Civil Magic {KayLove & Eyesoffire}

[KayLove]

General Information
Name: Crispin North
Unofficial Nickname: Redstar
Age: 27
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190lbs

Visual


Figure: Crispin has a slim, athletic build. His body has become hard and his muscles defined from years of physical labour both in and out of combat. His legs are strong and long, while his torso complements it by being the correct size to give him a lean appearance. His skin is tanned, being from the South, though his complexion is far from dark.
Eye Colour: Crispin's eyes hide his intelligence and cunning and many who look upon them claim them to be 'ocean blue.'
Hair: His hair is a short mess, though it seems to complement the angular handsomeness of his own face. Windswept and kept short for practical reasons.
Clothing: Crispin prefers to avoid capes and so considers 'usual' attire to be dark brown pants and black leather boots, an off-white and light tunic beneath a deep crimson leather vest that he managed to sew a black hood upon.
Armour: He prefers to move fast during combat and has little to no armour aside from the worked leather of his vest. Upon his hands, however, is a thick leather bracer with some ornate markings of a dragon breathing fire.
Weapons: Crispin's main weapon is a bastard sword that is versatile enough to be used by one hand or two. He affectionately calls it 'Lady.' His other weapons consists of a hunting knife kept in a scabbard strapped close to his thigh and a short bow with several arrows.
Companions: None.
Unique Characteristics: Crispin has always suffered scars from his various jobs, though almost all of them are upon his torso. He prefers to keep them hidden from view, which has lead to the belief that he's never been bruised in battle.

History
Origin: Crispin keeps his mouth shut when discussing his history. He came from a small farm on the outskirts of the predominately human city of Mardenburg. Life was boring for him, and his family were isolationist in their thinking and action. Crispin made the threat that so many young children do; that he'd leave and never come back. Unlike most children, Crispin never returned home.
Family: Disowned by Crispin.
Strengths: Adaptable, quick to learn and never shows fear.
Weaknesses: Stubborn, sometimes doesn't look before he leaps, speaks his mind (a bit too much).
Likes: Women! Dogs, music, gambling, taverns. Moonlit glades, occasional solitude, laughter.
Dislikes: Inaction, cowardice, waiting.



General Info~
Name: Athena St Clare
Nickname: Thena
Age: 24
Height: 5'8''
Weight: 130lbs

Visual~

Figure: Athena was blessed with large "birthing hips" as her mother calls them along with a rear end to match, while in the breast area she has small 34C sized cups, not much simply for the fact her body wouldn't allow for it seeing as she is so active that there isn't any fat on her body to contribute to her chest. Needless to say she has a bottom heavy hourglass figure, one that she enjoys. Her skin is a pale ivory that doesn't see as much sun as she would like but she burns easily so she tends to keep to the inside.
Eye Color: Light blue eyes that boarder on the color of ice, with a dark ring blue around the center
Hair Color/Style: Athena has long wavy black hair, that in the sunlight some could swear it looks more like a raven blue. She leaves it usually hanging loosely behind her as it falls to her waist and frames her face.
Clothing: Athena can usually be found wearing as simple of clothing as she can get away with, but seeing as she is a noble she is usually stuck wearing complicated corsets that accentuate her figure as well as keep her movements restrained. Casual Wear
Armor: Athena never usually has a need for armor but she has adopted to wearing a metal plated corset that the metal is under the fabric making it appear that she isn't wearing armor.
Weapons: Seeing as her father only recently allowed her to start her weapon training she only carries around a simple dagger as well as a poison that will knock out several men by merely inhaling the powder substance.
Companions: As a gift her father gave her a falcon who was trained in sending messages as well as keeping an eye out for trouble, his name is Sterling.
Unique Characteristics: Athena, unknowing to her father, got a tattoo of two fish circling one another on her side.
Over all: Athena carries herself strong and proud with her shoulders back and head held high. But her feminine hips cause her walk to become more salutary and seductive because of how she sways back and forth. Her voice is strong but soft at the same time, people listening when she talks but also talking when she is readily willing to listen. She is a noble and people tend to listen to what she has to say as well as watch every move that she makes.

History~
Origin: The noble woman before you was not always so, she used to have skinned knees, horrible manners, and a curiosity that could never be quenched. But as she grew older those things soon dulled and became the strong woman that she is.
Her father was the only parent that she had, her mother dying in child birth. He was a good father, doing everything he could to make sure she grew up with the right ideals in the controversial time. He taught her how determine what was right from wrong as well as how to control her powers. He too seemed to be gifted like his daughter with the power to control air.
This caused Athena to grow with certain ideals that most of the people like her did not have, she did not think that they were better than the rest, she simply assumed that everyone was to be treated the same and her father fought for that right, allowing his daughter to follow along his path.
Family: Only her father and an aunt

Strengths: She uses her words and even beauty at times to win over her side, she can be very stubborn, adventurous and willing to try anything once, she was raised to use her powers proudly so she understands her limits and knows when to hold back.
Weaknesses: She has a fear of tight spaces and being cornered, her thoughts jumbling when she is in the sort of situation. She sometimes does not think before she speaks and it doesn't usually end well for her. Curiosity gets the better of her at times. As well as she is afraid of heights.

Likes: The outdoors, animals, water, music, art, and anything having to do with practicing her air magic.
Dislikes: When things don't go her way, arrogant people as well as rude people. Also dogs, she cannot stand them.

