TS - One Month Later - Bisanthium.

[cassandra1]

Ooc: After a long discussion, Darth and I decided to fast forward Valerios' side of the roleplay. A month has passed, during or after which HOPEFULLY something happens.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

The Tower stood tall and proud as ever. Only now there were far more frequent patrols around it. In the clearing behind the tower, handmaidens methodically performed exercises standing rank upon rank.
Some groups performed exercises under their 'decurion' to fill in formations and reform into others upon command.
In the back some archers were aiming for bull's eyes.
Valerios himself was nowhere to be seen, off further in the countryside on assignment of Lady Shawn... .

Valerios and those with him stopped on a hill. And the nobleman took in his surroundings. He pointed into a direction and the group got into motion again.

Meanwhile a day's travel from the Tower a camp had been set up in a large forest.
In a clearing, fences had been put up, forming a protective wall around the tents of the mercenary group.
The Black Centurion chuckled pleased as his last remaining sparring buddy hit the dirt. Casting asside the wooden pole-arm, he drank some water.
It was quite warm out there.
He expected news from his scouts soon.
He frowned, wondering where Meira had gone off too. She had left for a while to do something... it was a 'surprise'. But he was starting to think she wasn't coming back or ended up in trouble. He should have continued to insist on an escort... .

 

[cassandra1]

The carriage traveled over a dirt road flanked by trees. Rachel had dozed off at one point, wondering why it took so long to get from Bisanthium to the palace. She might have lost track of how far she traveled to get away from it in the first place. When she woke up, she looked through the windows of the carriage and found herself in unfamiliar surroundings.

Augustus had his eyes fixed straight ahead. He did not say a word since the last time she spoke to him. Rachel wanted to ask him where they were and how long the journey had been, but there was something about the bounty hunter that made him look like the impatient, bad tempered sort. Typical bounty hunter, only interested in payment, not in the welfare of his target.

Meanwhile, somewhere close to Magnus' camp, Meira was indeed planning a surprise for her lover. He could use a slave of his own, but a man of his status would require someone special. Not just some filthy, cheap slave bought from the market. She led some of his men away from the camp and into the wilderness before telling them, "My friends in Bisanthium said they spotted a lovely carriage heading out of the city. If there is a carriage, there must be a rich person inside. I want you to set up an ambush along the road to the west. The carriage should be heading there any time now. Once you stop it, I want you to capture anyone you see inside and bring him or her to me. Kill anyone who resists."

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"Yes ma'am" they said.
One of them spoke up "Take up your positions" he said giving a signal. The men scattered to move towards their appointed places along the road. One of them stayed close to Meira and took a bit of bread and cheese which he began to consume with fervour.

 

[cassandra1]

Meira remained hidden behind the trees at the side of the road. If the carriage was accompanied by an entourage of bodyguards, she should not get herself involved in the fight. She did not receive any information regarding who the people in the carriage were, but it was obvious that no commoner could afford such a luxurious form of transportation.

After about an hour of waiting, the carriage approached this section of the road. Rachel began to feel uneasy, noticing that this road looked like the ideal place for highwaymen to rob travelers. Her fears were confirmed when Augustus suddenly stopped the carriage, pulling his sword out of its scabbard. Through one of the windows, she saw several men standing on the road, blocking the carriage. What's going on?

(Ooc: Darth, you can control Augustus and kill him off if you want. He is an NPC.)

 

[Darth Vegeta]

The men of Thane had grown quite experienced at these things. In between being hired out for diverse wars they indulged frequently in raids against diverse targets. Preferably enemies of the Empire but an occassional attack on a less... acceptable target happened too. After all... a man had to eat.

Slowly they crept into position.
The man next to her smiled and took his short bow. "Stay here ma'am" he said. He moved towards the road.
The man in the carriage 'knew' their presence somehow though.
"Show yourselves!" he snapped. And indeed from different sides they came. Three of them aiming their bows at him. The others held a gladius, bow on back.

