“They’re all fine. My dad and mom mostly work on ruling stuff, you know? So I’m closer with my brothers, but I dunno. Lately they’ve been more focused on their future. My eldest brother has been through a lot of trained and proper-ness and all that, so we don’t talk much anymore. And my other older brother is kinda like that too now, since he’s the spare. I guess I got pretty lucky to be third—there’s not a chance I’ll be king.” Prince Ren shrugged, “I mostly hang out with the merchants. I kinda enjoy trading and bargaining,” He explained, not realizing how long he’d been talking until a few seconds after and he blushed, “Erm, sorry, I didn’t mean to talk your ear off.”
Fay shook her head, she was glad to have someone to talk to about royalty stuff. "I'm only half, my mom died about a year ago. The King didn't believe me for the longest time and made me a maid. Now he's only using me. The Queen hates me, my sister, I never really knew, but she abandoned her duties and now my brother has gone out looking for her. I'm a part of a broken family that doesn't care about each other. So don't apologize, I love hearing about others families." In the distance was a light, and Fay knew it had to be the end of the tunnel. "Sorry for getting all depressing on you. This isn't usually like me."
“No,” Emerald bit out with a glare, then tried to pull herself up. ‘Tried’ being the key word here, because she was too short to get a good grip. She huffed out an annoyed breath, trying to pull herself up one more time and accidentally cut her hand. Emerald had to bite her tongue to keep from cursing.
Zero rolled his eyes before reaching one arm down and gripping something behind himself. "Stubborn much, princess?" He kept his voice down. Not wanting to alert anyone to who she really was.
“Don’t be sorry. Sometimes it’s better to talk about it. That sucks,” Prince Ren frowned. It sounded terrible. “I’m sorry about your real mom too.” Ren squinted at the light ahead, still frowning. Sure, he wasn’t close with his family all that much but at least they were decent.
Emerald glared at him again, taking his hand wordlessly. If she was be honest with herself, yes, she desperately needed Zero’s help. But she wasn’t going to admit to that out loud. Emerald had no idea who this man truly was, and there was a high chance he could easily turn her in to her father for a bit of gold. Maybe after he leads me to the tavern, and after I see if I can find anyone who knows about the knights, I could sneak away… Emerald plotted to herself, biting her lip as she did so.
At the end of the tunnel was the forest at the back of the castle. There was a lot of water, that even Fay didn't want to get into, but if she wanted to get to the twon she would have too. "Okay, this is kinda gross." It smelled. Although she didn't want to, her drive to see the ocean was strong and she climbed down into the water. "Do you know which way town is? From here on out I'm not to sure of where I'm going." Once they make it to twon she should know where she is going.
“I think if we go straight for a ways, maybe a little west, we’ll find the port. It shouldn’t be too far away,” Ren responded, plugging his nose as he cautiously stepped into the disgusting water. “I’m pretty sure when we get out there I’ll know which way to go, it’s kinda hard to see from here.”
"Alright, straight it is." Fay followed Ren's lead. The forest was beautiful, many colorful flowers covered the ground. "It's so beautiful. The castle gardens don't stand a chance against the natural beauty of the forest." Fay was mostly just talking to herself. "I hate being locked up in that place." (Sorry it's so short and bad, Haha. I'm having trouble thinking right now.)
Emerald glared at him again, taking his hand wordlessly. If she was be honest with herself, yes, she desperately needed Zero’s help. But she wasn’t going to admit to that out loud. Emerald had no idea who this man truly was, and there was a high chance he could easily turn her in to her father for a bit of gold. Maybe after he leads me to the tavern, and after I see if I can find anyone who knows about the knights, I could sneak away… Emerald plotted to herself, biting her lip as she did so.
Zero rolled his eyes. He could careless whether she trusted him or not. If there really where magical knights out there, he'd need their help too. Zero didn't aspire to kill the Kings whole family, just him. Violence wasn't the key, he didn't want to start the war that everyone talked about. Didn't want to be the one to push the other countrys over the edge. "Keep low and go fast." Getting spotted wouldn't nescacerly help them either.
(You’re totally good man, I relate, plus that’s a pretty good size!)
“I think you’d like to visit the Southern Isles,” Prince Ren commented as he led her through the woods. “We have many wildflowers at my home,” He said fondly. The Southern Isles was filled with marshes and mud, so many places weren’t suitable for living—which allowed for wildlife to grow freely. A faint smell of baked goods wafting through the air and the trees became to thin. They were getting closer to the town, and with it, the port.
