There was no real telling for him to know exactly where he was. Only that there was a small little village that seemed to have a few standing houses and a healthy dose of caution considering they had heard what had befell that of their capital. Leaving prickling ears to be rather alert to the commentary, though he had gotten one or two passing remarks that this was surely not the time for travellers to be amongst their lands. Something he played absolute dumb too because it was easier to get all sorts of juicy gossip from those who were eager to waggle tongues.
Preaching about what sort of way they should potentially leave their tiny home, for safer reaches. It hadn’t missed him that there was a wandering commentary that perhaps they ought to head towards that of the elven lands due deep east –something about that felt almost so on the nose considering the sharpness of his ears but also beneficial. It meant there was a way out of this damn place without having to become a mountaineer!
They had more of a barn that acted like a place to get some drinks and bare bones entertainment. The ground wasn’t even solid flooring but dirt. Barely a step above painting the dirt itself, he had at least managed to find a young miss with fluttering lashes interested enough for a previous night tumble. Half expecting an angry thin reed of a man to appear claiming that there was cheating afoot but it seemed nothing so dastardly was to come to his figurative door.
He just had to sort of wait to see which way and if these people decided that amscraying was that of a good idea. Although leave him to be quietly curious at the commentary that someone had swore they seen big beasts that weren’t man or animal wandering in the night. Liable to be scavenger demons if he was going to guess on anything. The sad sack of those too stupid to know how to follow even basic orders that were left behind to pulverize any remaining souls, he found this properly interesting.
It would seem the spread of demon appearances truly had made it rather far. And dumbly, he found himself still –he wasn’t about to admit it- thinking about Calia and her unlikelihood of finding the boy turned mad warlock.
Stiff misery was how Princess Calia awoke sometime late in the day. Naps on mossy ground or out in the wooded forest weren’t uncomfortable for her in usual circumstances, she actually quite enjoyed camping and spending all of her time surrounded by the natural sounds of the world. Unfortunately cold and moist stone ground was not so comfortable on a bruised, battered, burned, and pecked body. Anywhere exposed seemed to have a nick or cut of some sort, with no way to tell where or how she got it unless it conveniently looked like a bird’s attempt at chomping or the obvious blisters from the fire.
For the first time in days she was genuinely starving. Not just the feral hunger of some beast screaming for blood inside her. She’d spent too many days not eating – so many days she didn’t even know when she’d last had a meal!
…and she smelled like a possum’s backside!
The first thing she did was strip out of everything down to bare skin and hop back into the pond. Letting ice cold water seep down into her aching muscles and wash away all the dried blood and sweat. Calia undid what was left of her braid to set her hair free and scrub through that too. When it wasn’t enough, she left the pond long enough to find some lemongrass growing wild for an ever better scrub. Uncomfortable on all her cuts and scrapes, but did the trick on washing away those awful smells and getting the oils out of her hair.
With herself clean, she did the best she could with her clothes to wash out the blood and dirt. Cleaning up her armor while the fabric lay drying in the sun. Using that time too to catch a frog, although she was incredibly wary about starting up a new fire to cook it. Hunger won in the end, and she was grateful for the heat to get her skin back up to a normal temperature, to dry her clothing faster, and the fact she didn’t have to eat a slimy wet frog without cooking it first.
Once redressed and feeling almost human again, Calia backtracked along the stream, looking for signs of the chestnut mare. Finding plenty of signs of a mad race through the forest, with no real idea at first if it were her own or something else. Until she finally spotted hoofmarks in the soft dirt, afraid to hope that the gentle mare had eluded becoming a demon’s meal in the night.
Rewarded with a long relieved sigh when she found Mercy munching away on a bed of fresh clovers. Approaching the horse calming, to give her those gentle pets and pats as she looked her over for any wounds. Happy to find that there wasn’t much beyond a few claw scratches on her backside.
“I’m so sorry, love,” she murmured softly to the horse. “You didn’t deserve all that. Why don’t we find you a safe new home, hm?”
While Calia was still hell bent on tracking down the bastard that held her heart, she’d gotten a hard lesson on what it felt like to be woefully human. Powerless in most senses, even with her knight’s training, to actually defend herself. Let alone hunt down a man who had an entire hoard of demons on top of powerful magic at his beck and call.
That did not stop her, of course. Stubborn as ever. But Calia needed actual rest and to take her own mortality seriously, which meant moving at a pace that was a little less Enraged Battle Witch and a little more… thoughtful.
And Mercy needed mercy herself, which helped aid Calia’s decision to seek out the nearest small village where she could pass the mare over to people that could care for her. Finding a meager little place that wasn’t much more than a few small houses belonging to those that made their living out of the forest itself. Arriving looking quite the different person when she wasn’t in a murderous fit. Today having her hair down in messy black waves, appearing to be as batter and mangled as any poor thing a dog would drag out of the woods. Looking less like she was this stoic beast, or more as someone who was a little afraid people would start pointing at her and screaming.
“And,” He stabbed a finger upon the wooden table as he leaned upon it, looking ever the part of properly uneducated wandering elven vagrant to the older men that had come into the barn turned makeshift bar, “If you go this way, it leads safely out of the lands?” Arc asked being sure to give them a plaintive look of someone that had in fact made a mistake of visiting these butthole mountains. Using the means of the elven appearance to his advantage though it took a particular gift without a contract to assure he kept his more demonic appearances neatly hidden. Left to simply look as what he assumed he did when there was mortal blood in his vain’s. The blue hair and violet eyes were left as is.
Elves were known to be rather loud in their differences of colours and he wasn’t about to try to blend in like he was some half breed one.
“It’s a tough passage,” The man with a beard that looked like it doubled as a broom due to its length stated, moving the two shakers that were likely meant to be for salt and pepper on the table. His wizened friend nodding as there was an attempt to smooth the bare hairs across glossy dome. A comb over that was fooling no one with three rogue hairs sticking out! “Old it is. Aye, mighty old. It had been a forgotten hole in the wall that maybe was ones a travel route for those of the nomadic sort. Barely used. I can’t even guess what sort of state the tunnel is still in, my boy.”
He suppressed a urge to chuckle at the fact that being called boy was probably better suited for the human man. Even if he wasn’t demon, elves had a very long life and he was likely older than them both even without the heated blackened crimson moving through his body. Still, he pinched his chin and hummed. “That does pose a problem. I mean, no offense but I have no desire to stay in Caeldalmor while it is being threatened. If that is really what’s happening.”
The one that had the terrible attempt of his hair trying to look fuller, eyed him then with that sort of fiery temper that old men got when they were being challenged. “Well if you are so sure we aren’t being attacked, then keep going along. One be no skin off our rumps.”
