[Blanche will have to make a mental note to thank him later by patching his clothes up--her knight is always looking out for her, and she'd be utterly remiss if she couldn't look out for him in kind.
Even so, Blanche startles when the way behind them is caved in but--right. Right, if there was anywhere that would serve as a good hiding place, it would be here.]
You're right, there must at least be someone...
[And yet, as the both of them check the room out, it's empty. It doesn't even have the decency to look unused, or gods forbid, full of death--it just seems as if they were suddenly there, and then they weren't. It's baffling, it's unexplainable, it's horrible, and--
Alaric gestures for her to follow, and Blanche does. None of this makes sense anymore, none of it, and it's making her chest feel tight as her expression shifts to something openly disturbed by the events taking place.]
This...This can't be happening. None of this is making sense--how can people simply disappear like this? Did they already evacuate, or...?
[The words come out rushed, highly unqueen-like, and very openly concerned as she follows closely. None of this is making any sense, and this is the smallest she has ever felt in quite some time.]
[They're serious words, for once. Still relatively calm, but quick and steady.]
What we need to focus on right now is making sure you're safe.
[He glances back over his shoulder and offers her a smile.]
You understand, right? We need to take things one step at a time.
[And right now, they run the risk of putting Blanche in a situation she can't get out of and losing their queen. That's not a risk he's willing to take.]
[Alaric flashes a smile at her so easily--that he's able to do that in the face of even this situation, even as everything feels like it's falling apart, it's...
It steels Blanche's resolve back up. Alaric is right--they don't know everything yet, and as much as it hurts, she does need to survive for the people. She's not some sniveling little girl anymore, she's a queen. And more than anything, she knows that she can trust Alaric. They need to take this one step at a time, and they cannot lose sight of the path for even a moment.]
...I understand, yes. I must not lose my head, even in the face of this situation.
[Blanche doesn't smile--she hasn't in years, after all, but her expression steels as they continue down the halls. There's another crack, coming from somewhere behind the two of them, and it's something that rocks the entire building. But that makes Blanche pick up the pace, staying close to her knight.
For the sake of the people--and her friend, she won't give in to such base emotions. And even if he's her knight, she's going to ensure that they make it out together.]
We must continue forward, then, no matter what. Onward, at once!
[Her voice carries the tone of an order, firm and steady, and she knows they'll keep moving. They have to--there's not many other places that people could be hiding in, and if they're going to find anyone, they need to do so fast. This storm isn't going to grant them much more time.
[It's good to see her find her resolve. Alaric isn't stupid enough to think that everything's fine now; he knows she's going to be worried about the people in the castle. She's always going to worry about people. But right now, they can't drop everything and try to determine what happened and where everyone went. Maybe they really did all evacuate and they're all safe somewhere. Maybe they didn't, and maybe they all died. Maybe they did vanish into thin air. There's no telling what happened, and taking the time to investigate would put them in a bad position. The storm's threatening to tear the castle apart, and unfortunately, a storm isn't something Alaric can fight.
The castle shakes all the way down to the foundations, but Alaric's footing is good, and after glancing over his shoulder to check on Blanche, he continues quickly down the hallway. The doors to the servants' rooms are mostly shut, with a few open here and there but no signs of anyone inside. From a brief glance into these rooms, it looks like the same sort of thing has been happening down here too - windows torn open, parts of the castle crumbling inward, and still no sign of anyone else.
At the end of the hallway is a stairwell. Going up a floor sounds like a terrible idea, but going down...]
Damn.
[Well, going down isn't exactly going to be easy. Part of the wall has crumbled in, meaning that descending is going to be difficult. It's still possible, but it would also be very easy to lose one's footing and slip all the way down. With the hole in the wall, the rain and wind would make that even easier.]
Going back isn't an option. I can carry you down, if you want to try it.
[Otherwise we can try to double back by heading upstairs and finding another exit.]
[The more and more doors they find, the more grim everyone's chances begin to look. Blanche isn't affording herself a moment of panic--they're fine for now, but they're not going to be if they meander. Pressing forward, they find their way to a stairwell, and just from Alaric's tone, she can tell the situation is grim.]
That may be our best bet. Going upstairs is bound to waste time that we don't have; let us take our chances closer to the ground.
[...]
Besides, it's not as if I've been sitting on my duff and eating bonbons since taking the throne. [how can you joke about your mom at a time like this???] I should be light enough to carry down. Just be careful.
[Blanche can heal him if necessary, but that's just going to eat more time than they have. Either way, she's ready to get picked up--lead the way, good friend.]
[It gets a short, sharp laugh out of him, anyway.]
I don't think I would've had a chance of lifting your old lady.
[Rest in pieces, former queen. No respect for the dead here!
Anyway, Alaric studies the wreckage carefully, searching for a safe point to drop down on. Once he's found it, he gestures for Blanche to join him.]
Ready? Hold on tight.
[And that's all the warning he'll give her, because they really don't have time to spend with the proper formalities that go into picking up the queen. There's probably a protocol for that, anyway. With Blanche tightly secured in his arms, Alaric begins the descent.
The stones are slippery and loose, and it isn't exactly an easy or pretty trip down. Alaric's damn lucky he didn't think to stop to grab one of his longer capes today, otherwise it definitely would have been caught on something. Thankfully, he does make it down to the ground level just fine and he sets Blanche down once they're on solid ground.
The storm has completely torn open the wall here, though. Normally they'd have to make their way through several more rooms to get at an exit, but they could escape this way.]
What do you think? This will put us in the woods; not the best cover, but it's about the same as what we'll find out front.
Either way, Blanche joins him easily; people may say what they will about Alaric, but she trusts her knight with her life. In any and all situations he's more than proven his loyalty to her in aiding her, and that trust is implicit even despite the impropriety. If there is even a proper protocol for lifting up the queen. But nobody's here to enforce the formality, and quite frankly, they don't have the time.
