Umbria Kyellaen
The carriage rocked and juddered, its protectors armed to the teeth and baring the Dukeโs flag, but it was the cold curious eyes that peeked out from between bars that most onlookers found the most disturbing of it all. Sharp, mercyless, trained eyes. The kind that had seen more then most eyes should. The kind that was looking for moreโฆ
The guardsmen came to a halt with the carriage, and they all readied their weapons and pikes, pointing them towards the doors where the prison cart was locked firmly. The carriage man went to unlock the back. He hesitated with the handle, and wiped his brow as he checked for the guard captainโs permission. One nod of the head, and the doors swung open.
โYou know, Iโve been getting a lot of hostile vibes from you guys this entire wayโฆ at this rate Iโm starting to think that you lot donโt like me. Not scared, are you?โ
The figure in the carriage sat on the cold metal bench, clothes still fresh despite being covered in straw and her body coated with a mix of dust and scars. The cocky smile she gave only made the guards more nervous. She leaned forward, and they all shifted to ready, but she only moved to lean on her legs. She had a very boyish posture. Her wrists jangled with the manacles and chains. โSoโฆ you gonna let me out?โ
โI will remind you once more that you are here on the good graces of his lordship and the Baron. It is their reputation that is now on the line, but as agreed they place their utmost trust in-โ
โDAAAANG that carriage driver is hot!โ
The Guard captain had to stutter, unsure what to do by such an outlandish interruption. โMiss Umbria, as I was sayingโฆโ
Umbria sneered and waved him off, looking around her with immense curiosity. โYeah, yeah. Donโt do anything stupid, I got you. I heard you back when you said it the first time right before I even told you my name. Gods knows how many time you have said it since then. So, can you hurry it up? Iโm busting for a p*ss right now. Been holdinโ it in since yesterday.โ
Sighing, the Guardsman just gave up, taking the keys and releasing her from the mandatory manicals that Cynaria had enforced they place on her while traveling through the kingdom. Well, it hadnโt just been Cynaria. Almost every kingdom they had travelled through had demanded the exact same thing. Do not stop. Do not let her out. Keep her chained and locked up at all costs. And every time they had sent an armed escort to ensure that their demands were met. On the other hand, safest ride ever.
โJust, try not to do anything that could ruin usโฆโ at his last words, Umbria smirked.
โWhat, scared Iโll slip up and kill someone?โ
The guard, an old acquaintance who she knew worked more for the barron then the Duke whoโs crest he was wearing, gave her a long and serious look. she winked. โCanโt make any promises.โ
With the manicals off, Umbria finally felt the weight of the journey ease off her shoulders. It had been a terrible ride. Uncomfortable, cramped, not to mention noisy what with all the clanky tin men following them around. She gave a stretch, and cracked her neck, laughing as the feeling of freedom made her feel so much better about this deal. โSo, how long 'till you lot come back for me, then? Are we saying one month? Maybe two? Thereโs no rush, obviously, but you knowโฆ my crime lords arenโt gonna kill themselves.โ
โWould you keep your voice down?!โ the captain slammed a hand over her mouth, and she scowled at him from under his glove. He removed his hand only after checking that nobody had possibly heard her. โUnder no circumstance are you to let the people here know that you are a former killer. Understand?โ
โYou glove tastes like ass. Did you know that?โ
He went to say something, but was cut off abruptly as a footman appeared by the side of the carriage, nervously looking at the thing as if it was about to jump out and eat him. the Captain frowned. โCan we help you, sir?โ
He shakingly stepped up to the two of them. Clearly he was unnerved by the many guards currently surrounding them. โUmโฆ y-your bagsโฆ s-s-sir?โ
โOh, right.โ The captain whistled, and in an instant two of his guards went off to fetch a horse carrying a small collection of bags and boxes. Umbria rose a brow.
โYa couldnโt have gotten a donkey to take that? Not even a cart or something to pull?โ
โWe made do with what we had. Youโre lucky we brought you anything at all.โ
They watched in silence as the footman lead the horse away, no doubt to unload and carry her bags to whatever place she would likely be staying. Umbria couldnโt help but notice that most of the other lords and ladies had arrived. Not a surprise. It was roughly midday now, and they were expected to arrive late, what with all the security stops and whatnot.
โAgain. Donโt tell anyone, and make sure to keep your head down. We will return for you once the Baron believes you have learned enough about how to be a lady. The Duke has also assured that he will pay for any extra lessons you need to catch up on your education.โ
Umbria scowled, annoyed that they had to keep bringing up the fact that she had never gone to school before 16, and was beyond way behind when it came to such matters. โHow thoughtful of him. Now come on, get out of my sight, I donโt want people to think you know me.โ
That was the first time that the captain scoffed, and it was a laugh that only made her more angry. As he turned to his men, he glanced back at her. โSomehow, I doubt youโll be able to avoid that, miss wanted criminal assassin.โ
She growled as she watched them slowly go, leaving her to deal with her own missions as her and the Baron had previously agreed. As she stepped towards the gates, a smile slowly crept back onto her face.
this was it. No guards, no watchmen, no snitches. It was the closest she would feel to freedom until she actually earned it. For the entire journey she had hoped that it would be a grand and exhilarating experience. She planned to not let it dissapoint.
โWell, lets see what this baby has to offer me.โ Whistling a jaunty tune, Umbria made her way into the grand old Academy.
@CrazyCaliope - Hereโs the post for ya mโdear.