Arc chuckled softly, a placating effort, “I mean no offense, just it boggles my mind that the capital could have been attacked and you all were left here.” Never mind how his mouth felt so strange putting strong effort into enunciating everything correctly, but he didn’t exactly know if his old accent was known in this day and age. And was leaning on the right side of caution.
“We are just a small little hamlet. We are left to our own devices, but that shouldn’t matter. We’ll likely be heading out of here shortly. You’re welcome to tag along with us if you want to wait. It’s probably better to travel together, my boy.” The first grinned –clearly the lesser of cantankerous old coots.
“I couldn’t.” He could. “I wouldn’t want to impose.” Oh he would! “Especially when you are have been kind to warn a traveller of such dangers.” Never mind that he was one of those dangers but well, they had a few pretty hens around that he could purposefully stick around to oogle for another night. Maybe another after that.
“Nonsense, we folks all stick together. Help each other out, isn’t that right Samuel.” Comb over man sighed but nodded. “Why don’t you stick around and we can start getting things all packed up. Maybe even help a few of the elder folk with getting ready to scurry out of this valley. It might help us too to have an elven fellow such as yourselves if we head towards the safety of the elven lands.”
“I, would be honoured.” Arc smiled winsomely before patting the table, “Thank you gentlemen, you’ve been a real enlightening bit of help.”
Well how could he say no to that. They’d lead him to an exit and have a potential for a bit of snacking and hay rolling, it sounded like a foolish thing to say no too!
Once Calia had wandered into town, she slipped off the chestnut mare, curiously watching as a grouping of people were loading up a wagon with what looked like just about everything they owned. Finding that even though she wanted to hand Mercy over to someone that could actually protect and take care of her, she was till hesitant to make contact. That twisting sense in her stomach that anyone could look at her and know everything she was guilty of. That she’d somehow be recognize as the very Princess Calia by anyone who used to spend time in the capitol.
Not having the anonymity of a glamor left her exposed as herself. It used to be she only wanted to hide so she could fool around without the reputation of being a princess, now she simply wished she could be invisible.
Before she could change her mind – or to abandon Mercy and run – one of the middle-aged women caught sight of her and let off a long whistle.
“Goodness, you look a right fright, sweetheart! Where are you coming from?” she asked, wiping her hands on her apron after tying a small goat to the back of her cart.
“Hm, the capitol,” Calia admitted, deciding there was no sense in lying about it. This was a good chance to get some information on how far the demons had spread through the valley.
The woman whistled again, her eyes going wide with understanding.
“Oh honey, I am so sorry. We had a fair amount of others come through here a few days ago. Said they’d tried the western pass but the bridgeway between the mountains had collapsed down into the river.” came her reply, beckoning with her fingers for Calia to come over, offering up a little canteen of something.
The western pass was collapsed? That… did not bode well for her siblings who fled that way. A confirmation then, that they were likely dead as well. She’d suspected so, but for some reason it hurt more having to hear it out loud. It must’ve come across in her usually impassive face, for the older woman was pressing that canteen into her hand and urging her to take a big swallow. NOT water, Calia found out with a burning cough! That was liquor strong enough to strip the hair off a man’s chest!
“Most of us are packing up to head towards one of the eastern tunnels. Can’t say I much care about elves, but seein’ as they live so long and got that elven magic, they’re likely a better bet than the fools who’re heading north. Ice giants and yeti ain’t no better than demons in my book, I’ll take those pointy-earned acorn eaters any day.” she chattered on, letting Calia drink as much as she liked from the canteen while she resumed loading stuff up in her wagon.
At least the liquor have Calia a good burn down into the gut. More pleasant that demon magic and did wonders for makin her forget how much her body hurt. She nodded in reply to the woman, finally digging up the courage to actually speak herself.
“Going east is smart,” she agreed. “That tunnel is rough traveling, but it’d only take a few days to get through the caverns to the other side. North is… I think that’s where the demons are heading.”
Think, more like knew. North was the direction her heart was pulling her. Deeper and deeper into the mountain range, where most of the nomad tribes still roamed in moving villages, following the beasts the hunted for food and supplies. Calia couldn’t think of why, though. If Derrick was chasing power and magic, going to the Elven Kingdoms would be the choice. What was up north that he could even want?
“If you’re on your own, honey, you could join me and my mans?” the woman offered, seeming to see something in Calia’s face that suggested the girl wasn’t in any state to be traveling on her own.
Calia shook her head. “I’m looking for someone. I’m just… looking to see if someone would like to take my mare. She’s too good of a girl to go where I’m going.”
The woman took stock of Calia again, taking the canteen when Calia finally passed it back to her. The princess feeling as if somehow this lady was prying into her brain and trying to spill out all of her secrets on the floor. Finally she just sucked her teeth and shook her head.
“You might, but it’s not likely. Another extra mouth to feed and all,” she answered, but something about that didn’t ring true with that knowing pitying look on her face. “Sweetheart, keep your horse. Ain’t no sense in traveling alone or on foot. Why don’t you stick with us for a night or two, then move on once you’re ready, alright?”
With a dubious twist of her mouth, Calia thought it over. She’d prefer Mercy go with anyone else than her, but she did need a chance to actually genuinely rest. To have something in her stomach other than a measly frog on the heavy swig of alcohol that was now making her ears burn.
Watch them all die in the night because you’re here.
Oh great, that voice was still there.
“…I’ll think about it.” she muttered. Guessing if she slept outside the village she’d be less of a beacon for trouble that way.
It was so natural to him to have gravitated over to the copper haired maid that had been his companion the night prior. Offering sly glances and whispered promises Of how helpful he could be. Making a right proper show of it all. Stealing each time the means of any object that was to go out to the wagon or carriage, stating he would but busying hands no sooner with frisky wandering.
Earning a proper eye full that was no lore than empty efforts, it properly roused that of efforts to continue.
Subtle and obvious actions. Gentle and bawdy looks to imply that his help was liable to whisk them away from packing to tumbling.
She might have giggled or acted as though there was a scandal happening each time but there was never a no given. Merely playful glances to encourage such behaviours.
He might actually be inclined to stick with this one till he either got bored or she started thinking there was something else here between them. After all, he didn’t have to follow captain spellflinging. He was free as a lark and able to go where ever!
A highly delightful plan as hands pressed upon back to shoo him along out the door. Giving her an airy laugh that seemed to cease almost too suddenly when eyes upon the outdoor world and his nose betrayed him to a scent that made him internally cringe. Helitrope eyes sought out the telling stink of pompous royal brat. How in the nine rings of hell had she literally stumbled upon the same village.
She was stalking him, wasn’t she?
“That goes into the wagon,” the lyrical voice pointed as though he had forgotten what he had been helping with -poorly mind you, but helping. “Come back inside to get more when you finish.” Flashing him a cheeky grin.
