A Dull Blade (open)

[Aragost]

Aragost was in no mood for this sort of thing. It was unacceptable for a man to ever strike a woman and he was sick in his stomach from the mere thought of it. He was frustrated and angered all at the same time and it only took that simple instance to set him off into such a fluster. He was sick of this sort of treatment towards people. There was no surprise that the world was crumbling around them once again. Whenever men treated others as dogs or worse. There was a reason that a darkness was being allowed to creep back into the world and it was because of men like the miller. Men who had no regard for things that were bigger than them. She was speaking again. He listened but he did not make eye contact with her. He knew better. It would be rather easy to see the rage that was building up inside of him as he walked.

He caught her final words which were a thank you. At hearing this he stopped for a moment and took a breath before continuing on. He could see the wooden spiral of the mill and made straight for it. It was still daylight, the man would still be there, for that he was certain. If he was not for whatever reason, Aragost would have no problem finding out where he lived. That was something that Aragost was very good at. Obtaining information. Actually that was the reason for his current mission, but he was not at liberty to disclose what exact information he was trying to retrieve.

In a moment they had reached the Millers and he could hear the sound of two men talking inside. He finally turned and looked at her and took a deep breath.

“ Alright, this is what we are going to do. You are going to go there and knock on that door. You are going to then ask for your money that he owes you. I will be standing right here, in full view for him to see. If he has a problem then send him out here to me. I try to avoid a fight most of the time, and, this is really the only way to do that for now. Unless you do not want me to do this..” He said calmly as his hand slowly fell to his sword hilt, awaiting her reply.

[cassiopeia]

They were approaching the outskirts of Edoras when the mill at last came into sight. Seeing it again, and recalling the beating she had received there, caused Casswyn's stride to falter and she recoiled somewhat. Aragost was livid, he didn't have to look directly at Casswyn for her to realise that. The butterflies in her stomach gotten worse, she really did dislike confrontation, even if she wasn't the one in trouble. Orcs and wargs she could deal with, albeit in small numbers, but a man?

As Aragost told her of his plan, Casswyn inclined her head, nervously tracing her fingertips over her bottom lip. He had offered her the chance to walk away but they were here now and she was, after all, entitled to the money that had been promised. Casswyn gave a slight nod, words had deserted her for now, and, without realising it, she reached out to reassure herself by brushing Aragost's forearm with her finger tips – a gentle, feather-like touch. Then she was gone, walking up the path to the door, her dirty blonde hair catching the afternoon light. Hesitating only for a moment, Casswyn raised her fist and knocked.

Aragost is right behind you, Casswyn thought to herself, though she had only known the man the shortest while, as she tried to steady her heart beat, He won't let anything bad happen to you.

The voices inside had fallen silent, then there came the sound of footsteps as one of them made their way to the door. It opened and there he was, the miller. He was tall, in his late thirties or early forties perhaps. As was the case with most labouring men, he appeared strong – but it was clear that he neither as well, nor as powerfully, put together as Aragost. Still, a tension had gripped Casswyn and, when the man settled his gaze on her, she found herself taking a small step backwards. Her jaw was set but there was apprehension in her expression. It pleased her somewhat to see that in their scuffle she had managed to land at least one decent blow, for the miller sported a black eye.

It took the man a moment to place her and it was clear from his expression an demeanour the precise second when he recognised the young woman. Suddenly he stood a little taller, his body language speaking of arrogance as he hooked his thumbs through the loops that secured his belt and narrowed his eyes.

“I have come to claim what you promised me,” Casswyn said, her voice low yet surprisingly steady, “Please settle what I am owed and I will be on my way.”

The miller brought a hand to his chin, stroking it thoughtfully, “I thought I told you that if you came back I would give you another hiding?” he said with a smirk, running his greedy eyes over Casswyn, “Perhaps you like the rough treatment, eh? In which case you need only to have said, I will gladly put you over my knee.”

The miller gave a lecherous laugh at Casswyn's disgusted expression then, looking beyond her, his eyes landed on Aragost. A flicker of something, fear most likely, darted briefly behind his eyes - but still he kept up the bravado. Puffing out his chest he raised his voice, “Hark, you must be the whore-master! Let me guess, she came running to you? I'll tell you something for nothing, if that girl works half as hard in the sack as she does in the yard I would be mighty tempted to-”

“Not for all the gold in Erebor,” Casswyn hissed under her breath vehemently, her tolerance for this man's foul tongue already wearing thin. Her honour was one of the few things she had and, although the past two years had seen her take on some of the most appalling jobs, Casswyn had never resorted to selling herself to get by. Thus, she deeply resented the implication.

