Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2009 21:23:16 GMT -5
Frustration had swiftly set in after the several attempts at working the muscles of that injured arm, failing to keep the lance in her grasp and feel the security and familiar feeling of it like she used to. Julianna told her to take it slow, and she had...nothing was working. She was a mess and what good was she if she couldn't even wield her sword properly? Her annoyance became a deep growl within her chest, carelessly dropping the weapon to the ground to let it lie there where she could try to forget it. It was all she could do at this point. Terra had gone to Naevah days ago, a woman she respected greatly who had gone through the same struggles, if not more, to get to where she was today. There was always admiration in those hazel eyes for the commander, and perhaps she'd be willing and able to help Terra with this little problem. Times were tough, however, and she wasn't expecting Naevah to have much of any free time. Fingers curled and uncurled as she stretched out that arm, lifting her eyes from the ground and around the training arena. Seems like it was just her today...again. Altair beneath her was starting to become restless, padding a hoof against the ground as though he shared her depression and desire to get better.
After the war, Naevah had decided not to force her men into training duties as usual. It was a time for healing and gaining back strengths and coping with losses and helping to rebuilt. The war had pretty badly messed up the island and there was a lot to be done. In all honesty, Naevah wanted to crawl into a dark hole and stay there for several months to cope the loss of her father. But as a commander, she knew she needed to keep her strength and be there for those that needed her help. When Terra came to her about her injury, she had agreed to help her however she could, but informed her it would take some time. In fact, many had come to her with their own stresses of rehabilitation of broken limbs or strained muscles. The war had done its toll on nearly everyone, it seemed. Though, somehow, Naevah felt that she hadn't injured herself too badly and was rather surprised by it, especially with some of the things she had to do throughout the war. Those damn holes, she thought would be the death of her, with the number of times she nearly fell into one by accident. But it was over now, and things had fallen hauntingly quiet. No one really knew what to do or what was going on... What was going to happen next? Everyone, at least in the infantry's wing of the military building, was quiet about everything. They were silent and patient, willing to do whatever was needed. And so they were all waiting for directions. Directions Naevah had not yet given or had idea of just yet. So for now, Naevah made her rounds through the building. She was the only commander left within the entire military, and that was frightening. How could this have happened? Aithne was gone. Zane had transferred back into the cavalry... Thais was missing, but presumed dead... Ancaladar was a horrible failure and went missing at the start of the war. It was bad. She stopped at the doors leading out to the training arena, just outside the military building. There was movement and she could tell someone hadn't given up on their training, even though the island was mostly quiet. Naevah stepped out quietly and watched Terra as she became fed up with her arm and threw down the lance. Arms slowly folded over her chest and she called out. "Becoming frustrated with yourself will only make matter worse..." She took several steps away from the building and into the arena, making her presence known. The tall, warrior-like woman actually dressed like a lady, carried no weapons on her at the moment, and her braids had been removed from her hair. She walked to where the lance had been dropped and she picked it up. "We will not be using this just yet..."
Business was slow. He couldn't really blame anyone for that, however. It wasn't that there weren't enough foolish people rolling around the roads...it was just that he hadn't much felt like taking things on, business as usual. His time with the healers, with that unexpected run in with the woman, Terra, had been more meaningful than one would expect. He'd dealt with his fair share of the law since he'd become a brigand and taking to lighten the loads of those less needy. He'd seen all the types, or so he thought. She didn't quite fit. Under different circumstances, he might have attempted to make her a friend and comrade...there was something good in her, for all of her bluster and anger. He'd held onto his word that day and left after parting ways...not bothering the healers or their donations. This land was still new to him. He knew that it had been in war recently...passing borders always proved to be simpler when one of the kingdoms was in turmoil. He'd never investigated into it more seriously, however...not more than he needed in order to know where to wait for his next payday to ride through. He'd taken a break and gone through the city, saw the rebuilding...the people. Eventually, he found his travels taking him toward where the hallowed warrior halls of that military building were. Those grey greens looked it over with a critical eye, his mouth and expression remaining impassive, a peculiarity that would have been noted by any that saw him. He came up short when he stumbled across that training area. Leaning there, against the corner, he'd watched those warriors train. A small, ghost of a smirk curled his lip at this and he found himself staying until there was only one there, still training. It honestly didn't surprise him...he recognized her swiftly enough, even from the distance. Watching, he saw the other, the statuesque woman appear from the building and pick up the lance with ease. Was the entire army consisting of beautiful women? Well, that brought his signature smile to the foreground again. If that's the kind of army they ran here...where could Tiernan sign up?
Dismounting, Terra stroked the horse's neck and snout, soothing him without needing any words, delving into that bond of rider and mount. Animals sensed things, detected things far quicker than any trained warrior could, and it was a comfort to know that he did...even being a horse with no words to give back in comfort. Movement from the corner of her eye brought her attention over, catching Naevah as she called out to her. Becoming frustrated with yourself will only make matters worse. Yes, been there, done that...still doing it. Obviously Terra knew better...but at times, she simply couldn't help herself. It was that still, burning fire inside her that wanted to keep her going. She watched as the commander picked up the lance, smiling instantly from the sight of her. Naevah all lady-like...it was indeed the first time Terra was witness to that. "My, my...I hardly recognized you," she spoke, teasing lightly as she leaned up against Altair, jutting a hip out with a hand placed upon it. She couldn't remember the last time she attempted to dress nice. At just twelve years old she had begun to wear her brother's old clothes, because well, you couldn't quite be a knight in a dress, now could you? Terra's smile softened into something more sincere, a deep of her head in that respectful greeting, "Thank you for coming."
