Lilim nods to Voletta, "You and Elesa get in the wagon. I've got these guys. And Hun... No more of those outbursts, ok? Keep him in your prayers tonight." she whispers as she gives Voletta a scoot toward the wagon with a hand gently cupped to Voletta's butt. Lilim herself would move closer to the guard with the lantern and holds up her hands surrenderingly, "My apologies, gentlemen! The three of us are simple farm hands from the village, I promise you. I admit I'm guilty of executing a spell and practicing magic, but I swear it was only a spell to find our lost mule and cart here. I believed it would becon our beast home to us and that was all... As you can see I am unarmed and in my nightly attire, and I was not expecting to be brought here... Please forgive us. All we seek is to get our mule and cart back home. I beg you to forgive our sudden appearance, we didn't mean any harm." Lilim says with a worried and attemptingly cute frown to her face, giving a convincing appearance that she was scared and trying to explain that their appearance in that area at that time of night was all her fault.
Elesa would climb aboard the front of the cart with Voletta's aid, taking the reins and moving to try and help Voletta climb up too, "Big Sis might not sell the story she's telling. In case they come to check our faces, we need to make you look different temporarily... If they recognize you, we're in trouble." Elesa whispers as quietly as she could and grabs a charm from her belt, "Seal of Darkness... Illusion..." she whispers as she uses her magic to make Voletta's hair, skin, and eyes change to different colors than their normal shades.
Seeing as Lilim had green eyes and black hair and Elesa had blue eyes and red hair, she'd give Voletta the appearance of Lilim's green eyes and Elesa's red hair, changing her complexion from pale to tan as she takes inspiration from Lilim's story and tries to make Voletta look like a farmers daughter with a deep tan from working in fields all day. Voletta's tiredness would almost fully sell the illusion if it was checked. As Voletta now looked to have features in common with Lilim and Elesa, the three could almost pass as sisters if the gate guards bought Lilim's story.
(Playing this based on Tus's idea for Lilim's magic to be more based on cleverness rather than actual might. Believable? I'll leave say in that to the others in the RP.)
Elesa would climb aboard the front of the cart with Voletta's aid, taking the reins and moving to try and help Voletta climb up too, "Big Sis might not sell the story she's telling. In case they come to check our faces, we need to make you look different temporarily... If they recognize you, we're in trouble." Elesa whispers as quietly as she could and grabs a charm from her belt, "Seal of Darkness... Illusion..." she whispers as she uses her magic to make Voletta's hair, skin, and eyes change to different colors than their normal shades.
Seeing as Lilim had green eyes and black hair and Elesa had blue eyes and red hair, she'd give Voletta the appearance of Lilim's green eyes and Elesa's red hair, changing her complexion from pale to tan as she takes inspiration from Lilim's story and tries to make Voletta look like a farmers daughter with a deep tan from working in fields all day. Voletta's tiredness would almost fully sell the illusion if it was checked. As Voletta now looked to have features in common with Lilim and Elesa, the three could almost pass as sisters if the gate guards bought Lilim's story.
(Playing this based on Tus's idea for Lilim's magic to be more based on cleverness rather than actual might. Believable? I'll leave say in that to the others in the RP.)
Merthyr's jaw dropped as he gasped horrified at the news.
"Abducted? from the royal palace? we better find them and fast, before this unleashes a war with the neighbouring kingdom of Biblia, granted it is a small realm but, for one they do practice magic openly over there and secondly, we must prevent all wars at all costs." feeling gutted
"This is all my fault, I should have sent additional guards and knights rather than let you bear the whole burden of three damsels to safeguard and care for all by yourself, my apologies sir Crow. There is so much a single knight can do after all" prompted Merthyr apologizing to the man
"Come... let's go, sir knight. I will bring as many knights and guards as I can muster quickly" prompted Merthyr turning on his heels to face his bodyguard.
"Sir Pentre gather the men" instructed Merthyr watching the man bow before the prince and leave, making his way to guards stations and rest rooms barking orders.
"All men at arms! All men at arms, by command of the prince, report to the gates!" barked Pentre watching everyone hastily go gather up armor and weapons and rush around.
Once Pentre was sure that all men had heard the others and relayed them to one another he quickly jogged to the front gates in a bid to help Merthyr and Crow find the girls and the culprits.
"You lead the way sir Crow, I will assist in any way I can" assured Merthyr letting the older and more experienced knight continue in charge of the operation, offering his support and backing as much as possible
"Abducted? from the royal palace? we better find them and fast, before this unleashes a war with the neighbouring kingdom of Biblia, granted it is a small realm but, for one they do practice magic openly over there and secondly, we must prevent all wars at all costs." feeling gutted
"This is all my fault, I should have sent additional guards and knights rather than let you bear the whole burden of three damsels to safeguard and care for all by yourself, my apologies sir Crow. There is so much a single knight can do after all" prompted Merthyr apologizing to the man
"Come... let's go, sir knight. I will bring as many knights and guards as I can muster quickly" prompted Merthyr turning on his heels to face his bodyguard.