“Hmm give me that sort of grin, love, and I’ll be toddling back inside with bells as well.” those eyes sparkled as she slipped back inside and he, surprisingly, didn’t give the snooty broad that had come along a second look.
He got here first and he wasn’t doing anything worth getting all fiery about! So there was nothing to bother with as far as he was concerned!
What was that old saying? Intelligence was knowing what to do, and wisdom was in knowing when not to do it.
When Calia spotted him and was quite certain he’d seen her too, that was the phrase that came to mind. It made sense that he found his way to this village: it was the next nearest population of people out in this direction. And Calia knew exactly what he was up to, as it didn’t take but a second to spot the pretty girl fussing at him about his means of help.
Intelligence knew exactly how to end that budding connection in a heartbeat. Wisdom was telling her to leave it be. Because by the way he turned around and promptly started pretending she wasn’t there at all had her immediately breaking into a wicked wily smile. He’d make a mess of this one on his own, Calia didn’t have to do a damn thing.
Smiling felt good. She just wished it didn’t disappear the very second she realized she was doing it. Feeling nothing but guilt every time she had even a single moment of amusement.
True to her intent to leave him alone, Calia walked Mercy over to one of the water troughs, making sure she was secure there before glancing around herself for the means of a decent meal. All that was really there was the big old barn the folks out here did their congregating in, so that is where Calia headed. Not making a fuss or show of herself, just stepping in quietly to have a seat at the bar itself, this time with a few pilfered coins out of Derrick’s sacrificial cave.
Archimedes could ignore her as he pleased- as she said, if he left her alone, she’d leave him alone! Once she had a decent meal, Calia intended to camp out in the woods for the night. Still pondering to herself how she was going to continue on her quest, as she knew she couldn’t just keep charging north and believing she could fight everything she encountered with simple steel. Calia would need to arm herself the way a true demon slayer would, and that meant seeking out very specific sort of supplies that weren’t exactly a normal find within Caeldalmor.
Stuffing away the box of collected crap that he couldn’t even be bothered by determining what was what something was. Just putting the items away with a turn back to re-enter the sad excuse of a joint. Stepping over the threshold to cross to the rickety countertop to look upon Isabelle with raised brows. One look she met with a coy fluttered of lashes, “Just hold on a moment,” she wiggled fingers as leaned into the counter to just linger.
“Take your time, I’ve got a grand view.” That was soured by the reappearing princess. As she came indoors, it was precisely the reason why Isabelle needed a moment. To be helpful.
“Not much left to have for drinks or food, miss. We’re all leaving to get to safety.” She smiled gingerly to that of the armoured woman, “If your looking for something quick, there a bit of stew left in the pot and a bit of bread. Though it’s likely stake but good enough to dip.”
He was making use of his gaze to consider backside of the copper dame, peeling away pieces of clothing to let his imagination replay the night prior. “Arc, could you check how much is in the pot?” Interrupted by the ask, he dud a double blink. Not a falsified action before giving a winsome beam.
“For you, anything.” Having to stop himself from openly giving a suspicious eye. If he showed some annoyance, he knew Calia would just prove to be a thorn because she felt like it. Not that he had bothered to save her the last time from being a demon’s permanent chauffeur.
With a decided practice he turned stepping around the counter to the sad little kitchen. Pulling the pit lid off to peer into it. A mushy looking mess that had chunks of corn, peas and radish if he could take a guess. It didn’t look appetizing even remotely but what dI’d know. “At least a bowl worth.” Calling out so Isabelle could look back to Calia.
“If your feeling up to it, miss?”
“I have heard,” she murmured in response to the girl, doing a right good job of ignoring that puckered face the demon was making at her.
Doing exactly what he asked Calia to do might actually turn out fun. Especially since he seemed to be under thumb of dazzling this miss by doing anything she said. So for the time being, Calia would pretend she didn’t know Archimedes was a literal lady killer, content to get herself some real food.
“I’m happy with whatever you have left, honestly. I had a frog for breakfast and don’t have any else but jam left in my pack,” she went on to reveal. “Same for drink too. Though, a woman out there shared her canteen with me and I think whatever in it’s burning a hole through my stomach.”
What did they call stuff like that out in the country? Moonshine? Vile, it did a good job of easing Calia into this go-with-flow state. Giving her a little more courage to hold a conversation without glamours to make her easily forgettable. In fact, the courage enough to give the woman a friendly smile as she leaned forward on the bar.
“I also heard you’re all heading east? That’s a safe choice, I’m debating it myself. but do you have anyone with a map of the eastern pass? It isn’t a straight shot direct through the mountain. There’s a lot of off shoots and old underground roads, so it’s easy to wander off course and get lost.”
“A… a frog?” Isabelle looked perfectly horrified at the suggested meal that the princess had eaten. “On purpose?” If he had anything to say about it, he’d likely say that it was probably on purpose. Wasn’t she supposed to be a huntress, wouldn’t a rabbit or squirrel had made more sense?
“Arc, please bring out the last bit, please.” Loudly he agreed he would and mentally chuckled at the thought. Wondering if Calia might think he was going to tamper with the sludge.
It took but a moment before he was mulling back out. Fitting the bowl with a spoon as he brought it over and set it politely in front of the princess. Being fairly reward with a light pat to cheek from Isabelle. Reveling in the action as he stepped back to be eavesdropping ears but not at the table.
“Some of the older folks know the passage from what they’ve said. So I’m sure it will be fine. Better than staying here waiting for whatever matter of beasts come to try and kill us all.” Isabelle sighed then, palming her own cheek. Looking miserable with the fact they were leaving. Before moving to go get a drink, “It’ll be alright. We’ve got a few young men as well that can probably fight and well when we get to the elven lands, we have added support.” She glanced at him and ever so casually did he smile.
“Are you not fleeing as well miss? It’s apparently really dangerous out there. I can only hope that the royals are trying to ask assistance from other kingdoms for help. Maybe one already went to the elfish Queen.”
“Frogs aren’t terrible,” admitted Calia, although the sentiment didn’t quite match that twist of her mouth. “When you can season and cook them well, anyway. I didn’t have any gear to hunt with.”
Calia still didn’t have any gear to hunt with, now that she thought about it. Some things she could make herself in the woods with enough time, but it would be a lot easier on herself if she added a bow and quiver to her gear. Maybe some fish hooks and line too. She’d been so focused on getting what Mercy would need, she never thought about proper supplies for herself.
Arc received a sweet smile from Calia too when he set that bowl down in front of her, complete with a polite thank you. Keeping her focus on the woman she was having a conversation with, as she and Arc weren’t supposed to know each other, were they!