The lance was set down on a bench nearby. At Terra's comment of not recognizing her, she fought the urge to roll her eyes. When Naevah wasn't fighting in a war or engaged in heavy training, she still wore a dress, though not any that were as nice looking as the one she wore now. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Today would have been my father's birthday." She said plainly. Her sleeves were rolled up and she just nodded her head. "Where does it hurt the most in your arm?" Her light green eyes shifted to Terra's arm, as if examining it, though nothing could be seen with the clothes covering up and her skin hiding her muscles. Naevah was no healer, but she knew a little bit about muscle strains and how to gain the strength back. "And more importantly...Do you remember what you were doing when this started?" She took a step back and pulled her hair back, behind her shoulders. Hands were set on her hips and she stood tall, inspecting the woman before her for a moment. "Have you even been to a healer yet?" She figured that maybe the woman hadn't, due to the fact that they were horribly slammed with those that were injured far worse. Naevah waved her question off and stepped forward again. "I need to know what you've already tried and what doesn't work..."
Tiernan moved closer...not in any way that would make him conspicuous or cause concern. He was just one of many moving objects in the peripheral world around the two women. Given time, he'd make his way closer. Certainly, there was a limit. Those grounds certainly weren't for use by the general public. Watching the interaction from the distance, he wasn't really paying attention to what as going on about him. Odd, for someone trying to be so careful as to sneak around. He nudged into a man walking by. They rebounded off each other and the man put up an indignant sound as he wheeled on Tiernan. "How dare you!?! Watch where you a-...." Tiernan stiffened at the voice...recognizing its rather effeminate masculinity. There'd been a reason he'd gagged the nobleman after he'd knocked him unconscious. Clearly, some god had a piss poor sense of humor. Turning to face the man, Tiernan saw that there were two others with him. Of course he recognized them too...they'd been knocked out last time as well. "Ah bloody 'ell...." The three flashed blades and Tiernan pulled his hammer into play. Just in time too, as he barely managed to turn aside a thrust from one of the guards, throwing his momentum in front of the two others and spoiling their ability to come after him for the immediate moment. While they untangled, Tiernan gallant moved and....ran. Clearest stretch was right through those training grounds..and thus he went. "O' all tha bloody days!"
Apparently, Terra wasn't doing too well with anything lately. Trying to make light of a situation that was nothing but light for her, she might have just made a fool of herself. That smile left quickly at seeing the woman's stance, her response, and she lowered her eyes to the ground. Lips parted to make some sort of apology but there came a flood of questions her way that she had to answer just before she could. "Uh, my shoulder," she replied quickly. "Upper arm and shoulder. I thought I had dislocated it...I had fallen from my horse and had to throw a spear in an odd position on the ground." Either that or get trampled on. She could remember the burning hot feeling that shot through her, how having to fight on only worsened it with each muscle she used. At the question of seeing a healer, one that Naevah quickly dismissed, Terra could only look to her with a raised brow. She saw Julianna when she got the chance. The poor woman and the others seemed to be swamped. The young woman might be naive at times, but she wasn't that foolish as to not have gone to a healer after weeks of it not getting better. "Horrible herbal remedies, massages, light excerise...helps with the pain, but it still remains w-" She was cut off in her explanation at the sounds of shouts and clanking metal in the distance. Perhaps others were back out to build up their skills? Then she heard him...yelling in that accented voice, drawing her eyes over to see, none other than, that pesky thief of a man running for his dear life clear across the training yard with a few men following in his wake. Terra had to shut her eyes with a heavy sigh, hoping that when she opened them again, he'd be gone. Oh, but of course not. "You have got to be kidding me..." she mumbled to herself, asking herself whether she should turn and walk away, intercept, or simply watch as whatever this was played out.
Naevah listened patiently as Terra explained to her everything. She wasn't a very friendly or personable person, so she honestly didn't know that Julianna was her sister or a healer. She'd nod and start to think up some exercises and such that they could do to help her arm out, but then her thoughts were interrupted with the sounds of yelling suddenly kicked in and Terra stopped in mid sentence. Brow rose and she looked over her shoulders to see the commotion, but it only left her confused. Terra's mumble to herself caused her to look back at her with a questioning expression. "What?--"
Tiernan heard one of the men gaining. He stopped suddenly, planting his foot, the knee bend, absorbing the inertia, and then he thrust back, keeping his shoulder low and square as he turned. He caught the man just below the belly button and he rolled up, shrugging the man over him, taking him off his feetn and flipping him through the air to land solidly on his back and slam the wind from him. The guy wasn't going to be getting up quickly. That brought him enough pause from the other to that he could set himself, managing to kick up the hilt of the downed man's sword and grasping it. Then the fight was on again as he worked to keep the two men in front, warding off blows with each weapon as he moved to keep them in front of him, forcing them to get in each other's way so their numerical advantage worked against them. He kept flipping that hammer about as well, twisting the head and using to trap or knock attacks to the side in a way that couldn't be managed with sword. Brilliant work really, for a simple thief. He even began to look like he was having fun… that infuriating grin flashing and visible even from the distance he was from the two women. Couldn’t last forever though…so, trapping the guard’s sword, he bodily forced him to slam into the noblemen, sending them both into a tumble so he could get away. Turning to leave swiftly, he barely ducked the swing from the other guard, who had apparently begun recovering and was on his feet. Tiernan quickly shifted directions, though this was now going to bring him closer to those two warriors.
