A Test for Two

[Deleted]

Guinevere grinned widely, after so many guesses that were wrong, Elise had finally got another one right. Sure she was getting her own person beat pretty hard in this game, why she didn't want to Elise score based on her own ability to hit. It would have meant that Elise would have quickly, and unfairly won. Sitting a bit longer on her own pride of thinking Elise had learned from her.

"Ye-" But her statement was cut short. A vicious blow cut across her ribs with a loud crack. The lady wentry down to a knee, and swiped without any success, not that she thought it would manage to hit Elise. That was a pretty harsh blow, one that caught her shirt and ripped the cloth as it passed. Luckily her undergarments were intact.

Tom moved forward, but his Lady held out her hand. He also did not wish to disobey, and shuffled to the next page. Guinevere had regained her footing. 'BLOW'.

---

Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|
|300/300HP-16/45SM-173/173MP|

 Roll to Counter: Failure

*Swords I, Counter I, Dodge I*

[Azuloth]

--Administrative--

I can't grant any knowledges until I know expressly who was teaching who what. There's a lot of knowledges at the bottom of all these posts.

In the future: that needs to be expressed directly (OOCly) in the first post so I'm not all confused.

[Azuloth]

Guinevere Learns: Swords I (+1 stat point)

Elise Learns: High Cruic I (+2 stat points)

[Élise]

The harsh blow had elicited a multitude of snaps. Élise’s stick cracked in two, but she paid it little mind. As a soldier, the Halfling was familiar with the sound of snapping bones. When the Lady went to her knees, Élise knew that her hit had been too violent. The girl tossed her snapped stick over her shoulder and knelt at Guinevere’s side. She waved a hand for the guard to help her.

“Are you alright, milady?” Élise asked for the other’s sake, “My brother knows first aid. I should retrieve him. But,”

“Lady Guinevere!” The sound of her brother’s voice echoed across the training grounds. Cassius had just rounded the corner of the bathhouse with their uncle. He had brought some ice, towels to mop up sweat, and glasses of water for the two, but in seconds of seeing the two, handed the items off to his uncle. Cassius rushed over, nearly tripping over his pole legs as he hurried to the Lady’s side, “What’s wrong?” He could already tell that something was not right. The man adjusted his glasses, noticing the snapped twig off to Élise’s right, “Élise….” Cassius gave a heavy sigh. He knew all too well from being Élise’s stand-in sparring partner in the past – his sister failed at restraint, “Can you stand, milady? Where does it hurt?”

“I hit her in the chest.” Élise told him immediately. Cassius nodded and motioned for his uncle to come over.

“Give me the bag of ice and a towel, uncle.” Cassius spoke in a serious, stern tone. He wrapped the little pouch of ice in the towel and spoke as he prepared all of this, “It is important that you don’t move too much,” Cassius held the wrapped ice in his hand and put his hand on Guinevere’s cheek. His thumb was inches away form her lips feeling for air, “Can you breath properly? It is good to take steady breaths?” He examined her carefully, “It would be good to press this ice to the area that hurts most. I will carry you to your room if need be.” He knew of a better way to handle all of this, but would not be so careless in the open. This would suffice for now, “We can head that way whenever you are ready, milady.”

---

Élise El'lor
and Cassius El'lor
S: 15
Vit: 15
Agi: 15
Ch: 15
St: 15
T: 15
D: 15
P: 15
En: 15
K: 15

Hp: 300
Sm: 16/45
Mp: 173

Cassius training First Aid I 

[Deleted]

"Fi-" Ooohh, talking hurts. Attempting to answer Elise, likely staying on her knees was not helping the fact. But it was all she could do for the moment. Guinevere did not wish to move. What if I punctured a lung? Her own mental image showed her lung popping, and flying around the grounds like a balloon. It was quite amusing in retrospect.  The others would probably not find it so funny, so along with not wishing to speaking, she kept her own amusing visions to herself.

"Milady!" Tom bolting himself over to the scene, giving Elise a stern glance. He internally blamed the half-elkagr that had decided to spar with his Lady. Why did Elise need to hit so hard? Especially against a Lady? Not that his own green days in training were much better...but this just felt more sickening. He could already see his mother beating him with that rolling pin, and he had just managed to leave the house too!

Guinevere glanced at the quickly growing party around her, her blue eyes turning a little more icy. Did everyone need to see her injury? Now some strange man had also come bounding up with Cassius, and in that moment it was decided he was not welcomed. Or so the pain was saying. With a quick exhale, she tried to convey her lack of want for speaking. But also to try and assuage Cassius of further panic, the Lady was just a little scared to take in deeper breaths. Panic though tamed by his touch as her eyes closed briefly, rather than taking the wrapped ice from Cassius she guided it to her ribcage, just to rip it off once it made the most minute of contact with the bruising skin. At least that was she was assisting him in finding where she was wounded.

