A fresh face.

[Will]

It was a young day in the Capitol City of Ayenee. The Sun barely peaked over the horizon, filling the sky with burning hues of oranges, and reds and yellows. Golden light from that fiery sky danced in the silver dew drops that graced the botany of the town. An array of smells mingled in the air, from the redolent aroma of fresh bread from a bakery to the putrid stench of a stable's muckyard. Sounds of both jubilation and industry assaulted the ears. The joyful laughter of children playing in the streets and the hardy chuckles of old pals sharing breakfast competed with the cries of hawkers selling their wares and the roar of a forge's furnace as the blacksmith fired it up for the first work of the day. It was a beautiful scene and one befitting of a man's first memory.


He had no recollection of his past before now, but he knew that he was and who he was, or at least what they called him, and that was William. He knew his craft too. He was a soldier. He could tell from the sword at his side, the buckler fastened to its sheath, he could tell from the calluses on the palms of his hands, calluses from years of handling a sword. In fact, knowledge did not escape him. He could speak vernacular quite well and could put names to any object around him. However, what he did not know was anything of his past or any past for that matter, except that he was a solider, a deduction made from the tools on his belt. He did not know these lands, but they seemed natural to him. He was not like a newborn with so much to learn, so unexperienced in existence. He knew what pain was and what would cause pain. He knew of how the world worked and how he could make his way on his own. He lacked the curiousity that plagues the young, yet untempered by wisdom, yet he was not wise and experienced. He had no past and knew of no possible one. He did not question it. This, for him, was his first moment of life, his first memory... He would need a job.

 

[Tifferzzz]

The brilliance of morning had strewn recklessly about a charade of colors that seemed to emanate through every crevice of the ancient city of Ayenee. All darkness ceased to exist except for one single place - the Forest of the Damned. As she approached the city from the forest, it was as if someone had unleashed the sun in a completely blackened room. Thought the sun wasn't to it's full height - not even close - the forest's darkness was so thick that the moment she transcended across the line of separation, she had to shield her eyes and protect them from the explosion of light. The difference between the Forest and the city was so definite, that should someone look at the ground, they would see a true defining line separating the two as if it were separating day and night.

Her eyes finally adjusted and settled to the vastly approaching city. Judging from the tilt of the shadows and the rise of the sun from the mountains, she had guessed the time to be somewhere around eight.

She advanced on a black colored stallion. The breed was a pure-blood Fresian, expensively bred. The animal itself was almost ornately decorated with an English saddle that had been expensively created. She'd loathed the weight and the burden that a normal saddle could produce, and had one created that was light enough that it contoured with the movement of the animal - as if it were not even there. In addition, the harshness that attributed the bit had been replaced with the softest metal that could be bought. Her own body was covered in velvet that was of the deepest hue of blue. Quite nearly black until the sun glanced it's rays off of the material and showed it's true color. Though velvet was normally heavy, she'd purchased it for the main reason of heat retention. People might have thought her mad, or self-centered when it came to "flaunting" her wealth. In all honesty she couldn't care less. She didn't masquerade around throwing gold, but purchased the highest rated products for her own personal use. The benefit of being in such a high status was that occasionally it caused a fight to occur on her behalf, which she found quite delightful. The opportunity to increase her fighting abilities had definitely become a quick hobby of hers as the boredom of loneliness and "richness" filled in.

The front hooves hit cobblestone as her own eyes peered out from within the cowl of the cloak...simply searching. As they stopped moving due to the amount of people in the crowd, she felt a small hand tugged lightly at her. She gazed down into the wrinkled eyes of a woman who prayed everyday for pity, prayed for the will to survive while praying for death to relieve her from the agony of living. Her own heartstrings were pulled harshly by this sadness. The woman's clothes were harshly torn and the bruises overing her thin arm shone of the cruelness that children had to the elderly. Her respect was for this woman, for all of those people who were aged, for this is how she was brought up. She was not higher than this person. She was wealthy, yes, and it terms of status she was higher ranked than this woman, but when speaking of personal value she did not see herself as such. As this thought took place in her mind, she dismounted and held firmly to the reins as she looked towards this woman.

"...pity for the poor...miss..." Her heart could have fallen from her chest, when the glint of an object caught her eye from the corner. Her peripheral vison had captured the image of two children holding what seemed to be either shiny rocks or dull knives. A set up? She spoke to the woman softly as she reached for a satchel. "If you're in harm's way...nod....and I can assist you." The woman said nothing but merely nodded. Anger ripped through her in a torrent at the idea that this old woman could be so tormented. Instead of handing the money to the woman, she intentionally dropped the satchel. When she bent down to pick up the satchel, her fingertips brought with it three small, yet sharp rocks. Without warning she moved quicker than a snake's strike. Her arm snapped in the direction of the brush, three distinct times for three distinct positions of where the children were located. The sound of stone hitting skull echoed even through the crowd to soon be followed by a set of shrill crying.

"Be gone you children, and never bother this woman again.." Her voice chased after them as they ran down the streets, away from her.

The old lady seemed horrified as well as relieved.

Her eyes turned from the departing children back to the elderly woman. "If I give this money to you, they'll only be back once more. So I've an idea." She thought a long time before answering. "My stallion, Devesh, needs some care and a warm place to sleep. If you can point me in the direction of a stable, as well as join me and merely watch after him...then your efforts will be rewarded."

The light in the lady's eyes was that of a child's. As Ashton looked upon this woman, she notated that although the body of the woman was around sixty, the age of her eyes looked to be nearly a hundred. Damn ruffians. The elderly woman nodded and began to lead Ashton down the street.