Brows furrowed. "Don't ask..." she responded to the brief question, eyes watching the display of the man who had to be more than just a mere thief, perhaps a warrior in another life. So what had he done now? More importantly, what was he doing around the military building? There wasn't much of value there, or perhaps he was falling into the spying business instead now. From the distance she was able to notice his grin, as well as come to recognize the noble who struggled to keep Tiernan down with the other guards, failing miserably. There was almost an amusing, wild air about it all...and for a moment, she actually thought she of grinning about it, but refrained from doing so just as the brigand turned his direction to head straight towards them. The question still remained...stop him or let him pass? It was her job to stop the brute, of course, after what he had done (though the humiliation on the noble's face was rather priceless), and if she didn't, it might bring up a few questions and she didn't need the reprimanding right now.
Naevah turned her eyes to watch the scene a bit longer. The man was taking down the guards and she knew she needed to do something about it. These were her guards that she had trained and they were not doing so well. Of course, most of their strength had been drained from the war, so she'd at least go a bit easier on them. Once the men were closer, Naevah began walking towards them. She held her hands out and spoke loudly with force. "That is enough!" Her brows furrowed and she stared at Tiernan, eyes narrowing slightly. "You... Stay where you are. The rest of you, leave." The other men scattered and Naevah never took her eyes off Tiernan, giving him an icy stare. "What just happened?" Her voice was deep and authoritative. Though the scene had somewhat been amusing, she was not smiling and showed no expression upon her stoic features. Now she silently cursed at herself for not carrying any of her weapons as usual. She hoped the man would at least cooperate and she would not need to use any.
Given the tone of the woman and her well-known position and prowess, people tended to listen to the Commander, even when they'd been hired by a nobleman and not part of the Avalendor Guard. The Nobleman, of course, was not so readily cowed...arrogance and entitlement before common sense, after all. He recognized her as well, however, and felt that she could do what he and his hired goons had obviously not been able to do. He'd fire the goons later. "Commander Northam...I am Nobleman Geats.....I demand that you arrest this man immediately and have him prepared for the gallows." For his part, Tiernan stopped, dropping the pilfered sword. It had shite for balance anyway and was far from expertly crafted. He actually didn't look at Terra too much. Whoever this blonde amazonian was, she held herself like she was in charge of something..he could inadvertently harm her with his words, which he actually didn't want. At the man's words, however, he sputtered. "Oi, now,...just took ye down a peg or two an' lightened yer load. I may be tha thief but ye are tha criminal, ye spineless whelp! Can't do yer own dirty work anymore so ye get tha capable women tae do it instead, aye?" He made a motion towards the noble, just a bluff, but the man started, moving so that the Commander and the cavalry officer were between him and Tiernan.
How did that mouth of his not get him killed yet? Out of all the people in the world, ones that held a high status in society were the worse to try and harm with your words and public humiliation. She could have sworn steam was going to come shooting out of Geats' ears with how red his face got. Terra nearly sighed again, giving a brief glance to Naevah for her order...She may not be her commander, but she initiated the charge, so she'd remain a simple bystander, waiting to be told to bind the man or simply leave him be.
There was a slight look of annoyance that spread over Naevah's face in the moment Geats began to speak. There was something in his voice that just seemed like nails on a chalkboard. Her eyes narrowed at the nobleman and she turned to look at him, standing up a bit taller as she straightened. "I said leave. This land is under enough turmoil as it is and the prisons are filled enough. Now leave. And you." She turned to look at Tiernan. "Shut your mouth." She glanced back to Lord Geets and narrowed her eyes at him threateningly. She could not stand men like him and he was pissing her off just standing there. She set her hands on her hips and waited for him to start to back off and when he didn't she spoke again. "If you do not turn to leave in the count of three seconds, I will have you arrested for starting trouble on military grounds where you have no business being in." She waited and started to count. "One. . ."
Lord Geats sputtered at that...it really was amazing to watch, actually. Tiernan had never seen a shade of red brighter than a cardinal's until just this very moment. Finally he huffed. "The Queen will here of this...I will be petitioning her directly in regards to your impertinence and spiteful conduct..." those eyes slid over to Terra there, behind the infantry commander. "As well as dereliction and unsuitability for duty." He stormed off then. Tiernan idly toyed with his hammer, twirling the head about and scuffing the grass lightly with his boot. He'd actually listened to the woman for the moment, though, hearing her words to the Lord, he couldn't help but look up, that smile incitefully incorrigible as he watched the man bluster and storm off. Of course...he couldn't stay silent for too long. "Pay for a bit o' ice tae cool yer heels, ye black hearted, yellow bellied weasel!" He seemed quite pleased with himself as he looked back to the women. "Well now...might be tha' these lands aren't so bad after all. Tis a pleasant surprise, by an' by, I'll admit that... thank ye, Ladies." He gave a jaunty bow.