 

[Eyesoffire]

It had been a good year now. One long year with a single group of people. Crispin wiped the sweat from his brow as he weighed that fact. He frowned a little as he bent to pick up another piece of the stockade they were creating around one of the several camp sites that comprised the headquarters of the Resistance. The log was dropped into place as he and several other people shifted it. With a loud and heavy thud is fell into place within its hole. Crispin looked around, despite the fatigue spirits were high, and why shouldn't they be? The Resistance had just won a battle to secure a crossing over the River Tyne. They'd stolen it from right under the nose of the The Gifted's Empire. But there was talk of a meeting tonight, a decision was to be made that would affect the future of this entire war. He hadn't a single clue what this decision would be, but the meeting was to be held within the centre camp and that was enough to stir his curiosity.
"You're breakin' a sweat already?" A rough hand patted him on his shoulder. Crispin eyes fell upon a fat man the same height as himself. He was missing an arm, but that never stopped him from helping. "Thought you could handle the work, boy?" His moustached face broke into a smile.
"I could use a hand, Dalton." Crispin grinned.
"Haw Haw Haw. Back to work, boy."

The space had only been half constructed when Crispin arrived later that night to attend the meeting. People were still bustling about, getting things ready for the while they'd be staying here. The headquarters had to be on the move, Imperial scouts were everywhere and the Resistance knew that the moment that decided to stay in one spot they would be found out and the siege would come soon. A siege was something they were the least prepared for.

He passed a group of dwarves setting up a small, mobile blacksmith. They'd be up and running before the sunrise. A human was fletching arrows nearby. They'd need many of those, for more than just hunting. Children were playing around a construction site, despite repeated attempts by the adults to move them to a safer distance.
At the centre of it all was a massive bonfire. Just to the North of that was a risen platform, atop which sat three men and a woman. He'd seen them several times and knew them to be the heads of the Resistance. They were already talking and so Crispin knew he'd missed the beginning of the meeting.
"And we cannot keep running from the Empire. How much longer will we have to move enough people to fill a city?" The youngest of the heads said. He was a thin man, long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. His eyes were beady, shrewd. He had a thin voice, but many in the crowd vocalized agreement.
Then Crispin's eyes fell to St Clare, an older man and though he was not officially the singular leader of the Resistance everyone believed him to be as much. He had a look about him, Crispin could tell time was running short, whatever decision was being talking about had to be made tonight.

 

[KayLove]

"Not for much longer," said St Clare as he replied to William's words, the young man seemed to know just how to ask what everyone wanted to know, but her father always knew how to answer, "We will gather others with the ideals like our own to create a city to rival that of the Gifted, with our own land to stay and call our own."

Athena watched her father speak, he was a thinner version of himself, but she could see the stoubborn set of his jaw and determined brow. Her fathers deep voice demanded attention and people of the resistance trusted him, he had a lot of power and that seemed to make people assume he was his leader. She knew her father didn't want to be the leader of the resistance at first but he had accepted the role with open arms. He believed in these people and they believed in them.

"We must gather those that think like our own, who live for the right to be equals not to be ruled by presumptuous Gifted." Said her father with a tap on the ground with his walking cane. People clapped and nodded for him, more so than when they did for William.

"We-" her fathers words were disrupted by a fit of coughing as he coughed into a small piece of cloth. Athena quickly reacted and pulled out a small flask filled with the strong herbal tea that she made especially for him to help his health as well as with the pain that he experienced every day.

"Father did you want me to?.." She asked and her father waved her on to go on explaining what their plan was. Nodding Athena stood and faced the others, "what my father was trying to say is that we shall be sending some of our people out to the country to spread the word of the resistance, to make us stronger, to make our presence known. If we have more people who knew that there was a force against the Gifted Empire then we will have the strength to defeat them and claim the rights that we know we deserve."

Her voice resonated like her fathers, but stronger, and people seemed to quiet when she talked looking at her as if she spoke only words of truth.

The other man beside her decided to speak then, "And who did you plan on sending?" Asked the gray haired larger man beside William.

"A representation of the people. I have volunteered to go in place of my father." She said her words slightly less sure as she glanced back at her father who had recovered and he nodded. She looked out at the people of the resistance with a determined gleam in her ice blue eyes, her raven hair seemed to move on its own and away from her pale face, she would not be nervous of this, she had to be strong for these people.

"But my daughter will not be going alone." Chimed in leaning back in his chair, "and that is where my fellow resistance fighters come in. We must assemble a party of our most trusted to go and be the ones who take our country by strom and encourage others to join the right side."

 

[Eyesoffire]

"Too big of a group will attract the attention of the Empire." A middle-age woman said. She was the only female member of the heads. Her voice was soft, yet not quiet. There seemed to be no harshness in it. "I agree with you, St Clare, we must be discreet." She looked around at the others. "Our forces are divided, we're fighting the Empire on many fronts, so it is clear that we need more support. The dwarven and elvish allies we currently have are certainly appreciated, but they number less than two hundred in all the Resistance." She turned her head to William. "We will need to hold our ground at some point, however we can only do that with the allies we've obtained." People agreed with her. "We cannot abandon out defences, we need to keep our forces close at hand. As I've said, we're stretched thin. A party is exactly what we need."

Crispin looked around, more and more people were coming in and listening. He saw many military personnel move closer to the fire. The chance to form new alliances and finally be on the offensive against the Empire was intriguing to them. There was an aura of energy, eager anticipation, even Crispin couldn't help but get caught up in it. He moved forwards so that he was almost at the very front.

"We will need volunteers to join the group, which will comprise of ten individuals." The elder woman named Lillian stated. "People with combat experience who will take the initiative on all matters."
Crispin saw many officers in the Resistance army step forward. People raised their hands and called out that they would be a part of this, men and women and an elf. At eight Lillian raised her hand. "And who will lead this force? An astute mind is exactly what we need." One man, with blonde hair and green eyes saluted. "My name is Gent of Westfield. I have proven myself against the Empire. I will lead this expedition."
A cheer went up. Crispin couldn't help but smile. There was hope in heir faces earlier, but now something seemed to solidify within their eyes, their souls. If this could be done then the Resistance could have victory.
"Who will our new allies be?" Gent called out.
"We shall appeal to the Elves and the Dwarves, of course." Lillian said. Many in the crowd nodded and the allies of these races present at the meeting nodded.

