Lady Caprice Arundel's Story

Shards of light pierced through the thick branches and dark foliage of the deep and seemingly endless woodland. At long last! Thought Caprice Arundel with mild relief. She had rode long and hard with utterly no idea where she was heading.

The forest was still but alive at the same time. Caprice stopped her steed and listened intently. Sounds from great distances could penetrate the young ladies ears. The light gulps and licking of water could be heard on the floating air as a Stag drank from a cool spring a half a league away. A Hare burrowed deep in the ground somewhere near by with it's new and noisy offspring. The buzzing and loitering of flies and woodland insects as they went about their business; all sounds and noises of the earth and air and not of stampeding feet or rather hooves.

Caprice sighed relaxing a little more. After long days and even longer nights she had at last lost her father's men. She refused to go back Valeriya! The city she haled from and the Keep she called home and had never before stepped out of. But now she was out and free? No never! She'd rather be a pauper then a pretty bird trapped in a gilded cage for the rest of her life!

With that notion strongly embedded in Lady Caprice's mind, she started her obsidian black courser named Night forward and towards the small village.

As the horse and it's Lady Master entered the village limits, Caprice slid off Night's back as her emerald eyes scanned the lovely little comely village. How wonderful! Mused Caprice happily in awe. She had never stepped foot over the moat bridge of her fathers castle and what she knew and saw of Valeriya was only what she could see from the few windows of the castle or from the battlement high above.

Slowly, Caprice and her steed made their way through the small village, taking in all the amazing sights, that to most would appear merely insignificant and mundane; before finally finding herself stood before and Inn and Ale House.

Well, she must stay somewhere. And after all it was safer inside then out here where her father's men may still show up, capturing her and hauling her back to her father.

Never!

Tying Night's reins outside, a rush of nerves suddenly hit Caprice and her stomach churned with anticipation. Would they know who she was? What she was?! Would they scream and run in fear? But Caprice refused to acknowledge her sudden and biting fears. Straightening her spine and lifting her head, her tongue quickly lashed across her upper teeth. They were up and out of sight she assured herself sighing. Sometimes it seemed they had a life of their own, descending when they pleased and making her life a misery.

Without allowing her mind to wonder to another derelict thought, Caprice opened the door to the tavern and swept in a furry of red silk and velvet. Removing the hood of her cloak and unwrapping the scarf the covered all but her haunting eyes, Caprice stood, a crimson haired beauty.

“A room.” She demanded of the man behind the bar as her gaze roved over the patrons of the establishment before resting back on the Inn Keeper. “Please . . .” She smiled bashfully.

Adion walked out of the little alchemy shop. The lady who owned it was busy, or so Adion gathered. He then looked around for a moment before a memory hit him. He should meet Ricard at the inn.

Adion walked down the road to see a lady walk into the bar, at least that was all he could determine at that point.

Adion walked in right behind the lady to see that she was actual quite beautiful, and also very noble. So, Adion did what any good outcast should do, help others to blend in and not get in trouble.

"Listen ma'am, don't think any power you have outside these mountains has any value here. Remember that the locals rule here and you only have the power they grant you." Adion whispered, in a very corrective tone.

Adion then walked over to Ricard's table and sat down, waiting to be acknowledged.

Richter glanced up when Adion sat down. He took a sip of his ale, looking the man over. He had a strange feeling about him; something about the way he looked. His pale skin, his eyes...the way he introduced himself at the village entrance, regarding the welcome being the nicest he's recieved in 'centuries'. Richter had seen plenty of Corrupted in his travels, and his guess was that Adion was a necromancer. He wasn't fond of those who played with such dark forces, but if the supposed necromancer didn't create any trouble, he had no beef with him.

"Good day." He said, after sipping his ale. "We met at the entrance. Adion, correct?"

"I wouldn't believe you," Ricard said with a raised brow, "because surely there aren't that many people in the world? How could you fit that many in a city? But, I think you might be telling the truth. We've had plenty of travelers here who we could see were trying to hype up their stories, but you seem quite humble. Trustworthy, even."

With a grin, he took another sip as Adion sat down at their table. "Hello again Adion! I hope the Alchemist was friendly? She can be a bit... Eh.. Sometimes! Maybe you can back up Richter's claim here, eh? Are there truly so many people in the world that you can fit a million in a single city?!"