(OOC: Please feel free to use the miller in any way that you please! ^^)

[Aragost]

Aragost was listening and watched the entire time. He had a feeling this was going to go poorly but he did not honestly care at this point. There were certain laws, laws of the land that he had to follow so he couldn’t simply just kill the man. That would probably get him into more trouble than he wanted for the moment. No, the situation did need a little finesse. He heard the remark about being the woman’s whore master and her being good in the sack or something like that. He wasn’t really paying attention, he was just figuring out exactly what he wanted to do in response. This guy had no idea…

“ Cass, step away from the door..” He said sternly and, of course, she had no problem doing so. As soon as she did the cold soft, but unmistakable sound of a sword being drawn from a sheath could be heard. Aragost stood there with his sword in hand staring down the miller.

“ I will ask you once, and once only seeing as how you have already been asked…Hand the money to the woman…or pick yourself a weapon.” The stern look on Aragost face was piercing and yet so very menacing. The miller looked back at him with a whole entirely different look. It was fear, it was obvious. It was likely that the miller would have just done as he was told if not for a second man coming to the door and standing next to him. He was about the same build as the miller and he looked at Aragost as well.. Apparently the sight of a friend gave the miller courage and a gruff sneer came from him as he grabbed an axe that was next to the door and his friend decided he wanted to come as well as he grabbed a pitchfork and decided he would assist. These weapons were crude to be certain but were more than enough to kill a man…

“ Wrong choice….” Aragost muttered and before they were ready he was upon them. He sword quickly found its way between the prongs of the pitchfork twisting it and sending the weapon from the man’s hand as an axe blow grazed past him as Aragost rolled his shoulder to avoid it. A stern blow was quickly delivered to the man whose pitchfork was sent flying. The man flew back covering his nose as the sword hilt of Aragost’s sword had sent blood everywhere. The miller twirled the axe and came at Aragost with an overhead swing. Predictable and easy to avoid as Aragost side stepped it and landed a blow to the staggering miller, right to the back of his head with the hilt of his sword. The miller toppled to the ground the weapon flying from his hand. Aragost took a breath and stepped towards the first man with the broken nose and he cowered up against the side of the mill, one hand holding his nose and the other outstretched in a pathetic defense.

Aragost turned and walked over to the miller and rolled him to his back. He was unconscious. With a quick slap he was awake and Aragost’s sword point at his throat as Aragost stood before him…

“ Now…that money please…” He said coldly. The miller jumped grabbing for his purse and tossing it to Aragost and Aragost turned and tossed it to Cass… “ That was more than I owed her” The miller yelled in response and Aragost turned back at him and sheathed his sword… “ Take it as payment for my time….”He said as he kicked the dirt in front of the man as he gestured for Cass to leave as they both made their way back down the road, the two men dazed and confused….

[cassiopeia]

(OOC: Ahh, I loved your post!)

Casswyn did not hesitate when Aragost ordered her to step away from the door. Retreating a few steps, Casswyn's sombre green eyes darted nervously from the miller and then back to the man that had made it his mission to help her. What was to be done? They surely could not kill the man, Casswyn's conscience and the laws of the land would never allow it, but words and reason clearly had no effect on him. It was the situation she had been in before, when her words had been met only by the miller's fists, but this time was different too in that she was not alone. It was then that Casswyn heard the menacing hiss of Aragost's sword being drawn. Ah, surely that would be threat enough, for the sound made even Casswyn's blood run cold. For a moment this seemed to be the case as the miller visibly blanched with fear, his rude words would serve him no protection against the bite of a blade. But then his companion appeared and Casswyn's heart sank, certain now of an impending skirmish.