"Please, help." Whether Cassius jumped to her aide, or she used Tom's shoulder to shoot herself into a standing position. Ready to follow wherever she was lead.

---

Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|
|300/300HP-15/45SM-168/173MP|
|Thought Grasp: -5MP Passive|

Roll for Thought Grasp: Failure

[Élise]

Cassius took the initiative upon hearing the Lady’s plea. He kept the ice pressed there, muttering apologies if it hurt, “This’ll keep the swelling down.” He added as he wrapped his other free hand around Guinevere’s back. He placed it in the crook of her arm, pulling her up slowly and keeping her as steady as possible.

Cassius held most of her weight – despite looking like a beanpole; he was actually rather strong – as he walked her to the inn. “Just focus on my voice,” Cassius instructed her at first, then with each step he would repeat, “Breath,” To help calm her.

Élise opened the door for the two each time they came to one. And, so long as everything went well on the stairs, finally was able to guide Cassius and Guinevere into the Lady’s room. The entire time, Cassius had been calm on the exterior. Inside, he was experiencing so much distress for the woman. A panic was rising in him and a desperate cry to heal her with his abilities was wearing thin on resistance.

Not with all of these people around… But Guinevere is in so much pain. These two thoughts battled.

“Can you lay down?” He gasped once they reached her bed, relieved but still reeling with worry. He glanced over his shoulder at the people in the room, “I’m going to have to ask that you wait outside while I tend to the Lady’s wounds.” Cassius hoped they listened.

---

Élise El'lor
and Cassius El'lor
S: 15
Vit: 15
Agi: 15
Ch: 15
St: 15
T: 15
D: 15
P: 15
En: 15
K: 15

Hp: 300
Sm: 15/45
Mp: 173

Cassius training First Aid I

[Deleted]

Guinevere walked quite gingerly up the stairs. Though was glad for the support, she was starting to feel a little better about this as she was within sight of her room. Then she could rest, and perhaps this would blow over. She had never broken a bone in her life, so at least that was something new. Not necessary to learn, but it was a fine enough outlook. Besides, she could likely pay a healer later. Healing was never something she ever had the knack for, during training. It just never worked out for her, or this would be over already. But such was wishful thinking.

Guinevere nodded, sliding from his grasp and onto the bed. The comfy, warm inviting bed. It felt good even with her ribs burning. Sleeping in a chair made one realize the comforts of a proper bed. Perhaps she should have invested more time into sleeping on the bed last night. Perhaps another night or two at the inn would not be such a terrible idea. Better than getting back to the clamoring of her people about this and that. All petty things in the long run really. Distracting thoughts easing her into a calmer state, as her breathing managed to slow again.

"I believe, I'll be fine in his hands." Besides, the Mayor could use a little privacy. Tom, as ordered was the first out of the door. Though his post was set a door down from his Lady's room.

Her mouth clenched as she again dared pressed the ice to her chest, her freckled skin under the tear of the fabric goose bumping under the cold towel.

---

Guinevere Lyethe
|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|
|300/300HP-14/45SM-163/173MP|
|Thought Grasp: -5MP Passive|

Thought Grasp: Failure

[Élise]

Once everyone had cleared out of the room, besides the obvious two, Cassius turned his worried eyes to Guinevere. His entire calm demeanor faded and he revealed the great concern boiling beneath his skin.

“Milady, I am so sorry for my sister,” He pulled up a chair to the side of the bed and sat in it. His hands were shaking. If he didn’t try harder, his abilities would burst free without his permission. Cassius so desperately wanted to heal her, “And now… I have to ask you, if there were a way to heal this all by a different means, would you want that? Would you be alright with that?” He felt a sudden shyness creep into his heart, weary for sharing his secret. The man hadn’t told anyone – family or friend – about his powers since he learned of them long ago. He hadn’t wanted to put a burden on anyone he cared about – having them confused over whether they should feel responsible for protecting Cassius’ secret from the Sovereign or turning him in.

Strangely enough, he felt as though he could trust Guinevere. She was a strong, levelheaded woman and caring enough. He did not feel as though this knowledge would burden her. Of course, in the current situation, he hoped she would welcome the opportunity of relieving her paints, “What if there was a way to heal you with magic?” Cassius’ voice was barely audible, quiet for even a whisper.