Silently Lillian looked to St Clare. She shared a quiet moment of anticipation. She seemed anxious. Lillian gave St Clare a small nod and her eyes briefly rested upon Athena before looking back at the crowd. "... and the Orcs." Her voice rang clear and people froze. Crispin took looked up, the nonchalant expression upon his face had vanished.
Gent seemed paler.
"We need them. More than you all think." Lillian whispered.

The shift in energy was palpable, it turned from hope and excitement, anxiousness and curiosity to dread. People stopped patting one another's backs, Crispin couldn't see any smiles. There was no eye contact being made. A stillness took hold of the crowd, it seemed as if even a sniffle would sound like a torrent.
"Take the volunteers and make preparations, Gent." Lillian said. But Gent looked sick, he just stared at the grass.
Crispin looked around, people's faces had fell. He could see no other option. If they did not do this then he was doomed for choosing the losing side. Gent's visage made him angry. The silence that hung heavily over the group was broken by Crispin's voice.
"My name is Crispin Fawkes. I'm a captain with the army of the Resistance. Some of you know me as... Redstar." His eyes moved from Lillian and St Clare and finally to Athena. "I will get her where she needs to go."

 

[KayLove]

The men and Athena watched Lillian with respect as she gathered the people that they would need for their journey and St Clare allowed it, nodding along with her reasoning. And fairly soon Athena was smiling along with the people before her, hope filling her bright eyes and she took her fathers hand, it was really going to work. They were going to get the people that they needed to help those that could not help themselves.

But a silent message seemed to pass between her father an Lillian, when she mentioned the Orcs and the people fell silent. Athena could see their hope shatter with those simple words. But even though it was true and Athena knew it she didn't know what to do to make the people understand that they did truly need them, they were just as much a part of this world as their people were.

"Father..." she whispered glancing at the seated man beside her, but all he did was give her hand a light squeeze and wait for what came next, he believed in the people, believed in the courage that they held.

And now she understood why.

The man with the bluest of eyes landed on her and she felt the spark of hope swell once more, "We have our Leader now it seems Lillian." said Athena with a smile on her pale lips. She could heard faint voices around the people talking about who exactly this Redstar character was but it didn't matter now.

"Crispin Fawkes," started her father as he stood, "I thank you for offering yourself to lead this mission, I leave in your care my daughter, to guide and help the words we all know to be true to ring out and spread to those that we all know we need the help of." said St Clare in a bold voice, acknowledging that the orcs were not something that they wanted to talk about but was something that needed to be done.

Athena bowed her head in honor and the hope seemed to slowly warm up again into the hearts of those around them slowly but surely.

 

[Eyesoffire]

Crispin gave no response to St Clare after he'd spoken. He just looked at the older man. Crispin saw age and weariness in his eyes, but neither were any indication that the man's determination to liberate the humans was any less. When Crispin turned away after St Clare had made it clear this meeting was done, he found himself face-to-face with three of the individuals who had offered to volunteer. The elf, a dwarf and a woman.

"So that's it?" Crispin said to them. "One little word snuffs out the courage in the other five hearts, huh?" The elf just shifted his weight in silent response to that. Crispin pursed his lips, what were they going to do? It was best that they figure out who else to bring along, and quickly. "Your names?" He asked them.
"Volka." The woman said, her accent and stature giving her away as a warrior-maiden of the Northern human kingdoms.
"Tal-eye." The elf said quietly. "Though I am not opposed to anyone calling me Tal." His golden pupils shifted from Crispin to Volka.
"Balgruff." The stocky dwarf said, scowling. He was missing a few teeth and was clearly the oldest one here. Balgruff cast a dirty glance at the elf. "... don't git chummy. Ye call me 'Gruff' an' I'll cut ye."
"Noted." Crispin replied.

The people were dispersing quickly, going about their business, but there was clearly some spirit back in their hearts. Not many other stayed back, and the few that did had started up conversations with one another. None seemed to show any signs that they wished to come along, not even tentative ones. "Five is too small a group. We'll need a few more." Crispin stated. he looked around, and then back up to the stand where the heads of the Resistance had been seated. It was empty. "We'll also need to find Lady Athena." He said softly, the melody of her voice still playing back in his mind.

 

[KayLove]

As soon as the meeting was dismissed Athena hurried off with her father, he needed to get back home to rest and take care of things from his end. Make sure supplies were sent to the resistance and as well as ensure that they were not discovered. Her father seemed to be able to do more while he was at home with his connections inside of the Gifted Empire to keep them guessing at where the fighters were. He was a strong man, as well as a determined man, who refused to acknowledge that his health was declining.

"Father," she helped him into the carriage, "I'll only be gone for a while."

Her father laughed softly as he sat back in the chair, "Don't worry little one." he patted her hand, "You are a smart girl, I raised you. I'll be alright my dear." he said with a soft smile, kissing her forehead.

Athena smiled along with her father, "Promise to take your medicine." the old man laughed, "Promise father!" she said with a broad smile and he laughed and waved her worries away as Athena grabbed her small traveling bag as well as untied her horse from the back of the carriage and before she knew it her father was gone, being escorted back to home and Athena was left in the middle of the resistance camp her large brown and white horse nickering beside her as she patted his neck.

"It's alright Ren," she told her horse, "lets go find our traveling group." she said as she started through the camp. A group of children ran before her and she stopped suddenly as one of them fell in the mud in front of her and startling Ren. "Oh! Gods! Hey, hey its ok." she said both to her horse and the small blonde boy scooting away from the horse, wrapping Ren's reigns around a branch and dropping her bag on the ground she hurried to help the, now that she looked closer she noted the pointed ears, elf child from the ground.