Casswyn drew her short word, for she was not prepared to let Aragost fight alone. But what could she do? She was no sword-master, resorting to her blade only when it was to kill the monstrous creatures that lurked in the dark and sought to harm her. Fortunately, it quickly became apparent that she was unneeded, for the men had their focus solely on the brave out-of-towner and they were no match for him. Casswyn was struck and deeply impressed by Aragost's deftness, dexterity and strength - there was much more to this man than might meet the eye, it seemed. The man clearly had a code of honour that guided his actions but his ability with his sword took Casswyn's breath away. Heavens help any that cross Aragost, Casswyn thought vaguely to herself.

In a matter of moments, the issue had been settled, and a small purse of money landed safely in Casswyn's hand. Quickly sheathing her sword she looked up in time to Aragost kick dirt before the miller, an indication of his anger and disgust, before gesturing for Casswyn to come with him. Again, Casswyn did not hesitate to follow his lead. Falling into a brisk walk beside Aragost Casswyn couldn't keep the thunderstruck expression from her face. It was some moments before she found her voice and, as they walked, she listened to the metallic clinking sound of their sheaths as they made their way back to the inn.

“I can't possibly thank you enough,” Casswyn said at last, unable to smother the awe and gratefulness in her voice, “Please let us split the money, it's the very least I could do.” Then a pause, as another thought came to her, and an eager and relieved smile lighted her face, “Besides keeping the tankards full this evening, that is.”

[Aragost]

Aragost walked beside Cass as they made their way back to the Inn. He did not say anything at first to her words of thanks and about having him keep half the money or about the concept of keeping their flasks full. No, he was deep in thought. He did not enjoy fighting, yet, he never shied away from it. He accepted a battle as if it was something that simply needed to be done. It was a part of life really. There would never be peace without someone having to go to war for it. It was the way things were, and no one was going to change that.

They walked in silence for a little while long before he answered and his voice was gruff as always, but had a hint of kindness and generosity to it, not that he would have ever admitted it of course.

“ The money I shall not accept, however, the pints of ale I shall.” He said with a nod of his head as the Inn came into view. It was of course right when he heard the words he had thought might have been coming…

“ Halt! In the name of the King!” Was the cry from behind him. Aragost did not even turn around. He knew exactly what and who it was. Some guards from somewhere had been reported. He held no malice against these men for simply doing their duty, yet, he could not be impeded upon his mission. He took a breath and turned and looked at them. There were three of them, swords drawn. They were wearing chainmail and helmets in the fashion of the Rohirrim. “You are to be arrested and questions for events occurring with the local miller and for thievery. Do you submit.” The leader asked as Aragost looked at all three of them. Two he could tell were slightly shaky handed, they would go down easily. The third was older and might be able to put up a fight..

Aragost sighed and shook his head in defiance. He did not really have time for this..His hand fell to his blade ready to pull it once again if need be.. “ Your story is mistaken. You have been deceived by your local miller. We stole nothing, but I do claim the wounds that were inflicted upon both men. If you wish to detain me, then I apologize for the wounds that may soon be inflicted upon you…” He said as he began to draw his blade from his sheath once again.

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn was a little anxious when Aragost did not answer immediately and from time to time she glanced at his face to see if she could glean anything from his expression. She could not. Was he already growing weary of her company? Quite possibly, she had caused him much hassle since he arrived in Edoras, though it was equally likely that he was just a man of few words. When Aragost did finally respond, Casswyn was surprised to find herself feeling relieved, and was rather delighted to detect a quiet kindness behind his words. The young woman smiled to herself, she was looking forward to sharing a few more pints with this man.

As poor luck would have it, their journey was not going to run smoothly. Just as they reached the inn, when Casswyn's thoughts were preoccupied with the roaring fire inside and the pints of cool mead to come, the pair were accosted by three Rohirrim guards. Immediately concern flashed in Casswyn's eyes.

“I can vouch for this man,” she said after Aragost had spoken, her voice strong and clear, taking a step towards the guards with her palms outstretched, “The miller was indebted to me but refused to pay, this gentleman kindly ensured the transaction was completed. The miller drew his weapon first, we only acted in self defence.”

Casswyn purposely used the word we, for they were in this together. Words were all Casswyn was willing to use for the moment and she was anxious that they were about to find themselves in deep water with these figures of authority. If she was blacklisted in Edoras it could be detrimental for her future. The young woman reassured herself that if things took a turn for the worse they could always bolt and hope that, after a few months on the road, this incident would be forgotten.

