Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Sept 10, 2020 18:45:56 GMT -5
Sebastian was a quiet one, indeed. Although she didn't know him, per se, she had known and seen enough of the man to at least come to that conclusion. Whether he was normally like this or was simply doing it because of who she was, there was no saying, but Cera was used to many remaining silent around her. It was both a blessing and a curse.
When it came to women gossiping at court, she normally wanted nothing to do with it. She much rather hear stories from the soldiers, or funny happenings from the castle cooks than idle chitchat that was supposedly for her benefit. Now, perhaps, she made a silent vow to get this man to talk a bit more. He didn't have to be candid, but he didn't have to be completely silent either. Princess or not, she was still human and interested in other people.
'A queen should know her kingdom.' Cera smiled warmly at that. Yes, a queen should...but she wasn't meant to be queen of this country, now was she? She was to be sent to some foreign kingdom to stand beside a man she never even met and hardly knew anything about. Such was expected of her, and she knew this of course, yet even still. She wanted to stay here. As Allarick's only child and supposed heir, should she not remain in Teronna?
At his question, she shrugged her shoulders slightly. "Not really. I know it's stupid and possibly rebellious, but...I just wanted to get out," she quietly admitted, rolling those blue eyes at herself. "Not that I would have gone too far in the middle of the night." She wasn't that foolish. It was also a bit unnerving to be in places you've never been before when it was so dark out.
She turned her head to regard him, a smirk curling her mouth. "Where should we go? Is the tavern loud and rowdy? What do you for fun, captain?" Maybe throwing a barrage of questions wasn't the best way to get the man to talk, but at least every single one was sincere.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Sept 10, 2020 19:13:30 GMT -5
Just because it was expected, didn't mean it made sense. But he wasn't about to say more on the topic, especially in the face of Cera's silence to his words. Sebastian didn't know who Allarick expected to inherit him if he sent his only daughter away. The man couldn't live forever. He wasn't privy to the man's plans however. Cera likely knew more than he did. Regardless, Cera was here now. She was a Princess here now. He'd rather see her pursue something meaningful than wallow in self pity. So here he was attempting his version of encouragement.
It was definitely stupid, she had that right. It was also definitely rebellious, but sometimes, rebellion and change could be a good thing. She had to learn too. He nodded at her lack of destination as if it made perfect sense. Maybe it did. Sebastian wondered if maybe she simply didn't want to share around him. That was fine. He understood he wasn't the easiest to talk to.
"If you are looking for a lively evening, yes." He had thought to make other suggestions when she asked what he did for fun. He frowned. What did he do for fun? Nothing. Not for fun. "I visit one of the local taverns." 'Visit' was doing a lot of heavy lifting considering it was more akin to 'drink, fight, and break tables.' He also trained himself and other guards. That was sometimes fun. Drawing. He liked drawing for fun. But he didn't very often and that wasn't social. He glanced at her. "Would you like to go to the tavern, highness?" That had been what she mentioned... It was against his better judgement but he wasn't saying no.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Oct 7, 2020 13:49:15 GMT -5
When no one was willing to help you with what you needed, that was when you had to learn to help yourself. She just had to be careful about it, which was why she was quietly grateful that the captain had decided to join her on this spontaneous adventure, even if it was probably stupid and would be very short-lived. At least she was getting out and keeping her mind occupied.
"A lively evening..." she echoed quietly, her eyes squinting in slight amusement. She supposed that meant the tavern was loud, among other things. Perhaps, were she not dressed as she was (meaning, quite clearly royalty or at least nobility with her fine cloak), Cera would have liked to see this place where the commoners often liked to gather. But, maybe tonight was not the best of times.
So, when he asked, only telling her that he liked to visit said tavern in his spare time, she shook her head lightly. Her smile was softly embarrassed. "Perhaps another time, captain. In all honesty, I'm not quite sure what it is I wish to do this evening. I suppose I just needed to...clear my head of things." Suddenly, the mare beneath her halted and whinnied slightly. Something had spooked her.
Maybe it was just a few people wandering the city streets at night, but the princess hadn't spotted the glint of steel in the lantern light down an adjacent alleyway.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Oct 11, 2020 15:16:26 GMT -5
Even before she repeated the words again, he had a feeling 'lively' wasn't a word to describe either of their moods. At least not in the sense of a tavern. Cera certainly was lively, leading him on a chase like that. But she waa not lively in the sense of colorful language, heavy drinking, broken tables, and prostitutes. It didn't matter what clothes she was wearing. Even in uniform, Sebastian got a lot of shit. Actually...maybe that was something the Princess should avoid. In which case her fine clothes did matter.