"Are you ok dear?" she asked with a sweet smile and the elf child nodded with bright green eyes looking at her as if she were some hero before running off after the other children.

Athena smiled to herself as she looked around, most of the people glancing at her as she stood out like a rose in an herb garden. A couple of large men walked in her direction and bowed in synchronization to Athena.

"Good evening Miss. St Clare." said the one to her left, "We are warriors from the southern camps, we would like to join you on your journey ." said the one to the right

"Oh well, thank you." she said, sure she was seeing doubles, "And your names?"

"I'm Sky and he is Adam." said the first one, now known as Sky.

"You two wouldn't happen to be twins would you?" she asked with a small laugh as they both nodded, "Do either of your know where to find our group leader?" she asked as she looked past the two men to try and find Captain Crispin.

 

[Eyesoffire]

"You've found me." Crispin said, walking up to them with Volka, Balgruff and Tal behind him. They had their bags set and ready, they were provisioned and armed. Both Volka and Balgruff carried an axe. Balgruff's was a heavy two-handed blade while Volka's was used in one hand, slung across her back, on top of her bag, was a shield. He walked up to Athena and gave her a small bow. "A horse, huh?" He said, looking at the beast. "I was not going to suggest horses." He said, looking at Athena. "I assumed we'd be taking wooded roads, avoid the actual roads to keep us out of sight from any Imperial eyes, but I suppose one horse if fine... for the lady of course." He gave her a half smile. "The only one who seems like she'll be doing any actual negotiations within the group." He looked at Balgruff, who spat on the ground at the sight of some people passing by.

"William came to me while we were looking for you, Lady Athena." He held out two rolled and sealed scrolls for her to take. "One is of a map so that we may stay on the right track. The other is a parchment to be signed by the dwarves, elves and orcs... if they can write." he mumbled. "These are probably better kept with you."

He walked by Athena's horse and gently patted its neck as he made for the closest exit. "First thing I propose we do is set a course. There are seven of us here, I doubt we'll be getting many more, unless people start finding their courage. The dwarven hold of Heimfarl is closest. I doubt we'll be able to trek to the far north to enter their capital so seeking out one of their high-lords will have to do." He gave Athena a glance. "Does that sound fine to you?"

 

[KayLove]

Athena smiled softly at the presence of Crispin and nodded her head at the others as she straightened out her crisply pressed dress before glancing at her horse beside her. "Well, I could always leave him here." she told him, her hand stroking his neck, "I'm sure he could be of use to the people here. No need for special treatment, I trust your judgement." she told him as she took the scrolls and placed them in her traveling pack at her side. "Gladly, I'm sure we will be needing them."

She looked around at the misfit bunch before her and couldn't help but give them all a smile, "It looks like we will be together for a while now won't we?" she said as she adjusted her bag and continued to take out the short blade that her father had given to her and strapped the holster to her waist, she felt under dressed without it seeing as everyone else had a weapon.

"Yes, I think that sounds fine Crispin." she glanced around before they left the camp and spotted Lillian, "One moment." she glanced at the group before taking the reigns of Ren and headed over to Lillian who was helping some other women sewing together some clothing, "Lillian?" she asked as she came closer.

"Miss. St Clare?" she asked with soft eyes as she looked up and stood to greet Athena, "What can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if you could find a use for my Ren here? He is a good horse, Im sure you could find a good use for him." she handed over the reigns, "Ill be back for him though, so don't get too comfortable." she said with a smile as she started back to the group, Lillian waved at them all before heading back into the campsite.

"There, now that that is done its time to head off." she said as she advanced forward but soon realizing that she didn't know where she was going she coughed and blushed slightly, "You should lead on then Captain."

 

[Eyesoffire]

Crispin gave her a knowing and somewhat arrogant smile before walking past her. "The last thing I need is for a noble woman to start calling me 'captain.' Crispin will do just fine." He lead them out the North-West exit and they began weaving their way from one major camp through to the next. The full headquarters comprised of 5 camps in total and they passed through 2 one their way out. Once clear of the camp lights they took to the trails nearby. "It's safe enough by the camps here, I doubt Imperial spies have found us already. We should stay on this trail until dawn, find a secluded and concealed spot and settle down for the morning."

"Aye, darkness is our friend." The grizzled voice of Balgruff said, his Rs rolled off his tongue roughly. The night passed with little incident, they hailed a few patrols but there was not much else of note. Volka was able to pinpoint a suitable spot where they would easily be able to rest their heads. The day would be cloudy, judging by how dawn was coming along. "The wee lass seems ta be keepin' up jus fine, eh?" Balgruff said as he looked over at Athena. Crispin nodded, his arms crossed over his chest as the others made their own places to sleep.

"Does the daughter of St Clare know how to use that weapon?" Crispin asked, pointing at her blade. "You'll forgive my silly assumptions, I'm sure, I'm just curious, that's all."

 

[KayLove]

"Right, Cap-" she stopped herself,"Crispin." she said with a small smile, she truly was going to have to get used to this whole situation. Out here she wasn't a noble woman, she was simply a woman who was part of the resistance like everyone else. Although she didn't expect others to treat her as such but she still wanted to think so. She followed quietly from then on preferring rather to simply observe than speaking. She noted how everyone helped one another as they passed through, people even waved to them as they passed, she waved back of course, it was only polite.

But as they left the camp and got further away she let her thoughts wonder, and although she was not so used to being up all night she still stiffened her yawns. She wanted to do this journey, people might actually listen to her and realize that the world could be changed. As they settled down for the night, well day, she couldn't help but not know what to do with herself. She noted that Volka simply chose a spot clear of any protruding rocks and laid their bed rolls out to sleep on, using their bags as pillows so she did the same choosing a spot next to Volka who only gave her a mumble of acknowledgment before going back to inspecting her shield for imperfections.