[Aragost]

Aragost did not like the way this was going. Actually, he was pretty sure he had been in similar situations like this before and they all tend to go about the same way. The guards will try and do their 'duty' and try to get some sort of credit from the big wigs for bringing in two foreigners that apparently had been stirring up problems with the local townfolk. He heard Cass speak and he knew that the words would rather fall upon deaf ears. First, she was a woman and that was all that really needed to be said that about that. Around here, if you were actually working as a woman you probably weren't getting paid anyway unless you were a nurse or a cook or something of that nature that was actually considered the job of a woman.

Second, well, he was a foreigner and well, its safe to say Rohirrim were not fond of foreigners, especially considering the fact that they had just finished a war and they were all too suspicious of any sort of foreigners that might be coming into their city. Aragost did not really want to fight per say, after all, he had just been in one. It had not physically taxed him in any way of course, but still, it was annoying to have to think about fighting once again.

" Gentlemen, the woman speaks that truth. We shall do no harm and the men at the mill were left with nothing more than a few bruises for my trouble. Speak with them yourself, they could have easily been dead, but i allowed them to live because i know your laws and abide by them as best as the situation allows..." Aragost's voice was gentle and calm but his hand never wavered from his sword hilt as he waited, reading the looks and eyes of the men before him. Would they try it, would they not...He took a breath and waited.....


(ooc: Your call Cass!! )

[cassiopeia]

(OOC: I didn't move it on much further, except to show that the guards won't be willing to let them simply walk away - I hope that's OK. It looks like the poor souls will be deprived of their mead this evening!)

The younger soldiers smiled near identical crooked smiles at the words of both Casswyn and Aragost, it seemed that they were amused by them in some way. The older and no doubt more capable soldier of the three, the leader, did not look so amused, a frown flickering across his lined face as he gazed at Casswyn. It was unbecoming for a woman to live a vagabond's life, which judging from appearances this girl did, and she ought to know better than to throw her weight in with some disruptive foreigner. Then he spoke.

“This is not something that is open to negotiation,” though the man did not say it unkindly he spoke the words firmly, making it clear there could be no discussion. He had his protocol to follow and follow it he would without question, for that was what a good soldier ought to do. “You can state your case to the Justice of the Peace,” the man continued lazily, looking at Aragost, his expression indicating that even he did not believe it would do them much good, before turning his gaze back to Casswyn, “And you, you will be retained for questioning as both a witness and accomplice.”

Casswyn gave a small, almost imperceptible shake of the head at the man's words. Questioning? Aye, but it would not stop there. For failing to conform to the expectations of her gender would surely earn her a fine at least or perhaps even some form of public humiliation to set an example to others. Aragost, too, would suffer, and no doubt much worse than she. The xenophobic tendencies of some of the Rohirrim would see him treated most unkindly in captivity. They could not submit to arrest but what else was to be done? Fight or flee? Or both?

“We ought to bolt,” Casswyn murmured, her voice low enough to reach Aragost's ear but making it impossible for the guards to hear her. The inn was not far, their bill was settled and their horses waited outside. But the guards would give chase. It was then that the leading soldier stepped forward, confident his job was all but done, and Casswyn responded by moving back – maintaining the distance between them. The situation was escalating and was beyond being diffused. Glancing at Aragost, Casswyn wondered if he would truly fight the men (she did not remotely doubt that he was capable of handling them the same way that he had handled the miller and his companion) in order to buy them time to flee or if he would be content to turn on his heel and run with her now.

[Aragost]

Aragost was still trying to figure out how exactly he wanted to handle the situation. He knew very well how a few things were going to go. He was basically playing out the outcome of all the possible situations. For the moment he was glad that he had not unsaddled his horse yet, which would have really presented a problem for him. It wasn't that he could ride bareback of course, no, he just had a lot of his gear with the saddle obviously. He took a breath as Cass whispered in his ear about bolting. Yea, close enough. They could never get to their horses in time if they simply just turned and ran however. No, she would need a distraction. He could handle that. One of the guards stepped forward and he knew that his time for thought was over as in a moment his sword was whipped out, the steel shinning against the sunlight.

" Get the horses, get out of the city. There is a grove two miles to the east of the city surrounded by trees, head there, i shall meet you, now go.." He said softly enough. The guards had stepped back whenever he had drawn his swords so that they could draw their own.