The trip is definitely harrowing, but Blanche keeps calm and keeps watch as they jump down. By the grace of the gods, she's sure, they make it down there in one piece, and no worse for wear. She'll get back on her feet easily, force of habit seeing her smooth out her nightgown as Alaric brings her attention to the wall that the storm has torn open.
It's a risk--the woods aren't the greatest cover in the world, but if lightning does strike them down, the trees are far more likely to attract it. Even if there is a bit of open area before the woods from here...]
We've been granted a boon, and we may as well make use of it. Lead the way, Alaric!
[Of course, even as they do exit, there's still the problem of that open area--and all the more proof that the storm feels as if it's something that was meant to target the both of them.
Run as they might, Blanche's eyes are on the sky, and she can see something that practically feels like it's taking aim--and if her thoughts are correct and they keep running like this, it's aiming for...
There's little time to react, and yet, Blanche leaps into action as the storm tries to take aim at Alaric. She knows this is pure insanity, and she's taking a chance on the fact that she's taken more than her fair share of magic attacks in her life, but she moves to shove Alaric out of the way as hard as she can and--]
Aaaaugh--!!
[That. Might not have been the smartest decision in her life, to say the least.]
[Off they go, then. There's a stretch of flat ground before the forest, which is really not the best thing to be facing down in a storm like this. Still, with the castle and the trees, surely lightning will hit one of them and not the two people making a mad dash for the cover of the forest.
Were this truly a natural storm, perhaps that would be the case. Unfortunately, as he considered earlier, this storm isn't natural in the slightest.
Alaric doesn't see it coming, and isn't even aware of what Blanche is doing until suddenly she's shoving him. He's knocked roughly off-balance and out of the way of the lightning strike, and by the time he catches himself and whips around to see what the hell is going on, everything is white with the lightning strike.]
Blanche!
[The light fades quickly, and Alaric doesn't hesitate. He rushes to the queen's side immediately, and without a word he picks her back up. His grip on her is tight enough to bruise, but that's mostly because he's picking up the pace and sprinting toward the cover of the forest. Even if he had time to speak, he's not sure he could manage words right now - the only thought he has is don't you dare die on me now which is probably not what she wants to hear anyway.]
[The pain of the strike is practically unbearable--it truly feels as if her nerves have been set aflame and that she feels like she's both in her body and outside of it entirely. She can't move entirely for a good while, and briefly, it feels like she's floating, the world feeling like it's moving slowly, the wind and rain coming down upon her--
And that's about the point she realizes she's not actually floating. Her vision finally unblurs, and the ringing in her ears stops--and she finally registers that Alaric has picked her up. Blanche doesn't dare look at herself; though a good portion of the long, flowing bottom of her nightgown is singed, perhaps miraculously, she didn't get struck anywhere fatal. Alaric can likely feel her move just a bit, once they're in the forest proper.]
Alaric. You're...uninjured, yes?
[The words are perhaps hoarse, but if nothing else, Blanche is still alive. Still alive enough to ask after him, at least.]
[They reach the cover of the trees safely, but Alaric only stops once they're further in. He leans back against a tree as he catches his breath, and his grip remains tight on Blanche. She stirs and speaks, and maybe were the situation different, he's respond with something sarcastic.]
I'm fine. [It's tight, terse.] What the hell were you thinking?
[Now isn't the time to question her on that. He knows that. They can't just stay here and hope the storm will let up - and more importantly, she's injured. He doesn't have any medical supplies (a stupid oversight, really) and he doesn't know a damn thing about magic.]
You're the damn queen. You can't go throwing yourself into danger like this. I'm just a—
[—just a low-born knight who happened to catch the attention of the princess. The nerve of him, strutting around like he belongs.]
[Blanche should have expected this much. His tone is so tight and terse, and the more she hears him speak, the more she hates what he's saying. She won't deny him his right to be furious with her for being reckless, but even so, he speaks like he's just a number, as if he's expendable, and that's--]
I have taken worse magical attacks before. If it had stricken true, it would have surely killed you if I had not intervened. Objectively, of the two of us, I had the better chance of walking away from a strike like that at all.
[Blanche speaks objectively, and like this isn't, you know, rightfully fucking insane??? Like this is something that people actually, you know, say to other people.
But despite her stony expression and the fact that she looks directly at him, her hands betray her, balled up and the only thing to indicate her fury with the rest of that. He's always been there for her. He's always protected her, and without him there--]
Even so, I will not stand idly by and allow something to come of you when I can prevent it. It is a queen's duty to protect those who cannot possibly protect themselves.
[Of course, her expression darkens as she speaks again.]
And don't you dare act as if you are an expendable pawn. I will not have it, Alaric, you are not some simple knight in a game of political chess--you are one of the few people in this world I can trust.
[...]
And right now...you may be all that's left. [She's been alone in the world with him as the only thing she trusts before, but now it's...] Don't you dare die on me, you reckless dolt.
[Alaric isn't surprised that Blanche was able to discern that it was a magical attack even before it happened, and he's not surprised that she did have that much thought out in the brief moment before she leapt into action. She's always been quick on her feet, and she's an intelligent woman. It wouldn't have been difficult for her to weigh the pros and cons of all of that so quickly.
But... it's still frustrating. The one thing Alaric is good for - and good at - is combat. That's his role at her side. He can't fight whatever is causing this storm, and she's absolutely right. If he'd been struck by that lightning, there's no way he would have survived. Logically speaking, what she's said is true - she stood a higher chance of surviving, and here she is as proof of that.
That doesn't make it any easier to accept, though. Logic is for the strategists and leaders, not the soldiers.]
A queen's duty doesn't involve throwing yourself into danger for anyone else, but you're right. [A soft, irritated exhale.] I wouldn't have survived that.