Just as she dropped her bag down she heard Crispin behind her and she turned at the question, noting the thin blade at her side. "Well, yes actually." she placed her hand on the silver handle at her hip, "It's actually specially made for me. See, father made me do fencing classes as well as sword fighting. But seeing as long swords are too heavy for me and a fencing blade seemed to get in the way during a fight, this one was made." she said in a matter of fact voice, "Although, not that I wish to have to use it."

 

[Eyesoffire]

"None of us wants to use our weapons." Crispin said to Athena as he laid out his bedroll close to her own and unbuckled his sword belt.
"Speak fer yerself, human." Came Balgruff's voice.
"I do hope you are not averse to sleeping upon the ground, my lady." Crispin merely gave Athena a knowing look before laying down fully and stared up at the sky.
It was indeed strange to begin to fall asleep when the sun was just rising, but this is what they needed to do. It was better to stay still when all was bright during the day and move about under the cover of darkness. If they ran into an Imperial scouting group they would be outnumbered and their mission would fail almost as quickly as it started.

The evening came quickly, Crispin was tapped on the shoulder by Volka a hours before dusk, he was to take the last watch. The skies changed to a deep golden-oranger as the clouds in the distance had left to cover other lands. Things seemed so quiet after one year alongside everyone else in the camp. Crispin allowed them to sleep for another hour before shaking them all awake. They silently gathered their things and began to move out, Crispin ensuring that no sign of their presence was left behind. A few hours later Crispin felt Tal's hand upon his shoulder. "It is my belief that we are being followed." His voice was barely a whisper. However Crispin wasn't the only one to hear it. Adam placed his hand upon his sword while Tal allowed his hands to glow dully with energy. Crispin instinctively placed himself near Athena.

Everyone froze. Standing still time seemed to come to a crawl. There was no unusual sound to be heard other than the softening songs of birds, the occasional wind amongst the grass and trees and the running water of a small brook nearby.
Then a twig snapped to their right. Balgruff acted first, he threw himself into the taller grass with a growl. Sounds of struggle came shortly after. "Get off! Gods, you stink!"
A short boy with long brown hair and brown eyes was shoved roughly forward and out of the grass, with Balgruff close behind him, holding his short sword. Crispin raised an eyebrow. Sky sighed with relief and Volka swore under her breath. The boy looked visibly upset and disappointed.
"No doubt the boy wanted to surprise us." Tal said.
"Seems that way." Crispin said curiously. "What's your name?"
"Alric." He replied quietly.
"And you're how old?"
"17."
"How old are you?" Crispin asked again.
"16." Alric replied, even more upset with himself.
"Turn around, get back home." Crispin said, pointing back the way they'd come.

 

[KayLove]

"No, I don't mind. It is for the cause after all." she said with a sigh as she laid down and attempted to sleep with the crisp morning air kissing her cheeks and the sun gracing the back of her eye lids. This was defiantly going to be hard to do. But she assumed she would get used to it, hopefully.

She gave a sigh and rolled onto her stomach, burying her head in to her bag, black hair draped over her side. And she slept, throughout the whole night, but it was a restless sleep with nothing but aggravating dreams to keep her mind from a good rest.

But dusk soon came and she was shaken awake by Crispin, it wasn't a horrible face to be waken up by but still she groaned and stretched before hurrying up to get her things together, she was the last one to get everything packed, refusing any help. She wanted to get this, how to do everything, it would just take a while.

Adam kept her company, making her laugh at silly stories about how him and his brother used to get into trouble. She often received annoyed glances from Volka because she would laugh too loud and quickly quieted to a snicker. But the day seemed to pass uneventfully, her feet were starting to hurt after another day of constant walking but she would keep her mouth shut and endure.

But as they continued the people of their caraband came to a stop and froze.

"What-?" she began to ask but was cut off by the sound of a branch braking and Bulgruff wrestling whith someone in the grass, her hand didn't even go to her blade, she didn't instincutally do that as of yet but she did watch with curiosity as the boy and dwarf stepped forward.

She hadn't even noticed Crispin at her side or when he had gotten there but she couldn't help but smile at the young man who seemed by the defient set of his jaw that he didn't want to go anywhere.

"Why have you followed us young man?" she asked, her hands on her hips like any scolding mother would do, "This is no place for a boy to be." she told him hoping that her firm words would encourage him and realize that it wasn't something he should be doing.

 

[Eyesoffire]

Alric turned to face the woman, the noble lady. She seemed all the more beautiful in person, and he'd never been this close to her. He stepped towards her a little, feeling comfort in being by her side. "I-I wanted to volunteer." His voiced seemed to break upon seeing her. Alric didn't seem to register the other's presence.

"He's brave, at least." Crispin said, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked to Volka and she shrugged. Balgruff didn't seem to care either way and Tal paid more attention to their surroundings. Adam and his brother seemed to be more interested in the boy answering Athena's questions.
"My lady, I heard that few stepped forwards. So I decided to go ahead and join." He turned his around to see the others. "Ten were supposed to go, am I right? You number seven. You could use my help."
"The boy doesn't sound insincere." Tal said, tearing his gaze from the surrounding bush to look at Athena.

"He is too young." Volka's heavy accent rang out. "He will not be of help to us."
"I will!" Alric said, standing firmly.
"How?" Volka asked, stepping close to him. "Tell me."
Alric threw a punch and Volka shifted before kicking the boy's legs out from under him.
Alric swore as he picked himself up.

"We were all inexperienced once, Volka." Crispin said. "As much as I don't want him to come along, the decision regarding who to bring isn't mine." He turned his gaze towards Athena. "He's young and inexperienced, I don't think he knows what is out there. On the other hand, we need as much help as we can get. The choice is yours."

