TS - Day 08 - Bisanthium.

[cassandra1]

New Day/Location Thread

Ooc: Darth, we can post here to continue with Valerios.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

On the road

Maximos Valerios was on the road. Riding his horse, he held his side. He wore a Gladius at his side and he had donned a light armour and helmet. He held a lance and at the side of his horse, hung a round shield.
He had notified the local authorities and gotten some aid from a familyfriend.
Now he had to find Rachel. He hoped his father would soon receive his letter.
He sighed, he had few clues where they had taken her, but he knew more or less the general direction they had gone in.
His wound still ached but he had suffered much worse in the past.
It had been a mixed blessing that he had stayed with his friends for a drink.
He might have gotten captured too... or he would have been able to save Rachel.
Who knew?
In any case he had a duty to perform. He had to protect her and to do so... he had to first find her... .
On the sides of the horse were his supplies, he'd be able to travel quite a while. The young nobleman looked around, he had been riding through the forest for hours now. It was truly huge.

He yawned, holding his closed hand in front of his mouth.
"Bah..." he muttered. The trained warrior moved forth, weary of trouble.

 

[cassandra1]

Ooc: Are you waiting for me to play as Valerios' enemies?

 

[Darth Vegeta]

OOC: no just to post as your Sorceress to intro her 😛 And whatever else you deem important. I'll continue the trip than we'll go back and forth until Valerios gets to the tower 🙂 Is that alright?

 

[cassandra1]

Ooc: I already decided that she will be an ordinary noblewoman, not a sorceress. And I was hoping that her intro will take place when Valerios meets her for the first time in her dungeon, unless you planned to make Valerios' adventure longer prior to entering the tower.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

OOC: lol so i just rp with myself till i get there 😛 exciting! lol.
Okay well let me see what i can come up with later than.

 

[cassandra1]

Ooc: I get the feeling that you're not happy about it. The thing is, I don't know what the noblewoman should be doing when there is no one to interact with. She does not travel much, does not pick fights with her handmaidens and currently has no chance of being attacked.

🙂 Hmmm... but I suppose you would like some kind of preview? A (male) crowd pleasing teaser? Would that be okay, or just pointless?

 

[Darth Vegeta]

OOC: N/m i'll handle it 😛 i was merely expecting you to interact in some way. Lol.


IC:

Valerios continued on his way and than suddenly heard a noise. He slowed down a bit. A deer crossed the road, frowning, taking a bow, he shot it down.
It was getting late and he needed to take a stop anyway.
He began preparing camp and the killed deer made for a great meal and some extra supplies for the next day.

The next day he moved forth, strangely in the distance he noted a towerlike construction. It was huge, sturdy and menacing. He decided to be weary as it may have guards. It sure didn't look Imperial though. A local lord's private Fortress perhaps?

Regardless he continued. The tower dawned bigger and bigger but following this road he wouldn't pass it. It was across the huge clearing, the plain in the middle of the forest.

 

[cassandra1]

Ooc: How about if Valerios is attacked by the handmaidens instead of his other enemies? Do you have anything planned involving Thane or the mercs right now?

 

[Darth Vegeta]

OOC: nope. Not yet. Off course we can have them planning and stuff in this thread if you wish. Handmaidens could indeed be the agressors if they are well trained. If she has quite a lot they could actually be her guard for the most part.

 

[cassandra1]

(Ooc: The handmaidens will be the ones who attack Valerios then. They are trained to fight, maybe not as well as Valerios but they do outnumber him.)

"Someone is coming. A young man in armor, on a horse. Looks like the same man we saw in Bisanthium."
The reply came in a whisper, "My, he's a handsome one. To the horses, prepare your weapons, and make sure you don't hurt him too badly."

From the trees at the sides of the road, eight horses charged out, surrounding Valerios and preventing his horse from moving in any direction. Their riders were all women, dressed in thin steel armor with spears in their hands. They did not wear helmets, allowing their long hair to flow in the breeze as they circled the young nobleman with eyes fixed on every move he made.

The only exception was a lady on a stationary white horse, wearing a round steel helmet that covered most of her face, leaving only her eyes, nose and mouth exposed. She appeared to be the oldest and most battle hardened of the group, close to 30 years old at least. Once the other handmaidens had formed a circle around Valerios, she approached him through a narrow opening in the formation. Her spear is pointed at his throat.

