The Manipulative & the Subserviant

James: <Uh, right...>

*He starts attempting to put the bashed up sign back together.*

"Certainly, follow me," Mortal said, leading the way to the bathing room of the house.

--

Iliad chases after the white mage, and Zac goes after the Black Mage, shooting a Barrage at him, should he be in range. Sab casts Stop on the Archer shooting at Iliad.

"That would be fine but you are my men and women after all. Like hell am I leaving you high and dry alone in these monster ridden woods."

~Warjilis~

*He succeeds after putting about 2 dozen nails in it. It looks like a lopsided pile of crap. Also, the arm the sign fell on hurts whenever it moves.*
====================================
~Lesalia~

*The bath chamber is in one of the higher rooms, behind a wooden door. Near the ceiling, several cross-shaped holes are cut into the wall. On one wall, water pours out of a hole in the stone to a basin in the floor, while a ring cut around the top of it collects what spills over. There are also chains set in the wall; one red, one blue. Mortal knows that this is to request that the servents heat or cool the water. Of course, beside the tub are various wash cloths, towels, perfumes, & soaps.*

"Wow! I've never seen anything like this before."
====================================
~Zaland~

*By climbing a mound of earth at the far end of the wall, Zac is able to stand on top of said wall & shoot the mage down. The archer stands at the top of a flight of stairs on the other edge, stopping Illiad from pursuing the White Mage. She shoots an arrow over his head at Sab, & the Stop spell misses. The White Mage casts raise on the other archer, who also fires an arrow over the wall at Sab, before running out of retaliation range. Meanwhile, Roatha & Lilith finally manage to critically wound the knight, who counterattacks Lilith & holds his ground.*

~3~
====================================
~Siedge Weald~

<Then we'd best set up camp. We can finish the journey in the morning.>

"Agreed"

*Reiter attacks again.*

Reiter: <We aren't thieves! And we don't want to fight for no reason, dammit.>

*Parker slashes at Mimiru, hoping to blind her, while Rhea continues to summon Shiva.*

~Grogh~

*The glow around the thieves signifying Golem's protection fades away after that last attack. Also, Shiva embeds a bunch of ice spikes in the ground as Rhea learns the importance of specifying a casting target radius. ALSO, it's now that time of day where everything more than 5 feet away looks like a gray blur.*
========================================
~Siedge Weald~

*A few tents & cushions are brought out of the caravan just in time for it to turn pitch black.*

<What do you suppose Ser Dycedarg wishes to speak about, m'lord?>

"Who knows? It could be anything."

James: <God damn....>

*James leans on the counter of the shop.*

James: <It's done. Can I please buy something now?>

Mortal explains how everything works, and points out the bath oils and such, "So, just undress, and take a shower," She said, "I'll be in my room." Mortal went on to explain where her room was, helpfully a placard of a dragon hung above her door. "Oh, I can take your clothes to get washed as well... or, well, actually I should probably let you do that on your own..."

--

Iliad ducks and stabs her in the abdomen, while Zac runs down the length of the wall and shoots a Barrage at her face. Sab, now with two arrows poking out of her, says, "Ow," and begins to make her way to the gate to get on the other side of the wall.

~Zaland~

*Roatha & Lilith finally manage to bring that douche knight down. With that, they rush into the city. With the archer on the wall down, they start to run towards the other one, with Roatha quickly overtaking her & bringing said archer down. Of course, there's still the one on the roof, who shoots Lilith, critically wounding her. Also, the White Mage, who casts haste on herself & gets up on the roof with that archer.*
========================================
~Lesalia~

*Euryale starts stripping.*

"I didn't bring my dress with me, so I have no other clothes to wear while these are in the wash. Also, I don't know where it is."
========================================
~Warjilis~

<I suppose.>
========================================
~Siedge Weald~

*That guy is about to say something when a young, unarmed squire of his pipes up.*

2<Maybe it's about the Princess being abducted. Did you know about that, Mister?>

1<...Yes. Yes I did.>

2<Rumor is, she went with Goltanna.>

"Maybe he wants me to send some of the assassins after her. Feh, fat chance. I may be supporting him but there are some lines I wont cross."

"You certaintly look the part."

*Mimiru straight up Pummels Parker as Taiyo continues the dance. Azuma attacks with Rend Armor.*

*James hands the shopkeeper 1600 Gil for a Mythril Sword.*

Mortal's face tinges red, but since Euryale seemed cool Mortal tried her best to stay calm as well. Besides, it wasn't like Euryale had never seen Mortal naked, but that was before Mortal knew being naked was something to be reserved about, "Right, or, you can just undress now," She said, doing her fucking damnedest not to look at Euryale's breasts, and failing, and eventually settling for not staring, "So, I'll just take your clothes now. I'll come back with some of my clothes. You should fit into them." She said, extending her hand so Euryale could give Mortal her clothes, not wanting to bend down and retrieve them, and Mortal was finding it hard enough to keep her eyes from straying already.