Perhaps it had been amusing for a short while, until the noble's eyes had found her, sputtering off those words because she had to simply stand there. Naevah didn't ask for Tiernan to be bound or taken down...so she did as she was told, despite the fact now that she wanted to bring the thief down to his knees. If, for some reason, the rich stuck to his threat and it actually went somewhere, Terra will not be happy. Eyes would shift over to Tiernan then, narrowing in that agitated manner. "What...did you do now?" she asked calmly, slowly, but there was no pleasantness to her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Naevah fought the urge to laugh in the man's face when he threatened to speak to the queen of the matter. She shook her head then mumbled under her breath as the man walked off. "I'm sure the queen has more important things to do than deal with you and your petty little problems." Then as Tiernan yelled after him, she quickly turned her glance to him and narrowed her eyes a bit. She quickly kicked at the man's shins intending to make him fall to the ground. "Do not make matters any worse." She glared at him and shook her head. "Now are you going to tell us why we may be in trouble if the man runs off with his mouth to the queen?"
She got a good kick in and it made him hop, but he didn't go down and it certainly didn't quiet him. The string of broguish cursing should of sounded rather familiar to Terra...as it wasn't the first time she'd been around him when he'd gotten kicked in the shin. He did make sure he stayed out of immediate striking range, however. His response, however, was to Terra. "I dinnae do anything! I was simply exploring the city...happened upon this place...saw tha training. Yer a beauty, Freckles, but dun flatter yerself too much. I had nae intentions o' finding ye...it just happened..." He paused for a moment, then looked between both women, shrugging helplessly. "As fer why...he saw me an' gave chase. He wanted retribution for the ill-gotten gold tha' I freed from his pilfering pockets."
There he went again, hopping about on one foot. Yes, looked very familiar and she almost grinned again. What a mess this all was turning out to be. Naevah shouldn't have lashed out like that, whether he was speaking out of turn or not...because, from experience, it just didn't help matters at all. Terra found herself adding to Tiernan's explanation, even if it didn't make herself look very good, "I was there...He gave the man a bit of a knock over the head, but there was no more harm done." Maybe the commander would be more inclined to listening to a less criticizing explanation.
Naevah stood there silently, watching and listening to the man explain himself. When he finished and Terra chimed in, she simply nodded. Her voice was calm as she spoke. "And you do know that stealing is a crime, yes? And that usually people are put under arrest for such actions..." Her hands rested on her hips once again. "Give me one good reason I should not have you arrested..." Naevah already knew that it would be a waste of time. There were so many prisoners at the moment, that no one knew what to do with them just yet. Adding one more wouldn't really do much except cause another person to worry about and Naevah knew the man would be freed for the reason that the men already in the prison had done worser things.
"Apparently, stealing is a crime unless ye 'ave papers claimin' yer blood is blue instead o' red like tha common folk. Then ye use tha law tae steal from those who dun 'ave a bloody thing tae begin wit'...an' they call tha' business. Nae anyone gets arrested fer tha'...so I simply stole what was already stolen. Was just up front about it an' not hiding behind titles." He slid his hammer back into the loop at his belt, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked first at Terra, then at Naevah. "I've got nae heart wrenching story tae tell or elaborate explanation. Yer lass there tried tae, all be told...an' she is good, but I won't let mae self get arrest an' I've seen yer city an' the rebuilding...ye've got worse tae worry about than a man who takes money from those tha' 'ave more than they deserve."
She just nodded as the man spoke. Truthfully, she was in no mood to deal with this, or to throw anyone into the prison. It was a pointless act, really. A sigh escaped her. "You're absolutely right. There are worse things to be worrying about than this, which is why I just don't give a damn at the moment... But, to call things even and whatnot, I don't have you locked up if you would be willing on helping with all the rebuilding that needs to go on. We are in need of strong hands to help with restoring buildings and rebuilding and such... The land is a bloody mess, if you couldn't tell..." She raised a brow and watched him quietly, waiting for his reaction to the so-called "bargain".
"Um....thief?" He pointed to himself. He was well, for lack of a better term, shocked by this. It certainly wasn't the turn he'd expected in this little conversation. 'Shackles and Irons! To the Gallows...Off with his head!' That's what he expected to hear. Certainly, he wasn't expecting 'Grab a hammer and start building'. He furrowed his brows at her. "I ah...actually prefer tha term 'Highwayman'...but, Lady Commander... I am nae exactly wha' ye can consider a 'roots in tha community' sort." He actually looked over to Terra for assistance.
Naevah's bargain came as a bit of a shock, both brows lifting up in gesture as she drifted her attention from the woman to Tiernan. Yes, now this was just getting oh so very amusing and she finally found herself grinning, stifling a chuckle with her hand before rubbing at her eyes. She caught his look, asking her for some sort of assistance in this matter. "I don't believe he's good for anything but stealing, commander. And trouble, as you've witnessed." There, she helped. She should be walking away from this ridiculous scene right now.
Her brows furrowed and she shook her head. "I don't care what you are and what you do...There are shoemakers painting houses and scientists, teachers, whatever, all working to help. Just blood agree.. It's the least you can do..." She cleared her throat and then shook her head. Maybe she was just wasting her time all together. She turned away and started walking, calling out after her. "Do you want to get your arm better or not, Terra?"
Crazy. Everyone in this kingdom was crazy. He thought it was nice because things played out differently with the cavalry rider and now, with the noble after him. It wasn't. They were just all not right in the head...that's it...that explained all of it. "Oi, yea...help tae paint a house an' waylay a carriage during lunch is it? Yer all daft and crazy..." He glared at Terra....definitely not a help in this situation. He muttered as they walked away, loud enough to be overheard..."Aye..thanks fer the help, wee, one-armed pixie."