[The rest of her words aren't lost on him, of course. He knows she trusts him, and only him at this point. He's proud of it, of course, but that isn't something he's going to dwell on. Whether she wants to admit it or not, between the two of them, he's the more expendable one. Replacing him wouldn't be easy, but if she dies, there's no one left to lead the kingdom. It's as simple as that.
The latter part, though... That's the concern, isn't it. They didn't see anyone else at all during their escape. Are they really all that's left of the people in the castle? Just how far does this storm spread - is it responsible for the missing people, and has it caused others to disappear as well?
Questions like those are going to have to be saved for later. After all...]
Are you sure you've got any room to talk? C'mon, if you're feeling well enough to yell at me, you're feeling well enough to tend to your injuries.
[He'll gently set her down at that, obviously remaining close by in case she needs him to handle anything.]
[Blanche's eyes close briefly; a small, nonverbal acquisition of her own at his words. At least he knows just as well as she does that he would not have survived that. Even if she can acknowledge, objectively speaking, that he's expendable of the two of them...well, Blanche isn't always one for thinking with objectivity. Just when it's beneficial.
Still, if he's back to sassing her like that, then it's worth dropping this discussion for now. Blanche winds up making a small noise of assent in response to that much. There's the Alaric she knows.]
Yes, I suppose you do have a point.
[She'll get to work as soon as she's sat down, then; Blanche has always endeavored, even as queen, to keep her magic skills sharp and ready for anything. As she lifts the leg that took the brunt of the strike, she winces a bit as she looks over the injury. It's...leaving some lasting scarring to say the very least, but it's still usable; nothing the white magic that easily lives her hands won't fix, though she's likely going to have to tear her nightgown a bit to serve as bandaging...]
We need to decide what our next step forward should be. [Back to objectivity central, now. They need a game plan.] Should we perhaps check the nearby villages? Perhaps we might be able to find temporary shelter there, and supplies.
[He watches her carefully, though ultimately he doesn't know enough about magic or magically-treated-injuries to know whether or not this will pose an issue for them. Blanche's magic has always been powerful enough to see them through any problems they face, so if there's going to be a problem, she'll mention it. It should be fine otherwise.
As always, she's snapped right back into her usual serious and commanding mode. It's a bit of a relief that they can just pick right back up despite that attack, but Alaric's going to keep a close eye on her just to make sure there isn't any lasting effects.]
That's what I'm thinking. We may be able to learn more about what happened.
[Maybe someone saw the caster of this spell, or perhaps they'll find the closest town's been destroyed. Regardless of what awaits them, it's a start.]
There's a town called Landow that shouldn't be too far away.
[Give him a moment to think about where they are on a map... He moves to point in the direction.]
Shouldn't be too long of a hike, and it'll take us through the woods. Will you be okay to walk?
[Blanche looks up when Alaric starts speaking, nodding when he points in the direction Landow is in. At any rate, it is certainly a start; a village is bound to have people, and people are bound to either have information or leave it behind.
Either way, objectively speaking, it's their best option.]
No, I should be fine to walk so long as we are careful. The injury isn't deep enough to impair that much.
[Blanche can tell just by looking at it, though for safety's sake, she tears a portion out of the nightgown to bandage it up--she'll definitely have to get proper bandages and more travel suited clothes in town, but for now, this will do. Blanche stands upright, poised as ever.]
Let us be off, then. We haven't a moment to waste.
[Of course, while they are off, Blanche is still keeping good pace with Alaric. Still, she does seem to be in thought while they walk...]
...Still, I cannot fathom who would be idiotic enough to launch such a brazen attack upon us. I truly did think that our dealings with the nobility of the area were going smoothly, with everything considered.
[Because this absolutely has to be a noble house, right???]
I was truly hoping that nobody else would have to be made an example of. But if we do find out that one of the houses are behind this, they're going to be in for a highly rude awakening.
[Walking off a strike like that... Blanche truly is a powerful woman. Not that that's new to Alaric, of course, but he seems pleased anyway.]
You know how nobles are. Once they decide they need to do something, nothing's going to stop them. This sort of twisted attack is exactly the sort of thing I'd expect from a noble house.
[Though he inclines his head a bit as he considers it.]
I didn't think any of them had any strong ties with mages, though. This attack was much more devastating than simply sending an assassin in. It's a show of power.
[A sign that they shouldn't resist or they'll die. Funny, isn't that what killing the previous king and queen was supposed to be...?]
[The irony of such an attack isn't lost on Blanche. Unlike these nobles, however, her plan was justified and saved the people long-term suffering. So she thinks, at least; either way, she nods her head at that first bit, gritting her teeth before responding to the second.]
Nor did I. For all of my research into the noble territories, it seems there is still much that they have hidden from us. Enough so that they attempted to make an example of the lot of us...
[There's no use in dwelling on it now, she supposes. Alaric's words echo in her mind; they have to take this one step at a time.]
But we are still alive, and that will more than prove to be their folly once we have all of the information that we need.
[Blanche looks up through the brush of the trees--she can see Landow in the distance, at least, but Blanche startles at something she sees from the distance.
The good news is, it looks like there are people there. The bad news is, it looks like the villagers are running from something from deeper inside of it. Blanche's eyes widen.]
The town is under attack? At a time like this? [There's no panic in Blanche's tone; more than anything it sounds incredulous, but Alaric knows Blanche by now. If the people are suffering...] Alaric, we need to get closer to the town, with haste. Something is going on there!
[who's ready for a ~bandit routing chapter~]
Edited (don't word when you first wake up kids) 2021-01-03 18:02 (UTC)
Of course. Shouldn't be too difficult to figure out which family's behind this; people love to talk about who's messing around with magic.