 

[KayLove]

Athena nodded along with the others, never taking her sharp blue eyes off of the boy. "You are all very right in your analysis of the boy. Brave, even stupidly so. Sincere is always to be wanted...." she sighed and rubbed the back of her neck as she watched him fall from the warrior woman.

"I hardly think that was necessary." she told the woman, who only smiled and crossed her arms in return.

Athena shifted from one foot to another as she caught Caspin's eyes with her own, she didn't know how to respond but she took a deep breath nodding to the physical leader of her group while she seemed to be the behind the scenes leader. She felt ever so slightly honored to be treated as such.

"We will let him come." she said to the group before turning back to Alric and placing her hand on his shoulders, "You will stay with us at all times, you hear me?" she asked and he nodded quickly, "Sky and Adam are in charge of you, anything they say goes," she gestured to the twins behind her who both looked at one another.

"He's yours," said Sky.
"No way! Yours," replied Adam with a punch to his brothers arm, "I'm the oldest."
Sky rolled his eyes, "By mere seconds!"

Athena rolled her eyes and smiled at the young man, "You'll be just fine. Might even learn something." she told him with a small smile as she took a step back and looked at Crispin, "He is also to get a bath next time we see a deep enough river, throw him in." she looked at the dwarf, "You too, Balgruff." she told him.

 

[Eyesoffire]

Balgruff responded by sniffing under his armpit.

"The first thing you two are going to do," Crispin pointed two fingers, one at Sky, the other at Adam. "Is arm the boy. The town of Corden isn't too far from here. A day's walk, no more. There should be an armory or two where you can find weapons, and we can take a rest there before heading further out. Heimfarl is further North-East. We stick to that path and we should be there within a week. I doubt the people of Corden will give us much trouble anyway."

He turned to face the others. "Once we get to Corden we'll be heading into the wilds, I'm sure I don't have to tell you all of the danger out there, but some," His eyes fell onto Alric and Athena. "Haven't ventured out far before, I reckon. So it would be best if we travelled fast and light. We can shop for a bit in Corden, but take only what you need."
He didn't say anything more, Crispin turned and started walking in the direction of Corden. The night past quickly and when day came Crispin prevented them from making camp. "We're close. We can sleep in a room within an inn there." He explained and lead the way once more.

Corden was a small town, though not small enough to be called a village. Its people were hard-working and supporters of the resistance. Most of the men in the town served as guards, being so close to the wild meant that they had to be on constant lookout for whatever dangers came their way. The mood within the town was far from sullen, people looked busy, it was as if things went on the way it was expected. The main road was well used and slightly covered in mud, horses moved about as people bustled by them and called out to them to see their goods; anything from tunics to fruit to various remedies.
"This stall smells intriguing." Tal said, sniffing the aroma coming off of a few dried leaves.
"Have one an ye might be shittin' fer weeks." Balgruff grumbled as he tried to look over a fence at a prized stallion.

"Sky, see that Alric's armed." Crispin stated. "A spear is a good start. Here." He tossed the man a small bag of coin. "Get him something that won't fall apart." Crispin watched a nobleman approach as he moved to Athena's side. "My expenses will be covered by the Resistance, correct?" He asked quietly before stepping away from her and purposely bumping into the noble. Crispin apologized profusely while bowing. As the noble walked down the street, muttering under his breath in a haughty accent, Crispin grinned at Athena and showed her the bag of coin he'd just acquired.
"This is just insurance."

 

[KayLove]

Athena talked with Alric while they walked to Corden, asking him about his family as well as how he had decided to come along with them. He told her about how he only had a grandmother back at the resistance camp, no friends, he felt like a loner. But she only smiled and accepted the arm that the young man jokingly offered to her.

"Don't worry, seems like we are all a bunch of misfits here my dear." she told him with a smile and she patted his arm as they walked, he practically beamed at her with a lopsided smile.

As they entered the town Athena noted the liveliness of the people, their bantering was loud but people weren't fighting. They seemed to have quite a system. Many women tried to show her small trinkets such as scarves, thin bracelets, and fruits.

She shoved Alric softly towards the twin men and gave him an encouraging smile. As she walked Crispin suddenly appeared at her side.

"Yes, of course my father-" but before she could finish he was suddenly bumping into a passing noblemen, she knew that the captain was far too battle weathered for something so ungraceful as that.

She gave him a disapproving look as he showed her the stolen pouch of money, "Crispin-!" she hissed as she walked close to him, "I have enough money for this trip twice over," she whispered to him but looked over her shoulder at the nobleman, "But I guess it wouldn't hurt.." she sighed and crossed her arms over her chest not truly wanting to return the stolen pouch, but she did make a mental note for her father to send the nobleman back the money once this was all said and done.

 

[Eyesoffire]

"Of course it won't hurt." Crispin said, nodding his head over his shoulder to the nobleman. "Him least of all, he's probably got more than a few illegal trade circuits around here and I'm sure he's benefiting from this war, especially since the Rebellion has proved it's a capable force." He pocketed the coin bag and walked towards a weather-beaten old inn called 'Helga's Hug'. "I'm letting the others find their own rooms to sleep in tonight. I'll be in this one if you need me. You see that statue over there?" He asked Athena. It was a tall statue, carved intricately in the shape of a moustached man holding a spear as he stood atop a dead bear-like creature. No doubt time and effort had been taken in order to complete this statue, however it was now quite weather-beaten. "We'll meet there are dusk tonight."