Was it bad that she still couldn't stop grining? Everything seemed to happen so fast that it all started to finally catch up to her. Naevah was moody, even Tiernan seemed to be...which made little to no sense to her because, well, he got his way, no? She'd move over to Altair as Naevah began to make her exit, taking his reins in a hand before attention was directed towards the man as he made his mood known. "What'd you expect me to do? Praise you? You got what you wanted, didn't you?" she spoke, walking backwards as she lead the horse towards the stables. She had to get him put away before Naevah got too far. She might've snapped back a bit at him, but her mood was still relatively light because of the odd situation. All he had to do was avoid the commander, and he wouldn't have to do anything. Seemed easy enough to her.
After the war, Naevah had decided not to force her men into training duties as usual. It was a time for healing and gaining back strengths and coping with losses and helping to rebuilt. The war had pretty badly messed up the island and there was a lot to be done. In all honesty, Naevah wanted to crawl into a dark hole and stay there for several months to cope the loss of her father. But as a commander, she knew she needed to keep her strength and be there for those that needed her help. When Terra came to her about her injury, she had agreed to help her however she could, but informed her it would take some time. In fact, many had come to her with their own stresses of rehabilitation of broken limbs or strained muscles. The war had done its toll on nearly everyone, it seemed. Though, somehow, Naevah felt that she hadn't injured herself too badly and was rather surprised by it, especially with some of the things she had to do throughout the war. Those damn holes, she thought would be the death of her, with the number of times she nearly fell into one by accident. But it was over now, and things had fallen hauntingly quiet. No one really knew what to do or what was going on... What was going to happen next? Everyone, at least in the infantry's wing of the military building, was quiet about everything. They were silent and patient, willing to do whatever was needed. And so they were all waiting for directions. Directions Naevah had not yet given or had idea of just yet. So for now, Naevah made her rounds through the building. She was the only commander left within the entire military, and that was frightening. How could this have happened? Aithne was gone. Zane had transferred back into the cavalry... Thais was missing, but presumed dead... Ancaladar was a horrible failure and went missing at the start of the war. It was bad. She stopped at the doors leading out to the training arena, just outside the military building. There was movement and she could tell someone hadn't given up on their training, even though the island was mostly quiet. Naevah stepped out quietly and watched Terra as she became fed up with her arm and threw down the lance. Arms slowly folded over her chest and she called out. "Becoming frustrated with yourself will only make matter worse..." She took several steps away from the building and into the arena, making her presence known. The tall, warrior-like woman actually dressed like a lady, carried no weapons on her at the moment, and her braids had been removed from her hair. She walked to where the lance had been dropped and she picked it up. "We will not be using this just yet..."
Business was slow. He couldn't really blame anyone for that, however. It wasn't that there weren't enough foolish people rolling around the roads...it was just that he hadn't much felt like taking things on, business as usual. His time with the healers, with that unexpected run in with the woman, Terra, had been more meaningful than one would expect. He'd dealt with his fair share of the law since he'd become a brigand and taking to lighten the loads of those less needy. He'd seen all the types, or so he thought. She didn't quite fit. Under different circumstances, he might have attempted to make her a friend and comrade...there was something good in her, for all of her bluster and anger. He'd held onto his word that day and left after parting ways...not bothering the healers or their donations. This land was still new to him. He knew that it had been in war recently...passing borders always proved to be simpler when one of the kingdoms was in turmoil. He'd never investigated into it more seriously, however...not more than he needed in order to know where to wait for his next payday to ride through. He'd taken a break and gone through the city, saw the rebuilding...the people. Eventually, he found his travels taking him toward where the hallowed warrior halls of that military building were. Those grey greens looked it over with a critical eye, his mouth and expression remaining impassive, a peculiarity that would have been noted by any that saw him. He came up short when he stumbled across that training area. Leaning there, against the corner, he'd watched those warriors train. A small, ghost of a smirk curled his lip at this and he found himself staying until there was only one there, still training. It honestly didn't surprise him...he recognized her swiftly enough, even from the distance. Watching, he saw the other, the statuesque woman appear from the building and pick up the lance with ease. Was the entire army consisting of beautiful women? Well, that brought his signature smile to the foreground again. If that's the kind of army they ran here...where could Tiernan sign up?
Dismounting, Terra stroked the horse's neck and snout, soothing him without needing any words, delving into that bond of rider and mount. Animals sensed things, detected things far quicker than any trained warrior could, and it was a comfort to know that he did...even being a horse with no words to give back in comfort. Movement from the corner of her eye brought her attention over, catching Naevah as she called out to her. Becoming frustrated with yourself will only make matters worse. Yes, been there, done that...still doing it. Obviously Terra knew better...but at times, she simply couldn't help herself. It was that still, burning fire inside her that wanted to keep her going. She watched as the commander picked up the lance, smiling instantly from the sight of her. Naevah all lady-like...it was indeed the first time Terra was witness to that. "My, my...I hardly recognized you," she spoke, teasing lightly as she leaned up against Altair, jutting a hip out with a hand placed upon it. She couldn't remember the last time she attempted to dress nice. At just twelve years old she had begun to wear her brother's old clothes, because well, you couldn't quite be a knight in a dress, now could you? Terra's smile softened into something more sincere, a deep of her head in that respectful greeting, "Thank you for coming."