[It isn't as though most people consider all mages awful or anything, but magic isn't the most common thing, and mages are often looked at with awe or fear. Or both. So people will certainly talk if they know anything about who could be behind this.
But naturally, they've got bigger problems right now. Thankfully, it seems the storm hasn't destroyed the town. There are even people there! But that's where their good luck ends.]
Now, of all times?
[Is it just a coincidence, or is there more to it? Well, no sense in trying to consider that possibility right now, Alaric moves to unsheathe his sword.]
Try to avoid getting up close and personal; let me handle this one.
[Obviously she can use her magic to back him up, but given her injury, it isn't a good idea for Blanche to be directly in the fray. Of course, Alaric's also assuming this is a threat he can stab, but he hasn't stabbed anything all day!!! Let him stab!!!]
[Blanche nods her head at his statement; as much as she'd rather like to get up close and personal to kill these useless bandits, with her injuries, it will be best to keep a distance.
Besides, she's certain that Alaric will want a sizable portion of the fun for himself. She can at least indulge him that much.]
Very well, then. Let's make haste.
[Perhaps thankfully, they're able to make it to the town without much problem; the bandits themselves are at least not too numerous for the two of them, but they've certainly made a ruckus of things. Blanche keeps her distance; she can help the villagers once they've cut a path through to the leader of these hideous miscreants.
Blanche takes care of any stragglers or sneaky bandits who see her and elect to try going after a so-called "delicate maiden" instead. She tunes out most of their threats; it matters very little when they can only cover so much distance, and her dark magic can close it and render them dead before they can raise a hand at her.
She catches up to Alaric by the time he's done taking care of everything at the front; healing spell at the ready to take care of his injuries.]
That should be all of their number; not a single one of them has escaped alive. How do you fare, Alaric?
[Bandits. It's not really a surprise given that Landow's located a bit further away from other towns, but they certainly have balls to target a town this close to the castle. Not that it helped them much; they weren't particularly difficult to dispatch. The trouble with fighting bandits is in their numbers; people are often desperate enough to turn to becoming bandits, but few of them are actually skilled.
It wasn't a truly satisfying fight, but the bandits are dead and the people of the town are safe for now. Most importantly, Blanche is still fine.]
One of them managed to get me. It's just a minor cut.
[He holds out his arm for her to examine - there's a slice up his sleeve that exposes a portion of his forearm which bears a thin cut. It isn't even properly bleeding; Alaric looks mildly annoyed by it more than anything else.]
Thanks for taking care of the ones that tried to flee.
[If the bandits had actually managed to escape, they would have had no choice but to let them go. They don't have the time to track down a bandit camp and destroy it, after all. Better to finish them all off now.]
[Blanche looks the cut over when he presents it to her, brows furrowing briefly. It's definitely a very minor cut, but look at what they did to his clothes. She can't imagine that he's too happy about that, to say the least.
Still, she does at least heal that cut right up. She can take care of his clothing in a bit, once they've settled in.]
Of course. These bandits have quite a bit of gall to attack a city so close to the castle. They couldn't be allowed to live.
[Either way, Blanche finishes off the healing spell easily and looks around where they are in town. It's definitely sustained some damages from the bandits, but...]
...It looks like the storm must have passed through here, too. Take a look at the damage; it's a far cry from what the castle sustained, but they suffered due to this as well.
[No wonder the bandits seized an opportunity to attack. How sickening.]
We need to check with the townspeople. I imagine that they've many injured among them, and I have no intention of letting them suffer any longer. Let us be off, Alaric.
[The cut heals up quickly, and Alaric nods at her words. The damage here definitely seems to have been caused by the storm, which explains why the bandits thought it was the perfect time to attack. No telling how many casualties there are right now, but Blanche is right. They need to see exactly what they can learn from the townspeople.]
Agreed. But hold a moment...
[He moves to undo the clasp holding his cape and swiftly removes it. It's one of the shorter ones he wears, in a vibrant red. It's lined with thick, dark fur, that's certainly not doing so well after the rain, but it should be warm and more importantly, it should cover the queen. Alaric holds it out for her to take.]
No sense having you walk into town in just your nightgown.
[Now isn't really the time to care about such things, but is that going to stop Alaric? No.]
[Oh? Blanche looks at Alaric directly when he tells her to hold a moment, and at first she's not sure what he's doing. What on earth could he be possibly taking his cloak off for--
And then he actually tells her, and her eyes briefly widen, looking between herself and the cloak for a moment.]
Oh. [...Off to a rousing start.] Yes, it would be most prudent to cover myself, with everything considered.
[It really isn't the time, but there's a bit of softness in her gaze, she definitely looks thankful if nothing else as she takes the cloak. Blanche is very careful when putting it on, though; she knows how much he doesn't like having his clothing ruined, after all.
And with the rain having dampened it, it is much warmer than just the nightgown. 10/10 work, Alaric.]
Thank you. Let us be off.
[And off to see the townspeople they go--most of them are gathered at the gate of the town, and while there are certainly quite a few, there is definitely something troubling.
The town's population is significantly smaller than the kingdom last recorded. Perhaps they can attribute some of this to the storm, and perhaps even the bandits. But even that doesn't contribute to the fact that the population is so small now.
Of course, the townspeople take notice of their saviors--an older woman in particular coming up to the both of them, though the crowd definitely whispers and babbles to themselves.
"Your Majesty! Oh, thank the heavens the both of you were here to save us! We were so sure that we were done for..."]
Please, it is no trouble at all. [Blanche's voice is gentler than her usual, and though her expression is still stony, there's no doubt her tone's gone soft.] It is a queen's duty to protect her denizens. Will you bring me to your injured?
["Yes, right away, your Majesty!"
Blanche gestures for Alaric to follow her; they can question more people like this, and she's certain they'll give them both of them plenty of information to work with as gratitude.