"Sir Pentre gather the men" instructed Merthyr watching the man bow before the prince and leave, making his way to guards stations and rest rooms barking orders.
"All men at arms! All men at arms, by command of the prince, report to the gates!" barked Pentre watching everyone hastily go gather up armor and weapons and rush around.
Once Pentre was sure that all men had heard the others and relayed them to one another he quickly jogged to the front gates in a bid to help Merthyr and Crow find the girls and the culprits.
"You lead the way sir Crow, I will assist in any way I can" assured Merthyr letting the older and more experienced knight continue in charge of the operation, offering his support and backing as much as possible
The Hanged Man cringed at the prince's agonized reaction to the news. He hated lying like this, but it was for the greater good. "Nay, sire, please do not concern yourself with apologies ..."
When Pentre began ordering his men to the gates, Crow was quick to interject. "N-nay! Not to the gates! H-he--he took them down to the dungeon ... perhaps he seeks to escape through the drainage tunnels ... take everyone down there!" He didn't know for sure if the girls had gone to the front gates, but that was where their wagon had been left, so it was a safe bet. The only thing he knew for sure was that they hadn't gone back to the dungeons. Never again.
Hopefully both Merthyr and Pentre would heed his word and take the men at arms downstairs. Tactically it wasn't really the smartest move. "Quickly, there's no time to lose!" Crow added, trying to urge them along so they wouldn't think too hard about it.
"King Simon's not fond of magic," the head guard said, approaching the wagon. Lilim was lucky that he wasn't one of the guards who had been at the banquet--he theoretically would be able to recognize Voletta, but not the two mages.
He stepped up to the wagon and shone the lantern in Elesa and Voletta's eyes. The older girl's facial features reminded him of someone. "There's aught familiar about you ... very familiar." But try as he might, he couldn't place her--rarely did he see Voletta, and he was used to recognizing her by her distinctive hair. Finally he took a step back and returned his eyes to Lilim. Word of their escape hadn't yet reached the gates, so while they were watchful of their noble charges within the castle, he had no reason to suspect these girls. Lilim's charm also had an effect. "... alright, lass. I'm feeling generous. And if you're getting that dratted mule out of here, all the better--it's been milling around all evening. Go on. Hurry, before I change my mind."
When Pentre began ordering his men to the gates, Crow was quick to interject. "N-nay! Not to the gates! H-he--he took them down to the dungeon ... perhaps he seeks to escape through the drainage tunnels ... take everyone down there!" He didn't know for sure if the girls had gone to the front gates, but that was where their wagon had been left, so it was a safe bet. The only thing he knew for sure was that they hadn't gone back to the dungeons. Never again.
Hopefully both Merthyr and Pentre would heed his word and take the men at arms downstairs. Tactically it wasn't really the smartest move. "Quickly, there's no time to lose!" Crow added, trying to urge them along so they wouldn't think too hard about it.
"King Simon's not fond of magic," the head guard said, approaching the wagon. Lilim was lucky that he wasn't one of the guards who had been at the banquet--he theoretically would be able to recognize Voletta, but not the two mages.
He stepped up to the wagon and shone the lantern in Elesa and Voletta's eyes. The older girl's facial features reminded him of someone. "There's aught familiar about you ... very familiar." But try as he might, he couldn't place her--rarely did he see Voletta, and he was used to recognizing her by her distinctive hair. Finally he took a step back and returned his eyes to Lilim. Word of their escape hadn't yet reached the gates, so while they were watchful of their noble charges within the castle, he had no reason to suspect these girls. Lilim's charm also had an effect. "... alright, lass. I'm feeling generous. And if you're getting that dratted mule out of here, all the better--it's been milling around all evening. Go on. Hurry, before I change my mind."
"Why yes of course... perhaps these kidnappers were thugs from the dungeons... I should have left more guards down there" scowled Merthyr wincing at the thought his own prisoners could have taken his lady love and placed her in danger, after all Voletta often when there for the wine barrels.
"Come on Sir Pentre to the dungeons right away" insisted and urged Merthyr taking charge and leading the way himself.
"Change of orders, everyone to the dungeons search every cell, every entrance and exit, every sewer passage" urged Merthyr not one to shun duty no matter how unpleasant
Prince Merthyr removed the cover and venturing into the sewage tunnel himself, bringing his manservant Taff, lord knight Pentre, and other knights with his as he descended to lead the search personally, disregarding the human waste and the foul smell, torch to hand and sword to hand following the tunnels
Admittedly it was dark and the stench made him gag to the point of struggling not to throw up, but if his fair maiden had been taken this way, he would give chase all the way through to the forest outside the city where the tunnel exit lead them to.
By the time they did exit the sewage, it was evident that the effort had been in vain, they had been unable to find the girls nor was there any sign of struggle. By now, Merthyr, Pentre and the rest were covered head to toes in excrement, mud and other unpleasantries.
The search would take quite some time more so if they had to return to the palace on foot, caked up, unsuccesful in their search. Tired from effort and all the more exhausted from the disappointment and wasted time.
Merthyr did his best to remove the dirt using the cloth from his cloak and approach the gates, far from happy.