Aragost did not wait and see if Cass was going to comply or not, after all he didn't really have time. He had turned his attention to the men before him. " This is not how i wanted things to go..." He said gruffly as he stepped forwarded and combated the first man, as he drew a short dagger with his left hand just as another man came with his sword to attack, Aragost blocking with the dagger. The clang of steel instantly alerting the people in the area and the citizens stopped what they were doing to see what was going on.

A crowd was actually a good thing, it would give Cass cover and time to get away easily. Aragost ducked away from the first two and easily blocked the overhead of the third man as he spun off away a little from the guards. He took a breath. He did not want to kill these men, but fighting three trained soldiers, just trying to beat them up was going to be a problem. He jumped onto a bench and then onto a wooden table that was near a small hut that he had backed up against. The guards followed. Aragost kicked a few cups and pots at them as he moved, parrying any random swings of their swords as they yelled for him to stop and that he was under arrest and so forth and so on.

In a moment Aragost had swung up onto the hut and was on the roof. The guards were having a hard time following as the armor they wore slowed them down a good deal. Aragost sheathed his sword and leapt to another building and climbed the roof as he could hear the shouts from away. He would have to wait till dark more than likely but he figured if he could avoid being seen, he could get out….he just hoped Cass made it away safely.

[cassiopeia]

(OOC: I love, love, love reading Aragost in action, you write it so well!)

Casswyn had only known Aragost a few short hours but in this time he had already shown himself to be strong, astute and immensely capable. So when Aragost whispered his instructions to Casswyn, there was no question of her obedience. Casswyn listened carefully and gave a small, almost imperceptible, nod following his words. There was still a brief moment of hesitation, however, as she wondered if she could really leave Aragost here alone. But the young woman quickly concluded that indeed she could, he was clearly able to look after himself and she would only be a liability to him. Casswyn's eyes widened a little as Aragost drew his blade, lingering long enough to see the guards also draw their weapons. By the time the first metallic sound of Aragost's dagger striking the soldier's sword resounded through the air, Casswyn had turned on her heel and fled. Moments later, passers-by began to stop to watch the spectacle, veiling her path from the guards. Casswyn was hardly able to spare a thought, already mapping in her mind the best route to the inn and through the town, but she was very aware that, besides the buzz of the adrenaline, she was being overtaken with a feeling of sincere gratefulness.

Casswyn flew as fast as she could in the direction of the inn, her feet pounding the uneven ground. She did not look back but was sure the guards would not be following her, not yet anyway – Aragost would have seen to that. Sprinting around a corner, Casswyn ploughed into an unsuspecting local, sending them crashing to the ground. Casswyn stumbled as a result, her tumble of dirty-blonde hair cascading over her face and obscuring her vision, but managed to catch her balance before she could fall. Gasping out an apology to the unfortunate soul that she had slammed into, Casswyn took off again.

The inn came into view. Uvaer and Aragost's steed remained outside, waiting patiently on their oats. They were going to be left sorely disappointed. The beasts had been tied up using highwayman's hitch knots, making them quick for Casswyn's deft hands to release. In a few short seconds Casswyn was mounted, back in the familiar saddle in which she seemed to spend so very much of her time, with the reins of Aragost's steed tangled in her hand. Pulling away from the inn, the young Rohirrim kicked Uvaer into a brisk canter.

The grove, two miles to the east, surrounded by trees, Casswyn repeated Aragost's instructions to herself as she fled through the city, heading for the gates. Making her way through the streets, not a one made an effort to stop the Rohirrim woman, though some shot her disapproving or wide-eyed glances for riding so wildly through a public place. When the gates came into view, Casswyn's heart rejoiced before crashing. You really mean to leave him behind? her conscience spoke, its tone judgemental and making Casswyn's heart sting with guilt, After all the kindness he has shown you, you intend to abandon him? Casswyn bit her lip, she was just following Aragost's instruction, she would rendezvous with him at the copse, but was still left torn. Pulling on Uvaer's reins, Casswyn slowed the horse down, causing the mare to throw her head up high and side-step agitatedly. The horse had picked up on her mistress's highly strung disposition and was ready to fly, so why now the change of heart?