As they walk, though...]
Forgive my prying, Miss, but may I ask what has happened to this town?
["Well, it's just the darnedest thing! First this big old storm comes blowin' in, and by the time it's over, we woke up to more than half the town gone...some of 'em lost their life to that storm, but most of them are just...gone." The woman seems clearly distressed when she talks about that much. "Ain't see my little Lily since it happened. And with these bandits comin' in..."
...Oh dear. That's definitely some grim news to take in, but they come upon the injured while they walk and Blanche sets to work on their injuries. Feel free to ask some questions, Alaric.]
[It gets a smile from Alaric, though that's not unusual. Despite the dire situation, they're out of trouble for now so he's slipped back into his usual lackadaisical nature.
They're greeted by one of the townspeople, and Blanche takes the lead as always. Alaric follows, listening intently as he studies the village around them. Yes, most of this can be attributed to either the storm or the bandit attack, but the number of people is concerning. The old woman's words really aren't helping matters much.]
Tell me about the bandits. Have they been troubling the town for awhile now?
[It's certainly possible there were reports about bandit attacks in this area, but Alaric doesn't recall any off the top of his head. His job isn't to oversee the knights, after all; he protects Her Majesty. Still, he does greatly prefer to know what's going on throughout the kingdom so he can offer his insight - however wanted it may be.
The topic is a serious one, so he's at least slipped into a more serious tone to address it, though his expression's still easy and relaxed. Chatting with the townsfolk isn't anything he dislikes, after all.]
[The old woman turns to Alaric and thinks for a moment before nodding her head.
"They weren't brazen enough to attack the town before today, but...we've been havin' some problems with 'em for the past week, yes." The old woman continues after saying that much. "The knights in the area were takin' care of 'em pretty handily, from what little I heard from the boys themselves. But ever since that storm happened, I ain't seen them either."
Blanche's expression darkens upon hearing that much. Considering Alaric's theory about the storm itself, this can't be a coincidence.
"They either up and dipped, or the storm might'a displaced 'em too." The old woman continues, though she shakes her head. "And considerin' how good those boys are at solvin' problems? I'm willin' to put gold on that second one."]
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Even so, Blanche startles when the way behind them is caved in but--right. Right, if there was anywhere that would serve as a good hiding place, it would be here.]
You're right, there must at least be someone...
[And yet, as the both of them check the room out, it's empty. It doesn't even have the decency to look unused, or gods forbid, full of death--it just seems as if they were suddenly there, and then they weren't. It's baffling, it's unexplainable, it's horrible, and--
Alaric gestures for her to follow, and Blanche does. None of this makes sense anymore, none of it, and it's making her chest feel tight as her expression shifts to something openly disturbed by the events taking place.]
This...This can't be happening. None of this is making sense--how can people simply disappear like this? Did they already evacuate, or...?
[The words come out rushed, highly unqueen-like, and very openly concerned as she follows closely. None of this is making any sense, and this is the smallest she has ever felt in quite some time.]
This makes no sense...
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[They're serious words, for once. Still relatively calm, but quick and steady.]
What we need to focus on right now is making sure you're safe.
[He glances back over his shoulder and offers her a smile.]
You understand, right? We need to take things one step at a time.
[And right now, they run the risk of putting Blanche in a situation she can't get out of and losing their queen. That's not a risk he's willing to take.]
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It steels Blanche's resolve back up. Alaric is right--they don't know everything yet, and as much as it hurts, she does need to survive for the people. She's not some sniveling little girl anymore, she's a queen. And more than anything, she knows that she can trust Alaric. They need to take this one step at a time, and they cannot lose sight of the path for even a moment.]
...I understand, yes. I must not lose my head, even in the face of this situation.
[Blanche doesn't smile--she hasn't in years, after all, but her expression steels as they continue down the halls. There's another crack, coming from somewhere behind the two of them, and it's something that rocks the entire building. But that makes Blanche pick up the pace, staying close to her knight.
For the sake of the people--and her friend, she won't give in to such base emotions. And even if he's her knight, she's going to ensure that they make it out together.]
We must continue forward, then, no matter what. Onward, at once!
[Her voice carries the tone of an order, firm and steady, and she knows they'll keep moving. They have to--there's not many other places that people could be hiding in, and if they're going to find anyone, they need to do so fast. This storm isn't going to grant them much more time.
So she follows Alaric, trusting in him.]
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[It's good to see her find her resolve. Alaric isn't stupid enough to think that everything's fine now; he knows she's going to be worried about the people in the castle. She's always going to worry about people. But right now, they can't drop everything and try to determine what happened and where everyone went. Maybe they really did all evacuate and they're all safe somewhere. Maybe they didn't, and maybe they all died. Maybe they did vanish into thin air. There's no telling what happened, and taking the time to investigate would put them in a bad position. The storm's threatening to tear the castle apart, and unfortunately, a storm isn't something Alaric can fight.
The castle shakes all the way down to the foundations, but Alaric's footing is good, and after glancing over his shoulder to check on Blanche, he continues quickly down the hallway. The doors to the servants' rooms are mostly shut, with a few open here and there but no signs of anyone inside. From a brief glance into these rooms, it looks like the same sort of thing has been happening down here too - windows torn open, parts of the castle crumbling inward, and still no sign of anyone else.
At the end of the hallway is a stairwell. Going up a floor sounds like a terrible idea, but going down...]
Damn.
[Well, going down isn't exactly going to be easy. Part of the wall has crumbled in, meaning that descending is going to be difficult. It's still possible, but it would also be very easy to lose one's footing and slip all the way down. With the hole in the wall, the rain and wind would make that even easier.]
Going back isn't an option. I can carry you down, if you want to try it.
[Otherwise we can try to double back by heading upstairs and finding another exit.]
