Army of Love

[goddess]

***

The trees in this forest stood taller than the forests in her homeland which seemed like eons away from her body. Jolayne had fond memories of her and her brother as young children weaving in and out through the trees on horseback in the summer’s heat but now the grown up girl rode alone with little sunlight peeking through the think branches. At least back then Valiant and herself were close, an inseparable duo but now a days they found each other farther apart than ever before. Maybe it was because of an inching feeling that Jo had, knowing that her brother’s death was near and that she would have to take his place at the throne. Her heart could not bear to see her brother for lifeless and so unlike himself for the remainder of his life; Jolayne would rather preserve his memories of his former glorious life.

With sparks of life in the queens hazel eyes, Jolayne dismounted from her black steed to give him a rest from their long journey through the twisted woods towards Camelot. But shadows underlined those eyes, but her will to push forward seemed to be the only thing that was keeping her from jumping back onto her horse and abandoning her self-made quest. Jolayne would find love in this lifetime, sooner or later even if it was on her death bed, love would find a way. Self-doubt was not an option, if Jolayne gave up on herself for such a task surely her kingdom will crumble once she gained power, and wars will spring up out of the ground for control, and all of this was to be prevented. So the simple task of finding someone to love her must be completed.

Leading the panting stallion by the reins, Jolayne walked forward in a slow pace, never once allowing herself to lose her footing on the slightly rough terrain. Birds whistled quietly in the winds from all directions making the forest seem almost alive, or well more than it already was. The tiny rays of light that peaked through the trees caught the tiny prisms of the beading on her deep purple dress. Stopping abruptly to admire the dancing light from her dress, and smiled. She always wished to know how that was all possible, what the light did to create colors from something clear. But the sounds of something wrestling up ahead not only grabbed her attention but the steeds as well.

Hopping on him and disappearing off the tracks, Jolayne waited patiently. Some areas of Camelot were known for barbarous thieves and robbers long there trails, especially along the borders. Her breath quickened as she caressed the nose of her horse to calm his racing heart in the shadows of a tree, listening to what approached.

***

Tag:Isadora and Yassia

[isadora]

Isadora was on her way home from Camelot, an entourage of knights and guards escorting her through the dangerous woods, even while they stayed on the roads. Isadora didn't know how to fight at all, so it was only with armed guards protecting her that she could travel with any sense of safety when there were bandits and the like prowling the woods, searching for anything of value they could take. At least, that was what Isadora had always been led to believe, and was why she rarely left the safety of high walls and locked doors.

There were a few things that could draw the princess out, of course, and meeting with her allies was just one of those things. It was a curious thing, because while she was smart enough to know that the world was a dangerous place, she longed to see it all, and yet knew she likely never would. Her duties kept her bound to Albion, and Isadora would never abandon her responsibilities to chase down her dreams. She was much too practical for that. So instead, she enjoyed her little 'adventures' away from home...as long as she had plenty of guards to protect her.

The guards joked and talked amongst themselves as they rode, not afraid to make noise even in the woods, confident in their numbers. They drew to a halt at a small clearing in the brush, and one of the knights rode back to speak to her. "My lady, we can stop here and water the horses, and have a brief rest." Isadora smiled and nodded, glad to get out of the saddle for a bit, watching as some of the men checked the area out, as the knight helped her off her horse. She looked up suddenly when one of the men drew his sword towards the brush. "Who goes there? Show yourself!"

[/size]

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia had not expected her goodbye from Gwaine gnawing on her so much. She had almost grown used to having a travelling companion again, and now he had taken his leave to resume his life as a tavern frequenter and scallywag. Granted, they had had their fierce arguments and fallouts, more than two people in so little days possibly could have, but his sheer presence had been a refreshing change to her otherwise dull journey.
Now that he was gone, it seemed she had to learn being alone all over again. If anything, Gwaine had become another brother to her, though this closeness had always been tinted with keeping the truth from him. He might come to Camelot one day as he promised, but who would he find there? Not the Yassia he had met and protected, fought with and cheered up, no he would find the princess she truly was… and how could he possibly take that?

So deep in thoughts was she, she almost missed a little riding party coming her way. But she heard the hearty laughter of men, and that didn’t necessarily have to be a good sign. She had had too many half-encounters with bandits to take any risks now, it was better to hide first and see who was approaching, before she could become entangled in a rather unpleasant surprise.
So Yassia left the path and hid behind a large brush, once again thankful her travelling clothes had no outstanding colors to give her away. As the group approached, Yassia could make the men out as soldiers, and that was enough to put her a little more at ease, yet not enough yet to leave her hiding. They might be guarding a noble woman, as she now realised, but that didn’t necessarily mean their intentions were good.

Unfortunately, the party did seem to have chosen the very place of her hiding for some sort of rest, and that meant she could not very well leave it until they were gone. It was just typical she had chosen a very uncomfortable ground, and when she tried to shift a little, a dry branch gave way under her with a loud cracking noise, sending one of the soldiers closest to her spinning around.
"Who goes there? Show yourself!"
There was no other way, Yassia had to leave her hiding, anything else would be admitting some kind of guilty conscience she had no part of. So she stood up, slowly to not alarm those guards further and stepped forward, her hands showing outwards, to make them see she had drawn no weapons.
“Just me, a harmless travellor. I do not wish to cause any inconvenience.” Though her words were of humble meaning, her voice automatically had adopted a slightly regal tone, like she had been used to use on soldiers.

