Rescuing the Prince (Notte and Lano)

[Lanolyt]

Hugh was exhausted.

He had been fleeing for his life for three days. His father, King Alfred, had died, and before he could make it to the throne room, his cousin, Trent had taken over the castle and usurped the throne.

Fortunately, Hugh knew the secret passages and got in and out of the treasury with all the gems and almost all the gold. He fled and had seen the assassins follow in the distance.

Unlike his martially skilled cousin, Hugh was a scholar, lacking in expect arms skill, he was still a master strategist, versed in all sciences, spoked nine languages, and was a skilled diplomat. Of course, none of that did him any good at the moment.

Handsome, he rode easily, and his warhorse, Spite, bore him and the heavy gold easily. At 5'10" and 160 lean lbs, he was in good shape, but not ready for what he endured and his steel blue eyes were glazed.

He came around a bend in the hilly trail and immediately charge forward. Four men had a wonderfully curvy womans stripped and bound, and were threatening her with knives.
He fired his crossbow, the only weapon he was at all competent with, and the bolt went through the chest of one man, taking another in the arm. Spite lashed out with his steel shod hooves, caving in the skull of another. All who could, fled, not realizing that the horse was his only defense now. Of course, his finely crafted expensive chain shirt, and the family longsword across his back might have fooled them.

He quickly cut her loose, telling her, "Run, fair one. There are three strong warriors behind me, coming to kill me and I'm too tired to run further. If you hide, they will have no reason to hunt you. Just spread the word that Prince Hugh managed on valiant deed in his life. They will be here in a quarter hour or so."

 

[Notte]

Jo, short for Joann, was pissed. She had been traveling to enter into a tournament and when she stopped for a night, these men had gotten the jump on her when she had turned down for bed. They looted her weapons and armor and she was left naked save for her panties. If they really thought that would detour her from killing them when she got out of the ropes, if they honestly thought their little knives would stop her, they had another thing coming. She was named the best warrior in two different kingdoms and got paid good money for winning tournaments. It just went to show her that men always underestimated a woman. Especially one who was short, had large breasts, flawless ivory skin and long blond hair; picture perfect for a damsel in distress.

The fact didn't help that she was now being saved by a member of what appeared to be the Royal family. This really was the most humiliating day of her life. When he called her fair one, she gave a most unladylike snort and rolled her eyes. "Get over yourself, Prince Hugh. You sa-," she choked on the word, hard to let it come out, "-ved me, so now I will save you. Come down from your valiant steed and I will hide you and begin to set traps."

 

[Lanolyt]

Hugh was many things, but a fool was not often counted as one of those.

With her words, his eye picked out the armor piled to the side under her clothes. He might not be a fighter much himself, but he did keep up on the news and regional sports,

"You would be Joann the Unbeaten. Very well, this is the best offer I've had since my father died. I can tell you that two who follow have heavy armor, the other wears none, the they defer to him. I thank you for your help, whatever the reason. Know also that I have funds to raise an army...if I can get a commander."

He dismounted. "I follow your lead Master Joann" (master implying a top ranking in a craft, here meaning combat.)

 

[Notte]

She sneered slightly at her name, "Call me Jo, I do not go by Joann ever to anyone. However, yes, I am known as the Unbeaten. Are you asking me to be your commander? What would I get out of the deal save your money?"

When he dismounted, she turned away from him and walked to her pile of clothing and armor. Her hips swayed as only a woman's could, there was an unyielding grace to her steps, one that was uncommon for someone who was supposedly a commoner. However, she had always been a mystery to all, showing up out of no where, and even her full given name was not known to anyone. A beautiful and deadly predator made into human flesh.

Unabashedly and uncaring of her nude state, she bent down and picked up her trousers, then slid them on one leg at a time. Picking up a roll of bandages, she started to bind her breasts, pulling it tightly to try and keep them flat and failing horribly at it due to the ample amount. She put her shirt on last but waited to put on the armor, trying to decide what would be less threatening to the assassins that were after his life. She looked around at what they had to use and a smile pressed her lips, tilting her head to look over at him, she asked, "Does your horse come when he is called, even by a great distance?"

 

[Lanolyt]

"Jo it is then. What would you wish, if I offered you a command...I understand military strategy full well. I suppose that if you directly help me regain my kingdom, a patent of Nobility would be in order...I will have a certain Viscount losing his estate, and his head, so there will be and opening."

Watching her dress was a pleasure- made more so, because she was not trying to tease.

He wisely did not offer suggestions for their defence. It was possible she could beat them all, however unlikely.

"Yes, If I whistle he will come through fire to reach me. Where do you want me Mistress Jo?"

He recocked his crossbow.

 

[Notte]

She tilted her head and looked over at him, her long blond hair falling over her shoulder like spun gold. Walking up to him, she stood directly before him and had to look upwards in order to reach his eyes. "No, Prince Hugh, if I win you back your throne and take care of all of those whom oppose you, I want more than to be a Viscountess. I will be ruling by your side as Queen."

Turning she moved over to the man that was laying dead on the ground and then looked Hugh over once again. They were about the same weight. Grabbing the back of the dead man's shirt, she picked him up, with some difficulty. She did a half carry, half drag of the body over to where the horse stood. She looked over at Hugh, "Help me get him up onto your horse. This way, we can send your horse off and hopefully trick them into believing that you continued onwards, while you are safely hidden. They won't realize until to late what has hit them after they start chasing him." As she spoke, she tossed part of the dead mans upper body onto the saddle and tried to push him up further so that he would not fall down. "This will keep the imprints of your horses hooves the same and they shouldn't notice the change in markings."

 

[Lanolyt]

He blinked at her request.
"Well, as a Prince, it may be my duty to marry for the kingdom, but I'd hoped to marry someone with whom I have a deep caring relationship. I just met you.

If I fall for you, you've got a deal...though it will be a court battle to get a commoner approved....sure you never got awarded a ladyship?"

He was pleased and intrigued. She had cleverness, combined with skill and beauty...but would he dislike her? She seemed brisk and not at all respectful.

But he would have to wait until after the assassins were dealt with.