Despite his best effort to clean himself up, the face remained overall unclean for lack of water and the smell, well, that could have killed the Mercians at close proximity.
The scowling faces from the peasants who were pinching their noses to not take in the stench was proof enough of that.
Merthyr stood still by the gate waiting to be given entrance back to the palace, disheartened at the failed quest. The only hope left for Merthyr being that Sir Crow had managed to find the damsels or a trail that lead to the missing women
"Open the gates" demanded Merthyr in a brief dry voice not at all in the mood to talk much, keen to meet up with Crow and put his mind at ease if at all possible regarding the girls whereabouts.
If Sir Crow had not found them either, he would have to consider immediately starting a door to door search, perhaps with his father's approval, perhaps Crow would agree without requiring such royal consent, but he had to keep going until the girls were found.
"Come on Sir Pentre to the dungeons right away" insisted and urged Merthyr taking charge and leading the way himself.
"Change of orders, everyone to the dungeons search every cell, every entrance and exit, every sewer passage" urged Merthyr not one to shun duty no matter how unpleasant
Prince Merthyr removed the cover and venturing into the sewage tunnel himself, bringing his manservant Taff, lord knight Pentre, and other knights with his as he descended to lead the search personally, disregarding the human waste and the foul smell, torch to hand and sword to hand following the tunnels
Admittedly it was dark and the stench made him gag to the point of struggling not to throw up, but if his fair maiden had been taken this way, he would give chase all the way through to the forest outside the city where the tunnel exit lead them to.
By the time they did exit the sewage, it was evident that the effort had been in vain, they had been unable to find the girls nor was there any sign of struggle. By now, Merthyr, Pentre and the rest were covered head to toes in excrement, mud and other unpleasantries.
The search would take quite some time more so if they had to return to the palace on foot, caked up, unsuccesful in their search. Tired from effort and all the more exhausted from the disappointment and wasted time.
Merthyr did his best to remove the dirt using the cloth from his cloak and approach the gates, far from happy.
Despite his best effort to clean himself up, the face remained overall unclean for lack of water and the smell, well, that could have killed the Mercians at close proximity.
The scowling faces from the peasants who were pinching their noses to not take in the stench was proof enough of that.
Merthyr stood still by the gate waiting to be given entrance back to the palace, disheartened at the failed quest. The only hope left for Merthyr being that Sir Crow had managed to find the damsels or a trail that lead to the missing women
"Open the gates" demanded Merthyr in a brief dry voice not at all in the mood to talk much, keen to meet up with Crow and put his mind at ease if at all possible regarding the girls whereabouts.
If Sir Crow had not found them either, he would have to consider immediately starting a door to door search, perhaps with his father's approval, perhaps Crow would agree without requiring such royal consent, but he had to keep going until the girls were found.
Voletta would nod to Lilim, wiping her eyes, and flinching a bit as her rear end was cupped. This would cause her to quickly scoot over to the wagon and climb up, taking a seat and letting out a long sigh. Though her guard would be up as the guards approached them. She would gently turn around and help Elesa climb to the front of the cart, and lets out a silent sigh, before turning to Elesa and raising an eyebrow. She listened to Elesa's plan on how they needed to make Voletta look different, and would just blink at her momentarily as she mentally questioned how they were going to do that.
Voletta would sit still, almost frozen as she felt her body change. It was a weird sensation, and when she finished she would look down at herself, her eyes widening at her tan skin. She would stare at herself in disbelief, and quietly shuffle in the front seat, looking for something. When she found it, she held it up to her face, and her eyes widened in disbelief. The mirror she was now holding would reveal her temporary looks. She would gingerly bring a hand up to her face, staring into her now green eyes and fiery red hair. She would slowly turn to look at Elesa, her voice in a quiet whisper.
"H-How long does this last..?"
She would blink and hold a hand up to her face as a guard approached Elesa and herself and shone a light in their face. Her heart beat would quicken as the guard mentioned that she looked familiar, but she would remain quiet. She would fear that the guard may recognize her voice. She would silently sigh in relief though, as the guard was letting them leave, and she would hope that Lilim would come to the front of the wagon quickly so that she could drive the mule out of here.
Voletta would sit still, almost frozen as she felt her body change. It was a weird sensation, and when she finished she would look down at herself, her eyes widening at her tan skin. She would stare at herself in disbelief, and quietly shuffle in the front seat, looking for something. When she found it, she held it up to her face, and her eyes widened in disbelief. The mirror she was now holding would reveal her temporary looks. She would gingerly bring a hand up to her face, staring into her now green eyes and fiery red hair. She would slowly turn to look at Elesa, her voice in a quiet whisper.
"H-How long does this last..?"
She would blink and hold a hand up to her face as a guard approached Elesa and herself and shone a light in their face. Her heart beat would quicken as the guard mentioned that she looked familiar, but she would remain quiet. She would fear that the guard may recognize her voice. She would silently sigh in relief though, as the guard was letting them leave, and she would hope that Lilim would come to the front of the wagon quickly so that she could drive the mule out of here.