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That may be our best bet. Going upstairs is bound to waste time that we don't have; let us take our chances closer to the ground.
[...]
Besides, it's not as if I've been sitting on my duff and eating bonbons since taking the throne. [how can you joke about your mom at a time like this???] I should be light enough to carry down. Just be careful.
[Blanche can heal him if necessary, but that's just going to eat more time than they have. Either way, she's ready to get picked up--lead the way, good friend.]
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I don't think I would've had a chance of lifting your old lady.
[Rest in pieces, former queen. No respect for the dead here!
Anyway, Alaric studies the wreckage carefully, searching for a safe point to drop down on. Once he's found it, he gestures for Blanche to join him.]
Ready? Hold on tight.
[And that's all the warning he'll give her, because they really don't have time to spend with the proper formalities that go into picking up the queen. There's probably a protocol for that, anyway. With Blanche tightly secured in his arms, Alaric begins the descent.
The stones are slippery and loose, and it isn't exactly an easy or pretty trip down. Alaric's damn lucky he didn't think to stop to grab one of his longer capes today, otherwise it definitely would have been caught on something. Thankfully, he does make it down to the ground level just fine and he sets Blanche down once they're on solid ground.
The storm has completely torn open the wall here, though. Normally they'd have to make their way through several more rooms to get at an exit, but they could escape this way.]
What do you think? This will put us in the woods; not the best cover, but it's about the same as what we'll find out front.
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Either way, Blanche joins him easily; people may say what they will about Alaric, but she trusts her knight with her life. In any and all situations he's more than proven his loyalty to her in aiding her, and that trust is implicit even despite the impropriety. If there is even a proper protocol for lifting up the queen. But nobody's here to enforce the formality, and quite frankly, they don't have the time.
The trip is definitely harrowing, but Blanche keeps calm and keeps watch as they jump down. By the grace of the gods, she's sure, they make it down there in one piece, and no worse for wear. She'll get back on her feet easily, force of habit seeing her smooth out her nightgown as Alaric brings her attention to the wall that the storm has torn open.
It's a risk--the woods aren't the greatest cover in the world, but if lightning does strike them down, the trees are far more likely to attract it. Even if there is a bit of open area before the woods from here...]
We've been granted a boon, and we may as well make use of it. Lead the way, Alaric!
[Of course, even as they do exit, there's still the problem of that open area--and all the more proof that the storm feels as if it's something that was meant to target the both of them.
Run as they might, Blanche's eyes are on the sky, and she can see something that practically feels like it's taking aim--and if her thoughts are correct and they keep running like this, it's aiming for...
There's little time to react, and yet, Blanche leaps into action as the storm tries to take aim at Alaric. She knows this is pure insanity, and she's taking a chance on the fact that she's taken more than her fair share of magic attacks in her life, but she moves to shove Alaric out of the way as hard as she can and--]
Aaaaugh--!!
[That. Might not have been the smartest decision in her life, to say the least.]
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Were this truly a natural storm, perhaps that would be the case. Unfortunately, as he considered earlier, this storm isn't natural in the slightest.
Alaric doesn't see it coming, and isn't even aware of what Blanche is doing until suddenly she's shoving him. He's knocked roughly off-balance and out of the way of the lightning strike, and by the time he catches himself and whips around to see what the hell is going on, everything is white with the lightning strike.]
Blanche!
[The light fades quickly, and Alaric doesn't hesitate. He rushes to the queen's side immediately, and without a word he picks her back up. His grip on her is tight enough to bruise, but that's mostly because he's picking up the pace and sprinting toward the cover of the forest. Even if he had time to speak, he's not sure he could manage words right now - the only thought he has is don't you dare die on me now which is probably not what she wants to hear anyway.]
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And that's about the point she realizes she's not actually floating. Her vision finally unblurs, and the ringing in her ears stops--and she finally registers that Alaric has picked her up. Blanche doesn't dare look at herself; though a good portion of the long, flowing bottom of her nightgown is singed, perhaps miraculously, she didn't get struck anywhere fatal. Alaric can likely feel her move just a bit, once they're in the forest proper.]
Alaric. You're...uninjured, yes?
[The words are perhaps hoarse, but if nothing else, Blanche is still alive. Still alive enough to ask after him, at least.]
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I'm fine. [It's tight, terse.] What the hell were you thinking?
[Now isn't the time to question her on that. He knows that. They can't just stay here and hope the storm will let up - and more importantly, she's injured. He doesn't have any medical supplies (a stupid oversight, really) and he doesn't know a damn thing about magic.]
You're the damn queen. You can't go throwing yourself into danger like this. I'm just a—
[—just a low-born knight who happened to catch the attention of the princess. The nerve of him, strutting around like he belongs.]
Knights can be replaced. Queens can't.
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I have taken worse magical attacks before. If it had stricken true, it would have surely killed you if I had not intervened. Objectively, of the two of us, I had the better chance of walking away from a strike like that at all.
[Blanche speaks objectively, and like this isn't, you know, rightfully fucking insane??? Like this is something that people actually, you know, say to other people.
But despite her stony expression and the fact that she looks directly at him, her hands betray her, balled up and the only thing to indicate her fury with the rest of that. He's always been there for her. He's always protected her, and without him there--]
Even so, I will not stand idly by and allow something to come of you when I can prevent it. It is a queen's duty to protect those who cannot possibly protect themselves.
[Of course, her expression darkens as she speaks again.]
And don't you dare act as if you are an expendable pawn. I will not have it, Alaric, you are not some simple knight in a game of political chess--you are one of the few people in this world I can trust.
[...]
And right now...you may be all that's left. [She's been alone in the world with him as the only thing she trusts before, but now it's...] Don't you dare die on me, you reckless dolt.