Only to have her friendly smile fade off at mention of the royals, setting her focus down at the food in front of her trying to think of what was best to say. Those royals were dead – Calia had watched her own father die, so there would be no proud and strong king to gather up his resources and save the kingdom. Vaguely she remembered Araminta’s stuttering decree that Fitzgerald and their mother were gone. And now she knew the western pass had collapsed so Araminta and Haaron were very likely dead too.
There was only Calia left and even if she wanted to be their savior hero, she’d already discovered she wasn’t good for much of anything.
A curious idea, though. To ask for help from the Elven Queen. Eventually the dangers would stretch that far, they needed to know. But who would want to help Calia once they knew her role in creating this disaster?
“Hm, I’m not really sure what I’m going to do anymore,” she admitted, realizing she’d left such a long awkward silence. “But I hope everyone can make it safely out of the valley. There’s no one left in the capitol, so I don’t think there’s any royals left that can do the saving.”
There didn’t seem to be a chance to convince Isabelle that frogs were good eating. Seasoned or not. Perhaps the girl had just a general distaste for the creatures so the idea of even thinking of eating them was entirely out of the question. Instead waiting for the delivery of a bowl and spoon requested by that of hands that typically wouldn’t work in such a place. Or had been employed at the place that was shortly going out of business.
Never mind the way she smiled at him. Or thanked him. Guessing Calia likely had gotten a smack upside the head recently that concussed her pretty terribly to be polite at all. Doubting she knew how to be cordial to really anyone, so he wasn’t assuming it was just a slight to him.
As Isabelle walked over to get a drink for the young unknown royal, he had perched back to the previous spot. Listening curiously as there was a basic sort of reveal to what these people were doing. To leave the valley by old passage and to seek succur at the Elven lands. Beseeching an elven queen for aid, refuge and what have you. Although he might be a little silently surprised to return to a place that was once his own, he was eager to have the expansion of freedom. Though he knew he’d have to be a little more careful in elven lands.
One could only guess who might figure out he was a demon.
With a walk back and a light motion to set down drink to table, Isabelle went from potentially hopeful to properly dismayed at the statement that there was not a single soul left at the reigning spot of rule. Although stating there was likely no royals left. Had he felt like he wanted to be a petty sort of person, he might have scoffed. Instead he was looking at his fingers. “We mustn’t stay then. This place has gone to hell in a handbasket. Left on our own, we’d never survive with demons around.” The woman mumbled before turning some to look around the place. Like it was anything glorious.
“Well, a word to the wise then. Leave. If we are left to be food for monsters, then better flee and ask for help from others. It’s foolish to do things alone after all.” She offered a weak smile, “Arc can you help me pack some more things.”
“Of course.”
“Take care of yourself then miss. Don’t worry about payment, better it all gets eaten as we bug out.”
Calia felt another twinge of guilt, watching the hope drain away out of the woman’s features to be replaced with tragic dismay. Telling the simple truth seemed like the right thing to do, but in that moment it felt so cruel to have taken away the hope of someone coming to rescue them all from invasion. Villages of people forced to leave their ancestral homes in order to survive, with no promise or guarantee that when they arrived elsewhere there would even be help provided.
Left to be food for monsters. They weren’t left! They’re weren’t abandoned on purpose! All that was left was Calia, and so far even with her feral stubbornness and intent to get vengeance, she was finding out very quickly that on her own she wasn’t much use. To say it was foolish to do things alone felt like an added twist of the knife.
She wasn’t smart enough for this. Calia shouldn’t have been the one left standing. Any of her other siblings would’ve been the leader Caeldalmor needed.
“Maybe there’ll be someone,” she felt compelled to say. Just because Calia herself felt all was hopeless didn’t mean she had any right to take it away from others. “Those in the castle headed to the western pass, maybe they made it through before the bridgeway collapsed. And I hear the Elven Queen is gentle and kind, it’s sure to be a refuge until Caeldalmor is safe to return to.”
As for Archimedes… well. He didn’t get more than a passing, quick examining look. While he seemed to be the peculiar oddball in a hoard of demons, with behaviors that were curiously contradictory to a lot of things he claimed, he also didn’t give a single shit about anything other than himself. Likely to continue as he had been, hopping from lady to lady and living his best demon life now that he was free.
“Good luck,” she told them both. Sincerely too, focusing her bitter feelings inwards where they weren’t going to get anyone hurt. Now with a whole mess of new things to consider and decisions to make. With still no idea which direction she would go!
If that was an attempt to alleviate the new weight placed onto the girls chest, after stating all the fun facts of the whole annihilation of the capitol, then he wasn’t sure what Calia’s goal was. To tell the truth only to then twist it back around and give a vain offering of hope. Isabelle offered a weak smile but she was a bit too far into her own thoughts, “Maybe,” She gave back in the idea that perhaps they’d be safe at all. Able to return but something about that, sounded fishy. Even to him and he was one of those that had come through in the desire to do whatever.
With the asking to do some further packing, he was prompt in agreeing. Knowing damn well each action taken in the motion of being ever so helpful, only affirmed rewards later that he could press upon.
Ignoring the look that was given as he contently rose to his new action. Following some at Isabelle’s side when she strode up and started pointing out the few things that were already packed. To be sent outside to awaiting wagon. “Yeah, you too.” Isabelle replied almost woodenly to the statement of good luck. Likely deep in her own thoughts. A humble village girl as she was, she was likely having all sorts of thoughts now about what they would do next. The sort of bleak unknown that could dampen anyone’s spirits.
It was enough to even make him almost feel bad.
Almost.
Picking up one of the crates with a variety of kitchen items, it was ear that moved first. Then head. Gaze looking out the way he would have taken to load said wagons but in that motion of listening, whatever he heard was promptly shrieked! The sounds of panic rolled and he was bluntly rather unimpressed.
Never a dull day, was it.
“Demon!” Someone shouted from outside before a shrill cut off scream ended with what sounded like a wagon being thrown.
Well, it looked like the wandering demons that were left behind, had managed to follow their noses eventually to a small buffet.
Chaos will follow everywhere you go, that inner voice chirped with delight while Calia herself was awash with crestfallen awareness of just what that shriek meant before she even heard the word demon shouted. Not even having a chance to finish half the bowl of the meager stew! Unsure if the demons from the forest last night had followed her here, or it was just natural for them to move farther north to join the rest of the hoard and eating up any village they shambled across in the process.
No one here was even ready to leave yet. Going through the eastern pass without supplies was bound to leave them all half starved before they even got through it. She was no leader for her people, or grand hero that could save them, but she could fight and take a beating. That’d be plenty distraction enough for the villagers to load up their carts and get moving.
This was likely the stupidest thing she was going to do yet.
