Forum Thread

Scarlet snorts and shakes her head. "They are all the same. They'll fight at first, but it won't take them long to accept whatever punishment you deem worthy for them" she turns to Ace, once again trying to get him to look at her. "What were their crimes again?" She asks Ace.
"One was a murderer, he killed his wife and a poor passerby, the other was a known thief" Ace replies, he doesn't take the bait, just stares straight ahead.
"Right..." Scarlet sighs. The three walk for a bit longer before they eventually make it to the tavern. The door was shut. Scarlet found this to be unnerving. What if they were no longer knocked out but instead waiting to ambush them? "Are you ready?" Scarlet asks Regina as she slowly unsheathes her dagger.

Regina drew her sword. "I'm ready." She really was getting her wish. Things were starting to look more lively now, and that was something that Regina was hoping for. She was doing something in the first place, and she was stopping criminals. What more could she ask for? It had been a while since she had had a fight of any kind.

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One of the outlaws were still clearly knocked out, but the other wasn't. The moment Scarlet opens the door he launches himself forward, his body slamming Scarlet to the side. He quickly rushes towards Regina. While he did have a dagger drawn, it was obvious that he was much more focused on escaping rather than fighting her.
(Have fun :D, let's see what Regina can do! Feel free to take over this random NPC)

Regina blocked the doorway. "You are both under arrest for thievery and murder!" The man tried to push past her, but she shoved him back. He tried to slash at her with his dagger, but Regina blocked it with her sword. She ran towards him, and he tried to slash at her with the dagger once more. It cut across her face before Regina could move to block it, aggravating her old scar, but she took that moment to swing her leg, moving him off of his feet and crashing on the floor. She stuck a foot on his chest and pointed the tip of her sword at his throat. "I, Regina Mandeville Ferrothin, am placing you and your fellow criminal under arrest. You will not move, or I will be forced to take your life. Understand?" The man barely moved his head, and Regina moved her foot away, and then the sword. She didn't take her eyes off of him. "Scarlet, was it? Would you mind taking care of the unconscious one? I can handle him, but someone needs to detain the other. Hanging from her waist was a length of rope. All soldiers were required to carry it, in case a criminal or prisoner of war was caught and needed to be detained. "Never mind, I'll do it. She dragged the terrified man across the room and used the length of rope to bind them together, with a lead attached to it. She gripped it in one hand while she sheathed her sword. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to theives to bring back to the castle. The king will know what the proper punishment would be. It is not my place to be the deliverer of justice, just the one who detains them and fight's the battles of the kings." She began walking back to the castle, not caring if they followed or left, just intent on bringing the wrongdoers back to the castle to await trial. She snapped at the conscious one, "Start walking!" With difficulty, the man attempted to walk. He was bound tightly to the thief, so the unconscious body was upright, with the legs dragging and his head on his shoulder.

---

"Very impressive" Scarlet praises as she watches the fight go down. She had to be honest, her pride was slightly scathed from having been knocked down so easily. But she also had to admit that it was certainly worth it, Regina gave her quite a show. She would be a great help towards her cause. With her being distracted by this string of thoughts, she didn't even hear Regina speak right away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to thieves to bring back to the castle. The king will know what the proper punishment would be. It is not my place to be the deliverer of justice, just the one who detains them and fight's the battles of the kings." She shakes her head to clear it. "Right, that sounds about right. Thank you for your assistance in capturing these two outlaws" she bows her thanks, cringing slightly. She hated bowing down to others, but she had to keep the act going.

Regina was already walking, but she stopped. "There's no reason to bow, you know. I'm simply doing my job. I'm happy to help anytime you like." She kept walking towards the castle. When she reached the gates, Regina waited for them to open, and ignored the stares. Sure, they were rightly earned, because it wasn't normal for someone to randomly walk in with two people tied together. Once they were "settled" and in detainment, she decided to go back. She was curious about those "spies." Why was it that she had no memory of them? She rubbed her scar as she walked back. He had opened up the old wound, and it stung badly.

---

The two had no desire to leave, now that the outlaws were delivered to the knights they were free to do whatever they desired until they received a new project. Scarlet waited until she was sure Regina was gone before she calmly turns to Ace, who had been silent the whole time.
"You are acting strange and frankly, I don't have time to deal with your attitude" Scarlet scolds, she sassily places her hands onto her hips and narrows her eyes at him. "Go back to the lair and take the rest of the day off" she adds dismissively.
Ace nods, feeling relieved that both men were alive, and even better, having the opportunity to get away from Scarlet. It was difficult to relax with her constantly breathing down his neck and assessing his every move. As he leaves the alleyway, he nearly bumps into Regina, who seemed to be heading back to him and Scarlet. "Sorry" he murmurs. He rushes away quickly, not trusting himself to talk to her alone without spilling Scarlet's secrets.

Regina watched him with suspicion. Why did he just run off like that? She didn't trust him, or Scarlet. How was it that she had never heard of them, or seen them on castle grounds? She decided to follow him partway. It could be that her intuition was just being paranoid, and there was nothing going on, but there could also be something more to this...