--

Iliad launches a fire bomb at the archer and Zac barrages the White Mage.

Sab gravigas whoever there is to graviga, that is in range.

~Lesalia~

*As she hands off her clothes, she catches sight of Mortal's face & laughs.*

"I don't have anything you haven't seen before."
============================================
~Grogh~

*By now, Rhea is almost out of MP. And with the darkness settling in, very few attacks are actually connecting.*
============================================
~Zaland~

*The archer moves back to be protected by the lip of the building, & fires an arrow at Sab. Mana Shield activates, draining the last of her MP before her spell can finish charging. Unfortunately for the White Mage, she died.*

~1~
============================================
~Siedge Weald~

2<But you know what I don't get? Why did she side with the people who abducted her?>

1<What are you talking about?>

2<That's what the Northern Sky reported to us, remember? Princess Ovelia was abducted by a Southern Sky troup.>

1<Mayhap that was his plan all along.>

2<But why? He was already named regent. Why would he need the Princess?>
============================================
~Warjilis~

<Is there anything else you'll be troubling me with?>

Mortal took the clothes, "True, that is why I'm more concerned with looking at your face. It is my favorite feature, and I've seen enough to make an informed decision on the matter." With that, Mortal turned and headed for the door, "Anyway, enjoy your bath. I'll take your clothes to get washed, and will return with a change of clothes in the meantime."

--

Sab walks around for a bit, and tries again on the Archer that shot her.

Iliad tries to get close enough to fire bomb her, and Zac tries to get close enough to shoot a barrage at her.

~Zaland~

*The Graviga manages to hit the archer, bringing her down.*

L"Well, it's nightfall now. The Princess's trail has surely gone cold. We should divide up the spoils & find a place to rest until morning. Though if you don't mind my asking, how did you catch wind of the Princess's abduction?"

R"Word of her flies fast around Lionel. Apparently, she was here for some time. But now she's with Goltanna. Why did the Church give her back to her would-be abductors? What connection do they have to the Dukes' plots of war? I have to know."

The battle is won!:

===================================
~Lesalia~

*Euryale gets in the tub & begins lathering up her hair.*

Mortal goes off to get Euryale's clothes cleaned, then looks in her closet for some nightwear for Euryale.

--

"The church gave her to Goltanna?" Sab asked, "You must be wrong, the church wants to protect her, it was my job to see to that."

Zac put away his gun, "I hate to admit that I am not surprised. There was something odd about this since you were given that information about the Southern Sky in Dorter."

Iliad looked at Roatha, "What exactly do you know of the Dukes' plot for war? What role do you have in this?"

"Maybe they abducted her to keep her safe?" Sorrel shrugged.

James: <No, that's about it.>

~Warjilis~

<Then get out of my shop & quit wasting my time.>
===============================
~Lesalia~

*Because I don't know what kinds of clothes Mortal wears, I'll just ignore that part & say Euryale is now squeaky clean & drying off.*
===============================
~Zaland~

R"Southern Sky Knights attacked Lesalia. And...one of them said the church had something to do with it before...before he was killed. He also made mention of Ovelia."

L"You're suggesting the Southern Sky attacked the capital? Surely you jape."

R"At the very least, they wore the uniforms."
==========================================
~Siedge Weald~

1<Are...are you suggesting that Larg meant to assassinate her from the very beginning?>

"Its a good move. If I were any other kind of man but the one I am it is the move I'd take. Like I said though, I don't believe killing her is the right answer. Still... I can't help but wonder...:

Mortal arrives with a stylish, but classy night gown, "Here, you can change into this after you're done drying. Your clothes should be clean by morning." She said, still enamored with the sight, which was even better glistening in the candlelight.

--

"If they may be lying about being Southern Sky Knights, mayhaps they are also lying about the church's involvement," Sab said.

"Wait, Lesalia was attacked?!" Zac asked, panic stricken, "How badly? Were there a lot of civilian casualties?" Iliad looked equally as worried.

~Zaland~

R"He wouldn't lie about something like that! Not to m...not to mention he was killed for 'revealing too much.'"

*He sighs.*

R"As for the attack itself, there were some skirmishes outside the city, a lot of guards were killed, but no royalty or civilians."
======================================
~Lesalia~

*Euryale takes the night gown & puts it on.*

"How do I look?"
======================================
~Siedge Weald~

2<Wonder what?>