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But... it's still frustrating. The one thing Alaric is good for - and good at - is combat. That's his role at her side. He can't fight whatever is causing this storm, and she's absolutely right. If he'd been struck by that lightning, there's no way he would have survived. Logically speaking, what she's said is true - she stood a higher chance of surviving, and here she is as proof of that.
That doesn't make it any easier to accept, though. Logic is for the strategists and leaders, not the soldiers.]
A queen's duty doesn't involve throwing yourself into danger for anyone else, but you're right. [A soft, irritated exhale.] I wouldn't have survived that.
[The rest of her words aren't lost on him, of course. He knows she trusts him, and only him at this point. He's proud of it, of course, but that isn't something he's going to dwell on. Whether she wants to admit it or not, between the two of them, he's the more expendable one. Replacing him wouldn't be easy, but if she dies, there's no one left to lead the kingdom. It's as simple as that.
The latter part, though... That's the concern, isn't it. They didn't see anyone else at all during their escape. Are they really all that's left of the people in the castle? Just how far does this storm spread - is it responsible for the missing people, and has it caused others to disappear as well?
Questions like those are going to have to be saved for later. After all...]
Are you sure you've got any room to talk? C'mon, if you're feeling well enough to yell at me, you're feeling well enough to tend to your injuries.
[He'll gently set her down at that, obviously remaining close by in case she needs him to handle anything.]
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Still, if he's back to sassing her like that, then it's worth dropping this discussion for now. Blanche winds up making a small noise of assent in response to that much. There's the Alaric she knows.]
Yes, I suppose you do have a point.
[She'll get to work as soon as she's sat down, then; Blanche has always endeavored, even as queen, to keep her magic skills sharp and ready for anything. As she lifts the leg that took the brunt of the strike, she winces a bit as she looks over the injury. It's...leaving some lasting scarring to say the very least, but it's still usable; nothing the white magic that easily lives her hands won't fix, though she's likely going to have to tear her nightgown a bit to serve as bandaging...]
We need to decide what our next step forward should be. [Back to objectivity central, now. They need a game plan.] Should we perhaps check the nearby villages? Perhaps we might be able to find temporary shelter there, and supplies.
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As always, she's snapped right back into her usual serious and commanding mode. It's a bit of a relief that they can just pick right back up despite that attack, but Alaric's going to keep a close eye on her just to make sure there isn't any lasting effects.]
That's what I'm thinking. We may be able to learn more about what happened.
[Maybe someone saw the caster of this spell, or perhaps they'll find the closest town's been destroyed. Regardless of what awaits them, it's a start.]
There's a town called Landow that shouldn't be too far away.
[Give him a moment to think about where they are on a map... He moves to point in the direction.]
Shouldn't be too long of a hike, and it'll take us through the woods. Will you be okay to walk?
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Either way, objectively speaking, it's their best option.]
No, I should be fine to walk so long as we are careful. The injury isn't deep enough to impair that much.
[Blanche can tell just by looking at it, though for safety's sake, she tears a portion out of the nightgown to bandage it up--she'll definitely have to get proper bandages and more travel suited clothes in town, but for now, this will do. Blanche stands upright, poised as ever.]
Let us be off, then. We haven't a moment to waste.
[Of course, while they are off, Blanche is still keeping good pace with Alaric. Still, she does seem to be in thought while they walk...]
...Still, I cannot fathom who would be idiotic enough to launch such a brazen attack upon us. I truly did think that our dealings with the nobility of the area were going smoothly, with everything considered.
[Because this absolutely has to be a noble house, right???]
I was truly hoping that nobody else would have to be made an example of. But if we do find out that one of the houses are behind this, they're going to be in for a highly rude awakening.
[jesus christ woman]
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You know how nobles are. Once they decide they need to do something, nothing's going to stop them. This sort of twisted attack is exactly the sort of thing I'd expect from a noble house.
[Though he inclines his head a bit as he considers it.]
I didn't think any of them had any strong ties with mages, though. This attack was much more devastating than simply sending an assassin in. It's a show of power.
[A sign that they shouldn't resist or they'll die. Funny, isn't that what killing the previous king and queen was supposed to be...?]
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Nor did I. For all of my research into the noble territories, it seems there is still much that they have hidden from us. Enough so that they attempted to make an example of the lot of us...
[There's no use in dwelling on it now, she supposes. Alaric's words echo in her mind; they have to take this one step at a time.]
But we are still alive, and that will more than prove to be their folly once we have all of the information that we need.
[Blanche looks up through the brush of the trees--she can see Landow in the distance, at least, but Blanche startles at something she sees from the distance.
The good news is, it looks like there are people there. The bad news is, it looks like the villagers are running from something from deeper inside of it. Blanche's eyes widen.]
The town is under attack? At a time like this? [There's no panic in Blanche's tone; more than anything it sounds incredulous, but Alaric knows Blanche by now. If the people are suffering...] Alaric, we need to get closer to the town, with haste. Something is going on there!
[who's ready for a ~bandit routing chapter~]
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[It isn't as though most people consider all mages awful or anything, but magic isn't the most common thing, and mages are often looked at with awe or fear. Or both. So people will certainly talk if they know anything about who could be behind this.
But naturally, they've got bigger problems right now. Thankfully, it seems the storm hasn't destroyed the town. There are even people there! But that's where their good luck ends.]
Now, of all times?
[Is it just a coincidence, or is there more to it? Well, no sense in trying to consider that possibility right now, Alaric moves to unsheathe his sword.]
Try to avoid getting up close and personal; let me handle this one.
[Obviously she can use her magic to back him up, but given her injury, it isn't a good idea for Blanche to be directly in the fray. Of course, Alaric's also assuming this is a threat he can stab, but he hasn't stabbed anything all day!!! Let him stab!!!]
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Besides, she's certain that Alaric will want a sizable portion of the fun for himself. She can at least indulge him that much.]