Elesa would squint her eyes as the light was shown in them, but did her best to let the guard see her deep blue hues. Her charm stopped glowing and just looked like a fancy stopper for a wheel and axle, hardly anything to be taken as a dangerous weapon.
Lilim would smile and bow to the guards as they told her to hurry along, "Thank you, thank you kind sirs, thank you." she says in a tone that conveyed her gratitude, backing up toward the cart slowly and taking the reins to lead the mule back toward the village, "Come, Alphys." she says to get the mule to follow her.
Some distance away, Elesa's spell would wear off and Voletta's body would change back to normal, "It just wore off." Elesa would say quietly and with a soft smile, moving to put her charm away before leaning back into a long and heavily tired yawn, "Miss Voletta?... I'm sleepy... Can we sleep now, please?" the child asks as she motions to the blankets in the back of the cart.
Lilim would smirk and looks back to Voletta and Elesa, "You two go ahead and get some sleep. I've got things from here. The guards bought the story hook, twine, and sinker. We're in the clear, Voletta. As of this hour, you are a free woman. No longer do you have to do anything that is demanded of you. But... I hope you won't take that too harshly and close your heart to requests and favors." she says calmly, giving Voletta a gaze as she gestures with her eyes toward Elesa, using her request as a case in point to what she meant.
Lilim would smile and bow to the guards as they told her to hurry along, "Thank you, thank you kind sirs, thank you." she says in a tone that conveyed her gratitude, backing up toward the cart slowly and taking the reins to lead the mule back toward the village, "Come, Alphys." she says to get the mule to follow her.
Some distance away, Elesa's spell would wear off and Voletta's body would change back to normal, "It just wore off." Elesa would say quietly and with a soft smile, moving to put her charm away before leaning back into a long and heavily tired yawn, "Miss Voletta?... I'm sleepy... Can we sleep now, please?" the child asks as she motions to the blankets in the back of the cart.
Lilim would smirk and looks back to Voletta and Elesa, "You two go ahead and get some sleep. I've got things from here. The guards bought the story hook, twine, and sinker. We're in the clear, Voletta. As of this hour, you are a free woman. No longer do you have to do anything that is demanded of you. But... I hope you won't take that too harshly and close your heart to requests and favors." she says calmly, giving Voletta a gaze as she gestures with her eyes toward Elesa, using her request as a case in point to what she meant.
Word spread quickly through the castle of the kidnap of the three girls. When it reached the gatehouse, the head guard--the one who had questioned Lilim--ordered half of his men down to the dungeons to assist the search. He couldn't leave the gate unguarded entirely, after all. It didn't occur to him that the three girls who escaped might be the ones everyone was looking for. Whether it was the disguise, Lilim's charisma, or his own naivete, he didn't think to mention a word of it to anyone. He remained at his post, twiddling his thumbs and watching the road in front of the castle.
The Hanged Man hadn't slogged through a sewer in years, but it wasn't his first time. He expounded on his experience as they searched, hoping it would somehow distract them from the stench. "Aye, I myself was fleeing, that time--from a s-smitten s-sorceress, of all things. She was too proud to follow me, but I still had to learn t-to navigate that putrid labyrinth ... in truth, my liege, all one must do is, er, follow the flow ..."
Eventually, he took a different tunnel that split him from the prince. He made a show of searching so as not to rouse any suspicions, but of course they would find nothing. When they finally emerged, they carried the smell of it in their clothes and hair--never before had he wanted to bathe more, not even after he had escaped the sorceress. Unfortunately, this particular drainage exit dropped twenty meters into a gulch, so he had to backtrack all the way through the dungeons to meet Merthyr at the rendezvous point.
Crow approached the gates from the inside, gesturing for the guard to open it and allow the prince entry. "We found naught," he said, bowing deeply. "I-I am sorry, my liege--the blaggard must have given us the slip. P-please, sire, t'is into the wee hours now. Perhaps you could let the men-at-arms do the searching, while you rest?" Any mere minute I can give those girls is worth the effort.
A boy came stumbling towards the group holding a long roll of parchment. As a mere page, he dare not speak directly to the prince, and instead opted to address Pentre. It was clear he was trying his very best not to pinch his nose or gag. "Milords, sirs, I've news--after the kerfuffle I was reading this here guest list, sirs, and, well--" He waved the scroll at them. "--well, it was said that the Biblian nobility was kidnapped, sirs? But, see--and, sirs, I've triple checked this and even asked Mirre and Wenck to cor-corro--back me up on this ..." He cleared his throat. "... we wasn't expecting no Biblian royalty, sirs. Not one. I don't know who those girls was, but ... well, sirs, they wasn't invited."
Crow's heart thundered nervously in his chest. The delicate house of cards was about to fall, he was sure of it--all it would take is Sweeney and Garrold to show up and recount their experience in the dungeon. But ... while he wasn't sure how long they had spent down in the sewers, surely it was a couple hours ... long enough for the girls to be well into the city or beyond. Or so he hoped.
In the flurry of activity after the girls went missing, the dining hall hadn't yet been cleaned up. Finally the attendants crept in to clear away the plates and leftover scraps of food that would go to the pigs and the servants. The candles had all burned down to nothing, leaving the room dark and cold. A girl brought in new candles so that they might see what they were doing, but stumbled over something lying on the floor.