---

Élise El'lor
and Cassius El'lor
S: 15
Vit: 15
Agi: 15
Ch: 15
St: 15
T: 15
D: 15
P: 15
En: 15
K: 15

Hp: 300
Sm: 14/45
Mp: 300

[Deleted]

"I didn't want her to go easy, even a Lady nee-" She coughed a little, and pulled a brave smile for the man at her bedside. How he must be feeling now. "needs to be knocked off her high horse."

The half-breed switched the hand holding the ice delicately to her goose bumping skin. It reached out for one of his shaky ones, oddly brave in these moments of pain. As much as it hurt, Guinevere was worried about how Cassius was holding up. More just slightly worrying about what the wounding would mean for her trip. It would have to be postponed back, not that it was a terrible thought. Nice actually, though it meant quadruple timing on the work she had once home. For this is was alright though. Makes this pain somewhat worth it.

Well, until her other hand dropped the wrapped ice right onto her ribcage in a spasm of pain. Guinevere needed to stop thinking, and feeling these mushy things that made her heart race, and breath quicken. All she really grabbed from his speaking what different means, and the rest was too quiet in contrast to her lung screaming for relief. A little wonder would of crept into her mind if she had been thinking clearly. Which she was not, something about why he would have a scroll...but accidents did happen. Would of thought her not ramped up on pain brain. Guinevere assumed it was a scroll.

"Whatever you are comfortable with."

She wouldn't be prepared for what was next. It wasn't magic either, but her mind seemed to grab out and pull out something from another being. Cinammon rolls? The thought of the sweetness cascaded into her thoughts, her body left behind for a few brief seconds.

---

Guinevere Lyethe

|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|
|300/300HP-13/45SM-158/173MP|
|Thought Grasp: -5MP Passive|

Roll for Thought Grasp: Success
Who: Random

[Élise]

Cassius’ nerves were not settled by the sound of the Lady’s coughs. His mind went haywire with all of the worries of how her ribs could be piercing her lungs. If she startled bleeding, he would lose himself. Cassius – who would have shied away under any other circumstances – didn’t hesitate to take the women’s offered hand. Sure enough, it was as cold as ice.

“I’m sorry,” He apologized as he did his best to warm her hand in his own, “Here, let me take that.” Cassius said as he carefully took the pack of ice from Guinevere. Replaced the pack with his hand, doing his best to focus all of his concern and worry into the area encompassed beneath his palm, “Excuse me for a moment…” Cassius closed his eyes and suddenly light pulsed through his arm and into the Lady’s chest. The burst of energy hopefully eased the pain – as it was healing magic, sacred and secret, but full of care. He had never used the spell so openly on someone before. His secret would be undeniable.

When he was finished with the spell, Cassius would stay leaning over Guinevere, holding both of her hands in his and searching her eyes for some sort of sign – rejection or acceptance. He hoped the latter.

“Milady… Are you… Alright?” Cassius finally spoke up.

---

Élise El'lor & Cassius El'lor

S: 15 Vit: 15 Agi: 15 Ch: 15 St: 15

T: 15 D: 15 P: 15 En: 15 K: 15

Hp: 300 Sm: 13/45 Mp: 280

Rolling for Panic Heal - 
Rolling for First Aid I -

[Deleted]

Almost, well exactly, like magic the pressure from her ribs had been lifted. Her breath pulled in deeply, and her lungs sung at the relief they felt. No longer did she need to clench, or take in short breaths. Her hands could now hold his tightly...tightly until she decided to drop his hands.

What? No? Nothing she could recall pegged him as a registered sort of mage. She knew the things the mages captured, that survived, led a tortured life. She had met enough of them to know that- and to fear ever being caught for what she was. Guinevere was scared, and not for herself but for Cassius. The Lady shot up in bed, and stared at the man for what felt like several minutes, just breathing...thinking. Was this time for a big reveal? No. Never. Report him, as was her duty? No. Make him teach her, until his will and spirit were broken? No, she couldn't. The thought made her sick, sick for all the other times people had been forced to teach her. Until they became of no use.

Guinevere feared what her parents would have done with this knowledge.

In this fear, grew anger.

"How dare you!" Keeping her tone low, even for the emotion beneath her words.

In a mighty heave, her legs swung over the bed. Propelling her body toward Cassius. Her intent, if she had her way was to force the man against the wall nearest the bed. "Why would you even consider using..." Guinevere visibly balked on the word, it was difficult to say. So close to her own dangerous little secret. "magic."

Guinevere blamed the wave of nausea over passing her on getting up, or attempting to get up so quickly. She felt horrible for reacting like this, Cassius had trusted her. Had done this for her. Blue eyes welled with moisture.

All Guinevere could do was throw a fit.