 

[cassandra1]

Augustus had his two-handed sword in a firm grip, staring at the armed men. He was no stranger to confrontations on deserted roads such as this one, and Thane's henchmen were not as well hidden as some of the highwaymen he had encountered in the past. But this time, he was not only severely outnumbered, but facing three archers. The most dangerous opponents a lone swordsman could face.

Without fear, he charged at the nearest archer, hoping to cut down the three bow users before they could surround him, deflecting their arrows with his blade if possible. The men with the swords, however, could make this tactic much more difficult.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

The swordsman blocked him, having foreseen this move. Using shield and gladius they fought like soldiers, together. Lashing out together and in sequence.
The first archer fired. Soon the next one cracked a shot while the third tried to reposition himself.
They were not playing fair...

 

[cassandra1]

In a few seconds, the battle became overwhelming. Augustus blocked the first arrow with his sword but the second arrow pierced him in the shoulder. He had to ignore the man who just shot him for now, focusing on the relentless attacks from the swordsmen. Soon he was forced into a defensive position, unable to find an opening to launch a counter-attack against so many well-trained warriors. A gladius found its way between his ribs and into his lungs, followed by several more stabs through his chest. The bounty hunter hit the ground in a pool of blood.

Rachel heard the screams from inside the carriage. Her sole bodyguard had been killed. Her eyes went wide with fear when she saw what happened through the windows. She could try to run, but she had no chance of outrunning those swordsmen. What will they do to her once they see her?

 

[Darth Vegeta]

One of them had received a fierce blow to the arm and another had been knocked out by the flat of the blade of Augustus. A fierce foe to say the least! As one of them checked the wounds, two others moved forward towards the carriage. Walking forward one cautiously, sword ready opened the door of the carriage, the other stood weapon ready.
Only the gods knew who was inside. Perhaps it could be a little fat coward but just as well an aristocrat of the old line, potentially lunging at them dagger or sword ready to die for the glory and name of his family... .

 

[cassandra1]

They are coming this way, Rachel thought. Not only that, but they still had their weapons in hand, ready to maim or kill if she fought back. Not that she had any chance fighting these men who just killed Augustus. She had no weapons, not even a makeshift club or something she could throw at them. All she could do was wait for the door to be opened and hope the brigands had already satisfied their cruel bloodlust.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

As the door opened they just 'stared'.
Holding his head slightly crooked, the mercenary just stared a moment than looked back at the other guy.
"It's just a woman" he said.
"Is she cute?" he came into view to take a peek.
"A noblewoman?"
"Probably..." the other said "Who are you?" he said adressing Rachel.

 

[cassandra1]

"Princess Rachel." she replied, unsure of how she should have introduced herself. She did not look like a commoner, and she would not be allowed to leave even if she pretended to be a noblewoman. Sitting on her seat with her hands on her lap, her plump breasts slightly stretching the tightest area of her exquisite long dress, she must have been a most appealing sight to these men.

Pushing her back against the opposite side of the carriage's interior, away from the mercenaries, she begged, "Please don't hurt me. Take whatever you want..." She froze when she realized that neither she nor Augustus carried much money during the journey.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"So this pretty one is what Lady Meira was after?" one said. The other nodded.
"Step out" he said, holding the door open.
Meanwhile the knocked out soldier had been awakened and the other had had his arm bandaged. Another one of them signaled to Meira to approach.

 

[cassandra1]

Terrified, Rachel obeyed and slowly stepped out of the carriage. Meira walked over to her, gazing up and down her body. To reduce this princess to a life of slavery would no doubt be fun for both the sadistic torturess and her beloved Magnus. "Yes, this is exactly the kind of girl I am looking for. Magnus will be pleased."

"What? I don't even know you." Rachel said, "Let me go, please."

Meira ignored her and gave an order to the men, "Tie and gag her, then bring her back to the camp."

