Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Temple of Hyxia

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec heard horses breathing rapidly and the clinking of spurs around the same time Rhi felt the vibrations. He wasn’t about to panic, because it was obvious that people would ride horses along the trail. How she instinctively knew the intentions of these people, he couldn’t figure out.
The tired old hunter sighed and mounted his horse. He was just hoping to teach her some fencing, but Mitra forbid she pay attention to one thing at a time.

Up ahead on the road Rhi would spot four men on horseback with satchels of goods loaded on them. They also had dogs running beside the horses to scare away animals that might spook the horses

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

The old donkey cantered slowly, unwilling to gallop with it's short, small legs. Rhi tried to spur the creature on by pressing her heels into his flank, but the donkey only slowed down in defiance. She scowled, glancing back as she watched the men push their horses forward, spurs biting into the flanks until they bled.

By the looks of them, the dogs were more likely for chasing runaways, a clear indicator that these were not only bandits but slave traders, well versed in the language of money. Slave trade was "banned" though many kingdoms still participated in the underground trade of slaves. Whatever slaves they couldn't sell, they would use for other purposes, or kill, leaving their bodies on the side of the road to be eaten by flies and other scavengers.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec rode up beside Rhi and watched the men ride on headed towards Emerald. He watched Rhi’s face as she pondered what those men were up to.

“Was this your way of getting out of training, because you could’ve simply told me to stop.”

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"I just don't want to get caught. Being sold at a market place like a cow isn't on my bucket list." she muttered, pressing her heel into the donkey's flank. It managed to slip into a canter again, head held high, watching the road ahead with calm eyes.

 

[Jodyguru]

“You’re too jumpy. You act like a prey animal in combat as well as tactics. I think it’s funny, prey and predator working together.” He didn’t laugh. He just said it was funny.
“Look at me if you feel scared. If I’m not fleeing, you shouldn’t either. I know many spells and fighting styles. Let me protect you, as that is my role in this quest. I have no interest in helping the church more that required to continue living.


They rode on down the winding hills until it would get dark.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"You've clearly never experienced the slave market - nor are you a god. You think you're unbeatable? You've never met a slave catching team," she fisted the reigns tightly in her hand. He thought her prey?! What was he, some sort of "big bad wolf"? He clearly thought she was weak, but she wasn't an idiot and she wasn't going to let this proud fool get the upper hand.

 

[Jodyguru]

“I have been a slave to Dominion’s nobility my whole life. I choose to help mankind by slaying beasts. They hope every time I leave that I never draw breath again. I don’t let them bother me. They can’t enslave your thoughts.”

It was approaching noon and the dhampir cast his floating disk above him to block the sun. For sanity sake, he made it invisible with a very minor presdigitation.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"What, you want me to worship you? Get on my knees and pray 'Oh mighty Lautrec save my poor, weak soul from the darkness of this world, you are sooooo amazing and wonderful-'" she sneered, her thighs sore from riding all day.

 

[Jodyguru]

“... you are a confusing woman, I say.” Lautrec decided to say nothing more on the subject, since nothing he said was redeeming in her eyes. He would bring nothing but darkness in his presence, no saving light.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"By the gods, you're really dense!" she chided, throwing a glance his way, "I'm just saying to stop acting like your an all-powerful saint. Talk like a normal person, I mean - have you ever laughed?! At all?!"

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec frowned and looked away towards the grassy fields. “I’m not... nobody’s except from the rules.” He muttered to himself.This was why he travelled alone. People didn’t understand him anymore. He was an old soul trapped beyond his intended years for living. He was bereft of laughter. There was insurmountable pain holding his heart down.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She noticed a flash of pain cross his face and she mentally slapped herself. What was she doing?! This man was taking her crap like medicine and wasn't even complaining about it, and here she was, going off on him about his personality! She let out a sigh, holding a hand out to the man, "I'm sorry. Let's shake on it that we both won't pick at each other."

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec didn’t look at her or respond. The burning emotions inside wouldn’t allow him to bury the hatchet. He very much wanted to cleave her in half with said hatchet. Any apologies given now would be insincere. He flicked the reigns of his horse and started speeding off down the road. The beast seemed infused with a sort of magical force that made its movements unnatural. He quickly left her in the dust.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

The donkey snorts as if amused slowly resuming its steady gait.

She spits out dust, coughing as she reaches for her water bottle. Taking a long drink, she glares at Lautrec's disappearing figure in the distance. His response had severely wounded her pride; the fact that he hadn't bent to her will and accepted her "apology" (in truth it was more of a "let's stop fighting because I'm tired" kind of apology) made her boil inside. She was honestly used to getting her way, her adorable smile and small stature had people constantly following her, willing to do anything to remain her friend. Maybe that was why he had made her feel so useless; he didn't need her, nor did he desire to be her friend. He had treated her as another burden he had to throw over his back and carry with him and the fact that he didn't desperately seek her attention had bothered her. Her hands fisted into her hair, tugging on the strands painfully, trying to numb the pain of realization. When had she become so childish?!