Cry and scream like a child that had a favorite toy taken from them.

---

Guinevere Lyethe

|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|
|300/300HP-12/45SM-153/173MP|
|Thought Grasp: -5MP Passive|

Roll for Thought Grasp: Failure

[Élise]

Élise had returned to the main floor with her uncle. She was a bit shaken up by all that had happened but knew Guinevere would be in good care. Cassius had always been gifted with treating injuries. The ritgr internally pledged to repay the Lady for her mistakes tenfold. She would be responsible for her actions to the upmost of her abilities.

Her uncle noticed the serious expression on Élise face and gave her heavy pat on the back. It snapped her to attention, forcing her to not linger on internal damnations any longer.

“Uncle!” She finally greeted him. The man nodded in response and sat on a stool at the end of the inn’s bar.

“Quite the day you’re having,” Their uncle noted, recalling his hearing of Ventus’ leave and her efforts in learning to read, “And I hear you have become a ritgr..” He ended with a sigh, to which Élise felt a turn of concern for his tone. Most people were happy, or at least they pretended to be, when hearing this. But he sounded…. Disappointed?


First, Cassius was relaxed to see Guinevere could move her hands. Though, he would have liked to warm them a little longer. Her fingers were so frigid from holding the ice pack. Secondly, he was worried about that look in her eyes. She was thinking rather hard on the matter. The scorn or the confusion was plaguing Cassius as he realized she looked scared. Terrified.

“Milady, I only meant to heal you! I would never hurt you----“

“How dare you!” Cassius recoiled at the harsh words. He had hoped she would understand. That she would be different than the rest. When Guinevere got up, so too did Cassius. He didn’t think she should be moving around too quickly. But she approached him too quickly to be tamed. Cassius stumbled backwards, tripping over his chair and falling against the wall as she forced him back. He wasn’t afraid of her, he could never be, but he was afraid for what she thought of him. His mind raced with self-depriving thoughts of being hated for who- or rather what – he was.

“I,” Cassius could barely breath. Another panic was rising in his chest as his heart sank and drowned his lungs in hurt. The pain of being rejected by someone he truly cared for was excruciating. Like hers’, Cassius’ eyes welled with tears. He knew a man shouldn’t cry like this – as if there were some expectation upon him not to reveal so much emotion – but his mind was too clouded by shame to care, “I just wanted to help you… I didn’t want it to hurt anymore.. I’m sorry,” Cassius choked on his own words, the tears in his eyes spilling over. He felt pathetic and weak – as per usual – but still had a shred of hope in him wishing that Guinevere would understand, “I’m sorry…” He repeated several times as he cried. He didn’t cover his face, but would meet Guin’s gaze as he relented, “Even if its magic, I would do anything to help you, Milady..” It was true. An honest feeling that he hadn’t even let himself acknowledge until now.

---

Élise El'lor & Cassius El'lor

S: 15 Vit: 15 Agi: 15 Ch: 15 St: 15

T: 15 D: 15 P: 15 En: 15 K: 15

Hp: 300 Sm: 12/45 Mp: 280/300

[Deleted]

Guinevere's left arm dropped to her side, clenching as it touched against her thigh. Her right hand clenched against her chest. Feeling her thump erratically underneath it. She was ashamed of this reaction, but could not back out of it now. The Lady didn't want to forgive him, she could of lived happily never knowing this secret. Foolishly, or not, her mind was stuck in the past. Fearing what may have happened, more than being of mind to think of the present.

“Even if its magic, I would do anything to help you, Milady..” The words echoed in her head, but she could not speak.

Guinevere was assaulted with a vision of seeing Cassius strung up- a method of torture her parents had concocted to 'convince' mages to teach their daughter to control her wild magic. Blood, and screams filled her memories. A dark part arouse in her, the uncaring at how her teachers had been treated. It fought with the side sick with the thought of it happening to her beloved Cassius. Why should it matter, it was survival. Guin had lived, and without much in the sense of constraints. It might even be advantageous to lure Cassius into that trap. He would be easy to coerce into training her. Easier to get rid of. These thoughts weren't allowed much longer, as the Lady's body heaved as her hand gripped to her shoulder.

Nothing came out.

"Help bandage me." It didn't take Guinevere much longer to revert to ice queen mode.

Without a thought further, and a pivot she ripped the shirt from her shoulders. Her top half was far from naked, as her breasts were securely wrapped. Her trousers also ran pretty far up her waist. All that could really be seen were her shoulders, and the plainly visible ribs as she breathed. The shirt hid how tiny the female truly was. Guinevere was working on ripping the white shirt to long strips for a bandage. She would at least make it look as if she was injured.