The lance was set down on a bench nearby. At Terra's comment of not recognizing her, she fought the urge to roll her eyes. When Naevah wasn't fighting in a war or engaged in heavy training, she still wore a dress, though not any that were as nice looking as the one she wore now. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Today would have been my father's birthday." She said plainly. Her sleeves were rolled up and she just nodded her head. "Where does it hurt the most in your arm?" Her light green eyes shifted to Terra's arm, as if examining it, though nothing could be seen with the clothes covering up and her skin hiding her muscles. Naevah was no healer, but she knew a little bit about muscle strains and how to gain the strength back. "And more importantly...Do you remember what you were doing when this started?" She took a step back and pulled her hair back, behind her shoulders. Hands were set on her hips and she stood tall, inspecting the woman before her for a moment. "Have you even been to a healer yet?" She figured that maybe the woman hadn't, due to the fact that they were horribly slammed with those that were injured far worse. Naevah waved her question off and stepped forward again. "I need to know what you've already tried and what doesn't work..."
Tiernan moved closer...not in any way that would make him conspicuous or cause concern. He was just one of many moving objects in the peripheral world around the two women. Given time, he'd make his way closer. Certainly, there was a limit. Those grounds certainly weren't for use by the general public. Watching the interaction from the distance, he wasn't really paying attention to what as going on about him. Odd, for someone trying to be so careful as to sneak around. He nudged into a man walking by. They rebounded off each other and the man put up an indignant sound as he wheeled on Tiernan. "How dare you!?! Watch where you a-...." Tiernan stiffened at the voice...recognizing its rather effeminate masculinity. There'd been a reason he'd gagged the nobleman after he'd knocked him unconscious. Clearly, some god had a piss poor sense of humor. Turning to face the man, Tiernan saw that there were two others with him. Of course he recognized them too...they'd been knocked out last time as well. "Ah bloody 'ell...." The three flashed blades and Tiernan pulled his hammer into play. Just in time too, as he barely managed to turn aside a thrust from one of the guards, throwing his momentum in front of the two others and spoiling their ability to come after him for the immediate moment. While they untangled, Tiernan gallant moved and....ran. Clearest stretch was right through those training grounds..and thus he went. "O' all tha bloody days!"
Apparently, Terra wasn't doing too well with anything lately. Trying to make light of a situation that was nothing but light for her, she might have just made a fool of herself. That smile left quickly at seeing the woman's stance, her response, and she lowered her eyes to the ground. Lips parted to make some sort of apology but there came a flood of questions her way that she had to answer just before she could. "Uh, my shoulder," she replied quickly. "Upper arm and shoulder. I thought I had dislocated it...I had fallen from my horse and had to throw a spear in an odd position on the ground." Either that or get trampled on. She could remember the burning hot feeling that shot through her, how having to fight on only worsened it with each muscle she used. At the question of seeing a healer, one that Naevah quickly dismissed, Terra could only look to her with a raised brow. She saw Julianna when she got the chance. The poor woman and the others seemed to be swamped. The young woman might be naive at times, but she wasn't that foolish as to not have gone to a healer after weeks of it not getting better. "Horrible herbal remedies, massages, light excerise...helps with the pain, but it still remains w-" She was cut off in her explanation at the sounds of shouts and clanking metal in the distance. Perhaps others were back out to build up their skills? Then she heard him...yelling in that accented voice, drawing her eyes over to see, none other than, that pesky thief of a man running for his dear life clear across the training yard with a few men following in his wake. Terra had to shut her eyes with a heavy sigh, hoping that when she opened them again, he'd be gone. Oh, but of course not. "You have got to be kidding me..." she mumbled to herself, asking herself whether she should turn and walk away, intercept, or simply watch as whatever this was played out.
Naevah listened patiently as Terra explained to her everything. She wasn't a very friendly or personable person, so she honestly didn't know that Julianna was her sister or a healer. She'd nod and start to think up some exercises and such that they could do to help her arm out, but then her thoughts were interrupted with the sounds of yelling suddenly kicked in and Terra stopped in mid sentence. Brow rose and she looked over her shoulders to see the commotion, but it only left her confused. Terra's mumble to herself caused her to look back at her with a questioning expression. "What?--"
Tiernan heard one of the men gaining. He stopped suddenly, planting his foot, the knee bend, absorbing the inertia, and then he thrust back, keeping his shoulder low and square as he turned. He caught the man just below the belly button and he rolled up, shrugging the man over him, taking him off his feetn and flipping him through the air to land solidly on his back and slam the wind from him. The guy wasn't going to be getting up quickly. That brought him enough pause from the other to that he could set himself, managing to kick up the hilt of the downed man's sword and grasping it. Then the fight was on again as he worked to keep the two men in front, warding off blows with each weapon as he moved to keep them in front of him, forcing them to get in each other's way so their numerical advantage worked against them. He kept flipping that hammer about as well, twisting the head and using to trap or knock attacks to the side in a way that couldn't be managed with sword. Brilliant work really, for a simple thief. He even began to look like he was having fun… that infuriating grin flashing and visible even from the distance he was from the two women. Couldn’t last forever though…so, trapping the guard’s sword, he bodily forced him to slam into the noblemen, sending them both into a tumble so he could get away. Turning to leave swiftly, he barely ducked the swing from the other guard, who had apparently begun recovering and was on his feet. Tiernan quickly shifted directions, though this was now going to bring him closer to those two warriors.