The jingle of horse bits and reigns reached her ears. Looking over her shoulder, she eyed the advancing men, her hand sliding to the hilt of a small dagger at her hip. One of the few weapons she owned, it was laced with viper venom and with a slight cut from the blade could kill someone in a few days. One of the men sidled up next to her, the smell of rum hanging heavy on his breath. "Look at you doll, all purty and ready for the bidders. Come with us would you?" he drawled, drawing her attention to a long whip in his hand, "We wouldn't want to hurt you, now would we?"

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec’s sensitive hearing lent him some info into what she was involved with. He cursed silently, wishing he had heeded her warning. He cut hard through the brush and activated his invisibility spell to shroud him as he started galloping around to get behind these bandits.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She studied the man for a bit before bringing her donkey to a stop. "Your Hemmick, one of the market's best slave traders," she said simply watching as the rest of his entourage drew close, ", - or at least you're one of his henchmen." She glanced at the last man to arrive; tall and muscular, he sat on an equally sturdy stallion a set of high-quality leather gloves wrapped around his hands which were most likely scared, if she remembered right. "I've heard you're one of the richest men alive because of it," she stared at Hemmick as he gave her a smug grin. Adjusting his grip on his reigns, he dismounted, swaggering to the side of her donkey and pushing the henchman to the side.

"You sure know a lot for a pretty girl," he smirked. She laughed, "A pretty girl? I thought you'd know better than that Hemmick." The big man looked confused for a second, though his face quickly resumed a calm facade, "I'd know better than what lamb?" She sighed as if scolding him, "Really, a famous slave trader like you not knowing the market?!" He growled at the comment, "Just say it," he spat, "I like letting my slaves talk before I take them and make some money. It makes things...interesting" his hand landed on her thigh, squeezing it. She reddened at this and moved his hand away, "We both know that Leering Gibshim is one of the biggest buyers in the markets. We both know that the only people who pay high prices for slaves only like certain types of slaves. Considering that two of your normal buyers are dead and that you have a stack of gambling debts you need to pay, isn't it better that you buy a brothel girl and sell her off? We both know that Leering Gibshim likes his female slaves....ahem....curvy. Plus, I only have a pretty face. The only other buyers there are looking for workers, strong and tall slaves. So is it really worth your time selling me off?" The man's face had slumped to a stupid expression of shock. He sputtered at her words as a few of his men tried to suppress laughs.

"I knew that," he spat, glaring at his men, "I just like playing with little lambs like you. But you're not fun anymore, so I'll be off. Women like you ain't worth my time." He spat on the ground, moving to mount his horse.

"Oh, and also?"

He turned to look at her.

"Erian gloves are supposed to have braided snake bone at their hems. Either you bought fakes or you're just trying to pass off as rich," she grinned, kicking at her donkey's flank.

 

[Jodyguru]

The men rode off, and as she trotted along the trail she’d see a familiar horse riding up towards her again. Lautrec wasn’t looking at her, and stayed to the path.
“I suppose you know a slaver when you hear one” his voice wasn’t as drab as usual. There was a hint of surprise and impression left on him.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She stared at the road ahead, gripping the reins tightly, "When you've been through the system, you learn about the people in it."

 

[Jodyguru]

“Indeed” he replied, back to his dead tone. He was quietly burning still, but he had to give credit where it was due. She handled them very maturely, which he thought wasn’t something she was equipped for.
“I underestimated you. For that, I apologize.” He had to swallow hard to get that out sounding as genuine as he wanted it to be.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She snorted, "Don't joke. Especially when you're giving compliments. I might believe you."

 

[Jodyguru]

“Do I seem the joking type?” He asked with his red eye looking in her direction. “A rest house is up ahead. Your... mount should take a break there.” He truly hadn’t seen a creature like her donkey before. It was a strange and pitiful creature in his eyes.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She frowned at his statement, a bit surprised at this show of sentiment. She looked up at the overcast sky, pulling her hood over her head. "I agree. It looks like it's going to rain," she pushed the donkey on a little further reaching the door of the inn.

 

[Jodyguru]

When they reached the cabin, Rhi would see Lautrec’s appearance shift magically into the attractive man he pretended to be at the last inn.
“‘Maybe act less surprised this time?” He said while his skin started to pink up.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"You know, it's really hard to act "not surprised" when someone who doesn't look alive not only begins to look alive but also manages to look very good as well," she muttered, chewing on a small snack she had kept away in a pouch.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec shrugged, trying not to take what she said as a compliment. He’d follow her into the rest house.