On foot, sword in hand, Casswyn was out of her element. The same could not be said when she had her legs wrapped around the flanks of a fine horse – for then she was in control and at her finest. The guards, even if mounted themselves, would have a hard time catching her even with another horse in tow... but trouble would come if she was cornered or surrounded. Indecision gripped Casswyn as she tried to decide the best course of action. Flee to the grove, as Aragost had instructed her, or turn back into the city? If she chose the latter she would not linger long, just time enough to quickly scout through some of the streets close to the gates, on the off chance she might happen across Aragost. Casswyn hesitated a few moments longer.

[Aragost]

Aragost took deep breaths as he leaned against the wood wall of the exterior of a home. He could hear the rustle and commotion around him as a few more guards had certainly shown up by now and they had most definitely released some sort of description of the man they were looking for. He knew that the gate guards would be on the lookout. These were not obstacles that he had not overcome before. After all, there were many times where he was a fugitive and thus had to learn to sneak past many people, even some that would be looking directly at him. Aragost took another few breaths before he looked left and right once again. He had about an hour or so before the sun would set and give him some shadows in which he could hide himself easier.

He stayed in the small alley way between buildings that he had been resting. His steps were slow and cautious always listening for any sort of noise that would warrant the need to defend himself or duck for cover. The building on his right, a potter, had a door facing the alley. It was unlocked. He pushed inwards and the door opened slowly and he stepped inside. The place was vacant and that was perhaps a good thing. He did not have time to explain himself to some random local at the moment, nor did he feel that any random local would simply take his side and lend him a hand. The shop was rather nice, full of different pots and cups and this and that. There was a window overlooking the street and he moved towards it swiftly and looked out. He took a count of what he saw. He saw five guards now, standing in a circle, no doubt discussing what had previously just happened.

Well, obviously the street was not going to be the way to go, however, sitting still while letting yourself get closed in was also not something that he wanted to do. He looked around the shop for another few moments and saw a cloak. It was a different collar that what he was wearing and it had a hood. He picked it up and drew it around himself and made for the door..He stopped before reaching it and took out his purse and set a few coins on the table for compensation for the cloak he was about to take. There was a very good chance he was not going to be bringing it back. He opened the side door and stuck his head out, only for just enough time to see a guard coming down the alley. One guard, easy enough for certain, but, to draw attention to him, na, he did not wish for that. He took a breath a closed the door and locked it. Well great, now he had to wait a few more moments. He certainly could not go out the front…

In the moment he heard a rattle on the door handle, Aragost stood against the wall away from the way the door would swing, ready just in case the door opened for whatever reason. In another moment the rattling stopped and he took a breath as the guard seemed satisfied that it had been locked the entire time. Aragost waited a minute then reopened the door. The guard was gone and this was his chance to move. Slowly he made his way out of the alley and back onto a few side streets, avoiding eye contact with the cloak wrapped around him, his sword tucked in to his leg as he made for one of the side gates of the city…


(OOC: Thank you. I try to paint a picture when i write. Your posts a very well done as well. )

[cassiopeia]

(OOC: Well, you certainly manage to do that. And thank you! ^^)

Uvaer began to puff and blow, giving her dark mane an angry toss - her mistress's hesitation was not sitting well with her at all! Casswyn gently pulled on the reins and murmured quietly to calm the horse, but to no avail. Uvaer continued to act up, now giving a threatening half-buck, and so Casswyn was forced to land a firm kick in the mare's ribs.

“Stand, Uvaer!” the Rohirrim commanded. Such roguish behaviour might be expected of young horses but Uvaer had failed to grow out of it, there was simply too much fire in the mare's blood. The kick had done its job though, for the great black mare had begrudgingly settled. The only indication of her agitation now was the unnecessary swish and crack of her tail. Aragost's steed stood quietly at their side, apparently undaunted by his equine companion's outburst.