Unlike Richter, he had know way of knowing Adion's exact nature, though he certainly felt something funny about him. When Adion tried to explain himself to Richter, Ricard raised both brows again. Necromancers? The people who controlled the walking dead and lived in dark towers? Well, Adion seemed like a polite enough man, so he just shrugged and went back to dri-

He stopped himself, quickly pushing his glass over to one of the other two so he could hide it from his sister. "Hi Illasera. Figures Father would send you. Anyway, you should hear the stories these travelers have. Cities! Cities with a million people! It's amazing!"

-

Over by the bar, the tavern keep sighed at Lady Caprice and began to shake his head as he finished wiping down a tankard. "Sure, you can have a room. But I hope you travelers realize I'm being made to provide for free to you people. I hope you make it worth it, and at least get a few drinks in so I can turn a profit, aye? So what'll you have? Ale? Wine? You seem the fancy sort, so we can bring out the special wine if yer' prefer."

As the sun began to get low in the sky, Kaden finally found the tavern and entered. He recognized no-one, and it seemed Cináed hadn't arrived yet, so he decided to just head on over to the bar. When he arrived, he stood beside Lady Caprice and tapped the counter.

"Uhh.. I'm interested in a room?"

"By the Gods, another one? What is it with travelers today? Have they built a road?! Where are you all coming from?!" The Barkeep exclaimed.

"Uh.. I can go if you'd prefer," replied Kaden.

"No, no. You'll get your room."

Oh no! Thought Caprice, she was not making a good first impression at all. It was not her intention to be so so . . . rude, she supposed was the right word for it. It was just that she had never been around so many different people before and frankly she was more frightened and nervous then she let on even to herself.

"I-I can pay for my room." Caprice stammered out when the Inn Keeper addressed her. "And wine would be wonderful thank you. I have enough coin for everyone's drinks. Please keep them coming." She smiled hoping her kind gesture would make up for her rudeness and uneducated social manner.

Plus, she had managed to sneak enough coin and trinkets she could sell to survive for a good few months from Valeriya Castle. Why not spend it celebrating her first night of freedom?!

"Thanks for the advice." She said stopping before the table where Adion and his comrades sat. "Though it was not my intention to be so discourteous." Caprice added as she took up a empty seat at the table. "So what's everyone having?" She beamed happily as the bar keeper placed a glass of red wine before her with a look that said you had better have the money for all the drinks you're about to order. "I'm Caprice by the way."

"Richter is my name," he said as he held out his hand, "and I'll have another ale, but I can't help but insist on paying for it myself."

Richter looked at the woman; she seemed mysterious, but quite beautiful at the same time. Her expensive looking velvety clothes made her seem like she could easily pay for the table's drinks, although he had quite enough coin himself.

"What brings you to these parts, Caprice? And where have you come from?"

"Richter! It's lovely to meet you!" Caprice smiled as she shook his hand and shook it a little too fervently.

This is wonderful! Thought Caprice. Real people! Actual people! All the company she had had back at her father's castle was the maids, servant and her fathers brutish knights.

"And I insist that I pay for everyone's drinks tonight." She said taking a sip of the sweet but spice wine. Another marvel, she had never tasted anything quite like it before. "I'm from a very far away land." Caprice said taking another long sip of her wine as she thought how best to answer Richter's simple question that made her a little nervous.

Easier to stick closer to the truth she decided.

"Valeriya." She replied as she took surreptitious glance at Richter.

Would he recognize who she was? Would he put a blade to her throat when he realized she was Dhampire? The daughter of the Vampire Lord Arundel who ruled over all of Valeriya and his Sorceress wife?

Don't be absurd! Caprice chastised herself. Nay, nobody knew who she was. In fact, she could be who she wanted. She could be herself and not worry about people judging her, as long as her teeth stayed up and out of sight!

"I have come to explore the lands beyond Valeriya. You see, I have never before been outside of my home lands."

Never stepped outside the Castle Keep! Mused Caprice grudgingly to herself.

"I seek adventure!" She confessed with bright eyes. "What of you Richter? Are you from these parts or are you a fellow adventure as I?" She winked.