Calia shoveled the rest of the stew in her mouth just as quickly as she could, swallowing it down along with the tepid mug of water down ale she’d been given. Having made her decision before she could even think twice about it. Sliding off her stool to go striding out of the old barn with a sense of calmness that really wasn’t matching the way her head was spinning and trying to plot exactly HOW she was going to distract whatever it was in such a flash way that all others could flee.
Already drawing her sword when she’d gotten out into the sunlight to see what monster had stumbled upon them now.
He could feel it. This wasn’t just a normal every day stupid demon that had come trotting along because it had been trying to find its long lost tribe. This was something a little more sinister. Maybe not smart but it was less the sort that would swing first and ask questions later. It was the one that just swung.
Curiosity on his part was something else though. Almost as if he were thinking and listening to the uprising screams of horror and panic that were washing outside like a forest fire. Add on that there was a movement of body that pronounced but of course Calia was going to get involved. For someone that had said she liked to be alone and was no hero, she certainly was acting like it.
“Start gettin’ everyone into the swing of leavin’,” The lull of enuctiation returned as he wasn’t about to make an effort of trying to sound pretty and prim. Looking at Isabelle, “It ain’t guna care who is who or what is what. But if yah start gettin’ movin’ it’ll be distracted by the damn dame.” Why was he getting involved?
Probably because Isabelle had been a decent enough fuck that he wanted to tap that well till it was properly dry. At least that was the story he was telling himself!
Pushing the box into her hands and rolling eyes so far into his head they were about to get stuck. Mentally slogging up a slurry of curses that might made even the heartiest of sailor’s blush, hastily stepping out to well… be certainly bless with an unwanted sight full of something truly massive. Hulking towering pale fleshed muscle bound fiend. “Oh… shit…” he flickered gaze left then right. And moved up rather quickly to reach out and well, grab Calia.
“Unless yer about to find a way to magic your way into something amazing, that thing ain’t guna give a shit about yer sword!” He hissed lowly giving her a knowing look, “It’s skin is harder than any steel. Only magic can defeat that bastard. So rather than gettin’ all hot and fussy, yah might wanna start influencin’ these folk to run?”
This was truly a nightmare come to life. Calia had seen plenty different shapes of demons so far, and they all tended to look some form of monstrous, but never far outside of imagination. With familiar creature bodies, or ridiculous exaggerated shapes that looked more comical than threatening. This thing, on the other hand, appeared wildly and properly horrifying in every possible way. To the unnatural shade of pale milky white to it’s leather skin, to the hollow eye sockets that only seemed to have a piercing pearl of a glowing orb to see with.
Thank the gods they were in broad daylight, Calia never wanted to see such a thing at night lit up by the moon!
Archimedes nearly earned a swipe of her sword again when he so suddenly caught her by the arm with hissing warning. Glancing first to him with a frown, back to the looming beast and then down at the weapon ready in her hand. She squeezed the hilt and all she could really do was give a resigned sigh.
“They’ve got sense enough to run, Arc, someone has to keep it busy long enough so they can,” she told him plain and simple. Calia sure as hell wasn’t going to let someone else be that distraction. “Take Mercy with you when you go. She had a bad night.”
Oh people were running alright! Running around like chickens with their heads cut off when this great bad beastie monstrosity decided that it wanted to grab anything and everything. One wagon had already been thrown! Sprawling various goods all over the ground while he found her looking at him for a long moment.
And by the nines themselves, “For fuck sakes yer entirely beyond sufferable! Do yah have a death wish or not?” He asked her rather pointedly, “Coz at this point, I ain’t sure which one it is! Yah ain’t got no magic, so what yah guna do. Shake yer tail feathers at it?” A limber looking man had managed to barely scrape getting smacked by a hand coming down! Rumbling the ground as it gave a power huff to find that its efforts weren’t earning any bloodshed.
“Listen yah stubborn gobshite, either pull the brain rot outta yer ears or accept if fully. Yah don’t get to have both sides. A valiant heroic death while preachin’ that yah ain’t one. So pick a damn side and fuckin’ stop bein’ a moody adult with hormonal problems. Yer the only royal here, so do somethin’ to save them rather than be a bloody smear.”
It wasn’t gentle but he gave her a stern push away, turning his hands to knit together to crack knuckles. Thinking a moment but ultimately making a sign that burned upon thin air. Cutting searing red lines before himself till there was a runic sigil before him. Standing stark in a magical element. Turning from a deep red into a crackling yellow that begun to electrify. Static pulsing through the air before he gave her one final look. “Gawkin’ ain’t a look for yer guppy mug,”
Squeezing fist close, the runic circle sent outwards a ball of light. Sparking and hissing to shoot across the way to collide into the behemoth. Producing a rumbling distortion of a pain on its part. Stumbling backwards.
It wasn’t guna counter it too long but he wasn’t about to start using his necrotic spells with humans about. It would only cause a new problem with them likely starting to scream at him.
“Aye, I’m gonna shake my tail feathers at it!” she shouted back at him, with plenty more ready to come tumbling out, because what exactly did he think she was doing! Maybe she didn’t have a death wish, but somebody had to do something, and that someone was Calia, whether she wanted it or not!
But anything she might’ve said was obliterated in an instant, as apparently he was going to step outside himself and be something other than a chattering asshole demon. To shove her out of the way and summon up his own magics in means of being a distraction. Which… was such a shocking thing that Calia’s head was sent into a confused mess, that the only thing she could do was heed the instructions.
Trust was not something that came easily, but there was little else she could do in the moment. Holding onto the fact that he’d helped expel that parasite out of her already, that he likely thought it a waste of his efforts if she ended up smashed to bits the very next day. So there she was laying that trust on his shoulders, knowing he knew how to be an obnoxious pain in the ass, so at least he’d be good at it.
Thus Calia through her focus into her assigned task. Something she already knew how to do, for she’d already been here once, hadn’t she. Starting first with those clambering too near to the beast. Sword sheathed again so she could bodily haul the fallen up off the ground back to their feet. Taking stock quickly of how many wagons had been prepared, how many horses and oxen and whatnots were hitched and ready to go.
Shouting instructions at those that seemed to be paralyzed in the face of something so large and terrifying, with the clear priority that they needed to spread everyone out across as many carts or beasts as possible. If they were foolish enough to pile into one or two, all it would take was one meaty smash and entire dozens of people would be dead just like that. Making sure that it was food and water that was getting tossed onto the back of wagons and not complete nonsense, because trunks full of mementos wasn’t going to keep people alive once they made it out of town. Breaking one man’s nose when he tried to pull his own wife off a horse, because fuck him in particular, that coward could get eaten!
What she didn’t do was look behind her, by mere sound alone she knew she needed to leave it be. Let Archimedes do whatever crazy bullshit he was going to do, and maybe she could stare at him stupidly afterwards!