Casswyn exhaled through her teeth, growing exasperated with herself, and turned her gaze back into the city. She must make up her mind! In the distance she could hear shouting, no doubt the guards were raising the alarm. That must mean that Aragost had given them the slip... that settled it, Casswyn reached her decision. The man was most almost certainly capable of handling the situation, whereas Casswyn was much less certain of her own abilities. What if she fell into trouble and was captured, along with the horses? She had caused Aragost enough grief this day without also losing him his steed. No, that simply wouldn't do, not when he had shown her so much kindness. Casswyn pulled up her hood, for it was better to be safe than sorry, and turned Uvaer about, the horse giving a contented grumble now that they were moving again. Through the gate Casswyn rode casually, the guard paying her little mind, for word of the skirmish had yet to reach his ears. That, and the fact that he was embroiled in deep discussion with his colleague regarding the pros and cons of bitless riding, meant Casswyn passed largely unnoticed. Free of the city, Casswyn couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief before nudging Uvaer on. The horse positively flew over the rolling plain, Casswyn guiding her east, Aragost's steed kept the pace with ease and gave Casswyn no bother. Casswyn made a note to later remark to Aragost on the good behaviour and wise spirit of his horse. Such words were far from cheap, for the Rohirrim rarely passed compliments on the horses of others lest they truly deserved them.

It would not take Casswyn long to reach the copse. Once there she would wait a while, tending to the horses perhaps. If worse came to worse and Aragost did not appear, she would make her way back to the city to seek him out. With her fair hair and creamy skin tone Casswyn looked every inch a woman of Rohan, their description of her would serve them little use for it described nearly every one of the nation's women. Though, of course, there were the three guards who had had a good look at her - they would surely recognise her if she crossed their path! And she wouldn't be able to bring the horses, for although the guards hadn't seen them it didn't mean another witness wouldn't have seen her leaving town. And her sword, it would be a calling card for so few women carried one. She would feel naked without it but it would need to remain behind, or at least be concealed. Casswyn sighed, though the sound of it was lost in the thunder of horse hooves and the howl of the wind, and hoped in her heart that Aragost would be able to find his way out of Edoras undetected.

[Aragost]

Aragost knew how to blend in with a crowd. It was something he had had a lot of practice in. The evening was approaching and the streets were busier than they would usually be in the early hours of the afternoon. This worked very nicely to Aragost’s advantage. He walked and stepped within the crowd simply enough until he was able to spy the side gate in which he was searching for. There were three guards. One did not appear to be a regular gate guard. He was more than likely one of the carriers that had brought the news and description of Aragost to the men so they would know what they were looking for and to bar his way and attempt to arrest him. The baring his way part they could probably do well, the arresting part…that was unlikely.

Aragost ducked off the road and made his approach to the gate behind a few homes and sheds until he was about fifteen yards away from his target mark. He had to be careful here however. His timing had to be correct. Patience was key. He took a few breaths and waited. Sure enough a cart made its way down the road towards the gate exit. A perfect chance. Aragost knew the protocol whenever there was a fugitive on the loose. They would search the cart. In a moment they had hailed the cart and were speaking with the driving and conducting a search of the back. Quickly, but not in a fashion to draw to much attention Aragost slipped up to the gate and slowly walked thru as the guards bid the cart driver a good evening a let him pass as well. Easy enough..

Aragost knew he had a much longer journey now to the clearing that he had determined to be safe enough to meet Cass in. In hindsight he might have thought of a safe place closer to the city. However, Edoras sat in a vast plain in the middle of nowhere, so, finding such a place really did not exist. It was a good defense for the city considering they could see an enemy coming from many miles off. Aragost moved swiftly over the terrain and just as the sun had sung beneath the sky he saw the grove in which he was looking for. He smiled to himself as he made his way to it, listening and being as cautious as ever. He figured that the incident in the city was not large enough to draw any hunting parties outside the city walls. That is exactly why he had been sure to not kill anyone that had challenged him. It would have made things much much more difficult. He ducked into the trees and looked for a sign of two horses and a rider. These signs were not all that hard to find and in a moment, even in the dark he was tracking the hoof prints of his stead and surely enough came upon the three companions in the glade. “ Well well, I see you made it out safely..” He said gruffly as he looked around the clearing one more time.

[cassiopeia]

Casswyn had found her way to the grove without incident. Arriving there she had dismounted, pausing a moment to take in her surroundings. The copse of trees provided excellent shelter and concealment. All being well, they would not be pursued beyond the city walls. After all, their supposed offence should prove a low priority. The soldiers would make an effort to sweep the city, to secure the gates and, when they realised their quarry was gone, they would surely go back to their other duties and seek out other criminals. Casswyn, unaware she was doing it, clenched her fists. Criminal, indeed! That was one thing she was not! Her gentle fingertips cautiously sought out the remnants of the bruise on her cheekbone, a reminder of the injustice that Aragost had set right.

