side. The shield on his back would serve as his front line of defense and, through the flexibility of his left arm, an offensive counterpart.

Expected nothing less from the Dauntless, Ren thought to himself, setting his utensil aside as his liege lord instructed them with urgency. A gauntlet came up to readjust his hair, the other pushing the chair back into place and proceeding towards the palace entrance after Maize. For whatever reason, it had felt awfully quiet for a morning within Greymont Keep, although it was foolish to think that there would be a city-wide festival for their departure. Nobody was going to roll out the red carpet for a bunch of ragtag commoners, much less, a band of children dressed for a field trip.

From his memory, Port Sesta was a three day ride from Greymont on horseback with stops at the smaller towns, and sailing to Rozel would only half a day. Ren had been itching for a chance at sea once more, having grown quite jaded of the same continental landscape. Greymont Keep had been a breathtaking sight to behold upon his first arrival, the castle in the sky nested atop of the quaint elevation and the Walk of the Magi spread along the bustling inland lake towards the capital city.

"I will speak more of our focus as we ride," Ren could hear Maize's voice through the pleasantries of the morning speak, the waking sun's warmth hugging his face. His feet carried him to the Central Pavilion, where their retinue was gathering within the presence of the knight. Through the collection of horses, he could see his own steed trot in a coyness amongst her fellow breed.

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

A short smile came upon Ren's expression as his fingers came up to his mouth, a sharp whistle produced between his lips as he called his horse. With a crest white as snow and a heart calm as the nightfall, she scuttled around the other horses, running her muzzle against his cheek as Ren laughed. "Here, Snowball," his hand affectionately stroked her forehead. With the final adjustments to the saddle, the squire took up his horse, setting his boots firmly within the stirrups and riding towards the gathering.

"Squire," Maize called out to Ren as he drew closer on horseback, the knight still adjusting his horse's saddle as he turned back for a moment. Staring down at the shorter boy as Ren dismounted from Snowball, he crossed his arms together, a serious look about his features before a casual smile wore on his face. "How's your mother?"

Ren was unsure of how to respond to the nature of the question, confusion spreading along his expression. "Renvall, correct?" the squire nodded in answer to the inquiry. "It has been some time since I last visited Lady Protego," the knight's laughter caused the boy's brow to rise. "Last spring, I believe."

"She is well," Ren answered the previous question in a simple manner, caught off guard once more by Maize's tendency of messing with his hair.

"That is fortunate to hear," the knight nodded, his eyes looking amongst the members of their caravan before returning to the squire. "Quite a legacy to inherit, boy," Maize commented. "We've all got to start somewhere, after all."

The mention of his mother's fame and the succession forced upon his shoulders irritated Ren quite so. Fortunately, the boy managed to calm his fury, taking the knight's word with a grain of salt.

Maize raised a watchful brow, almost reading him entirely. "Let us begin together then, shall we?" he could tell that the man's voice was one of honesty, watching as Maize raised a hand to gather the attention of the others. "We saddle in five minutes!"

Attack on Titan: Somnium

Reese Kestrel

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Jinxer @HecateProxy @wolverbells

While it was amusing to watch as the two sprung from their beds in an alarming manner, Reese held an expression of concern as Gabriel seemed to react in a complicated manner, seeing that his jest had been in a bit of poor taste. Drawing a sigh, the boy dropped down from the top of the bunk, quickly tying the laces on his boots and storming out of the cabin. At the very least, the sun greeted him with warmth and a pleasant atmosphere. Exhaustion weighed heavily on the boy as he struggled in maintaining his smile, yawning loudly as he stretched his arms out.

"Man, I'm beat..." Reese complained, his hands wiping his face as he spotted the group of girls up ahead. "Morning, Lauren! Hey Mora, Jade," he greeted them as he strode past them, learning of their time constraint and picking up the pace towards the mess hall. When he walked through the doors, he jogged towards the table where Gabriel and Tanner sat, sitting across from them.

"Sorry, guys," Reese frowned with his apology, looking down at his cupped hands on the table. His eyes came up shortly after, sticking his tongue out at the despondent Gabriel. "But, hey, if you paid attention in our classes, you'd know that the sighting call is much different!"

Attack on Titan: Somnium

deeznuts

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Maize Bensen

"That would be Sir Maize to you."

Maize Bensen had opted to travel somewhat lightly for the assignment under the recommendation of the king. Donning only a few pieces of his plate mail and a gambeson underneath, he felt that his shield was the only necessary component of protection that he needed against a measly army of pirates. Though, the knight had learned early on that it was not a problem to prepare for the unexpected. His shield rested on his back, the scabbard to his blade attached to the left side of his belt. His crimson cape fluttered along his shield arm, concealing his throwing axe.

Patting the gauntlet down hard against the top of the squire's head, Maize surveyed each of the members of their group, finding it strange that there were more outsiders and many more children than he would have liked. "What is this, Erigan?" he thought, stepping towards the center of the dining table. A hand raised to cup his chin, thinking momentarily as he cleared his throat.

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

"Morning, all," the knight silenced the wandering conversations in an authoritative tone, crossing his arms. "My name is Sir Maize Bensen, but call me Maize."

"I suppose that you're all here under the selection of His Majesty. I've been given the responsibility of managing and leading this mission."

There were more faces unrecognized than those that Maize knew of. Whether or not the prince knew about the knight, he had been present for the most of the boy's life from the moment that Eli Estali had been born into the world. Maize had never taken on any squires since his knighthood just over a decade before, and the son of Camellia Protego would be his first. Rhea was one who came under his own personal recommendation, although she would have volunteered, regardless of his word. Jauna Karystane was not exactly the fondest of sights for the knight to behold; her father had been his enemy during the pointless war fifteen years ago, and her choice of attire was more than enough for Maize to know that he would have to babysit the lot of them.

"We must be on our way now if we wish to arrive at Port Sesta on time," Maize turned from the table, starting towards the palace gates with a sigh. Having eaten at an earlier hour, he did not intend on setting their course behind simply because they chose to have breakfast at the time they were supposed to leave. "Start wrapping it up, and come to the gates. We've horses prepared for our journey."