"I've had to suffer through the million peoples' and their unjust hate. Ritcher here might be able to tell you what the rest of the populace of the outside think of the Corrupteds. However, Ritcher may be wrong. I have been to cities with well over ten million people. Of course, these cities are capitals and have massive ports, which hold thousands of boats, that make it easy to support such large populations." Adion said to Ricard.

Adion turned to Caprice as she sat down next to him. "You're welcome." Adion replied before taking a drink of the ale that was in front of him. "Not sure what this is, but it's the best ale that I've ever had. Of course, I rarely have ale that didn't have rats floating in it."Adion stated, being absolutely truthful.

"Name's Adion." Was how Adion replied to Caprice's introduction.

"Valeriya?" Ricther said, trying to place the name. And then it hit him.

"Oh yes, Valeriya. No offense, but I've done my best to avoid that dark place. I went there once...I certainly don't wish to return." Richter said, remembering the friends he lost to vampires there. It was then he tried to brighten the conversation once more.

"But yes! I come from lands far from here. Another continent, in fact. I'm here seeking adventure as well, or at least some work."
He never stated what profession he had, although it was easy to tell from his large build and rough skin that he worked as a mercenary.

"Sure, sure," the Barkeep said as he wiped down the counter. He had stopped paying attention to the travelers, for he had a job to do.

-

Back at the table where Caprice, Richter and Adion were conversing, Ricard sat and listened intently after greeting Caprice with an over-enthusiastic, "why hello there, M'lady! You must be a traveler too. Do you have a husband yet?"
He was completely oblivious to how forward he was being, but at the same time, one could easily read into his tone as not being serious. He was excited, he was a little tipsy, and he was surrounded by new-found friends.

"Adventure!" He called, raising his glass. "We all seek it, right? Perhaps we should go searching for it? But first a meal, for night is almost on us and I could use some chicken! Mister Alfred, get us some grub and put it on my father's tab will ya?!"

-

Nearby, Kaden had taken a seat at a separate table and remained silent, content to just listen to various conversations from afar.

((If I missed something please let me know. I wanted to get a quick post out so I didn't take as much care as I probably should have. :|))

Richter chuckles at Ricard's greeting to Caprice. Although, it was refreshing to see such an enthusiastic young man. Once Ricard raised his glass, Richter followed suit, raising his mug and clinking it against his host's.

"Cheers to that! You know Ricard, I must express my gratitude for how you've treated me--and the other travelers--tonight. It is definitely one of the most exuberant greetings I've received in my time travelling." He takes a large sip of his ale and stares at his glass quizzically, trying to determine what gave the drink it's high quality. "You know, I'm starting to see why this place has been called a hidden paradise."

Richter nearly spat out his drink when he heard Ricard being compared to a puppy. He managed to swallow and let out a hardy laugh.

"Haha, a puppy huh? Oh haha...but yes, like Adion has said, there are cities out there with well over a million people."

Richter glanced over at Ricard and gave him a light nudge.

"You know, if it's cities you wish to see, there's no time like the present. Besides, eventually the passes that lead to the valley will freeze over once more, for who knows how long. Just something to consider."

"Thank you, Richter! It's no problem, really! They call the Valley a paradise, but I think that's just because we've learned to blossom in the peace of isolation. Things are changing now, though. A generation ago, no-one could make it through the mountain passes alive. According to stories, if the weather didn't finish them off, something else did.. A creature of some sort, though no-one's ever seen it. But now? The passes are opening; thawing out. People can come and go in relative safety! I'm truly excited to see what will be beyond those mountains for myself."

Ricard frowned for a moment, looking to Illasera. He wasn't sure how she would take the news... But this seemed as good a time as any to tell it, especially with Richter pointing out how the passes would eventually freeze over again. "I'm planning to leave in the Spring."

It was sudden, like a numbing slap to the face. "Leave our home, the village and the valley. I think it's time, what with my nineteenth birthday coming up this winter. I want to see these cities of a million people for myself."

He smiled as he finished his drink.

-

Outside, it was dusk, and the world was glazed with the musky orange of the setting sun. In the woods it was already twilight, and out of them stepped twelve men dressed in a mixture of leather armour and ragged clothing. They were all armed, with swords, bows or axes, but they moved quietly through the growing fields of corn as though well practised in remaining undetected. As they got closer to the village, they drew weapons, taking positions with bent knees and making sure the final couple of villagers who were still lingering outside would miss them until they retreated to their homes.

