The air was brisk in autumn, she felt it cool the heat that built in her lungs, but it did not quench the fire completely. Her eyes adjusted to the silver glow that spilled through the clouds and tapestry of trees. She didn't bask in the moment, for fear and anger dominated her every move. With the festivities underway, there were many a denizen around dressed in their favored costumes. Vendors peddled their wares and it was by chance that one of them was walking close enough to the den.
Rivienne's steps were that of a woman determined and little thought was given to what must be done, but one shines above all, survival. Automatically, she makes her way behind the merchant and reaches around an older gentleman trying to make a purchase. Fingers caught hold of the dark, ragged cloak, mainly for costume purposes, and swiftly pulled it free from the pile before the two of them finished the exchange of gil.
It was loosened whilst she turned away into the crowd forming at the stalls nearby, admiring the props that adorned the city and wrapped it around her neck. The hood was tugged down to shadow her features. The step was a simple one, make herself an unknown, leaving the city proper would take priority next.
“We're not even certain what she even heard or how much, sir.†Respect and disdain was clear in the Commander's voice when ushering the Marshal to speak behind close doors again.
When the door was sealed, their exchange came in harsh whispers, each one carrying vitriol.
“This makes it clear she heard just what she needed to hear. She's no longer in control, you got lucky once with her, such has run out.†The papers were tossed across the room angrily, making a mess upon the desk and the high back chair behind it. Taller than Heuloix himself, the Marshal towers over him; the frown lines were visible, stress had taken its toll.
“She won't stray. She will come, as she always have. I would advise to please step back, sir. And let me do what I do best.†The same rancor was returned before he chose that it was a good idea to clear space between them. The tension in the room was far too thick. He knew what just happened, what strings he pulled and which ones just snapped around her heart. Heuloix knew her all too well to play a fool for long.
He was losing his most loyal of serpents.
Rivienne's body doesn't stand still. Long, strong legs, burned as she walked in wide strides across the field, betwixt crowds, until reaching the gates. That was when she halted. Golden depths peered past the hem of her cloak, kissed in shadow were her features as she tilted her chin up. Guardsmen were present, not a grand surprise in truth, but it presents a problem.
There is no time.
Fingers danced along the blades secured at her hips and she walked with confidence toward the gates. They glanced at her, though no suspicious glances were shared twixt the two men. She was another merry meddler, with so many visitors entering and leaving, they couldn't keep track of faces. But her eyes, they saw them. Bright, beautiful, and ensnaring.
“Bowmaiden.â€
The name was whispered in her ear. Rivienne slowly walked between the two men, but the sound came not from their lips. Her heart drummed harder, not from fear these two would recognize her, but her Commander was now toying with her.
“Please report back, there is something we need to discuss.†He didn't wait for her acknowledgement, and as she stepped past the threshold between the city and the woodlands, the guards turned to watch her. They couldn't possibly hear what was said in this linkshell, but something else was whispered in their ears.
Rivienne immediately knew that these prying eyes, directed at her, were just given a direct order that fell to her deaf ears.
“I said please, maiden.â€
Run. Rivienne. Run.
The men turned to her and began their careful steps, unsure how to approach. “Miss, miss?†One of them, a wildwood, extends his hand in a fashion that indicated he meant no harm, but Rivienne knew the technique well.
The world around her fell into silence; the winds offered no whisper to console her, the path before her seemed to widen as her eyes stared forth, and she allowed her senses to become sensitive to movement around her, any motion in the air, simply waiting until he got close enough.
“Go with them, all will be explained. We will be waiting for your arrival at the Den.â€
Time slowed down, from the moment he made contact with her shoulder, to the time her hands wrapped around his forearm. Rivienne, using her hips, and sheer force fueled by her anger, lifted the wildwood off the Earth and flipped his frame up and over without remorse, without any sympathy. His groan is blocked by the sound of his back slamming down, and her foot came crashing down against his chest cavity. A painful twist is made to his arm, pushing it to the brink of snapping a bone. All the while, her body turns as the foot from his chest lifts and comes up from below to kick the face of the other Wood Wailer already readying to take her down.
Blood came from the impact the toe of her boot made with his nose, splashing sanguine against leather. The act was swift, quick, and she did not linger long for them to recover. Releasing his arm, and recovering her lost composure, she turns to the wilds, the hanging boughs, the dancing shadows.
The cloak’s hood billows away, revealing the anguish stricken face of the shroud maiden as she faced the razor touch of the winds. The world around her came to life and animated, shielding her form as she dipped into the the heavily covered terrain. Her legs pushed forward, she forced herself to run faster, to let the wind gather the tears from the corner of her eyes and dry them, and, between her heavy breathing, the pounding of her heart, she was able to muster a word that was heard clearly by her Commander and all who had access to their channel. It was a choking sound that they heard, but one could not confuse this with anything else.