"Hmm, you look like a strong young warrior, as quick on your feet as you are with your sword." she commented, "Just the kind of man our mistress is looking for. Will you come with us to her tower... or do we have to subdue you by force?"

 

[Darth Vegeta]

He frowned, raising an eyebrow. Coming from a patriarchic society this was unusual to say the least. Women were always protected and shielded. Never warriors.
He had heard of Amazons in the far East and the yellowskinned female warriors of the night in distant lands but this was... unusual.
He looked at the older woman.
"I'm not the type to attack women... but if you bar my way i will fight you" he said. "Besides... what does this mistress wish from me?" he said. He kept his lance pointed forward. He was confident he could take out one but he wasn't too sure he'd be doing anything else. Given how they had all been positioned, skill would not be that important. Packed together... you just hacked to kill... .

 

[cassandra1]

"It's simple really. Our mistress, Lady Shawnakylis, wants a male bodyguard. Someone who is strong, brave and able to satisfy her needs." the older handmaiden explained, "Of course, she doesn't hire just anyone who passes by. You will first have to take a test that involves escaping from her dungeons and surviving a tower full of traps. If you fail, you will be the latest decoration on the tower's bloodied walls."

"So what do you say? Will you come with us?"

 

[Darth Vegeta]

He laughed "I have better things to do than play the 'pet' off some deranged woman" he said. Breeching all common tactics, he suddenly swatted his spear to the side like a sort of club with wide range, hitting at the enemies on his right, he backed away to gain distance still seated on his horse.
"I have a mission and a purpose... and you're in my way!" he said.

 

[cassandra1]

Valerios' move knocked some of the handmaidens from their horses with its long reach, leaving an opening through which he could escape. The other women moved quickly to close the gap, while the ones who were dismounted by the nobleman's attack whipped out their coils of rope, tossing them over Valerios' torso in an attempt to lasso him and yank him off his steed.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

Dashing forth, he decided to ram, straight into the dismounted one, his horse pushing them down, he dropped his spear and drew his sword, raising his shield, he attacked the still horsemounted ladies while those on the ground were dazed.

 

[cassandra1]

The handmaidens were surprised by his fighting prowess, but did not pause for a second. The mounted warriors used their spears to deflect or block Valerios' sword, looking for the right moment to catch him with their ropes. Those who were dismounted however had a slightly different strategy, wrapping the ropes around the legs of Valerios' horse so that it would fall over, therefore throwing its rider to the ground.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

Somehow he just couldn't find a way out. They were numerous. Several new ones had shown up. Luckily for him they didn't go for the kill... regardless they had great trouble stopping him. He was used to lengthy battles, how to conserve his energies and more. He missed his comrades though, 'tactics' were no longer present as he was alone.
He was in the first place a footsoldier... a Centurion. Not some sort of Equites or an Auxilia rider. Blocking the blow, his horse got entangeld and a blow on his shield hit him, the back of a polearm hit his helmet and he fell off, getting up, he countered their slashes but four on the ground were hitting at him and he could only back away as whenever he would try to strike, the enemy lances lashed out.
Suddenly he backed away and simply 'slapped' them with the shield. He missed his long one but the big round shield was more than enough. He struck deeply wounding the arm of one. But the nimble maiden's backed away suddenly.
He lowered his weapons aware of the presence behind him.
Four handmaidens wielding crossbows stood there. Clad in the same silverish attire as the others. Armour yes... but they looked quite 'skimpy'. Deliberately revealing skin.
It had worked to a degree though. It felt bad hitting women... wrong. It was improper.
He frowned. They had funding that was for sure. Crossbows were not unseen but not the most common off weapons. Ideal to pierce armour though and valuable for defenders at seiges. At this range... they'd kill him.
And than he threw down his weapons. Two handmaidens grabbed them. Slowly two approached them and one removed the dagger from his belt.
Than finally two pairs of soft and elegant hands held his wrists and cuffed them. He stood tall and proud, looking defiant but it was hard. They seemed to show not the slightest anger. Only slight amusement and a strange curiosity.
They fought like well trained soldiers off which only a few had seen true battle but knew their art nonetheless yet at the same time they seemed more courtisans, dancers and the likes... .

 

[cassandra1]

"Excellent. Take him to the tower." the older woman commanded, still mounted on her horse. With Valerios' hands securely shackled, some of the handmaidens stood behind him, gently poking the back of his armour with their spears and urging him to follow the mounted women to the tower a short distance away. Any items he might have dropped during the battle were picked up; they could be returned to Valerios when it was time to take the deadly test.