With her back to Cassius, she let a few of the tears slip away silently. He was much braver than she ever was.

---

Down on the street ran a horse, bloodied and bruised. It screamed, as it approached the Inn. Just a few yards from the Inn it collapsed, the beast's eyes rolling back. Tom leaped from his spot guarding the door, and started to run down the stairs. He knew that horse.

Attached to the horse's saddle was a large sack, dripping dark liquid.

---

Guinevere Lyethe

|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|

|300/300HP-11/45SM-148/173MP|
|Thought Grasp: -5MP Passive|

Roll for Thought Grasp: Failure

 

[Élise]

Cassius calmed down his sobs in the time that Guinevere had taken. He leaned against the wall and finally ducked his head, the bangs covering his face as the tears began to dry up on his face. He felt truly ashamed of both his efforts and his faults. They all seemed to boil down to failure, leaving his confidence shattered and pride even weaker than it had been before. The tall man felt so small right now. He sagged against the wall, his shoulders hunched inward and he clutched at his chest, afraid to meet her eyes now that she had made so clear of her disdain for his magic. He’d always found comfort in the secret. The power that surged through him was warm, filled with light and a sense of freedom that he had otherwise never experienced.

But he’d discard all of those if Guinevere hated it. He’d lock them away and pretend they don’t exist all for the sake of pleasing the people around him. Cassius took in a deep breath and fixed his stature, standing straight as Guinevere ordered him to help.

“Milady,” His tone was emotionless, “Usually, one wouldn’t bandage broken ribs. The pressure is ill advised and can cause more damage in danger of having a rib pierce an internal organ.” He wouldn’t bring up that the ribs were probably healed from causing those issues – as that would bring up the matter of magic once more, “However, I can tend to your shoulder.” There was still a nasty welt and bruise forming around the cracked skin there. Blood could break through the damaged surface if it wasn’t patched up.

He bowed his head a little and slipped past her, picking up his knocked over chair and sitting in it by the bed. Cassius didn’t look at her as she shred apart her shirt, thinking it a fine waist of material. He would have much rather used his own robes. Cassius reached over the bed and picked up the ice pack, not wanting it to leave a wet spot atop the sheets. He’d use the water in treating her wounds. For treatment, it would be best to sit on the bed near him. He wouldn’t ask this of her, but just wait in awkward silence.

Downstairs, Élise was near to asking her uncle if something was the matter with the fact that she was a Ritgr when a loud animalistic scream sounded outside of the inn. The Ritgr unsheathed her sword and ran towards the front of the inn. She got there just as Tom did and followed him to the source of the sound.

---

Élise El'lor & Cassius El'lor

S: 15 Vit: 15 Agi: 15 Ch: 15 St: 15

T: 15 D: 15 P: 15 En: 15 K: 15

Hp: 300 Sm: 12/45 Mp: 280/300

Cassius: First Aid I 

[Deleted]

"I didn't know that." What was she to do to cover up the wound now? The bruise was gone, and that seemed almost the most suspicious. Was it worth it to try and paint over the bruise? She could probably work something out with her make up...Well,. no she would be covering it with another dress. Yes, a change of clothes would have to do, but something light and not constricting around the chest area. But how she explain being able to stand and breathe normally? Ugh, questions, questions.

Her head turned to look at him, wiping away the line from her previous tears. Now even her make up was leaving behind signs of that ugly scene.

"Do you want me on the bed?" That couldn't have sounded worse.

If she got a nod or acknowledgement she would sit on the bed, and offer him the rags of her shirt. It wasn't worth fixing anyway.

"How should I act, so they do not suspect anything?" Revealing in the least her intentions not to inform others of his secret, well their secret. " Do I take a sort of crutch, or just continue in acting short of breath? I can wear loose clothing to hide the physical evidence." Bombarding the man with questions. Eyes, not matter where she was trying to avoid his face for too long.

---

Tom approached the dying creature, and took out his dagger. The creature wasn't alive much longer.

With the same bloody knife, the bad was removed from the saddle. Unceremoniously, two heads rolled from the bag. It didn't surprise Tom, but the guard was a little shaky in standing. Little bunches red flowers, with five connected petals filled the guards mouths. A black tongue, and golden tips of the pollen carriers adorned the flowers. A few of the petals falling out of the open mouths as the heads rolled to a stop.

"Shit."

---

Guinevere Lyethe

|STR:15 V:15 AG:15 CH:15 ST:15 T:15 D:15 EN:15 P:15 K:15|
|300/300HP-10/45SM-143/173MP|
|Thought Grasp: -5MP Passive|

Roll for Thought Grasp:Failure