Casswyn needed a distraction. She considered setting up camp, for the sun was falling low in the sky and dark would soon be here, but hesitated. It would not be wise, not if she did find herself needing to return to town, and Aragost might want to move on, further from Edoras. Instead Casswyn busied herself with the horses, going through a routine she had done countless times, that was deeply ingrained in her psyche. Deft hands loosened the girths, tidied the reins, offered a generous handful of oats to each beast and picked out their hooves. Casswyn was cautious of Aragost's steed but the creature seemed amicable enough. Uvaer, on the other hand, was looking to give Casswyn a hard time. Running her hands down one of Uvaer's forelegs Casswyn tried to tempt the mare into lifting it but was met with resistance.

“Come on, Uvaer,” Casswyn coaxed quietly, leaning her slight weight against the towering horse. In return, the mare gradually leaned her far more impressive weight against the rider, until Casswyn was forced to stand lest she lose her balance. The horse snorted, a great bellowing sound that proclaimed victory, and a disgruntled Casswyn was forced to bribe the creature with oats to complete the task. “Serves me right,” Casswyn grumbled amicably, for although Uvaer was challenging and headstrong the young Rohirrim would not change a thing about her steed, “I saw your long, sorry face and I just had to make good on my promise of oats before getting you sorted. Aye, they will never call me Casswyn the Courageous, instead I will surely be known as Casswyn the Kind Hearted Fool!”

These words were made in jest, to be called anything would be nothing short of a wonder. The truth, and Casswyn accepted this, was that she was a ghost. An unremarkable face in a crowd of countless souls. She would live and she would die, the world would continue to spin and no tears would be shed for this wayward woman of the road.

Casswyn was tucking her hoof pick back into a saddle bag, aware now that the light had all but faded, when Aragost arrived at the clearing. She was so lost in her own thoughts, and his tread so quiet, that she failed to hear his footsteps, remaining unaware of his presence entirely until he spoke. “Aragost!” Casswyn exclaimed, her delight obvious, as she spun around to face him. Turning her mind to the words he had spoken, Casswyn walked a few paces closer so that she could better see him in the darkness, and added, “Oh, yes, I made it out – with thanks to you.”

Casswyn hesitated, a shy smile on her face as one hundred words came to her lips at once. That she was sorry for depriving him of comfortable hours at the inn, sorry for getting him into trouble with the authorities and, most of all, that she was incredibly thankful for all he had done for her, for all his kindness. Such acts of benevolence came few and far apart on the road, Casswyn knew the value of them well. Still she hesitated, Aragost was a man of few words, and she rather had the impression that he knew how she was feeling better than she did herself.

[Aragost]

Aragost smiled whenever she expressed her great amount of pleasure for seeming him and joy that he had made it out of Edoras alive and, from all appearances unharmed. Both were true actually. The guards had been unable to inflict any damage upon him. Of course it did always help the fact that he had avoided the larger scuffle and waited for his chance instead of simply just trying to fight his way out of the situation. That might have been something that would have been done in his youth, but he had learned since then. He had the scares to prove it. That was another story for another day and he was not concerned with that for the moment.

Aragost could see that his horse was well taken care of in Cass’s care. It made him happy to see. His stead and he had a special bond. They had been through a lot more than most of the men of his kind and definitely more than anyone that was not of the Dunedain bloodline. They had ridden thousands of miles together and to lose his horse would be just as much to have lost a part of himself. The horse knew its business as well, which is exactly why he had gone with so easily with Cass. He did not need to be told that his master was in trouble and he needed to do exactly what he had done. He could figure that out for himself very easily. He was an extremely intelligent horse, but, that was a story and reason for another time as well.

“ I am glad to see that you listened. I have met stupider people than you that is for certain. It might have been far more difficult if you had stayed. Hesitation in the face of chaos often leads to loss..” Aragost said with a shake of his head as if he was remembering some distant memory. In fact he was actually, but that wasn’t the point. “ So, shall we get a fire going, and perhaps some food? I may have some dry cookable food in my saddlebags. I do not feel that the Rohirrim guards will care enough to follow us out here at night and we are in relatively safe enough land where a fire will not drag into foul creatures..” He said with a smile as he walked to his horse and began to dig in the saddlebags looking for food.