Brows furrowed. "Don't ask..." she responded to the brief question, eyes watching the display of the man who had to be more than just a mere thief, perhaps a warrior in another life. So what had he done now? More importantly, what was he doing around the military building? There wasn't much of value there, or perhaps he was falling into the spying business instead now. From the distance she was able to notice his grin, as well as come to recognize the noble who struggled to keep Tiernan down with the other guards, failing miserably. There was almost an amusing, wild air about it all...and for a moment, she actually thought she of grinning about it, but refrained from doing so just as the brigand turned his direction to head straight towards them. The question still remained...stop him or let him pass? It was her job to stop the brute, of course, after what he had done (though the humiliation on the noble's face was rather priceless), and if she didn't, it might bring up a few questions and she didn't need the reprimanding right now.
Naevah turned her eyes to watch the scene a bit longer. The man was taking down the guards and she knew she needed to do something about it. These were her guards that she had trained and they were not doing so well. Of course, most of their strength had been drained from the war, so she'd at least go a bit easier on them. Once the men were closer, Naevah began walking towards them. She held her hands out and spoke loudly with force. "That is enough!" Her brows furrowed and she stared at Tiernan, eyes narrowing slightly. "You... Stay where you are. The rest of you, leave." The other men scattered and Naevah never took her eyes off Tiernan, giving him an icy stare. "What just happened?" Her voice was deep and authoritative. Though the scene had somewhat been amusing, she was not smiling and showed no expression upon her stoic features. Now she silently cursed at herself for not carrying any of her weapons as usual. She hoped the man would at least cooperate and she would not need to use any.
Given the tone of the woman and her well-known position and prowess, people tended to listen to the Commander, even when they'd been hired by a nobleman and not part of the Avalendor Guard. The Nobleman, of course, was not so readily cowed...arrogance and entitlement before common sense, after all. He recognized her as well, however, and felt that she could do what he and his hired goons had obviously not been able to do. He'd fire the goons later. "Commander Northam...I am Nobleman Geats.....I demand that you arrest this man immediately and have him prepared for the gallows." For his part, Tiernan stopped, dropping the pilfered sword. It had shite for balance anyway and was far from expertly crafted. He actually didn't look at Terra too much. Whoever this blonde amazonian was, she held herself like she was in charge of something..he could inadvertently harm her with his words, which he actually didn't want. At the man's words, however, he sputtered. "Oi, now,...just took ye down a peg or two an' lightened yer load. I may be tha thief but ye are tha criminal, ye spineless whelp! Can't do yer own dirty work anymore so ye get tha capable women tae do it instead, aye?" He made a motion towards the noble, just a bluff, but the man started, moving so that the Commander and the cavalry officer were between him and Tiernan.
How did that mouth of his not get him killed yet? Out of all the people in the world, ones that held a high status in society were the worse to try and harm with your words and public humiliation. She could have sworn steam was going to come shooting out of Geats' ears with how red his face got. Terra nearly sighed again, giving a brief glance to Naevah for her order...She may not be her commander, but she initiated the charge, so she'd remain a simple bystander, waiting to be told to bind the man or simply leave him be.
There was a slight look of annoyance that spread over Naevah's face in the moment Geats began to speak. There was something in his voice that just seemed like nails on a chalkboard. Her eyes narrowed at the nobleman and she turned to look at him, standing up a bit taller as she straightened. "I said leave. This land is under enough turmoil as it is and the prisons are filled enough. Now leave. And you." She turned to look at Tiernan. "Shut your mouth." She glanced back to Lord Geets and narrowed her eyes at him threateningly. She could not stand men like him and he was pissing her off just standing there. She set her hands on her hips and waited for him to start to back off and when he didn't she spoke again. "If you do not turn to leave in the count of three seconds, I will have you arrested for starting trouble on military grounds where you have no business being in." She waited and started to count. "One. . ."
Lord Geats sputtered at that...it really was amazing to watch, actually. Tiernan had never seen a shade of red brighter than a cardinal's until just this very moment. Finally he huffed. "The Queen will here of this...I will be petitioning her directly in regards to your impertinence and spiteful conduct..." those eyes slid over to Terra there, behind the infantry commander. "As well as dereliction and unsuitability for duty." He stormed off then. Tiernan idly toyed with his hammer, twirling the head about and scuffing the grass lightly with his boot. He'd actually listened to the woman for the moment, though, hearing her words to the Lord, he couldn't help but look up, that smile incitefully incorrigible as he watched the man bluster and storm off. Of course...he couldn't stay silent for too long. "Pay for a bit o' ice tae cool yer heels, ye black hearted, yellow bellied weasel!" He seemed quite pleased with himself as he looked back to the women. "Well now...might be tha' these lands aren't so bad after all. Tis a pleasant surprise, by an' by, I'll admit that... thank ye, Ladies." He gave a jaunty bow.
Perhaps it had been amusing for a short while, until the noble's eyes had found her, sputtering off those words because she had to simply stand there. Naevah didn't ask for Tiernan to be bound or taken down...so she did as she was told, despite the fact now that she wanted to bring the thief down to his knees. If, for some reason, the rich stuck to his threat and it actually went somewhere, Terra will not be happy. Eyes would shift over to Tiernan then, narrowing in that agitated manner. "What...did you do now?" she asked calmly, slowly, but there was no pleasantness to her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Naevah fought the urge to laugh in the man's face when he threatened to speak to the queen of the matter. She shook her head then mumbled under her breath as the man walked off. "I'm sure the queen has more important things to do than deal with you and your petty little problems." Then as Tiernan yelled after him, she quickly turned her glance to him and narrowed her eyes a bit. She quickly kicked at the man's shins intending to make him fall to the ground. "Do not make matters any worse." She glared at him and shook her head. "Now are you going to tell us why we may be in trouble if the man runs off with his mouth to the queen?"