Definitely not nighttime tavern scene lively then.
The captain nodded again. He had had no attachment to the suggestion and still carried the simple air about him that if she wanted to simply 'be' outside the castle then that was perfectly right with him. Talking to him wasn't all that interedting but he supposed it did allow for a lot of head clearing.
While his own horse didn't seem to notice or care, Sebastian didn't need the other horse spooking to notice. Though it did help direct his attention faster. The guard redirected his horse deftly and without comment to put himself between the Princess and the alley.
"Perhaps you can clear your head near the market place?" He suggested. Even at night, the place was a central and open area with a good amount of guards. His tone was his typical stiff yet easy one. The tell? He called her 'highness' a lot normally. Cera might not notice it yet, but he did not drop the use of her title lightly.
Sebastian kept them moving. He also kept an experienced eye out for the figure in the alley and for any friends. Luckily they were close to the castle still. He just...didn't want to cut her ride that short. He might not be particularly 'fun' but he could handle himself for now.
Maybe it was just a few people wandering the city streets at night, but the princess hadn't spotted the glint of steel in the lantern light down an adjacent alleyway.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Nov 11, 2020 16:19:44 GMT -5
Another time, perhaps. She was no prude, but it wasn't as though she would start or join in a bar fight, either. Still, the curiosity was there, and she made a mental note to check it out as soon as it made sense to. And when she wasn't quite obviously royalty.
Cera noticed him maneuver his horse while she was stroking the mare's neck to calm her, but she didn't think much of it. There was a slight inkling, or a sense that something was "off" at the suggestion of going to the marketplace. Those blues narrowed softly in curiosity before drifting ahead. "Will vendors still be open?" she asked. As further indication from this question, the princess never left the castle at night. She felt it would be boring for him, and she wasn't usually one to shop for a ridiculous amount of time either, but maybe at least riding there would keep her out longer before they should ultimately head back. Just a short while longer.
"Maybe a quick stop," she said. Perhaps she'd find something for Rosie. The girl was a bit distracted and not herself these days, so Cera wanted to try and cheer her up. "I rather not keep you long...and I should probably be heading back soon." Still, she was appreciative, as her tone implied.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Nov 11, 2020 23:24:40 GMT -5
The soldier thought nothing more of visiting a tavern with the Princess. It wasn't an idea that filled him with giddy feelings, but he wasn't about to say no or dwell on 'what ifs' and would cross that bridge with her when and if she let him.
"A few." He had had no idea. In fact, Sebastian rather doubted there would be any. But it was a more central location. There would be a patrol of guards through the area at the very least. If all the Princess wished for was some air and had no direction, then if he could at least steer her somewhere not quite so alone, that was all he worried about. A quick stop was just as well.
His repositioning seemed to have deterred any immediate threat, but the captain got the feeling they were still being watched as they moved toward the marketplace. "Soon enough," he gently acknowledged her note about returning to the castle, almost as if he hadn't heard her concern about keeping him. He wasn't concerned about that. She was his duty. Sleep and everything else came second.
If the captain had been poor conversational company before, his attention was even more tuned away from pleasantries and toward his charge and their surroundings.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Dec 5, 2020 0:19:25 GMT -5
Perhaps they should have just headed back. Cera couldn't seem to shake the sudden strangeness she felt, but maybe it was a simple overreaction. Honestly, she wasn't sure why she felt that brief moment of unease..but the fact that Sebastian was willing to keep going made her feel like it was nothing. Everything was fine. Just a quick ride to the market and then back home. Her curiosity briefly satiated.
Still, he seemed more preoccupied. Not that he had been very talkative before- Cera kept having to prompt him, but she hadn't minded so much. A lot of people reacted to her that way. This seemed different, though, and she was about to find out why within the next few moments.
They were nearing the square when a figure had swiftly stepped out in front of her, causing her horse to immediately stop and balk beneath her. A gloved hand was daring to reach for the mare's reins but Cera tried to steer her away. Still, the dark figure did not move out of the way, just as his friends began to filter out into the open. After a quick look, the princess noted there was three of them.