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"As you wish milady" the decurion of the small squad said.
It was strange they all still kept up to Legionnary standards and worked as such. And they treated Meira like a noblewoman. Soldiers in these days were loyal to their leader not some higher political institution more even so in the case of Mercenary veterans. By being seen as Magnus's 'compagnion' her status was elevated among them. It also enabled her to boss them around to a degree.
Two of them grabbed Rachel's slender arms and tied them behind her back. Than she was gagged and blindfolded.
The decurion, a very large man lifted her easily onto his shoulder after which her ankles were tied together.
"Can we take take the rest too mistress?" he said pointing to the carriage.

 

[cassandra1]

"The rest?" Meira examined the carriage. It was not damaged during the fight and appeared to be the kind that no commoner could afford. "Yes, of course. We can make use of it some day, perhaps to sneak into a city disguised as nobles. Someone get on that horse and ride it back to camp." She got into the carriage and closed the door, making herself comfortable. "As for that princess, make sure she is taken to Magnus' tent without delay. Now move."

Rachel put up a fierce struggle but was no match for the man carrying her in his strong arms. She screamed through the gag, squirming and kicking while Meira gave her orders.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

She couldn't see what was happening but it was clear the big brute was carrying her for quite a while.
Than suddenly the sound of a mass of men, the smell of roasted meat and fire met her nostrils and the movement of the brute changed. He began to greet unseen people before reaching Magnus's tent.
"Magnus's lady ordered us to 'deliver' this pretty doll to their tent"
A low male voice replied "Very well carry on but don't waste too much time in there" he said.
"Don't worry... don't worry" he said as he entered into the tent and threw her onto a rug. One of his comrades chuckled "Such a shame... i'd love to have had my way with that one..."

 

[cassandra1]

Rachel let out a grunt when she hit the rug, "Ummnngh!" She stopped struggling, laid on the rug and listened. Whether they were highwaymen or barbarians, she was in a camp filled with them and some were in the tent with her right now. They might very well decide to kill her right away, if the man they called Magnus did not find a use for her.

Outside the tent, Meira asked the mercenaries, "Where is Magnus? I will not decide what to do with the princess without discussing it with him first."

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"What is it woman?" Magnus's voice boomed from behind her.
He looked at her attire "Where have you been off to? And with 'my' men?" he said. He looked behind her and his eyes became slits as a carriage was brought in.
"What in the Wargod's name...?".

 

[cassandra1]

Meira put her hands on her hips. "Someone's in a bad mood. But I have a surprise in your tent that will cheer you up." She led him to his tent where the bound, gagged and blindfolded Rachel sat on the rug. "I borrowed some of your men for a 'meeting' with this girl who traveled in the carriage you saw. She told us her name is Rachel. Princess Rachel."

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"A Princess?" he said "How large was her escort?" he said "You didn't take that many men with you..." he looked at her.
"Hmmm not bad" he said poking her with the tip of his sandal.
"She's good in the flesh without being chubby" he said "What do you plan to do with this one? Ransom her?".

 

[cassandra1]

"Strangely, she had only one bodyguard. Highly unusual for a princess." Meira replied, "He put up a tough fight, but it was nothing your men couldn't handle. As for what we do with her, I was thinking of making her one of our slaves though the ransom for her safe return can buy us our own castle..." Taking another look at Rachel, she added, "However, I feel that you should be the one making the decision. I will be back later to see what you and your men can come up with." She walked out of the tent, leaving Magnus with Rachel and some of his mercenaries.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"But lo...ve..." he grunted she had left again.
He rose up an eyebrow at the tied down damasel.
He knelt next to her and pulled of her blindfold and gag.
"..." he didn't speak but he did give her an analytic look.
The face she got to see was well shaven, with short trimmed black hair, cold piercing eyes and firm pale features. It reminded her a bit off Valerios only this man had icier features and a far paler skintone. Not to mention a cold gaze.
He did have quite a presence though. Authorative and dominant but devoid of her missing protector's charm.

 

[cassandra1]

She stared at him, her face slightly tilted towards the ground. No words were spoken. This man, evidently the leader of her captors, was like an evil version of Valerios, and he was inspecting her like a slaver would inspect a new arrival. Rachel sat as motionless as she could, waiting for Magnus or someone else to break the silence.