One of the men looked up, the leader of the group with an axe at his hip, a recurve bow in his hand and a quiver of barbed, home-made arrows hanging from his belt. He watched the sky, the blanket of clouds far in the distance slowly creep towards the final light rays of their resident star. He grinned, knowing that the clouds would hide them even further from the approaching moonlight.

"Are we ready, boss?" Asked one of his men in the quietest of whispers.

"Yeah," he replied. "I gotta plan, don't worry. I'm not where she is, but it's a small village it won't be hard."

Another one crawled over towards them after peeking out over the small dune of grass which they had chosen to hide behind. "The farmer and his lady wife just went inside, Boss," the rascallion whispered. "What'oo we do?"

"Improvise," the Boss grinned, getting up and quickly making his way across the open ground back towards the corn field. On the way, he picked up one of the lanterns used for lighting the small street and cast it into the sea of crop. It soon caught light, spreading as wildfire to destroy most everything the people of Fermiah's Village needed to survive the winter.

As the rogue with the bow watched his plan slowly take an unpredictable shape, a villager had noticed the fire and and began to scream to raise the alarm.

"They're burning the crops!! They're burning the crops!!" Was his yell. Everyone could hear it, and as the bandits came out of hiding, the wild events of the evening began.

Adion felt a force that was vile in nature. It came slow and steady, the way the turtle could win the race. "I think something is wrong." Adion said slightly alarmed. Then the call came out, only moments after Adion nervously warned the others.

"Look away from the fires. In the grass sits the worst of man. Do not give him pity or remorse, for he deserves none." Said Adion in an odd voice. His eyes had changed from red to green while he had said that, and once he was done, they changed back.

Adion prepared 2 balls of his dark, underarm rune. Walking out side, Adion looked to the dark instead of the light. With seemingly no evidence of a threat, Adion began to fire his exploding balls of dark poison at the general position of the bandits.

Richter seemed slightly surprised when Ricard broke the news to his sister. He sat for a second before chiming in, "Well that's...ambitious of you. Then again, who am I to talk? I left home when I was nineteen." He sat back and quietly sipped his ale.

Then, Adion delivered a prophecy of sorts. He noticed the change in eye color, because he was looking him directly in the eyes, listening intently. Without a word, he left the table and sprinted upstairs. Frantically, Richter began putting on his heavy armor. Once he was prepared, he grabbed his weathered greatsword and a heavy two handed crossbow, along with a quiver of bolts.

Battle ready, Richter sprinted outside. He couldn't see an immediate threat, except the fire, but he was keeping his eyes open.

Richter was surprised when such a number of outlaws revealed themselves. He wasn't too nervous, he had faced things much more powerful than bandits in his lifetime; although the burning crops and unprepared people were certainly a challenge. Adion's spell had been effective, unfortunately this meant that the bandits were charging people like Richter and other melee combatants.

The first charged up to him, swinging his sword. Richter blocked the attack and hit the man in the side of the head with the hilt of his greatsword, stunning him. He used the extra time to forcefully kick in the man's knee, causing him to fall to the ground, kneeling. Richter made a wide swing with his sword, directed at the bandit's neck, finishing the deed. He slightly regretted doing so, he had just arrived in the village, and was getting to know the people there. He didn't want to come across as a brutal adventurer, even if he sort of was one.

Then the horsemen came out. Richter considered grabbing his own horse; but there wasn't time for that, and he didn't have appropriate weapons for mounted combat anyway. One of the horsemen set his sights on him, and starting galloping his way. Richter quickly pulled out his crossbow, firing a bolt aimed at the shoulder of the bandit's right arm. The bolt hit it's target, just managing to pierce the armor, and causing the man to drop his weapon.

Richter tossed the crossbow aside and dived out of the way of the charging horse. He picked up his sword and took a swing at the animal's leg as it passed by. Injured and off balance, the horse fell over, knocking the heavily armored outlaw to the ground. He rushed up to the grounded man, raising his sword high above his head, and giving him the same fate as the last bandit he dispatched.