"Surprised to see a lady out here so late..." the first one had drawled before cold eyes drifted sidelong to Sebastian. To him, he clearly thought three against two (or perhaps just one) were some good odds. "We'll be takin' yer coins, if ye don't mind..." Cera had stopped breathing, staring down at the man from atop the saddle...but one of her hands was ever so slowly reaching for the knife strapped to her boot. If she had to, she'd be daring enough to draw it out, but this heathen wasn't about to get anything else.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Dec 5, 2020 3:53:33 GMT -5
As far as the warden understood, the city was not a safe place, with or without a guard. He had grown up a commoner, and while he had never been homeless on the streets, he had run off a few times. None of those times had ended well. While most of his more serious endings had been punishments received after his return to the castle, he had learned very quickly what it meant to be a street urchin. It had made him almost grateful, at the time, that Allarick had had the decency to feed and clothe him and give him a shelter, even if it hadn't been given with love. But that was why he felt confident saying he understood, emotionally.
While the sudden appearance of the brigands was no surprise, Sebastian would not have said it was very usual. He supposed, between their fine horses and the Princess' neat cloak, they were worth more of a risk. Shouting would quickly bring a guard or two. But...it might also bring a dagger or two. His vigilance having not been enough was...personally frustrating. Well, this was about to be exciting, one way or another.
His horse seemed more frustrated at the impediment than startled. The captain himself felt similarly, though his dower expression betrayed no hint of annoyance nor anything else as he quickly evaluated the moment. Three men, laborers most likely, strong enough, but not soldiers. Were he alone, he wouldn't bat an eye. With Cera...he knew she was somewhat capable of defending herself. But she was also no soldier, nor used to hard labor or the willpower and type of person it took to truly harm another. Sebastian was prepared to kill for her. He doubted anyone else here was prepared for as much.
So...if he could avoid a fight, he would. He didn't carry much by way of coinage on his person, but he had a small pouch that he reached for carefully, on the other side of his belt from his blade. He locked his gaze with Cera, a silent suggestion she follow his example and stop whatever that slow reaching was, because it was not going to help. He could only assume she had a knife. He could only hope she knew how to use it.
The guard expected a fight, of course, considering his money was a trifle and he doubted the princess had anything on her either, but if she could play along for a moment or two, enough for one of them to move in closer to him, it would give them another moment.
Sebastian got his wish with one of them, the youngest of the lot from the look of it. The man stepped forward eagerly, reaching for the pouch, the knife he had been brandishing lowering slightly.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Jan 15, 2021 18:34:28 GMT -5
Cera would be lying if she claimed she wasn't scared, but she was doing her best to keep her wits about her and not let that fear show. At least not too much. It would do her no good right now to get weak and shrink into herself, but she had a good, capable man at her side. She had to remember that. This was what he did, this is what he was good at. All her trust was currently in Sebastian now.
Bright blues flickered over to him to catch that look, and it immediately paused that hand from moving further. She had nothing extremely valuable on her person. Cera wasn't the type to wear jewelry unless the occasion called for it, except for the locket tucked safely into her bodice that had once been her mother's. And these bandits would have to kill her first if they expected to get that. Still, she was surprised to see Bastian reaching for his own coin purse, and she nearly argued with him. Somehow, though, she could sense he wasn't going to willingly hand it over.
Although she carried a small blade, it didn't mean she knew how to use it. Would she, if the time called for it, if her very life depended upon it? She'd like to think so. However, just because she did not faint at the sight of blood, that didn't mean she'd willingly take another's life, but such things were never truly answered until the heat of the moment. A moment she prayed did not come.
As one advanced towards Sebastian, seeming to be very eager to reach for that pouch, she let her guard down for a split second. As the young one blatantly grabbed for the captain's coin, another was tugging on her arm, trying to force her down from the saddle.
And the princess screamed, nearly growling in protest.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Jan 16, 2021 0:54:10 GMT -5
The captain had expected to only capture the attention of one and he did, the man stepping close enough to reach out for the small purse. While he hadn't been entirely sure what the second brigand might do, he showed his hand quickly enough. He'd guessed that Cera would be a target, less for who she was and more by the visual clues about her person. Even without very obvious jewels, her clothes were fine and indicated she likely had some wealth, either on her or as ransom.
At Cera's scream, Sebastian dropped the purse, drew his blade and turned his horse on a dime. The stallion body checked the young thief hard, sending him to the ground and stepping on something else from the crunch and the scream. But the guardsman didn't bother wasting time to check. He was more focused on getting eyes on the other two, particularly whichever one had touched Cera. The point of his blade found the man's throat quickly even as he tried again to pull the young woman from her steed, swearing in frustration and then fear.
