forum An Unexpected Journey || Adventure || Closed

Started July 10, 2019 by @EternallyEris

tune

Sangrar gave the stable boy an appreciative nod and jumped on top of his horse, and proceeded to follow the carriage.

Serai let out a deep breath. “So… we’re off.”

The carriage bustled down the road and as the sun rose and people began to populate the city surrounding the castle, Mitra summoned a thick dark cloth big enough to drape over the sides of the cage, hiding the wizard from sight. She didn't know why she did it exactly, it just seemed that putting the prisoner on display was just salt in the wound of being sentenced to Orgost. Sighing, Mitra leaned her elbows on her knees. "This is going to take forever. Orgost is so far."

Serai looked over to the other woman. “How far? I have never yet made the journey.”

The surrounding chatter wormed its way into the prisoner's sleep, and he found his eyes opening of their own accord. He woke to darkness.
It wasn't complete— dulled spots of light danced across his lap, leaking through what was very obviously cloth. He propped himself higher against the iron bars of the cage, feeling the tingle of blocked magic heighten to a choking dizziness.
"Uncover me," he ordered through the sensation, squinting against it.

Mitra frowned, leaning back into a more comfortable position. To the untrained, civilian eye, their little group appeared to be travelers passing through the city. "Many leagues," She said, answering the young girl's question. "On the other side of the mountains. Almost a month's travel–" Mitra paused, hearing the wizard speak from under the cloth.
Turning, she lifted the cloth just enough so he could see her indignant face. "Would you rather be gawked at by the masses?"

Blinking the light out of his eyes, Graeme stared back. "I would, yes," he spat. "Are you foolish enough to think I'm not accustomed to mockery and whatever else?"

Serai stared at him in surprise. If it were her, she would have been quite glad for the cover from shame.

Sangrar shortly glanced at him with sympathetic eyes. He knew what that felt like, and he felt sorry for the wizard.

Tail twitching in annoyance, Mitra shrugged. "Suit yourself." Another graceful hand gesture had the cloth flicking up into the air and vanishing with a crack loud enough to draw the attention of the crowd of people bustling around them. The citizens gaped at the display of magic, and continued to gap at the sudden appearance of the prisoner. It took no time at all for them to begin their angry chatter. Rumors of this wizard's crimes traveled fast it seemed. Mitra felt a twinge in her chest. No one should ever have to face such a humiliating public punishment as this. She glanced over her shoulder to her fellow guards before her gaze landed on the wizard once more, her mouth a thin tight line. The reigns flicked in her hands, urging the horses faster. Best to get out of the city before a riot began.

Graeme met the Fae's pitying gaze with equal amount of hopeless pride, looking away as she sped up the carriage for his sake. "Do you even know my name?" he questioned his guards, slightly angry that they'd care about him though they knew so little.

Serai glanced at him. “Nay. Nor what you have done. But doubtless even you deserve the dignity belonging to all persons.”

Mitra nodded in agreement with Serai, although her curiosity got the best of her. "What is your name?"
Why she was conversing with the prisoner was beyond her, usually she was as still has the stones she came from, and yet…

A bitter laugh escaped the Elemental, creating a fresh ache in the pit of his stomach. Wincing, he said "There's not enough left of me to be considered a person, though I respect your naïve belief." Then, facing the Fae. "My name is William Graeme."

Sangrar was saying nothing, only looking straight ahead. Although deep down, he was sympathetic to the prisoner. Not sympathetic enough to believe he was innocent, but to the situation he's in.

Staring straight ahead, Mitra let her voice travel back to the prisoner as they passed through the outer gate to the city, "I would say that it is nice to meet you William, but under these circumstances I suppose you can understand the bizarre nature of that statement." Her shoulders relaxed as they moved out of sight of the sentries posted along the wall and she turned to face him with a jester's smile. "Anyway. Merry meet, William Graeme. I am Mitra of the Storm Mountains."

Against her will, Serai’s lips turned up in a smirk. She couldn’t help but like Mitra. She turned to the wizard, “Serai is my name, whatever that matters to you.”

Sangrar decided to jump on the bandwagon, so he turned and looked at the wizard, "Sangrar," he spoke softly, but audible enough so the wizard could hear him.

William's gaze turned on the Sangue Elf, the guard's soft voice stirring a sense of comfort in him. He offered the elf a softer expression than to the other two, like a smile caught in a dejected expression.

Nodding in satisfaction, Mitra got more comfortable in the carriage's seat. She didn't expect the journey to be hard, just long and somewhat boring. Although, the more she thought about it, the more a voice deep within her murmured that all was not as it seemed. Her magic flared in response but she brushed it off to the fact that the wizard made her a little nervous. Mitra sighed, reaching into her pack and tossing a map to both Sangrar and Serai. "I have plotted some areas for camp already. What do you to think?"

Serai shrugged, “I have never made the journey.” She nearly said something else but thought better of it. “I can sleep anywhere,” she said, with just a hint of bragging, “so the spot for camp matters not to me.” For a second she questioned herself. Why was she acting like this? It would not do to offend Mitra, who she almost liked. And Sangrar was no problem. She sighed under her breath and tried to push the thoughts out of her mind.

Sangrar looked at Serai briefly, curious about her words. He carefully analyzed the map, memorizing every detail. "Any of these would work. Most of them are in safe locations."

William barely managed to get a glimpse of the map before it was tucked away— it was horribly unnerving to not know where he was being taken to. "Excuse me, dear guards, but where are we headed?"