Crispin pushed his way into a crowd and disappeared from sight. Not long after a patrol of 9 men came marching through the main street, roughly pushing people out of the way as they marched quickly past Athena's location. They were bruised, tired, muddy and bloody. One of them had to be supported by two others, he was missing a leg. "Out of the way!" Their captain called. "Move! We're needed by the mayor!" The crowds did part for them, though many stopped to stare, some with crest-fallen faces. "Ach! I don't like the way these here people lookit me." Balgruff said as he looked up at Athena before walking off.

Helga's Hug was certainly quaint, as far as inns went, it had a tavern upon the main floor with rooms up top. Crispin ordered a pint of dwarven ale with some roast beef, eggs and bread. Trekking always gave him an appetite. A buxom bar-wench served him before going about to serve the other customers and guests. It wasn't quiet afternoon yet and so the place was far from full, yet there was a layer of murmur as small groups of people spoke to one another. Adventurers clad in the same manner as himself were far from uncommon and so no one seemed to pay attention to him.

 

[KayLove]

"Alright, then I guess I'll find a room as well." she told him noting the statue but her eyes followed the injured men, they seemed respected enough but she was curious on why these men came back to such a reaction. All the towns people seemed to know something that she did not. She soon lost Crispin in the throng of people but noted in the direction that he had gone. She heard a familiar rough voice near her elbow and noted it to be Bulgruff.

"Well, maybe, my friend it is because you might need that bath I mentioned earlier." she told him with a small smile. Her blue eyes were soft but they hardened as she spotted a young woman in a stall getting yelled at for what sounded like attempting to steal, or maybe she was just auguring the trader with how low a price she was offering. She was a small thing, maybe only in her teens but she had fierce red hair that stuck out to Athena.

"Excuse me! Vendor!" Athena said as she picked up her skirts and hurried over, making herself look very regal and noble.

The man glanced up and immediately stopped his yelling but kept the sneer on his face, "What?" he asked attempting to be civil but his hand was clutching the poor girl's arm hard.

"I would love to know, why you are laying your hands on my servant?" she asked her hands on her hips.

"She was being a mighty big pest to me, m'lady." He said glaring at her, "She tried to take more than what was owed to her!"

The redheads eyes were wide with shock but she kept her mouth closed, seeming to know when her tail was being saved.

"Here." Athena threw a silver coin at the man, it was worth more than his whole stall of his vegetables and bread that he was selling.

The man caught it and his beady eyes widened in shock, "T-That should do m'lady" he greedily shoved the coin in his pocket and released the girl with a shove.

"Lets go young lady." said Athena who grabbed a loaf of bread and basket of vegetables on her way out, she heard no protest from the vendor.

When the dark haired Athena and the red haired girl were far enough away Athena shoved the basket and bread at the girl, "Take this and swear to me you will never try to steal again."

"Yes'm" the fire haired girl stuttered out and clutched the basket to her chest before running off down the road and disappearing within the crowds.

If any of Athena's group had seen what she had done she didn't care, all she cared was that some girl and perhaps her family were not starving tonight. Seeing as her energy was drained from her recent hero act she headed towards Helga's Hug where Crispin had said he was going to be. She hadn't wanted to bother him, just simply get a room to have a couple hours worth of sleep.

As the dark haired Athena entered the inn and walked into the tavern it seemed like eyes clung to her with every step she made. But she simply straightened her shoulders and headed towards the front desk, not even taking a moment to look for Crispin.

"Just a room please." she asked but before the woman could take Athena's money a man leaned on the counter next to her and gave her body a once over.

"Can I help you Sir?" Athena asked.

"Oh, Sir am I?" he said with a laugh, the man was large and muscular, Athena thought he could be one of the soldiers that she had seen earlier, "I was just wondering why a lady such as yourself was here all alone?" the men at a table behind him edged him on, "Because I know someplace that you could keep warm." he said thinking that he was funny.

Athena's lips parted in shock that someone would say that to her, "How dare you." she said in a deadly tone, but he didn't seem to blink an eye as she raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The man stopped laughing and so did his friends but Athena could tell that she had just gotten herself in over her head.

 

[Eyesoffire]

Crispin had only been part way through his meal, having just finished an egg and a bit of his roast beef, before Athena walked in. He thought it best to imitate all those around him and stared at her like the other horny men in the tavern. He hadn't expected her to come here, he was sure she'd go around a find a much more expensive inn, catering to an upper-class demographic.
Crispin soon put his head down to eat some more but froze when he heard Athena exchange a few words with a man at the bar. He looked up slowly and grinned a little when Athena's hand made contact with the man's crusty face. It was a good slap, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, it had a nice loud smack to it that filled the whole tavern. People froze, all of them staring in silence at what this man was going to do. The bartender seemed to aghast to really do anything, clearly he hadn't been in this situation before.

Crispin moved first, eyes shifted to him as he got up, out of his chair and walked up to the counter and moved between the man and Athena. "She ain't alone." Crispin said, not even looking at the man. He turned to look at Athena and gave her a snarky look. "This next little while... it's all your fault." Without warning he spun around and slammed his fist into the man's lower jaw. The man fell, the stool he was sitting on came after him and that was the signal to have the tavern erupt in riots action. Chairs and chicken flew as one drunkard in the corner pulled out a lute and began to play it as he laughed loudly. Dogs sat up and barked, some biting patron's legs as the bar wenches swore out loud as they made attempts to get behind the counter.

Raunchy men grabbed at the wench's hips and pulled them into their laps while other brawled it out on the floor, knocking over tables, food and drink. Crispin had two men advance on him. He placed Athena behind him as kept the potential assailants within eyesight.
"You got any tricks to use, Athena? They'll sure come in useful right now!"