---

Ace isn't paying attention, which is quite obvious, he doesn't even notice he is being followed. He is distracted by the thoughts racing through his head. Why did he act this way to Scarlet? He is usually more careful. Or maybe that's what he thinks, it's been a while since Scarlet had spoken to him and the Ring about her plans to overthrow the crown. Is it possible that she doesn't trust them anymore? That wouldn't be a stretch, the Ring wasn't always like this, they use to be close with the crown.
-Not anymore, they haven't been for years. They had worked with the crown just enough to ensure suspicion wouldn't rise. But he wouldn't be surprised if the crown was starting to doubt their trustworthiness.
He pauses by the not-so-secret lair, now recognizing the feeling of the eyes burning into his back. He turns his head, trying to see if he is being followed.

Regina stopped suddenly. She slipped her hood on and darted between stalls, ignoring the protests of the red-faced shopkeeper. Did he see her? And why did she feel like he was up to no good? Regina was determined to find out what was going on. She should know, after all. If he and his associate were really royal spies, she felt that there was no harm in her knowing what was going on. Still, she chose to remain hidden.

---

An Imp tossed itself through the window, bouncing on the floor for a moment before flapping the tiny wings on it's back. "Sir, knights have detained two well known criminals. One appears to have a light aura of magic about him sir. Perhaps a stolen artifact on his person?" Tirik nodded, then dismissed the Mirror Ghoul after being unable to reach the king. "Go back out on patrol." The Imp obeyed, hurled itself out the window again. Tirik sighed, then started for the door. After a moment, he turned back around and summoned two Watchers, there legged creatures that perched on anything with ease. One settled itself in the doorway, near the ceiling, while the other rested on the Mage's shoulder. One to watch the room, one to watch Tirik's pockets. Casting a final glance around the room, Tirik departed to seek the recent detainees.

Ace's eyes narrow, he stares at the spot Regina was last standing until he is absolutely sure that nobody is following him before he moves down into the basement. He wouldn't mind anyway if he was being followed. After all, there wasn't physical evidence of their plan to overthrow. Still, that didn't mean they were safe, anyone could reveal their plans. The lair had become slightly crowded since the last time he was here. People nod their welcome at Ace as he moves around them and towards his chambers.

Once Regina saw him leave, she let out a sigh of relief before apologizing quietly to the owner of the stall. She was unsure how she was going to get in. She observed the doors. It seemed like there was no one outside, so she adjusted her hood again so that her face was covered. She did make sure that her sheath was tight against her leg so that it wouldn't make any noise, and then slipped quietly inside, head bowed.

---

A few of the elders stare at Regina, recognizing that she wasn't one of them. But they also recognized that she was a knight, so they turn away and choose not to bother Regina. A few even step out of her way so that she can pass. The sudden silence makes Ace tense up slightly, he turns around again, wondering what is getting everyone's attention.

Regina tensed. Why was it so silent? Did she really stand out that much? She had tried hard to be inconspicuos. What should she do? She backed against a wall, her head racing to come up with a way to get out of this situation.

---

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As he walked into town, following the tiny summon, Elliot had a polite smile dancing across his lips as he waved to the townspeople, stopping by some of the more elderly citizens to help them along with whatever they wanted. "Are you chasing your brother again?" one of the grandmothers who Elliot knew had a bad knee asked amused as he helped her carry her groceries back to her home. The Mouler seemed to be going in the same direction anyway so he didn't see any reason why not to help.

"Unfortunately. I apologize if the ruckus from earlier disturbed you." He sighed, waiting for the grandmother to unlock her front door so he could place the groceries down. Once she did, Elliot helped put the groceries on the table before walking out with the woman's well wishes and pockets full of candy. Passing by the small chapel, he lifted a hand to wave at Kanata who was sitting out by the neatly swept steps entertaining the children with tales of grand adventures and implausible feats. As the Mouler waddled along, Elliot began to really wonder if the summon was leading him towards his bother until he could see the bakery. There, he could see the strands of golden hair that belonged to his brother, the sound of jingling bells ringing in the air. With his target in sight, Elliot began to walk towards the duo with the intention to drag the prince back towards the castle

---

Ace shakes his head and smiles in amusement. Man, he was a fool. It had taken him longer than it should've to put two and two together. Somebody was most definitely following him, but why? And who? Ace pockets his key and returns to the main room, searching for any new faces. He doesn't spot any, at least, not right away, when one of the girls moves out of his field of vision, hie is able to spot Regina. He tilts his head and walks towards her, trying to look as least threatening as possible. "Regina right? What are you doing here?" He asks with a light chuckle.

Regina scowled. "I was trying to find you. It's not every day that you find out that there's a position you've never heard of, or" she gestured around her, "whatever this is in the city that you've protected for years. I have questions, and I want answers to them. And if you can't help me, I'll find someone who can."

---

For a moment, a flicker of panic runs across Ace's face. But he quickly regains his composure. Again... What's wrong with me today? He fixes her with a bored expression and sighs. "Very well, I can answer those questions if it means putting your mind at ease" he looks around, catching all the stares. "Lets talk somewhere else though, we don't need everyone watching us now do we?"

Regina nodded. "That would definitely be prudent." She straightened up. "Well then, lead the way. And this isn't just to put my mind at ease. A general should know what she's protecting. That's why I came to the city in the first place." She stopped. Why had she just said that? Maybe he had already figured it out...Oh well. It didn't make a difference, but she didn't bother adding anything else.

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