"Ach, someone's knocked over a chair ... wait ... BY GOD!"
Her shriek drew the attention of the other attendants, who gathered around the fallen form of King Simon, his lips flecked with foam and his eyes glassy and vacant. "We ... we must tell someone, anyone," said one woman, while another whispered furtive prayers under her breath. None of them could quite decide how to proceed.
((Just let me know if you guys wanted this to go down differently, and I can tweak me post))
The Hanged Man hadn't slogged through a sewer in years, but it wasn't his first time. He expounded on his experience as they searched, hoping it would somehow distract them from the stench. "Aye, I myself was fleeing, that time--from a s-smitten s-sorceress, of all things. She was too proud to follow me, but I still had to learn t-to navigate that putrid labyrinth ... in truth, my liege, all one must do is, er, follow the flow ..."
Eventually, he took a different tunnel that split him from the prince. He made a show of searching so as not to rouse any suspicions, but of course they would find nothing. When they finally emerged, they carried the smell of it in their clothes and hair--never before had he wanted to bathe more, not even after he had escaped the sorceress. Unfortunately, this particular drainage exit dropped twenty meters into a gulch, so he had to backtrack all the way through the dungeons to meet Merthyr at the rendezvous point.
Crow approached the gates from the inside, gesturing for the guard to open it and allow the prince entry. "We found naught," he said, bowing deeply. "I-I am sorry, my liege--the blaggard must have given us the slip. P-please, sire, t'is into the wee hours now. Perhaps you could let the men-at-arms do the searching, while you rest?" Any mere minute I can give those girls is worth the effort.
A boy came stumbling towards the group holding a long roll of parchment. As a mere page, he dare not speak directly to the prince, and instead opted to address Pentre. It was clear he was trying his very best not to pinch his nose or gag. "Milords, sirs, I've news--after the kerfuffle I was reading this here guest list, sirs, and, well--" He waved the scroll at them. "--well, it was said that the Biblian nobility was kidnapped, sirs? But, see--and, sirs, I've triple checked this and even asked Mirre and Wenck to cor-corro--back me up on this ..." He cleared his throat. "... we wasn't expecting no Biblian royalty, sirs. Not one. I don't know who those girls was, but ... well, sirs, they wasn't invited."
Crow's heart thundered nervously in his chest. The delicate house of cards was about to fall, he was sure of it--all it would take is Sweeney and Garrold to show up and recount their experience in the dungeon. But ... while he wasn't sure how long they had spent down in the sewers, surely it was a couple hours ... long enough for the girls to be well into the city or beyond. Or so he hoped.
In the flurry of activity after the girls went missing, the dining hall hadn't yet been cleaned up. Finally the attendants crept in to clear away the plates and leftover scraps of food that would go to the pigs and the servants. The candles had all burned down to nothing, leaving the room dark and cold. A girl brought in new candles so that they might see what they were doing, but stumbled over something lying on the floor.
"Ach, someone's knocked over a chair ... wait ... BY GOD!"
Her shriek drew the attention of the other attendants, who gathered around the fallen form of King Simon, his lips flecked with foam and his eyes glassy and vacant. "We ... we must tell someone, anyone," said one woman, while another whispered furtive prayers under her breath. None of them could quite decide how to proceed.
((Just let me know if you guys wanted this to go down differently, and I can tweak me post))
Merthyr sighed disheartened at the news
"Well in that case the threat of war against the kingdom of Biblia has been averted" sighed Merthyr as if he had the air knocked out of him leaning tearfully against the wall
"I must say we were completely fooled with this trickery. Though in all honesty, I must confess that I saw the three girls dressed in more humble attire, maid-like manner at the stock room with Sir Crow, perhaps, the maids thought my invitation to attend the ball applied to all three of them despite I was addressing Voletta in particular.
They may have been too embarrassed to admit to their lowly origins and chosen to usurp the title from Biblia knowing no such guests were expected. One cannot fault them for this crime of impersonation, I myself would not want to be of humble lineage and admit to that openly at such important celebrations, among such distinguished guests. Being maids it would also explain why they were never appointed proper guardians and escort" excused Merthyr good natured and merciful as usual
"Nonetheless if they have been kidnapped, we must continue the search and double the efforts to have the three maids found and, if possible, arrest the kidnappers as well. Perhaps door to door search is in order.
For now, we freshen up and change attire and reconvene here within the hour or sooner. Sir Pentre have all the guards lined up at the gates, Sir Crow and I will question each one of them on the three maids personally, someone must know or have seen something" remarked Merthyr wiping his filthy hands into his cloak to read the parchment in detail and ascertain that Morgana of Mercia was indeed listed and yet no Biblia representatives or damsels had been sent.
"Well in that case the threat of war against the kingdom of Biblia has been averted" sighed Merthyr as if he had the air knocked out of him leaning tearfully against the wall
"I must say we were completely fooled with this trickery. Though in all honesty, I must confess that I saw the three girls dressed in more humble attire, maid-like manner at the stock room with Sir Crow, perhaps, the maids thought my invitation to attend the ball applied to all three of them despite I was addressing Voletta in particular.
