The Orlesian occupation of Ferelden lasted almost a century, marking a dark period in Thedas.
Vigil's Keep was the first fortress to fall. Twenty years after the invasion began there, Orlais finally sacked the city of Denerim, claiming victory and drove the king into hiding. Though routed, the king now known as "Brandel the Defeated" continued to rebel against the Orlesians... but his efforts have proven inefficient, as most nobles believe that Ferelden is truly lost.
August has just ended and the cold and rain are starting to show, on-and-off, in the southern parts of the continent. The northern half is experiencing only minor changes.
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Post by Brigitte Desrosiers on Dec 7, 2014 20:31:26 GMT -5
Brigitte's thighs ached and her legs were cramped, unused to being on horseback for such long periods at a time. Maybe it would be prudent to invest in a wagon, though that seemed a little bit ridiculous, especially considering she didn't plan on spending too much time out on the roads if she could help it. The female shifted a little, stretching out the best she could, even trying to massage the blood flow back into her legs as the mare trudged along, unsympathetic to her riders plight. She didn't want to stop now, hoping to be sleeping in an inn tonight and not on the hard, cold ground. Not only was it extremely uncomfortable, it seemed particularly unsafe, especially considering she was out here by herself.
Well, almost by herself. Enzo had ventured ahead, the dogs broad body bouncing with each step as he took the lead, tail wagging lazily. He occasionally stopped to bark at the odd wild animal, but was well trained enough to not go charging after them, staying by Brigitte at all times. Drool seeped around his large jowls as he panted, looking equally parts intimidating and disgusting at the same time.
She rode for several more minutes, the usual quiet filled with small whines of discomfort from the young woman, unable to keep comfortable on the horses back. It wasn't just her practically numb legs that were bothering her now, but her corset was beginning to pinch at her skin, and Gigi was unable to relieve the pressure no matter how she twisted or turned. With a defeated grunt, she tugged on the reigns gently, the mare coming to a stop on the road. After patting the horses neck affectionately, she swung her leg over the saddle and planted it firmly on the ground, carefully lowering herself down.
Her legs were shaky, not wanting to hold her weight up as they prickled with pain all the way up and then back down again. The Orlesian took a few tentative steps, hoping to get the blood pumping to them again, and began to adjust her dress so it hopefully wouldn't bother her anymore. The dark haired woman considered loosening the corset some, after all she didn't need the help quite as much as others did, but without anyone to help lace her up again, she feared things might go awry quickly.
Maybe she would buy some more clothing at the next town, something a little more...appropriate for travel. Her dress was pretty and obviously well made, but perhaps there was something to the Fereldan's more practical style of dress. Granted, she wouldn't want to wear anything quite as drab as they did, but she would sacrifice some fashion if she could keep the feeling in her legs.
Post by Elaine Valois on Dec 10, 2014 19:07:04 GMT -5
Baroness Elaine Monique Valois Saint Laurent did not go horseback riding; not since she was an unmarried woman championing her ability to ride immaculate side saddle. But as she was no longer attempting to win the heart of a reluctant suitor, she was able to forego all of that posturing and ride in a carriage. Indeed, it was expected of her as only a fool for a noble would trek through the Heartlands on horse. A wonderful thing, too, as carriages were infinitely more comfortable than saddles--especially when you were expected to be draped over the side of the horse like a pretty piece of cloth.
The only hitch in the planned venture came from her own people. The delightful turnips that she called her own were far too wary to drive her carriage, which meant she had to endure the shame of hiring one. Thankfully the service in question was both reliable and discreet and neither judged nor shamed for a noble having to seek out a driver. Perhaps it was the image of the service, or perhaps other Orlesian Nobles were having difficulty ruling over their peasants.
She'd been in transit for a couple of days over a week, and was still three days out from the Valois Estate, which rested still on the other side of the Heartlands. The trek was dreadfully boring thus far, but it made the travel all the swifter, something that was all but a necessity. Her father had taken ill, and given his age, death loomed around every corner. This visit would undoubtedly be her last opportunity to see him, judging by the severity of his condition described in her mother's letter. Her mother was likely not far off herself.
As if eager to dash her expectations of an eventless voyage, the driver warned of trouble ahead. A quick peak out the window showed a group of highwaymen flanking a well-dressed woman on a fine horse. Foolish girl. Her stupidity might very well cost her her life. Or at least it would were the bandits inclined to leave a carriage alone, which they most certainly would not if they possessed any sense.
Indeed, she was right, and the carriage was stopped long before it could divert and directed to pull up to where the bulk of the bandits were. Soon the carriage door was thrown open, and the bandit whistled at the pretty sight of Elaine in her elaborately crafted, albeit conservative (for her) dress. The jewels, gems and metal that adorned her dainty wrists and seemly neck only served to further whet his appetite. Whether it was for her or her wealth, she could not say.
When the man reach in to grab her, Elaine smacked the back of his hand and brushed him away. "I shall see myself out, thank you." The man did not take kindly to her dismissal, but moved aside. Even he was smart enough to realize the potential risks of outright killing a noble. Coming to a stopped stand, Elaine ducked under the door and came to a stand, gracefully moving down the carriage stairs until she set foot on solid ground. A quick look to the other woman had the noblewoman shaking her head. Much younger than she was, although Elaine's features made her true age impossible to place. Young, clearly wealthy, between her dress and her horse, and obviously senseless.