 

[Will]

From the corner of his eye, William caught sight of a rider clothed darkly bursting into the city. She stood out against the bright sky, like the moon does as it begins to eclipse the sun. His head soon turned to fully examine the mounted woman. His first observation was the quality and material of her attire. Velvet. His second observation was her mount. It was a fine horse, he thought. He was no expert, but it was definitely a fine horse. He drew this knowledge from no-where, as he had no past. Perhaps it came with his trade, after-all, he was a soldier in his own estimates. Finally, his two observations led to one deduction, she was wealthy. She could be in need of a guard. With his need for a job, her appearance was very fortunate, it seemed.


From across the street, William began his approach. Some instinct told him to be cautious and more subtle about his need for employment, especially since he did not know her. Keeping his eyes set on her was no challenge, for she was the only person about on a horse amongst the bustle of the early-morning city. His advance paused in the middle of the street. The mounted lady appeared to be conversing with someone on the opposite side of her mount. It would not due to interupt a conversation and so for now, William waited. Before him a scene unfolded. His eyes had been fixed on the ground below the horse. He could see the lower half of the beggar (a deduction made by the ragged clothing. How could someone so important be bothered by someone so unfortunate looking other than to give?) and with that, he watched as the wealthier woman dropped a satchel. He could only assume it contained money. So the mounted woman was generous. Wonderful! The situation continued to unfurl as the string of thoughts ran through his mind. He watched as the mounted woman ebnt from her saddle to retain the satchel. How odd that one that was possibly noble would stoop from her position to retrieve something a beggar, whose was benefiting from the wealthier's benevolence, could easily fetch. She had honor, and apparently, she played the vigilante now and again. Shock seized him for a moment as stones whizzed through the air to clock two near-by children in the head. They were armed, it seemed, and possibly about to hold up the beggar woman? So the wealthier of the two women had honor. That was a good quality to have in an employer, William thought, all of his knowledge drawn from what seemed pure instinct. He had no experience.


As things further developed, William decided it would be better to watch for now. He watched as the conversation died off and the poor woman began to lead the wealthier. Was the beggar now in her service? Did this likely noble come to town to build an entourage? How oppurtune, he thought, as he followed the pair down the street.

 

[Tifferzzz]

Building an entourage certainly was not what she was here to do. The only reason that the elder woman had found any good graces with her was simply because she needed someone to care for her stallion. That, and the fact that she loathed children.

Continuing down the path of stones, she followed the woman to a suitable inn with a barn seen to the side. Stopping the woman she turned towards her, young eyes locked on old. "Bathe him, feed him then rest him. None are to touch him and should a hand bring harm to him then I shall hold you responsible. Understood?" Without a word the woman nodded before she captured the reins and disappeared around the corner.

Adjusting the heavy cloak she moved towards the door with as much grace as a shadow would have shifting across the floor. Delightfully she was met by an interior bar. Perhaps she would quench her thirst before retiring for the night. Yes, that was a wonderful idea. Shaking off the feeling of eyes on her, she maneuvered to the bar and placed her order: water on the rocks with a twist of lemon.

She'd been mocked before by such an order, and each person had found their demise at the tip of her blade. Tonight she would remain alert and wouldn't blur her mind with alcoholic consumption, for to do so would leave her vulnerable, and that was the last thing that she wanted.

 

[Will]

He pursued...


" It is fortunate," William thought, " that she is heading into a bar. " It would perhaps make his sudden approach seem more non-chalant than if she were to pick up that he had been following her. He figured he'd be more likely to gain employment this way.

He entered the bar as discreetly as possible, having waited several moments after his targets arrival there before even daring to do that. He was not completely out of place, he thought to himself proudly, the establishment was not one for the overly wealthy and he certainly did not appear to be wealthy. The only thing that might draw attention was the sword he wore. It was always a bad idea to be in the proximity of a bar or tavern armed. Knowing this, though not from prior experience but simply jsut knowing it, he made sure to keep his hands away from the hilt and the side of his body that beared the sword towards the wall. Skirting the walls of the building until he reached the point where bar met wall, he took a seat at the nearest still. He would sit silently for a few more moments, declining any offers for a drink. He was biding his time and observing the patronage. He didn't want to come off as desperate for employment for if he were, it could hintt hat he was bad at his craft.

Some time had passed before he finally rose from his stool. In few strides, he managed to reach his target. He would take a knee with the last and bow his head in respect to the suspected noble lady, waiting for her acknowledgement before speaking.

(Srry for the late reply. I've been kinda busy with the end of the school year and its my senior year so there is plenty to be done : / )

 

[Tifferzzz]

(Completely understandable. No apologies required.)

The last thing that she wanted was undue attention. Just as the tip of the glass touched her lips, and just as the water nearly met her tongue, was she approached by a stranger. Her peripheral vision captured his approach and she kept her eyes forward while also studying every moment he made. The way that he walked spoke volumes, and the speed of his approach kept her relaxed, although she wasn't foolish enough not to have a hidden dagger within hand's length.

The surprise came when he bowed before her, and just before his knee hit the ground, she was already turned with her arm outstretched for his bicep. Her intent was to take hold firmly, and whisk him to his feet while silently hissing the phrase, "Are you foolish? Do not bow before me, lest your wish is to get the both of us killed."

 

[Will]

To his surprise, William was yanked to his feet. It appeared that this lady was not one for formalities, it would take a moment to absorb her words, however. After his moment of shock passed and he had his wits about him, Will managed to speak, " My apologies, I had... No idea. " He took care not to use any titles and made sure to keep his voice low.

Thinking it best to keep his distance, William took a step back and then found a seat at the bar, next to the woman. " My name is William " His voice remained low as he introduced himself, it was unwise to upset a prospective employer, " I've come to you seeking employment. By your garb, I assume you are perhaps some sort of noble? " His voice remained stifled as he assumed that secrecy now remained best.