Zero rolled his eyes. He could careless whether she trusted him or not. If there really where magical knights out there, he'd need their help too. Zero didn't aspire to kill the Kings whole family, just him. Violence wasn't the key, he didn't want to start the war that everyone talked about. Didn't want to be the one to push the other countrys over the edge. "Keep low and go fast." Getting spotted wouldn't nescacerly help them either.
“Okay,” Emerald replied softly, balling up her cut hand in her dress so it wouldn’t bleed too much. Emerald clenched her teeth, hoping it wouldn’t get infected. That could cause worse problems that she might not be able to overcome. She pulled her hood down a bit more as she added, “You lead the way.”
Fay could see the rooftops of houses in the distance, and all she could think about was how happy she was. This was her home, the castle could never compare to the town. Fay thought about all her old friends and hoped they would recognize her. It has only been a year, so I haven't changed that much. As they got close she stopped and looked down at the town from the hill she was on. "It's not much, but this is my home." Grabbing Ren's hand she led him down the hill and into the streets of town. "Let me show you around."
“Okay,” Emerald replied softly, balling up her cut hand in her dress so it wouldn’t bleed too much. Emerald clenched her teeth, hoping it wouldn’t get infected. That could cause worse problems that she might not be able to overcome. She pulled her hood down a bit more as she added, “You lead the way.”
Zero nodded his head and crouch walked across the roofs. It helped that they where in the market and that everything was so close together. The first time he was greatful for the compactness of the town. It didnt take long to reach the tavern and once other zero dropped from the roof and offered a hand to help the princess down.
(Quick question, do the 3 knights already know eachother and if so do they stick together? Or are they all found seperate?)
(They are found separately. But if you rather have them know each other then that's up to you guys.)
Emerald followed behind him. When they finally got to the tavern, relief washed over her. Finally. She looked at Zero’s hand, but after she had such a hard time getting up she figured she’d swallow her pride and take it. It would be a lot harder to deal with a sprained ankle than a cut hand. Emerald hopped down beside Zero. “So this is it?” She prayed she’d find some information about the knights.
Ren smiled when she took his hand, following beside her, “So you really used to live here?” It was hard to imagine, but it made sense. Her drive to get out of the palace was quite strong.
(sorry it’s small I got to go oof)
"Yes. My friends are all here. The Queen refuses to let them visit because they are commoners." Walking into town the first thing you notice is the smell of fresh bread. "Come. Sir William makes the best bread, even better than the cooks at the castle." She led him over to a small store. Once inside there were many shelves filled with freshly baked bread and some sweet cakes as well. "Pick whatever you want, I'll pay."
Aurelie was sitting in a corner booth of the tavern by herself, a few empty glasses and one half-full one in front of her. It was nice to be able to blend into the crowd tonight. Well, sort of. She was definitely one of the younger people in the tavern, and definitely the youngest female in the place, but she didn’t mind. She glanced up when Emerald and Zero entered. Something about the two of them struck her as familiar, though she couldn’t place it. She quickly went back to her drink, electing not to acknowledge their presence. It wasn’t as if she knew them.
Zero nodded his head in response, not really seeing the question worthy of a verbal answer. The tavern was rather full, which earned a curse from him. To many ears, but plenty of mouths loosened by liquor. "Split up?" He asked Emerald. He hopped if they did that she wouldn't ditch him. But at the same time he didn't feel like sticking with a princess, though if she found information- he shook his thoughts. Zero could care less, at least for now.
The smell fresh bread made Ren smile. He could tell it was baked with care. His eyes searched through the shelves, snagging on a small loaf labeled cinnamon. “Ooo, that the cinnamon bread looks delicious… but I can’t let you pay,” Ren said defiantly, already reaching in his pocket for his coin purse, “My brother would hold it to me for the rest of my life.” It was true, Ren’s eldest brother had pretty strong morals and being a ‘gentleman’ was one of them. “Gavan’s like that a lot. Besides, I have plenty of coin on me.”
Emerald nodded, already shuffling into the crowd. She had to be nimble to avoid the stray hands of men who had a few too many drinks and the occasional waiter or waitress scurrying by. The smell of alcohol stuffed into her nostrils, but she held back her gag as he eyes pierced through the crowd looking for someone. Her eyes landed on a sturdy looking man -most likely a soldier- who was talking his mouth off. Emerald weaved her way through the crowd, and as she had done many times in previous taverns, and sat herself a few seats away from the man. He was prattling on about some war story.
“And then I sliced his whole arm off! Now this brute was a fighter, so he charged me and…” blah blah blah blah, “…now since I’m such a strong warrior, I could take on anyone.”