He wasn’t sure if Calia was liable to start really challenging him in this moment simply because she was clearly very much a person who didn’t like being told what to do. Even for her own benefit. Hell, certain that if someone told her not to play with the poisonous snake, she’d offer her arm over while watching the person who said not to do it with a pure look of defiance. Then being somewhat shocked the outcome had been a toxic bite!
Even he was contemplating literally picking her up at this point to throw her like a sack of potatoes if it meant she pissed off! What the hell sort of royal was she? These were her people and she was doing this big bad ass attitude like they didn’t matter at all. It was a bad day when he apparently had more loyalty than she did and he was the demon!
Thankfully she seemed to clue in that he didn’t have any use for her. Besides being a toothpick for big and ugly. Turning eventually to go the hell away, leaving him to praise whatever the hell was listening. Fluttering thoughts through in a means of what was best next. Magic would work against tall, pale and gruesome. That was their bane after all. Granted, a good holy spell would just nuke the thing into nothing but alas, he wasn’t about to start shitting out holy magic.
He couldn’t summon anything and the thing really didn’t have a mind to control. So those were out of his spell book on a technicality of useless.
The great white demon started getting itself back in a righted position, debating quickly only that he knew a nullify spell wouldn’t work either. As nice as that would be, it wasn’t exactly equipped to be turned back on his own sort. So it meant a lot of elemental damage while well, yes, that would work.
He just had to get this bastard down and then he could use the decaying necrotic bolt to strike at it. “Alright,” He could even use his more demonic appearance but he was trying not to be the next thing they started screaming at. Nor would it be very beneficial to have two titans crashing around like idiots.
A consideration came to see what was happening as he hurried to run across the landscape towards that of the regaining demon. Looking at its face as it seemed to recognize much like how he knew this thing was a demon –if its appearance wasn’t anything to go by- before hissing gutturally at him. “Don’t be gettin’ mad at me that I’m pretty and yah look like the back end of a puckered asshole.” Arc huffed, only that he was promptly swatted at. Barely managing to incite the spell that made him turn into literal mist. Wafting away to get under the giants legs to re-assimilate his form back to a proper physical state. Just having to think quick as the big brute bent right over at the waist to look between his legs at him.
Offering a smile that was somewhat worried. Watching a moment as he worked on cutting a new sigil through the air as a great big mitt started reaching towards him. “There is no touchin’ of the merchandise.” Mouthing off was a talent all on his own, as he literally threw down the newest sigil to implant itself into the ground. Only for the very soil to dimple suddenly. Puckering and splintering as though it were wood rather than soil. Cracking as he intended to get out of the way, only for stupid to well, began sitting down. Inciting panic as the ground burst suddenly upwards. Throwing leagues of dirt and clay and grass high into the air while pulling him and ghastly ghoul down into the newly caved hole out of the ground.
It saved him from being sat on but it took far too long for his brain to enact the means of turning into a beetle. Clinging to the wall as the ground shook with the loud bang of the beast hitting the ground. A good fifteen feet down. Not exactly deep enough to keep it from crawling back out but deep enough that it had hopefully winded it. Spurring him to crawl promptly back out and change into proper form. Looking down with a gawping pant, and of course, “Ha!” Pointing down into it to naturally taunt the damnable thing.
Unlike the capitol, this little village was barely much a scrap of anything. Enough people to make a sudden escape a scramble, but not so many that it couldn’t be organized swiftly. It helped too that most had already been well on their way to being ready to leave, the appearance of the demon just added an element of panic to the mix. Calia managed to get most well on their way riding out of town when the whole damn village shook hard enough to nearly quake people off their feet. Animals stomping and neighing from the fright off it.
Calia did look back then and not but one demon was in sight and well… looking down into the ground as if he got the earth itself to swallow the giant ghastly thing into the earth. Only to be standing there at the edge of a crater taunting the thing.
As to be expected.
“Ride until you can’t anymore and don’t set any fires at night,” she warned one of the elders before sending them off with the others. Even the jerk with a bloody nose managed to find himself a cart to hop into. Calia guessed his wife wasn’t going to want much to do with him once they reunited.
When there was naught but a cart or two, a few stragglers that’d be on their way soon enough, Calia draw her sword again to join Archimedes, whether he wanted to or not.
“Do demons need to breathe air?” she asked, a little breathless herself at this point. “Or rather does THIS one need air.”
Calia had a few ideas of her own if Arc didn’t want to try his hand at blowing one up from the inside.
If this had been a sport, he would have gotten unsportsmanlike conduct. Standing up there as big gnarly was trying to resort its knocked around self. Pleased with the manipulation of the terrain to carve a hole large enough for it to fall down into. Actually he wasn’t even sure when he had personally used so many of his own spells but there was an adrenaline rush to it. Leaving his chest feeling warm and pleasant. Keeping his eyes glued because he didn’t want ugly down there to suddenly bounce back up because he was enjoying the pre-emptive victory.
He just needed a few seconds or minutes to make sure the humans of this little hamlet town almost turned into demon omelette, left.
Smoothing hair back as he did a bit of a double take to Calia approaching, brows rose. Disappearing behind bangs a long moment allowing her question to repeat in his mind. And looked down to the thing down there. “Guna say yeah,” He hadn’t thought about it but considering this thing didn’t get cut or hacked apart by stabbing or piercing methods, due to skin being so damn hard that honestly it was a question to what could puncture through it; it was likely because it had organs. Before looking at her sidelong, “Yah wanna dump a pile of dirt on it? It could claw out.” He figured that was what she was thinking.
“Or,” he lifted a hand up. Making a gesture as he let fingers and claws alike start manifesting a spell that thankfully didn’t need him to make a sigil. Instead the waft of shadowy wisps akin to smoke began to filter from tips. Ebbing like candle flame in a dark night with a faint hint of misty green peeking through the spell, “I just rot the thing with a bit of necrotic magic. Was the plan truly, so sound good to yah?”
There was that blinking at him stupidly part, twisting her mouth to the side as claws manifested up a sort of dark magic she could feel giving her goosebumps even without her own magic making her sensitive to it. Only to lean over the edge to get a good look downwards. Unable to resist giving the creepy bastard down there the middle finger herself.
“…I was going to suggest drowning him in his own blood, but you go ahead and do as you do,” she agreed. Calia didn’t know if that was going to be less gruesome or moreso, and there was this wicked little shadowy part of her that was interested in seeing just what happened.
Shut up, little inner voice, don’t even try to say something about it now.
So Calia backed up several spaces, giving that gesture with her hand for Archimedes to resume his slaying. Taking a good look behind her to be sure nobody had been foolish enough to try and stick around, or got left behind. Killing was a messy busy and these people had been through enough.
“A fine idea, maybe in the future.” He offered like this wasn’t just a one and done sort of thing between them. After yesterday, well—he had been certain that was it. And he was no believer in fate.