"If you want to use that hand ever again, you will let her go," he promised in a cold tone that didn't need to be loud to cut through the night and the sobbing behind him.
The third snorted, the whisper of wood against wood. "Touch 'im, an you'll never walk again, dog," the other man put on a brave sneer but clearly he was desperate too, likely from the blunt force trauma his other friend had just taken. Bastian didn't need to look to know he had an arrow aimed at him. Fine. Not at Cera. He hesitated a moment. Ideally he didn't need to get shot but... "Well?" The third prompted with the one with his hand on Cera's arm tightened his grip but didn't actually tug her anywhere considering he didn't want a shave. When he swallowed, the captain's sword drew blood and he shot a look at the archer.
Before the two could move on their signal, Bastian beat them to it. He wasn't a fast bladesman, but he was powerful and precise and was a man of great resolve. He didn't drive his blade through the man's throat. Not because he was worried about traumatizing his sister (the thought didn't cross his mind) but because he couldn't reach. What he could do, however, was what he had promised. His blade flicked over toward the man's wrist and in shock and terror, he pulled his hand away, Bastian's blade slicing off his thumb and first two fingers at the knuckle.
The man yelped, cradling his mutilated hand and in the same moment, the guard heard and then felt the archer's arrow. He winced and turned his horse to but him between the archer and Cera, rotating his blade back around and glaring at the man. But he wasn't interested in a stalemate. "We should go, my lady," he suggested, glancing back at Cera and the two injured brigands. Neither were pleased, but even the one only missing a few fingers seemed more interested in saving his fingers.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Jan 29, 2021 18:53:10 GMT -5
The one grabbing her halted with the press of a knife to his neck, and Cera tried to calm down. Of course she was panicked, frightened even, but the one thing her father seemed to truly lack (or at least express) was her faith in the guard. And all of it was placed upon the captain now who was determined to see them both out of this mess. A mess, she realized, shouldn't have happened. It wasn't time to go down that road of self-pity- there was something far more pressing at hand.
She spotted the archer before those bright, wide eyes flickered over to Sebastian in question. Should she move? Did he need her to try to do anything? Cera silently awaited any sort of indication before everything happened so quickly.
Before she could fully realize what had happened, fingers released her arm as the one bandit stepped back, yelping in agony before she heard the telltale sound of an arrow breaking the chilled air. The princess hadn't spotted where it had gone in the dark, not just yet...not until Bastian was wheeling that steed back around to remained between her and the danger.
Holding in a gasp and the obvious question, she spurred that mare around in the opposite direction back towards the castle; turning a glance over her shoulder to make sure the captain was following. He was going to have to get to a healer as soon as possible, and she was going to make sure of it.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Jan 29, 2021 20:52:01 GMT -5
The captain realized he was asking for quite a lot of faith without even asking for it. His taciturn nature didn't do him many favors. However, it was less that he did not think the princess capable of doing anything and more that things had moved rather quickly. Protecting people was his job, simply put.
The captain and the archer stared at each other for the span of a breath, in which both weighed their options. Bastian wasn't about to leave Cera to run off alone, but he also wouldn't run from a fight especialy if it meant taking another arrow in the back.
Between the injuries to his companions and Cera's scream that would bring other night patrols, the bandit seemed to realize he didn't have time to pursue. He broke first, looping his bow over his shoulder with a frustrated growl and moving to check in woth and drag off his allies.
The captain turned his horse after Cera, catching up with her, glancing back a few times to ensure they weren't followed. He slowed his mount's pace to walk, not wanting to call more undue attention. Not to mention it hurt. "Are you alright, my lady?" Sebastian asked, glancing over her quickly before his gaze dropped to himself. He took a moment to inspect where it was he's been shot. While he couldn't see it, he could feel it, lower back, near his spine. The guard wore medium armor most of the time so he could move easily, and while this included steel in some places, it was thick leather in others. The leather had done it's job absorbing most of the impact but at close range it hadn't stood a chance. It hurt to move but he kept himself distant from the feeling, enoigh training and still enough adrenaline in his blood to push through.