Very well, then. Let's make haste.
[Perhaps thankfully, they're able to make it to the town without much problem; the bandits themselves are at least not too numerous for the two of them, but they've certainly made a ruckus of things. Blanche keeps her distance; she can help the villagers once they've cut a path through to the leader of these hideous miscreants.
Blanche takes care of any stragglers or sneaky bandits who see her and elect to try going after a so-called "delicate maiden" instead. She tunes out most of their threats; it matters very little when they can only cover so much distance, and her dark magic can close it and render them dead before they can raise a hand at her.
She catches up to Alaric by the time he's done taking care of everything at the front; healing spell at the ready to take care of his injuries.]
That should be all of their number; not a single one of them has escaped alive. How do you fare, Alaric?
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It wasn't a truly satisfying fight, but the bandits are dead and the people of the town are safe for now. Most importantly, Blanche is still fine.]
One of them managed to get me. It's just a minor cut.
[He holds out his arm for her to examine - there's a slice up his sleeve that exposes a portion of his forearm which bears a thin cut. It isn't even properly bleeding; Alaric looks mildly annoyed by it more than anything else.]
Thanks for taking care of the ones that tried to flee.
[If the bandits had actually managed to escape, they would have had no choice but to let them go. They don't have the time to track down a bandit camp and destroy it, after all. Better to finish them all off now.]
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Still, she does at least heal that cut right up. She can take care of his clothing in a bit, once they've settled in.]
Of course. These bandits have quite a bit of gall to attack a city so close to the castle. They couldn't be allowed to live.
[Either way, Blanche finishes off the healing spell easily and looks around where they are in town. It's definitely sustained some damages from the bandits, but...]
...It looks like the storm must have passed through here, too. Take a look at the damage; it's a far cry from what the castle sustained, but they suffered due to this as well.
[No wonder the bandits seized an opportunity to attack. How sickening.]
We need to check with the townspeople. I imagine that they've many injured among them, and I have no intention of letting them suffer any longer. Let us be off, Alaric.
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Agreed. But hold a moment...
[He moves to undo the clasp holding his cape and swiftly removes it. It's one of the shorter ones he wears, in a vibrant red. It's lined with thick, dark fur, that's certainly not doing so well after the rain, but it should be warm and more importantly, it should cover the queen. Alaric holds it out for her to take.]
No sense having you walk into town in just your nightgown.
[Now isn't really the time to care about such things, but is that going to stop Alaric? No.]
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And then he actually tells her, and her eyes briefly widen, looking between herself and the cloak for a moment.]
Oh. [...Off to a rousing start.] Yes, it would be most prudent to cover myself, with everything considered.
[It really isn't the time, but there's a bit of softness in her gaze, she definitely looks thankful if nothing else as she takes the cloak. Blanche is very careful when putting it on, though; she knows how much he doesn't like having his clothing ruined, after all.
And with the rain having dampened it, it is much warmer than just the nightgown. 10/10 work, Alaric.]
Thank you. Let us be off.
[And off to see the townspeople they go--most of them are gathered at the gate of the town, and while there are certainly quite a few, there is definitely something troubling.
The town's population is significantly smaller than the kingdom last recorded. Perhaps they can attribute some of this to the storm, and perhaps even the bandits. But even that doesn't contribute to the fact that the population is so small now.
Of course, the townspeople take notice of their saviors--an older woman in particular coming up to the both of them, though the crowd definitely whispers and babbles to themselves.
"Your Majesty! Oh, thank the heavens the both of you were here to save us! We were so sure that we were done for..."]
Please, it is no trouble at all. [Blanche's voice is gentler than her usual, and though her expression is still stony, there's no doubt her tone's gone soft.] It is a queen's duty to protect her denizens. Will you bring me to your injured?
["Yes, right away, your Majesty!"
Blanche gestures for Alaric to follow her; they can question more people like this, and she's certain they'll give them both of them plenty of information to work with as gratitude.
As they walk, though...]
Forgive my prying, Miss, but may I ask what has happened to this town?
["Well, it's just the darnedest thing! First this big old storm comes blowin' in, and by the time it's over, we woke up to more than half the town gone...some of 'em lost their life to that storm, but most of them are just...gone." The woman seems clearly distressed when she talks about that much. "Ain't see my little Lily since it happened. And with these bandits comin' in..."
...Oh dear. That's definitely some grim news to take in, but they come upon the injured while they walk and Blanche sets to work on their injuries. Feel free to ask some questions, Alaric.]
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They're greeted by one of the townspeople, and Blanche takes the lead as always. Alaric follows, listening intently as he studies the village around them. Yes, most of this can be attributed to either the storm or the bandit attack, but the number of people is concerning. The old woman's words really aren't helping matters much.]
Tell me about the bandits. Have they been troubling the town for awhile now?
[It's certainly possible there were reports about bandit attacks in this area, but Alaric doesn't recall any off the top of his head. His job isn't to oversee the knights, after all; he protects Her Majesty. Still, he does greatly prefer to know what's going on throughout the kingdom so he can offer his insight - however wanted it may be.
The topic is a serious one, so he's at least slipped into a more serious tone to address it, though his expression's still easy and relaxed. Chatting with the townsfolk isn't anything he dislikes, after all.]
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"They weren't brazen enough to attack the town before today, but...we've been havin' some problems with 'em for the past week, yes." The old woman continues after saying that much. "The knights in the area were takin' care of 'em pretty handily, from what little I heard from the boys themselves. But ever since that storm happened, I ain't seen them either."
Blanche's expression darkens upon hearing that much. Considering Alaric's theory about the storm itself, this can't be a coincidence.
"They either up and dipped, or the storm might'a displaced 'em too." The old woman continues, though she shakes her head. "And considerin' how good those boys are at solvin' problems? I'm willin' to put gold on that second one."]
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