The group arrived at the main entrance to the tower, a heavy wooden door reinforced with steel. The handmaidens dismounted, leading their horses to the stables while those on the ground led Valerios into the tower by holding his arms. Should he attempt to fight back, they would return to being the fierce warriors he fought on the road. Fortunately, his hands were cuffed and his weapons were seized.

Passing through the ominous, dimly lit interior, Valerios was taken down some stairs to the dungeon, a row of cells each with a bed to sleep on, some occupied by men who were captured earlier. The women shoved him into one of the empty cells, leaving his hands cuffed but not tying him to anything yet. They wanted to see how he would react as the cell door was locked.

 

[Darth Vegeta]

Valerios didn't protest at all. He just kept a stoïc face.
He had been trying to memorize all he had seen and was observing their actions. He would need to act fast when an opportunity came.
The fact that others were locked up in the dungeon may be off use to him.
Sitting down, he waited and planned...

 

[cassandra1]

The handmaidens left him alone in his cell for a while, a bit disappointed that he remained so calm and quiet. After about fifteen minutes, some of them returned to the cell door, this time no longer wearing their armor. They were all dressed like dancers, in ankle length white skirts, black slippers and faded red tops. A long sword in a scabbard was strapped to each of their hips, in contrast to their now demure expressions and feminine movements.

The only woman in a different outfit was the only one Valerios had not met earlier. She walked closer to the cell, watching him for a moment, then told one of the other ladies to open the door. When that was done, the women entered the cell and stood around Valerios, giving him harsh orders such as, "Stay where you are." and "Don't try anything."

The woman in the unique dress approached him. "Greetings. My name is Lady Shawnakylis, but most people call me Shawn. This is my tower, and you are the latest player in my game." She walked closer to Valerios, making sure that he could see her clearly in the dim lighting of the dungeons. "I know a little about who you are, Valerios. My handmaidens had been watching you back in Bisanthium. But please introduce yourself anyway."

 

[Darth Vegeta]

Valerios eyed the beautiful maidens. They varied drastically in age. But apparently their 'master' had an eye for beauty. Though no woman was alike and each acted in a slightly different way. Some as graceful dancers above all, others as more ladylike courtiers and a few seemed to have the confident pace of guards.
All armed combined with the fact that they were all women, he decided to let all be... for now. Besides he wasn't suicidal.

He looked at the beautiful woman and chuckled "Very well... i'll play your little game. For now... 'Lady' Shawnakylis" he said "I am Maximos Valerios, Centurion of the Empire and oldest son of the respected Maximos family" he stated. He eyed her. "What is it you want. I have things to do and little time for games.".

 

[cassandra1]

Shawn's eyes widened. "Mmmm, you are a noble, just like me. I am looking for a man who can survive my tower of traps, and you look like a suitable candidate. Once you have passed that test, you can be my bodyguard and the male leader of my handmaidens, along with... other responsibilities." She fingered the straps of Valerios' armor, carefully sliding it off piece by piece (if it's not already taken off).

"I suppose there are things you are more interested in doing? Such as finding the whereabouts of someone named Rachel?" she said. Valerios' attempts to find Rachel in Bisanthium had not gone unnoticed by the handmaidens, who eavesdropped on his conversations in the tavern. "I know where she is. Her location isn't a secret when my handmaidens know who to spy on. But I don't see why I should tell you, if you continue refusing to take my test."

 

[Darth Vegeta]

"..." he rose an eyebrow. "A lot of effort for one man" he said "Why should i trust you to share such information? After all if you wish for me to 'hang around'... giving me that information will give me little reason to stay after your games..." he stated.

 

[cassandra1]

"Strong, good looking and smart." the older woman quipped from behind her mistress. "Most of our prisoners would have jumped at the opportunity to find out something they want to know, even if they have to get past the traps to do it."

Shawn nodded with a smile. "Indeed. I believe you already met Andrea, a most trusted aide of mine." She gestured to the older handmaiden who just spoke. Andrea took a step closer, putting her arms around her mistress and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Anyway Valerios, I will tell you this: the sooner you leave this dungeon and pass the test, whether you want to or not, the more pleasant your stay will be. Otherwise... let's just hope your feet are not too sensitive."

As if on cue, two handmaidens started to pull off Valerios' boots and a third worked on removing his pants, which was not an easy thing to do while he was seated and defiant.