“No.â€
Rivienne's steps were that of a woman determined and little thought was given to what must be done, but one shines above all, survival. Automatically, she makes her way behind the merchant and reaches around an older gentleman trying to make a purchase. Fingers caught hold of the dark, ragged cloak, mainly for costume purposes, and swiftly pulled it free from the pile before the two of them finished the exchange of gil.
It was loosened whilst she turned away into the crowd forming at the stalls nearby, admiring the props that adorned the city and wrapped it around her neck. The hood was tugged down to shadow her features. The step was a simple one, make herself an unknown, leaving the city proper would take priority next.
“We're not even certain what she even heard or how much, sir.†Respect and disdain was clear in the Commander's voice when ushering the Marshal to speak behind close doors again.
When the door was sealed, their exchange came in harsh whispers, each one carrying vitriol.
“This makes it clear she heard just what she needed to hear. She's no longer in control, you got lucky once with her, such has run out.†The papers were tossed across the room angrily, making a mess upon the desk and the high back chair behind it. Taller than Heuloix himself, the Marshal towers over him; the frown lines were visible, stress had taken its toll.
“She won't stray. She will come, as she always have. I would advise to please step back, sir. And let me do what I do best.†The same rancor was returned before he chose that it was a good idea to clear space between them. The tension in the room was far too thick. He knew what just happened, what strings he pulled and which ones just snapped around her heart. Heuloix knew her all too well to play a fool for long.
He was losing his most loyal of serpents.
Rivienne's body doesn't stand still. Long, strong legs, burned as she walked in wide strides across the field, betwixt crowds, until reaching the gates. That was when she halted. Golden depths peered past the hem of her cloak, kissed in shadow were her features as she tilted her chin up. Guardsmen were present, not a grand surprise in truth, but it presents a problem.
There is no time.
Fingers danced along the blades secured at her hips and she walked with confidence toward the gates. They glanced at her, though no suspicious glances were shared twixt the two men. She was another merry meddler, with so many visitors entering and leaving, they couldn't keep track of faces. But her eyes, they saw them. Bright, beautiful, and ensnaring.
“Bowmaiden.â€
The name was whispered in her ear. Rivienne slowly walked between the two men, but the sound came not from their lips. Her heart drummed harder, not from fear these two would recognize her, but her Commander was now toying with her.
“Please report back, there is something we need to discuss.†He didn't wait for her acknowledgement, and as she stepped past the threshold between the city and the woodlands, the guards turned to watch her. They couldn't possibly hear what was said in this linkshell, but something else was whispered in their ears.
Rivienne immediately knew that these prying eyes, directed at her, were just given a direct order that fell to her deaf ears.
“I said please, maiden.â€
Run. Rivienne. Run.
The men turned to her and began their careful steps, unsure how to approach. “Miss, miss?†One of them, a wildwood, extends his hand in a fashion that indicated he meant no harm, but Rivienne knew the technique well.
The world around her fell into silence; the winds offered no whisper to console her, the path before her seemed to widen as her eyes stared forth, and she allowed her senses to become sensitive to movement around her, any motion in the air, simply waiting until he got close enough.
“Go with them, all will be explained. We will be waiting for your arrival at the Den.â€
Time slowed down, from the moment he made contact with her shoulder, to the time her hands wrapped around his forearm. Rivienne, using her hips, and sheer force fueled by her anger, lifted the wildwood off the Earth and flipped his frame up and over without remorse, without any sympathy. His groan is blocked by the sound of his back slamming down, and her foot came crashing down against his chest cavity. A painful twist is made to his arm, pushing it to the brink of snapping a bone. All the while, her body turns as the foot from his chest lifts and comes up from below to kick the face of the other Wood Wailer already readying to take her down.
Blood came from the impact the toe of her boot made with his nose, splashing sanguine against leather. The act was swift, quick, and she did not linger long for them to recover. Releasing his arm, and recovering her lost composure, she turns to the wilds, the hanging boughs, the dancing shadows.
The cloak’s hood billows away, revealing the anguish stricken face of the shroud maiden as she faced the razor touch of the winds. The world around her came to life and animated, shielding her form as she dipped into the the heavily covered terrain. Her legs pushed forward, she forced herself to run faster, to let the wind gather the tears from the corner of her eyes and dry them, and, between her heavy breathing, the pounding of her heart, she was able to muster a word that was heard clearly by her Commander and all who had access to their channel. It was a choking sound that they heard, but one could not confuse this with anything else.
“No.â€
![[Image: jqza5eX.png]](http://i.imgur.com/jqza5eX.png)
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.â€
Rivienne Delacroux ♚ Bowmaiden's Tumblr