With a spicy finger given to the slow gathering sallow fleshed monstrosity and the allowance that he was allowed to do as he pleased. To assure that thing didn’t decided to come clawing out of its hole to be a pimple on anyone’s arse! A boil on the bottom of a someone’s foot. The sort of annoyance that was so frustrating that you’d do anything to get rid of it.
As she backed up, he looked down. Staring at this thing and wondering privately, why was this one here. Wondering in turn if this one had been left behind because it was such a pain in the ass to deal with and perhaps, was this Derrick’s little amusement to toy with Calia because she would have been the one to try and hack and slash at it. Knowing that it would take magic to defeat it? He couldn’t be sure. All of it was simply guessing as the methodical movement to turn palm over the gaping fissure was made. A spark of that green prickled at claw tips. Igniting like fire over fresh oil to seemingly come to life. Bolting downwards to lunge its chaotic energy into the living nightmare.
It let out such a shrill scream that if one wasn’t convinced it was not of this world prior, it was alerting everyone now. Even making his own ears press as far down as they could in vain hopes not to be potentially deafened.
The spell had de-materialized from hand but a look down was a sight to show the wicked black smoky substance was truly devouring that of the being alive. Ebbing a tainted aura up that even he decided with a repeat of the previous terrain forming spell was issued.
Suddenly closing up the fissure to where they would only be able to hear the muffled agonizing screams as he huffed. Wiping brow a moment. Staring at the ground sealed up with an line of dirt showing its fault line and, “Welp! Have fun!” Arc gave so nonchalantly that his attention swiveled to where those of the village had decidedly ran off too.
If Calia were worried that somehow she’d become a thing that relished and reveled in killing, that fear ceased the moment she heard that awful shrill wailing of the pale demon’s death throes. There was no kindness or empathy in her for such murderous beasts, yet that sound still sent a shiver down her spine and truthfully she hoped to never hear it again. Watching with a slight frown as Archimedes drew the earth around it and buried it there in it’s final grave.
…damn, she hoped it didn’t taint the water supply down there. Someone would have to come out and bless the whole damn village.
Calia waited there with sword sheathed where it belonged, her arms crossed loosely with a simple tippy tap at her elbows. Finding herself once again stupidly staring at him with such a sense of wonderment. Had he hopped down there and starting chomping on the remains, Calia would believe he’d done it all for himself. Only he hadn’t and she could not for the life of her figure out how this was to his benefit.
“Thank you,” she announced, without sass and without even an ounce of hesitation or regret in saying so. Just a genuine, honest statement. “For him. And for yesterday, seeing as you left before I could say so then.”
That stalled his intent to trot after the group. Nearly missing a step to face plant into the ground. Waving arms around in a buffer to keep his balance so it might be pivoted all the way around to look at this woman. The one he had known for three days thus far and found that she was as discombulated as a clock undone by a child. Pieces every which way with no sense to how to put it all back together.
Did this spring go here? Or what about this cog… it was a mess.
And she confused him.
“For who?” He asked then to the means of him. Then pointed to the sealed crack, “Him? Coz yah know that thing wasn’t one of the people who make deals to become demon’s, aye? It’s just an abomination that goes around huntin’.” Perhaps he could have said he had a mild speculation that it was left for her to deal with as a parting gift from mad lad. Rather looking at her with the means of how she was saying all this stuff with no malice attached to it. “Even had I stayed, would have said anythin’ in the means of earnest gratitude?” One ask while tone suggested it was practically rhetorical.
Already coming to his belief about the whole thing.
Arc tilted his head. Eyeing her from the side notably, and—”Yah may want to keep an eye out for those one’s. Somethin’ naggin’ at me to think they may be unwanted gifts to yah. But then again, yah probably already have many of them nasty sort of presents.”
This was the part that actually confused him. How quick his mouth moved too, “Why are yah stayin’ here? Wouldn’t it be of use to go and ask help from a fellow royal? Coz it seems still to me, yah ain’t got a plan for any sort of action to what yer doin’. Unless my former statement be true and yah do have a death wish.”
See, there it was again. He had no interest in killing the horse and was even gentle towards her. He’d expelled the parasite from her, when she sure as hell hadn’t ask for the assistance, nor expected him to even try. Now he put down this gargantuan monster after having a demon-sized bitchfit at her to step her own royal ass up to protect her own people.
Which she was already doing, but apparently not in the way he approved of!
For a demon who liked to remind her over and over he wasn’t anything more than just a demon – one that made a whole point of murdering a girl just to prove it to her – none of it made any sense. None of it.
“I would have said thank you yesterday, yes,” she affirmed sincerely. “Having something take over your body is no way to die and hadn’t asked you to nor expected it. I am grateful.”
Hew didn’t have to believe her, Calia herself was trying to come to turns with all that.,, and now even more in disbelief that he was continue on this new trend of being helpful with a warning of more to follow. Ones that may have been left behind by that asshat Derrick, specifically to torment Calia in ways he knew would be effective. There was no telling what that shit had learned about her in the past few years. Was she really so predictable that monstrous demons could be hand picked to tear her apart bit by bit?
Although, it was a compliment in that same breath. Calia didn’t need magic to be dangerous. He knew she’d be coming for him and left a sea of obstacles in hopes of slowing her down.
“In all honesty, I didn’t have a plan. Being a meat puppet was a rough sort of reminder that I’m woefully mortal. I sure didn’t have one last night after nearly pecked to death by a bunch of asshole crows, or when a dimwit giant heard the party and decided to join in. Or even this morning arriving here to-” she gestured with her hands at the buried beast and the now abandoned village all around them.
“I was trying to decide what to do when I got here. I’m glad everything seems so simple and obvious for you, Arc, because things on my end feel a hell of a lot more complicated when there is apparently going to be an entire valley of creatures trying to kill me no matter which direction I choose.”
There it was. The look. The one that appeared as if one smelt something truly foul when she said she would have given him gratitude yesterday. Evidently her previous efforts of being a banshee and such had done well to convince him that she wasn’t capable of doing so because well, demon and human. As she said, no trust. But he didn’t do much more in that regard besides look properly unconvinced.
In the same breath, asking more and telling more than he typically would have. Not sure why he was doing it either but chalking it up to him just being a being that didn’t have to make sense. Even to himself. That was the discord of being what he was. He didn’t have do to things in logical order.
Right.
She went further detailing she had the unfortunate luck of running into a crowd of murder birds in which he knew of. Scavengers that were plenty and truly a plague upon someone. Annoyances that could be shooed away with a good stink or killing off the leader of the bunch. Then another demon had come to join the party in which apparently went well.