[isadora]

The soldiers seemed visibly shocked when who should step out of the brush, but a woman. She didn't look like much of a threat, for all that she was dressed in unremarkable traveling clothes, but with all the outlawed sorcerers and witches running around, you never could be too careful with any traveler you just happened to meet on the road. Isadora had to peek around the broad shoulders of one of her guards to get a better look at who they were dealing with, but even in these uncertain times, Isadora didn't think she was a threat. If she were, wouldn't she have attacked by now?

Isadora knew she wasn't the only one who heard the hint of nobility in the woman's voice when she spoke, that indescribable cadence that only someone who was used to getting their way could really pull off, because the minute she spoke, some of the soldiers started to back down, like puppy dogs who had been brought to heel. They were used to hearing that tone from Isadora, and when they did, they knew they were supposed to obey. What good little puppies.

Knowing this woman was someone who was used to having some authority just made Isadora more curious; if she were of the nobility, wouldn't she have guards or the like to escort her? Why was she out here all alone, hiding in the bushes. Gently, Isadora pushed down the sword hand of the man who was standing directly before her, and made her way around her. "Lower your weapons." She ordered the men, and they glanced at her before obeying, although most of them kept their weapons handy in case their princess was wrong. "If I might ask, what's your name, traveler?"

[/size]

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

The soldiers were reacting to her voice at once, which almost caused Yassia to smile. A few months posing as a commoner on the road and yet she had not lost her touch. That was a reassuring fact. Of course the soldier first and foremost had reacted to the other lady’s voice who had ordered them to lower their weapons. That was a better start than Yassia would have hoped for. On the other hand, this woman probably was just sure that she could not be threatened by a mere female travellor, not with all those guards around her. Unless of course she suspected Yassia to be capable of magic. It was still such an odd thought to get used to that here, in Camelot but also in the adjoining kingdoms, magic was thought as a common threat, something so many people seemed to be afraid of. In Ailantha magic had been rare, but those able to use it were held in high regards. Wise women they were called.

When she was asked for her name, Yassia hesitated for a moment. What should she say? Only her first name and be on the safe side? This was a noble lady, but recent events had shown her all too clearly that noble or even royal blood didn’t mean the bearer was honorable. And amongst her own kind rumors travelled fast. If word of her whereabouts reached the wrong ear… she had been too close for comfort to be taken hostage to shrug it off just a few days after.
On the other hand… maybe she could trust this lady? Hmm… it was a true dilemma.
“My name is Yassia, Milady”, she finally said, bowing her head slightly, out of respect, not of devotion. There were many ways to show your status other than actually voicing a title. Most of them included body language and general demeanour. “May I ask who I have the pleasure to meet?”

[isadora]

Isadora smiled as the woman introduced herself, finding herself even more curious about her. Most nobles would give their whole name upon meeting another, unless they had some reason not to, and by this point, Isadora was quite certain this woman was a noble, both from the way she spoke and the way she held herself as she greeted Isadora. Isadora nodded graciously in her turn, remembering her manners despite her curiosity.

"Well met, Lady Yassia. I am Isadora de Caerleon of Gwent." She introduced herself, it wasn't like her identity was any secret, and besides, all her knights and foot soldiers were dressed in the colors and crests of Gwent, so even if she didn't want anyone to know who she was, she'd have a hard time keeping it quiet right about now. She looked at all of her soldiers, still eying the woman suspiciously, as though this were some clever plot to harm the princess. Which it could be...but Isadora looked the woman over, and she didn't strike her as someone who wished to do her harm.

"I don't mean to pry, but I am curious what brings you so deep into the woods, all on your own." She asked, as the soldiers began to speak among themselves, then a few went to see to the horses and collect water, with two remaining to keep an eye on the stranger and the others remaining close by in case something happened. They didn't perceive this woman as much of a threat, although Isadora had a feeling their reasons were quite different from her own.

[/size]

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Gwent… that rang some bell deep down in Yassia. Her idea of Albion was more than sketchy, but you learned a lot when you listened to the gossip of other travellers. Gwent, that much she thought to remember, was a kingdom adjoining to Camelot, but in which direction she had no idea. Not that she had much idea about direction most of the time. She just knew that she had to follow some main road up into the north, as she had been coming from the shore far south, but ever since then she had lost her way often enough, being at the mercy of many people setting her on the right – or false – track again.
So, whoever this woman was, she definitely had some say in the affairs of Gwent, else there wouldn’t be so many soldiers adorned by what Yassia suspected was the crest of this kingdom. Could she possibly remember if this kingdom was ruled by a queen or a king? …No, not a chance!

“I see…”, she mused and put an apologetic smile on her face. “You must excuse I cannot assign the right status to this name immediately, Mylady. I’m from…” once again she decided on caution and settled on: “… very far south!”

Of course the obvious question came, though Yassia was all but sure this Lady Isadora meant no harm with it, only asked out of mere curiosity. Maybe it was a natural course of events that Yassia did trust her female encounters on her journey far more than any man. Men had been the cause of all her problems and had betrayed her ever since, women had been kind and understanding. But how much could she reveal?
“I’m on my way to Camelot in… a private matter of urgency, hoping to find help there”, she finally said, keeping a wary eye on her surroundings, but the soldiers didn’t seem too interested in listening. “Can you tell me if I’m on the right way?”