 

[KayLove]

Athena's blue eyes were suddenly upon Crispin's own blue eyes with shock written all over her face. Even with the snarky look and remark she couldn't help but smile up at him and her stomach gave a flip as he came to her aid. But before she could say thanks her assailant was on the floor holding his jaw and the whole tavern had burst out into a riot of chaos and laughter. Women were beating off drunken men with plates, dogs lapping up the leftovers, and it all was new and exciting to Athena.Her thoughts were jumbled and she couldn't help but laugh along with the other people at the tavern. Did that make her crazy? After all she was the one that started this.

"Me?!?" her giggling continued, "The only thing I can do is throw my father's name around and it seems that that would do very little good here!" she said as she glanced at the men advancing on them and then at the bar, "I would say that I'm not to proud for this but that would be a lie! Running would seem like a good idea about now!" she said with a laugh as she hiked up her skirt and climbed onto the bar and ran down towards the stairwell grabbing a bottle of the alcohol on her way as she jumped off the bar behind the two opposing lugs and sprinted towards the stairs, climbing them as fast as she could with her liquor and skirts in hand not even looking to see if Crispin was following her.

She climbed until the winding stairs stopped on the third floor, she could hear men shouting as they followed behind them but she hurried down the hall and using a small dagger she jimmied one of the doors and it popped open. "Well, I did not expect that to work." she said in shock, the only time it had ever worked was when she was trying to sneak into her fathers study at night to read.

 

[Eyesoffire]

Crispin did make an attempt to follow her, he got about 10 feet towards the stairs she ran up, but was pulled back into the large brawl. He rolled his eyes and swore a little before turning around and putting forth his full effort into the fist fight that raged all around him. There were really no sides, it was a free-for-all unless you and some one else were both good friends and sober enough to recognize that.

It was a whole 15 minutes later when the last pint crashed to the floor and the fighting stopped. Everyone was nursing wounds, but they'd had a good fight. People were smiling, individuals were helping their fellow bar patrons and picking tables and chair off the floor. Dogs had found their owners and gave them happy licks. The man that Athena slapped had left, not that it mattered, Crispin was sure he'd knocked a tooth out. Crispin himself had suffered a cut lip, a bruise on his cheek and he had a slight ringing in his ear.

He stood up and winced a little, stretching out. He looked around to see the mess they made. Crispin smiled, he, like everyone else here, had to admit that all of this was cathartic, and he was glad that majority of the people had a good nature about it all. There were quite a few sour apples about it, the bartender being one of them, but he was too busy dealing with the biggest of the vandalizes. Crispin had to find Athena, and he dropped the full coin bag he'd stolen from the noble onto the counter and walked up the stairs.

"Athena!" He called out, walking down the single hallway of rooms that made up the inn. The second floor had no one answer and as he got to the third he called out her name once more, hoping that the man Athena had slapped hadn't disappeared with her.

 

[KayLove]

Athena made herself comfortable in the small room, letting herself fall into the small twin sized bed the bottle of liquor that she had almost forgotten that she had stolen in one hand sloshed in her hand. "Oh well, might as well." she said as she uncorked the bottle and took a swig of a strong liquid inside, it was truly foul as it burned down her throat but she didn't mind that after taste, she assumed it must have been made out of some local plant.

She took another sip and looked out the window down at the town, it was quaint, people stumbled out of the tavern below as the minutes ticked by and her small sips continued she wondered where Crispin was in the ruckus that was down stairs. But she stayed put and let the slight breeze waft in from the eastern winds.

"Crispin!" she yelled back and she set down the bottle almost tripping over her own feel as she did so and flung open the door waving her hand at him, "Down here, come on come on!" she urged as she met him half way down the hall and tugged on his hand towards the room. Just as she pulled him into the room she noted his face, "Crispin! By the heavens, did you get thrown around down there?" she asked, a small hiccup escaping from her lips from the liquor, as she hurried to the wooden picture and bowl on the desk in the room and poured some water out onto the small cloth, rinsing it out before she hurried back over to dab at his lip.

 

[Eyesoffire]

"It's fine. I'm fine." Crispin said, holding Athena's hand by the wrist as she came in to bad his lips a third time. "Don't worry about me. I expected to get a little bruised when going in there." He explained as he looked over the room. Crispin walked in a little more and closed the door behind him. "Glad to know you haven't run off with that charming man I punch down there. I thought your slap was indicative of your affection for him." He grinned. Then he spied to bottle, he walked up to it and lifted it up. "Ah, a Corden brew." Crispin turned and gave Athena a sly look. "Funny, I thought you were so full of righteousness and that you never stole. Seems I've been a bit of a bad example for you. This explains the hiccups."

Crispin sat on the bed and placed the bottle aside, he winced a little, his right shoulder had certainly taken a hit, or three. "You can rest assured that the money I unburdened that noble from has been used to take care of the damages to the tavern downstairs." He lay back on the bed, arms behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling. Crispin let our a deep, long sigh. "That was fun. You do need to be careful, Athena. They may be supporters of the rebellion, but we shouldn't think we're safe here." Crispin then sat up and looked at her from the bed.
"Which is why I'll be spending the night with you."

 

[KayLove]

She stopped her fretting as his hand held her still and she gave him a frown, "Bruised is one thing, bloodied is another." she said as she put the cloth back in the bowl and turned to watch him close the door and begin to comment on the barbaric man as well as her new found favorite drink. She gave a laugh and crossed her arms over her chest, another hiccup escaping, "That beast of a man was simply asking for my hand and I kindly refused his offer." she said with a wave of her hand, "I'm a very particular woman Crispin, you should have learned that by now." she responded as she watched him lounge down onto the bed only nodding at his words until one small statement made her slightly blurred thoughts stop abruptly.

"What? Wait, why? I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Thank you very much." she said with a stubborn set of her jaw as she walked towards the man on the bed, and placed her hands on her hips, "I for one don't think," hiccup, "that that is needed at all," she hiked up her skirt and knelt on the edge of the bed before him, "I can always get you a room right beside mine you know."