“It ain’t obvious.” Arc stated back quickly, “Or simple. Just from my perspective, yah’ve got nothin’ to stand on. Yah’ve been a waffling mess since the beginning. Doing this and that and then changing gears. I mean from where I stand, yah seem like yer guna explode yerself before yah ever get to the king of the castle here.” Shoulders shrugged, “I just thought humans relied on another more. I know yah ain’t solitary creatures less yah like being so nutty yah be eating bugs and peanut butter on toast for a mid afternoon snack.”
He shrugged, “I dunno. Yah are just listless. Planless while seemin’ly flyin’ by the seat of yer pants. Dangerous as that is. But yer prideful so yer guna just keep smashin’ yer head into a wall, right? Mhmm, sounds unpleasant. But yah do yah. Don’t seem to me that yah’ve got a lick of sense outside yer own pride and stubborn desire to do thin’s yer way.”
Here they went again, where he was just full of all the answers and the right and proper way she was meant to do things. As if Calia were meant to wake up in that dungeon and know exactly what she needed to do every step of the way. While she did make a few wild blunders here and there, the real truth of it the worst mistake she made was listening to his stupid little chirpy voice and making a deal with HIM. Because he’d created at least half of her problems because HE had offered her the contract. HE was the one who stuck around and had all of his oh-so-helpful advice.
“You’re more judgmental than any holy person I have ever met!” she shot back, letting out a frustrated breath and turning away ready to just drop the conversation altogether. Calia might be full of pride and bad decisions, but he was hypocrite and a self righteous bastard for a demon!
Only, she stopped before huffing away. Dropping it and walking away was what she always did. She’d told herself she was going to try and ignore those first impulses and do things differently. Saving her life from the parasite had made them even, she could walk away from that. Saving this village was something else.
Hope was not something that came natural to Calia, but it was curious, wasn’t it? A demon that had more to him that fighting, feeding and fucking?
If there was more to him. She was still debating the wisdom in testing this theory out. Likely to be her next big regret. Thus Calia turned back to him attempting to soften her stature, but it was pretty obvious that annoyance and general disdain for him had returned.
“I decided to join up with the others and make contact with the elven kingdom before you deemed to give me your righteous little lecture,” she revealed. “Without magic I’ll need holy relics and I can negotiate safe status for my refugees. Is that the sense you’re looking for Archimedes? Do you have any more sagely advice you’d like to give me, or would you like to join me and catch up with your lady fair while she’s still swooning over your brave heroics?”
Broad shoulders shrugged although it might be an insult to said holy people to be compared to him. It probably would ruffle more than just feathers. There might even be a dramatic faint include which would be entertaining.
It was almost funny how she blew her lid because he said what he wanted regardless of whether it was something she wanted to hear or liked. He wouldn’t be the joy if he was busy giving yes man, answers to everything. Grinning no sooner when she looked like she was about to go stomping off in a potential flurry of cursing and wild hand gestures.
Just colour him surprised when she stopped.
Perking ears in showy interest that warped quickly when she was looking at him all gentle like. That got him back to leery.
Internally grumbling about how he might have to polymorph her into a sheep if she decided to run at him first a new game of hack and slash.
“Damn yer so unnecessarily zesty.” Eyes rolled, head shook and mind deliberated. On the means of her stating she’d already thought ahead to meet the esteemed elven queen with the refugees while tacting on that apparently his earful to her was that of a lecture and sagely. Tasting the sarcasm.
“Are yah plannin’ on fuckin’ with me? Messin’ with what I’ve given goin’, coz if yah are well… I’d be curious to see how yah like being sheared as a sheep.” He was slightly honest but overly cautious.
Eventually shrugging. Again. “Well I ain’t guna stop yah, if yer taggin’ along or not. Just don’t be tryin’ to stab me. I’ve done nothin’ recent worthy of it.” Turning dramatically on his heels, he started to walk off. Pleased with the events this far and well, heroics did earn rewards.
“And you are unnecessarily obnoxious, so we are even,” she sniped back. Gods above, she couldn’t stand this man and Calia couldn’t fathom why all of these ladies he pursued didn’t see how absolutely full of bullshit he actually was. There was no possible way his brand of crazy was worth all the trouble just for a bedroll frolic!
He received a dirty look with his commentary about sheep, setting something she’d keep in mind for later for the next time he monumentally pissed her off. Having her body mangled and twisted by that parasite was about as much body-horror Calia could ever withstand. She had no interest in any form of shapeshifting, punishment or otherwise. She liked her body as it were!
“I am calling a truce,” she told him on her way to fetch Mercy. Giving the pretty horse a good soothing pet once she’d found her, happy that she’d not tore herself away in the frenzy of chaos, though almost wishing she had! This horse deserved better! A thousand sugar treats.
“As I said before, I don’t care what you get up to so long as you’re not hurting anyone or harassing me,” she informed him on pulling herself up into the saddle. While Calia was quite sore from all the running and hellish bullshit from last night, at least now that she had a decent meal in her she was feeling a little more… sane? Who knew recovery time was so important for a human body.
Calia nudged Mercy into a gallop, leaning sideways in her saddle to flick him right on his pointed ear as she shot past him, just as a tiny reminder that if she DID want to stab him, she could be real quick and unpredictable about it. If she did ever have a death wish. Leaving him behind with a wave of her hand and a loud cackling laugh. For the first time not immediately feeling guilty about a moment of grinning amusement.
“Obnoxious to yah, but oh so loveable to others.” flashing her a grin that was properly pleased with himself. There was no reason in his books to be cute or adorable to her seeing as there was very little appealing to her entirely. The only thing she kinda had was breast’s buy they were attached to a sour warthog of a human witch and all of that was not worth any lick of consideration.
Especially when she was so good giving him dirty looks. Adding to his private amusement. So she didn’t like the idea of being a sheep and she ought to have known he would follow through with the statement. Turning it into actions rather than mere threats.
Pleased as a pig in shit, he did give her a interested look. “Truce? Well what a pleasure you give.” Pah, truce his right nut, he surely had proven he wasn’t just a one trick pony. Capable as both menace, lady killer and spellcaster.
Though he was walking past where Mercy had been tethered, letting out an airy huffing at the fact she was reassuring that so long as he left her alone, she’d do nothing in return. And pigs also grew wings to fly!
“Don’t yah worry, yer about as much fun as havin’ a lobotomy with a rusty fork. I ain’t fussed with yah. As long as anyone else knows, we don’t know another.” And he’d be out of this place soon enough, bored with Isabelle and able to leave with a single bother more.
Only that madam scudsucker was utterly rude to flick his ear in passing -earning a proper slurry of cursing cause that fucking stung- it would’ve been easy to turn into a beetle to hitch a ride. But if he was guna be a valiant hero that was abandoned by the only swordsman, well that just added to the sympathy and praise he’d earn.
Plenty fine with him to walk!