They may have been too embarrassed to admit to their lowly origins and chosen to usurp the title from Biblia knowing no such guests were expected. One cannot fault them for this crime of impersonation, I myself would not want to be of humble lineage and admit to that openly at such important celebrations, among such distinguished guests. Being maids it would also explain why they were never appointed proper guardians and escort" excused Merthyr good natured and merciful as usual
"Nonetheless if they have been kidnapped, we must continue the search and double the efforts to have the three maids found and, if possible, arrest the kidnappers as well. Perhaps door to door search is in order.
For now, we freshen up and change attire and reconvene here within the hour or sooner. Sir Pentre have all the guards lined up at the gates, Sir Crow and I will question each one of them on the three maids personally, someone must know or have seen something" remarked Merthyr wiping his filthy hands into his cloak to read the parchment in detail and ascertain that Morgana of Mercia was indeed listed and yet no Biblia representatives or damsels had been sent.
"We need to get to an Inn at the village....It's not safe out here..."
Voletta would continue staring off in the distance as Lilim led the cart forward, her sleepy eyelids struggling to stay awake. Though at the mention of her looks going back to normal, Voletta would quickly grab the mirror and hold it up to herself, seeing that she indeed looked like herself again. Her pale skin, blue eyes and violet hair were all back. She would smile and set the mirror down, yawning shortly after Elesa did before looking at her and seeing how she motioned to sleep in the back.
"U-Um..."
She mutters, before looking towards Lilim. The fact she was free hadn't fully registered yet, and it would take some getting used to for sure. It would be hard to break the habit of not doing everything she was told, but it could be done...with some help. Though listening to Lilim's speech, she didn't quite understand what it was she meant at first, but then realized as she motioned to Elesa. Voletta would just nod before climbing into the back of the moving cart carefully, and reached her hands out towards Elesa's, grabbing both of her's in order to help her climb in the back as well. Once Elesa was safely in the back, Voletta would lie Elesa down and take two of the pillows, placing them both underneath Elesa before taking two of the blankets and tucking them ontop of Elesa. She was still used to putting others before herself, so she was making sure Elesa would be warm and comfortable. She would take one pillow and one blanket for herself, while making sure Elesa had the other two. She would lie down and get situated, putting the pillow under herself and the blanket over herself before burying herself in the singular blanket and falling asleep just as quickly as her head hit the pillow.
Voletta would continue staring off in the distance as Lilim led the cart forward, her sleepy eyelids struggling to stay awake. Though at the mention of her looks going back to normal, Voletta would quickly grab the mirror and hold it up to herself, seeing that she indeed looked like herself again. Her pale skin, blue eyes and violet hair were all back. She would smile and set the mirror down, yawning shortly after Elesa did before looking at her and seeing how she motioned to sleep in the back.
"U-Um..."
She mutters, before looking towards Lilim. The fact she was free hadn't fully registered yet, and it would take some getting used to for sure. It would be hard to break the habit of not doing everything she was told, but it could be done...with some help. Though listening to Lilim's speech, she didn't quite understand what it was she meant at first, but then realized as she motioned to Elesa. Voletta would just nod before climbing into the back of the moving cart carefully, and reached her hands out towards Elesa's, grabbing both of her's in order to help her climb in the back as well. Once Elesa was safely in the back, Voletta would lie Elesa down and take two of the pillows, placing them both underneath Elesa before taking two of the blankets and tucking them ontop of Elesa. She was still used to putting others before herself, so she was making sure Elesa would be warm and comfortable. She would take one pillow and one blanket for herself, while making sure Elesa had the other two. She would lie down and get situated, putting the pillow under herself and the blanket over herself before burying herself in the singular blanket and falling asleep just as quickly as her head hit the pillow.
Elesa would smile to Voletta as she tucks the child in, but that smile fades as Voletta moves away to sleep in another place. Elesa would murr in protest, moving to correct this on her own as Voletta seemed to pass strait out. The child would take her covers and move them over Voletta so she was cuddled up under 3 blankets and took the pillows to situate them under Voletta as well. Once her work was done, Elesa would yawn again and crawls into the tripple stacked nest with Voletta and snuggles into Voletta like a teddy bear. Elesa wasn't really able to sleep due to the motion of the cart, but she'd sure be comfortable for when the cart stopped moving.
Lilim would keep going, leading the mule down the road and almost out of the village when she saw torch lights starting to move at the front of the palace, "Hmph... I thought we'd have more time than that... Alphys won't keep going without someone to lead him and I'm gonna need to hide too..." she whispers to herself before looking around and spotting a place, "Huh? Hmm... Morgan Inn and Tavern... I wonder if the owner would understand the joke if I called them Captain..." Lilim says calmly before moving Alphys toward the back to hide him and bring the cart to a stop behind some crates. She had to move quickly, but got to the back of the cart and found Voletta and Elesa cuddled up together, which was absolutely adorable to her.