Elaine was brought alongside the other woman and told to remain still.
"Hand over your jewelry." The leader of the merry band sneered expectantly at both of them.
((Figured I'd end it here so Gigi could react before shit hits the fan, so to speak.))
Last Edit: Dec 10, 2014 19:07:29 GMT -5 by Elaine Valois
Post by Brigitte Desrosiers on Dec 19, 2014 22:34:30 GMT -5
Brigitte was in the middle of a particularly long stretch when Enzo's barking started up again, the female ignoring it at first and attempting to shush him, but the dog refused to calm down, looking more agitated than ever before. Her head finally swiveled around, hoping he was just barking at another animal, but her hopes were quickly dashed when she spotted the bandits. Green eyes flickered back toward her horse, wondering if she could manage to scrabble onto the mare again and ride away before they shot an arrow through her back, but they were already too close and she could already hear a rough voice warning her not to try it.
"Shut that dog up before I do," one of the men threatened as they got closer, Enzo placing himself between his mistress and the highwaymen.
The dark haired girl whistled, getting the dogs attention. "Settle," she told him, and the canine hesitated before padding to her side and obediently sitting by her feet, though his fur was still bristled and more spittle than ever was dribbling from his jowls. Gigi did her best to not look intimidated, keeping her chin up and chest out, hoping they wouldn't see through her feigned confidence. Mentally the noblewoman cursed herself for stopping, and then cursed herself again for not hiring a bodyguard or something. This probably wasn't a situation she could just talk her way out of, and she definitely couldn't fight her way out, even with Enzo. Still, she was not so keen on just giving up her personal belongings, especially considering she did not plan on returning home for quite some time.
Her only possible saving grace was the carriage rapidly approaching them, hoping that maybe there were bodyguards inside, or a noble knight, or really anyone that knew how to fight. She was told (or really threatened) to stay still, watching intently as the door swung open, and feeling her heart sink as the woman stepped out. She looked about as good at fighting as Brigitte was, and it seemed like she would be kissing her belongings goodbye if she couldn't figure out a way to weasel her way out of this situation unscathed and unrobbed.
The woman was richly adorned, even more so than Gigi, and she was obviously older but it was difficult to place her age. She looked much more regal, probably making the dark haired girl look like a child in comparison, which wasn't very far off. Under different circumstances, she would have greeted her fellow noble politely, but she was more focused on the thieves right now, her lips pressing into a thin line. "You told me not to move," she pointed out, vaguely aware this probably wasn't the best course of action. "If I handed you something, then I would be moving." All she was doing was prolonging the inevitable and making the bandits annoyed, but at least it was something.
The leader took out his dagger and pointed it at her threateningly, causing the female to instinctively take a step back. "I don't have time for smartasses," he warned with a snarl.
[Sorry it's kinda blah, tell me if you need me to add more]
Post by Elaine Valois on Dec 28, 2014 1:52:51 GMT -5
Were she but twenty years younger, Elaine might have quaked with fear and put on a good show. But now that she was older, she could show the strength of character and defiance that dowagers so commonly sported. Leering sharply at her would-be robbers, Madame Valois Saint Laurent seemed more disgusted and contemptuous than horrified. "If we could be quick about this." Elaine's sharp voice cut to the bone as she folded her hands behind her back. "I've much to attend to before the day is spent."
The leader seemed to have trouble deciding which was the more tempting target. The youth, or the defiant lady who seemed to walk about, even now, as though she owned everything.
Unfortunately, the young woman did not seem overly skilled in playing the Game. She obviously was of poor breeding, or else a fourth or fifth child with no hopes or prospects of inheritance or even a fortuitous match. While Elaine admired her spirit, her words were poor, and she did not have the benefit of detachment to back her defiance. The leader of the merry band seemed quick to focus on her and draw his blade, flitting it about in her face like it were his manhood.
Elaine was not overly keen on the idea of the young woman losing her blood. It would be poor form to let another noble die and emerge unscathed, even if it wouldn't detract from her appearance in Court. In fact, an apt player might benefit from the trauma of the experience, but Elaine was posturing less and less these days. And she was not all too fond of the idea of brutes victimizing either of them through a tactless show of force. It all seemed rather demeaning of their station.
Finding a knife that was folded in the fabric of her dress, beneath the sash at her waist, Elaine drove the blade into the man's chest with a quick flourish. She was certain to use her magic so that he'd be too slow to dodge, and again so that his blood would not clot and instead pour freely from him, as though she'd severed an artery.
"Sorry, but I'm afraid you'll find no victims here." Elaine murmured, brow arching as she stared at him as though he were something on the bottom of her shoe. Twisting sharply, she drove her knife into another, utilizing the same trick of clumsy movements and increased blood flow. It would seem simply that she was skilled with the blade, or perhaps that they were not as skilled as they should be.
((Feel free to have badguys get the jump on Elaine or Gigi, or just threaten them. Or just have Elaine murder them all, since, y'know. XD))
Last Edit: Dec 28, 2014 1:53:09 GMT -5 by Elaine Valois
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