Emerald saw her chance and cut in, making sure her hood was covering her face as she asked, “Anyone, sir? Even one of the fabled knights that have magically weapons?”
The man turned to her, then let out a large laugh, “Sure, little missy. Even one of the knights from fairytales, I betcha if they did exist I could kill them on sight!” He howled out a laugh, and Emerald sighed. This man wouldn’t be any help.
But then she heard one of the man’s friends add in, “You know there have been rumors of magical knights in this area, right David?”
“Rumors are light as a feather, brother, don’t give them any extra weight to the words,” The sturdy man responded, taking a large swing of his beer.
Emerald turned away from the two men, holding her breath. Rumors of a knight, possibly more, here? This could be her chance to finally find some help, for once.
Aurelie noticed the pair that had recently entered walking around. She couldn’t hear what they were saying from where she was, with the clamor of voices and glasses clinking, but it looked like they were looking for something…or someone. If they were sniffing around for answers it made Aurelie anxious. She hadn’t become a knight by sitting idly by, after all.
Aurelie debated whether leaving now would be a good idea, but it was possible she was being a touch paranoid. She decided that it most likely had nothing to do with her, and if it did, she was an excellent liar. In the end, Aurelie came to the conclusion that leaving wouldn’t do any good, since she was curious now, and possibly way off from what the twosome truly were up to. So she stayed in her seat, finishing off her drink.
Emerald slid away from the two men, looking for who she’d talk to next. Someone alone, preferably… Being able to talk to someone in a one-on-one situation was a bit harder to keep her identity a secret, but sometimes she could get better information… Emerald glanced around the tavern, looking to see where Zero had gone.
"But you're a guest in my town. It would be rude of me not to pay." Fay was a bit disappointed that he wouldn't let her pay, but deep down there was a fuzzy feeling. "But if you insist." She grabbed a loaf of bread, holding it close to her nose and took a deep breath. "I love the smell of bread." Her smile looked different from the one inside the castle, it was brighter and a but more childish.
Ren breathed in the soft scent too. “Yeah, it’s nice.” He grabbed the cinnamon loaf with a smile and bringing it to the counter with a few silver coins. “Bread isn’t as common in my country since it’s harder to grow wheat with our soil and temperatures, but we do have many rice delicacies.” Ren grinned at Freya. She seemed even happier out of the palace, he couldn’t stop his smile. It felt good, to make someone joyful like this.
Once paid for Fay took a bite of bread and walked the streets of the town. It was a nice sunny day with a slight cool breeze. This was her favorite type of days. "I can already smell the ocean. But first, let's go see my old home." Taking his hand once more she led him down to the more poor side of town. Maybe my friends are still there. Holding Ren's hand made her feel more comfortable for some reason.
Zero sat close to a group of people, eavesdropping on their charter.
"Knights where everywhere!" Shouted a drunken man. He was scrawny, differently not a fighter by Zeros standards. But most definitely, they where not talking about magical knights. Probably something that happened in the town. If so most talk would be of that.
He cursed under his breath, got up, and moved somwhere new. Scanning the tavern, and meeting Emeralds eyes. He shook his head as if to say he'd yet to find anything. 'look for someone out of place.' he silently told himself just as his eyes landed on a girl sitting by herself in the corner.
Aurelie looked up from her drink, feeling eyes on her. Sure enough, the guy was looking her direction. This would be interesting, she supposed, raising her eyebrows almost as if daring him to talk to her.
"Challenge accepted." Zero muttered to himself. If someone looked back like that, they obviously knew something. So he just hoped she knew what he wanted to know. Zero slid into the seat across from the stranger, his eyes narrowing. "Strange to see a woman in a tavern." He hoped they weren't hopelessly drunk. If that was the case he'd be wasting his time.
Aurelie rolled her eyes. “Strange to see two people looking for someone they clearly have no clue how to find,” she replied, setting her drink on the table. She flipped a lock of long, strawberry blonde hair coolly, studying the newcomer.
Once paid for Fay took a bite of bread and walked the streets of the town. It was a nice sunny day with a slight cool breeze. This was her favorite type of days. "I can already smell the ocean. But first, let's go see my old home." Taking his hand once more she led him down to the more poor side of town. Maybe my friends are still there. Holding Ren's hand made her feel more comfortable for some reason.
Ren smiled when she took his hand, a weird warm feeling swelling in his chest. “I’m excited,” He said with a smile, before taking a bite of the bread himself. “Oh my gosh this is delicious!” Ren exclaimed, quickly taking another bite. “Mmmmhmmm….” He hummed happily, savoring each bite.