She got a good kick in and it made him hop, but he didn't go down and it certainly didn't quiet him. The string of broguish cursing should of sounded rather familiar to Terra...as it wasn't the first time she'd been around him when he'd gotten kicked in the shin. He did make sure he stayed out of immediate striking range, however. His response, however, was to Terra. "I dinnae do anything! I was simply exploring the city...happened upon this place...saw tha training. Yer a beauty, Freckles, but dun flatter yerself too much. I had nae intentions o' finding ye...it just happened..." He paused for a moment, then looked between both women, shrugging helplessly. "As fer why...he saw me an' gave chase. He wanted retribution for the ill-gotten gold tha' I freed from his pilfering pockets."
There he went again, hopping about on one foot. Yes, looked very familiar and she almost grinned again. What a mess this all was turning out to be. Naevah shouldn't have lashed out like that, whether he was speaking out of turn or not...because, from experience, it just didn't help matters at all. Terra found herself adding to Tiernan's explanation, even if it didn't make herself look very good, "I was there...He gave the man a bit of a knock over the head, but there was no more harm done." Maybe the commander would be more inclined to listening to a less criticizing explanation.
Naevah stood there silently, watching and listening to the man explain himself. When he finished and Terra chimed in, she simply nodded. Her voice was calm as she spoke. "And you do know that stealing is a crime, yes? And that usually people are put under arrest for such actions..." Her hands rested on her hips once again. "Give me one good reason I should not have you arrested..." Naevah already knew that it would be a waste of time. There were so many prisoners at the moment, that no one knew what to do with them just yet. Adding one more wouldn't really do much except cause another person to worry about and Naevah knew the man would be freed for the reason that the men already in the prison had done worser things.
"Apparently, stealing is a crime unless ye 'ave papers claimin' yer blood is blue instead o' red like tha common folk. Then ye use tha law tae steal from those who dun 'ave a bloody thing tae begin wit'...an' they call tha' business. Nae anyone gets arrested fer tha'...so I simply stole what was already stolen. Was just up front about it an' not hiding behind titles." He slid his hammer back into the loop at his belt, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked first at Terra, then at Naevah. "I've got nae heart wrenching story tae tell or elaborate explanation. Yer lass there tried tae, all be told...an' she is good, but I won't let mae self get arrest an' I've seen yer city an' the rebuilding...ye've got worse tae worry about than a man who takes money from those tha' 'ave more than they deserve."
She just nodded as the man spoke. Truthfully, she was in no mood to deal with this, or to throw anyone into the prison. It was a pointless act, really. A sigh escaped her. "You're absolutely right. There are worse things to be worrying about than this, which is why I just don't give a damn at the moment... But, to call things even and whatnot, I don't have you locked up if you would be willing on helping with all the rebuilding that needs to go on. We are in need of strong hands to help with restoring buildings and rebuilding and such... The land is a bloody mess, if you couldn't tell..." She raised a brow and watched him quietly, waiting for his reaction to the so-called "bargain".
"Um....thief?" He pointed to himself. He was well, for lack of a better term, shocked by this. It certainly wasn't the turn he'd expected in this little conversation. 'Shackles and Irons! To the Gallows...Off with his head!' That's what he expected to hear. Certainly, he wasn't expecting 'Grab a hammer and start building'. He furrowed his brows at her. "I ah...actually prefer tha term 'Highwayman'...but, Lady Commander... I am nae exactly wha' ye can consider a 'roots in tha community' sort." He actually looked over to Terra for assistance.
Naevah's bargain came as a bit of a shock, both brows lifting up in gesture as she drifted her attention from the woman to Tiernan. Yes, now this was just getting oh so very amusing and she finally found herself grinning, stifling a chuckle with her hand before rubbing at her eyes. She caught his look, asking her for some sort of assistance in this matter. "I don't believe he's good for anything but stealing, commander. And trouble, as you've witnessed." There, she helped. She should be walking away from this ridiculous scene right now.
Her brows furrowed and she shook her head. "I don't care what you are and what you do...There are shoemakers painting houses and scientists, teachers, whatever, all working to help. Just blood agree.. It's the least you can do..." She cleared her throat and then shook her head. Maybe she was just wasting her time all together. She turned away and started walking, calling out after her. "Do you want to get your arm better or not, Terra?"
Crazy. Everyone in this kingdom was crazy. He thought it was nice because things played out differently with the cavalry rider and now, with the noble after him. It wasn't. They were just all not right in the head...that's it...that explained all of it. "Oi, yea...help tae paint a house an' waylay a carriage during lunch is it? Yer all daft and crazy..." He glared at Terra....definitely not a help in this situation. He muttered as they walked away, loud enough to be overheard..."Aye..thanks fer the help, wee, one-armed pixie."
Was it bad that she still couldn't stop grining? Everything seemed to happen so fast that it all started to finally catch up to her. Naevah was moody, even Tiernan seemed to be...which made little to no sense to her because, well, he got his way, no? She'd move over to Altair as Naevah began to make her exit, taking his reins in a hand before attention was directed towards the man as he made his mood known. "What'd you expect me to do? Praise you? You got what you wanted, didn't you?" she spoke, walking backwards as she lead the horse towards the stables. She had to get him put away before Naevah got too far. She might've snapped back a bit at him, but her mood was still relatively light because of the odd situation. All he had to do was avoid the commander, and he wouldn't have to do anything. Seemed easy enough to her.