She wished she didn't have to rouse Elesa, but would give her a gentle caress to wake her. Elesa would murr softly but would look up to Lilim, "Big Sis?" Elesa whispers sleepily. "Ssshh, I need you to stay with me just a few minutes more, Elesa. We'll be hunkering down to hide here, but I need you to walk with me, ok? Hold onto the tail of my gown there and just follow me... I promise, I'll tuck you in for sleep inside here." she says as she works to swaddle up Voletta, subjecting her to some much warmer and very different bondage than she was used to.
Once Voletta was swaddled up, Lilim would scoop her up like a baby and carry her lovingly, walking into the Inn with Voletta in her arms and Elesa behind her, the child holding onto the tail of her gown and rubbing one of her eyes, "Excuse me, Innkeeper?... Could you spare a room for three poor maidens? I'll do anything you ask to pay for the room, but I need a place for my sisters to sleep... Please?" Lilim says in hopes that she could win the innkeeper over in some way.
Lilim would keep going, leading the mule down the road and almost out of the village when she saw torch lights starting to move at the front of the palace, "Hmph... I thought we'd have more time than that... Alphys won't keep going without someone to lead him and I'm gonna need to hide too..." she whispers to herself before looking around and spotting a place, "Huh? Hmm... Morgan Inn and Tavern... I wonder if the owner would understand the joke if I called them Captain..." Lilim says calmly before moving Alphys toward the back to hide him and bring the cart to a stop behind some crates. She had to move quickly, but got to the back of the cart and found Voletta and Elesa cuddled up together, which was absolutely adorable to her.
She wished she didn't have to rouse Elesa, but would give her a gentle caress to wake her. Elesa would murr softly but would look up to Lilim, "Big Sis?" Elesa whispers sleepily. "Ssshh, I need you to stay with me just a few minutes more, Elesa. We'll be hunkering down to hide here, but I need you to walk with me, ok? Hold onto the tail of my gown there and just follow me... I promise, I'll tuck you in for sleep inside here." she says as she works to swaddle up Voletta, subjecting her to some much warmer and very different bondage than she was used to.
Once Voletta was swaddled up, Lilim would scoop her up like a baby and carry her lovingly, walking into the Inn with Voletta in her arms and Elesa behind her, the child holding onto the tail of her gown and rubbing one of her eyes, "Excuse me, Innkeeper?... Could you spare a room for three poor maidens? I'll do anything you ask to pay for the room, but I need a place for my sisters to sleep... Please?" Lilim says in hopes that she could win the innkeeper over in some way.
Morgan looked at Lilim and nodded, finding Elesa quite adorable.
"Upstairs, second door to your right should be large enough for the three of you" nodded Morgan turning his attention to the other customers and served the demanded drinks onto the counter.
"Two strong brews and one mead, that is half a gold each" recited Morgan collecting the payment
"Upstairs, second door to your right should be large enough for the three of you" nodded Morgan turning his attention to the other customers and served the demanded drinks onto the counter.
"Two strong brews and one mead, that is half a gold each" recited Morgan collecting the payment
Lilim smiled and noded politely, "Thank you, Sir." she says briefly, shifting Voletta in her arms and carrying her carefully up the stairs, Elesa right behind her, still holding onto the tail of Lilim's gown. Once they made it inside the room, Lilim would carry Voletta to the bed and carefully unswaddle her, positioning her mindfully under the covers and moving Elesa to lay with her, tucking them both in lovingly. "Here we are... You both get some rest. It's been a long night. Leave everything to me... I promise, I'll take good care of you." she whispers before giving each of them a delicate and loving kiss on the forehead, petting Voletta a little and then Elesa to give each of them a bit of attention.
Then it was time to lock the door behind her and head back to the bar and see what her tab would be. She'd make her way back down the stairs and have a stealthy look around before venturing out again, wanting to make sure there were no guards from the palace in the Inn before she went to see about the tab and what she'd have to do to pay it off.
Then it was time to lock the door behind her and head back to the bar and see what her tab would be. She'd make her way back down the stairs and have a stealthy look around before venturing out again, wanting to make sure there were no guards from the palace in the Inn before she went to see about the tab and what she'd have to do to pay it off.
The Hanged Man had forgotten that Merthyr saw the four of them in the pantry--he cringed, expecting suspicion to fall immediately upon him, but the prince was a naive and kindhearted boy who had already decided them to be innocent. Once again Crow felt guilty for deceiving him.
After being dismissed, the knight went to clean himself up. He stripped out of his soiled clothes and distinctive black armor, then attempted to scrub the stink out of his hair and skin. He was only marginally successful, and wished he had some of the scented oils that the nobility wore on occasion. He had grown used to the pungent odor, at least. Thankfully the smell didn't stick to his armor, so after some cleaning by an attendant, it was good as new. Once he had changed and tied up his hair, he was off to the front gate ...
While those that had ventured into the sewer cleaned themselves up, the castle seneschal made his way up to Merthyr's chambers to break the grave news about the king. With a heavy heart, he knocked on the door. "My lord ... my prince, there is aught we must discuss ... Taff, please fetch him ..."