"We should walk through the gates," he suggested without explanation, taking a slow breath. He certainly wanted to see a healer. A specific one if possible. But he also didn't want the princess locked down any further than she already was. And he wouldn't mind avoiding getting reprimanded for encouraging her. Which meant they would need to pretend everything was fine, at least past the gate. He shifted slightly, grunting in pain, moving to snap the arrow and conceal the injury with his cloak.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Feb 2, 2021 12:20:56 GMT -5
Her father called her rebellious, if only because she tended to speak her mind and not agree with him on most matters. Every so often, she had the need to try and leave the castle, but she was also of the right mind to understand that it was foolish (even when she did it). She knew it when they left the gates. She knew it tenfold now. And because she felt like a prisoner in her own home, because it felt like she was slowly suffocating to death, the captain was now injured and hopefully not fatally. This, she knew, was her own fault, and no amount of apologies would fix it.
When Sebastian finally caught up to her and slowed his mount to a walk, she did the same; halting her own mare until he was at her side. Even in the dark, he'd be able to note the concern on her features. "I'm fine," she told him quickly. "But you-" Quite obviously wasn't. "How bad is it? What can I do?" Cera tried to see in the dim light, but all she could tell was that the arrow was sticking out from his back. The guilt grew heavier. "I'm so sorry..." she said, even though she said she wouldn't. It wasn't self-pity in her voice, but remorse for what had happened. "I shouldn't have left." And yes, he shouldn't have encouraged her. Perhaps Bastian should have urged her to turn back to the castle, but that wasn't exactly the point.
Drawing in a breath, she only nodded in acknowledgement to his words, not questioning him. Cera kept her horse close in case he needed assistance, seeing the gates appearing in the short distance. Fortunately, they hadn't gone too far into the city. Bright eyes drifted back over to him; that worried look now mixed with sadness. "Thank you, captain."
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Feb 3, 2021 2:33:10 GMT -5
Fine. Good. The captain nodded, more to himself than anything. She didn't need to finish her next sentence for him to know where she was going with it, but he shook his head slowly.
This was bad.
Not so much the wound, though he was pretty sure he needed a healer as soon as possible. What was bad was attempting to convince the princess that it wasn't a bad as it looked or felt and that she didn't need to feel responsible. Sebastian wasn't sure what to say to that effect. What had she asked him again? He couldn't have pleasant conversation normally and now he couldn't concentrate from the pain of riding, but he tried.
"I do not know," he said honestly. Certainly he had a guess that it wasn't good, especially from the warm blood he could feel beginning to run down his side and leg. "I need you to relax," he forced through gritted teeth. While not something he would normally say, he found himself being a bit more vocal while in pain.
"Yet you did. And everything will be fine," he lied hopefully. He focused his breathing to try and force himself to relax. The thank you as they approached the gate caught him a bit off guard and while he glanced at her confused, he didn't say anything. They passed the guards at the gate who saluted the princess. Considering Sebastian usually had a grumpy look on his face, the expression he wore now of holding in the pain and not breathing seemed to be about the same effect. Thankfully it was dark. "I'd..." he grimaced at the slur of his words. "I would do it again. Happily," he added. He meant it. Not that he was happy, but all the rest of it.
While they had taken quite the roundabout run through the grounds to the gate, the direct road wasn't so long to return to the stable. As for what he was going to do when he got there...he hadn't figured that out yet. He wasn't sure if he could convince Cera to leave him alone so she didn't blamed for anything.
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Lunari
25
Apparently betrothed...
Princess of Teronna
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Cera Le'Orin on Feb 6, 2021 13:31:10 GMT -5
There wasn't really anything he could say that would make her feel better about this. They shouldn't have been out there, period. And now, he was hurt. Really hurt, and she could do nothing but follow beside him as they headed back to the castle and ensure that he didn't fall from the saddle.
The dread deepened when he answered her honestly, and she swallowed the hard lump within her throat. Cera would never forgive herself if something happened to him over this. It was bloody ridiculous, and right now it didn't matter whether he should have stopped her not.
'And everything will be fine.' Would it? It wasn't feeling that way with how he was forcing words past gritted teeth. However, her back straightened and her demeanor changed as they got close enough to the gates for the guards to see them, putting on the very mask she often wore around everyone at court. Cera nodded to the men as they proceeded through.
Then, as the captain spoke again, it was her turn to look confused at him. Her lips pursed in thought. Sure, he took his job seriously, it seemed...but to do all of that again happily? That was a bit strange. "Fortunately, I will not be purposely putting you in that position again," she said. There was meant to be a bit of humor in her tone, but it was lacking.
She led her horse at whatever pace Sebastian set, every so often turning her attention back to him to see how he was holding up. Although it took less time to get to the stables, it felt like time was dragging. She hated being useless.
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