After being dismissed, the knight went to clean himself up. He stripped out of his soiled clothes and distinctive black armor, then attempted to scrub the stink out of his hair and skin. He was only marginally successful, and wished he had some of the scented oils that the nobility wore on occasion. He had grown used to the pungent odor, at least. Thankfully the smell didn't stick to his armor, so after some cleaning by an attendant, it was good as new. Once he had changed and tied up his hair, he was off to the front gate ...
While those that had ventured into the sewer cleaned themselves up, the castle seneschal made his way up to Merthyr's chambers to break the grave news about the king. With a heavy heart, he knocked on the door. "My lord ... my prince, there is aught we must discuss ... Taff, please fetch him ..."
Voletta would subconsciously feel the weight of three blankets ontop of her, as well as some more pillows go underneath her and would furl up under them, allowing them all to bury her. When Elesa cuddled into her, Voletta would turn so that her body was facing Elesa, before snuggling into her tightly, as if they were each other's teddy bears. Voletta would bury her head deeper into the pillows as she let the weight of the blankets lull her into an even deeper sleep.
Though by the time they reached the inn, Voletta would be utterly exhausted and so deep asleep from the days events that she wouldn't feel the cart stop, nor would she feel Lilim working to swaddle her up. Rather she would end up burying her face in Lilim's shoulder as her limp body slept in Lilim's. She would be unaware that they got a room at the inn, and when Lilim had set her down in bed, she would bury her face in one of the pillows as Lilim tucked the two of them in. The blankets would be warm, and Voletta would be so comfortable that she would drool slightly. When she woke up and discovered what was going on, she would be eager to help pay off the tab to, as it was what she was used to doing. But for now, she would be sleeping peacefully next to Elesa.
Though by the time they reached the inn, Voletta would be utterly exhausted and so deep asleep from the days events that she wouldn't feel the cart stop, nor would she feel Lilim working to swaddle her up. Rather she would end up burying her face in Lilim's shoulder as her limp body slept in Lilim's. She would be unaware that they got a room at the inn, and when Lilim had set her down in bed, she would bury her face in one of the pillows as Lilim tucked the two of them in. The blankets would be warm, and Voletta would be so comfortable that she would drool slightly. When she woke up and discovered what was going on, she would be eager to help pay off the tab to, as it was what she was used to doing. But for now, she would be sleeping peacefully next to Elesa.
"Back so soon, is anything amiss?" Quizzed Morgan having expected the customers to sleep all night through
He was quite surprised that Lilim would return so promptly
He was quite surprised that Lilim would return so promptly
Merthyr, now that he was comfortably dressed, gave the castle staff his fullest attention, treating them all with courtesy and respect, glad to have Crow by his side
"What can I do for you?" Enquired Merthyr politely
"What can I do for you?" Enquired Merthyr politely
Lilim slowly shakes her head, "No, nothing's wrong. I was just wondering if there's anything I could do to pay for the room. I'm willing to do just about anything to make sure the debt of me and my sisters is repaid in full. It's the least I can do considering I'm naturally Nocturnal and won't be getting sleepy until the sun peeks over the horizon. And seeing as I came in with no coin of my own, I'm curious how much I owe you and what you'll have me do to pay it back." she says with a soft smile. The girls seductive gaze might catch the eyes of a couple of clients too. Nothing like an attractive young woman at the bar to bring in a bit more revenue.
(May I join?)
"Well we cannot have that young child in the streets so if you're happy to serve orders and clean up chores you can pay your way with hard work" nodded Morgan already charmed by Elesa
The seneschal--named Weckan--bowed his head low. "You had best come with me, sire," he said somberly, beckoning to the prince. He had been thinking for a while about how to break the news, and though he had prepared a statement, it gummed up on his lips. "It's your father. He's ... no longer with us."
When Crow heard this, his lips tightened to a thin line. He had served Simon for twenty years, and though the king could be cruel, he was also strong, charismatic, clever. The knight couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness.
The seneschal let the grave news sink in for a moment, knowing that it would deeply affect the young prince. "We found him on the floor of the banquet hall, a goblet not far from his hand. I do not know what ill befell him, but there is a chance that foul play is involved."
"Then we must make sure that the prince is safe, and all his suitresses as well," Crow said. "Come, sire--your search for the girls m-must be postponed. Let your men handle it." It was a bad situation--Merthyr was young and inexperienced, and now he was to be crowned king. As an only child (as far as most people knew) he was in exceptional danger.
When Crow heard this, his lips tightened to a thin line. He had served Simon for twenty years, and though the king could be cruel, he was also strong, charismatic, clever. The knight couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness.
The seneschal let the grave news sink in for a moment, knowing that it would deeply affect the young prince. "We found him on the floor of the banquet hall, a goblet not far from his hand. I do not know what ill befell him, but there is a chance that foul play is involved."
"Then we must make sure that the prince is safe, and all his suitresses as well," Crow said. "Come, sire--your search for the girls m-must be postponed. Let your men handle it." It was a bad situation--Merthyr was young and inexperienced, and now he was to be crowned king. As an only child (as far as most people knew) he was in exceptional danger.
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