Winter Greetings (Rachel Messer)

by **Ryia Brock** on January 12th, 2014, 12:53 am

Dimia smiled at Rachel's words, glancing to her and to her little sister. "I can understand, many seem to enjoy wandering these woods and even the main road. It's not something that I like a lot. The summers can get really hot in armor and many of the merchants and travelers on the road haven't had a bath in days. Of course those would be the ones to want to talk." The squire shook her head and combed loose strains of hair from her face. "Did either of you know they throw trash down, right on the main road? They don't care, not one bit. Father was telling me that they used to make pages go out and clean it all up. Isn't that a laugh?"

The talkative blonde was about to say more when Rachel asked about what it was like to be in the order. A smirk rose upon Dimia's face as she glanced back to Ryia. The youngest of the group had only become a squire that season so it would be hard for her to say. But Dimia had been a squire for a while and she could speak about her experiences. "It's not so bad if you don't mind being told what to do, getting bruised and battered in training, and helping little old ladies who get lost find their way. Oh, and let's not forget the fun of running up and down all those stairs in plate armor."

Ryia smiled and looked to her sister with a bemused expression. "You make it sound so horrible. It can't be all that bad. I mean I know it's tough, but you have to love something about it?" Every squire had their own reason for wanting to be a Knight, and every Knight had their own reason for wanting to continue and fight the good fight. For Ryia, she wanted to prove herself, that she could be a Knight and honor her family as the rest had. She wanted to prove that she wasn't a child and that she wasn't broken.

"Well of course it's not all bad Ryia. We get to be a part of something bigger, we get to be a part of our history and a hero to our people. But it's not all glamorous and it's not for the faint of heart. So if you plan on joining the order Miss Messer remember that." Ryia couldn't see Rachel since she was behind her, but she turned to try and see behind her. "If you decide to join you can room with us. It's only the two of us and there's a spar bed."

by **Rachel Messer** on January 28th, 2014, 5:37 pm

As Dimia mentioned how hot it was to be in armor during Summer, Rachel nodded fervently, even with leather armor, Summer still felt uncomfortably hot, especially being cooked inside the large stone coffin of a fortress, one could only imagine what it felt like to wear metal late armor. The instructor chuckled a little about travellers who didn't bath, travelling was hard and bathing became a trivial matter compared to survival needs such as food, weaponry, and shelter, The knight's apparent sarcasm amused her. The instructor gasped, perhaps rather exaggerated, when she heard about people littering the Kabrin Road, "How horrible of them!" she shook her head, how could they dirty the road so important was beyond her, they were irresponsible men and deserved punishment. "Poor pages... We should find these travellers and give them some spanking!" The woman looked serious, even with her idea that may seemed odd, spanking grown men and women.

Rachel almost groaned, she should have realized that joining the Order, aside from promoting justice and fairness, also meant walking around in those heavy plate armors. She didn't mind being ordered by superiors, it was necessary to maintain a large armed group, or training as Rachel herself was a combat instructor, she especially didn't mind helping people, no matter how small the deed was, it was the whole point of being a knight. The armor though... Rachel could just feel her body being cooked and ended up as brown-looking as a well-done roasted turkey. Ryia's attempt to lighten the situation was very welcomed and Dimia's confirmation washed away any doubts in the instructor's mind. "I very much agree, Miss Ryia, Sera Dimia, being a knight means so much more than donning on armor and sword. Being a knight allows us to uphold justice, fairness, and good, vanquishing evil. I lived all my childhood in Sunberth and I understand how society needs the right guardian, the Syliran Order is a perfect example of such guardians".

The sisters' offer brought a wide smile on Rachel's face, it was good to know that these fellow blond women welcomed her in their room, that meant a lot, one didn't share a room with someone they didn't trust. "Once I decide I'm ready to join the Order, I shall request to be stationed in your room! I promise!" As much as she wanted to do it now, she wasn't ready, a knight wouldn't miss a shot so horribly and fumbled so much with a horse. Rachel looked to the Mines and though faint, a sense of worry began to creep in. The eldest knight took rather long, she understood if Helena wanted to thoroughly examine them, but... she couldn't push it away. Also, she finally noticed something. The loud noises... it could be a sign something was up. The woman was mostly assuming however, it was best to ask the sisters.

"Uhm... sorry if I sound rude, but will Sera Helena be alright? I mean, she took some time... and, is it just me or the mines sound really loud?"

by **Ryia Brock** on February 13th, 2014, 5:52 pm

Ryia and Dimia both laughed softly from Rachel's chosen form of punishment. Ryia was still getting used to the idea of bringing the shield of justice down upon another. The thought of actually spanking an adult, and she wondered if in the end it would be her receiving the spanking. Dimia on the other hand wouldn't even think of it, there was no way that she was about to try and spank a dirty commoner. "Now that idea sounds fun. Miss Messer, you can lead the charge." Smiling, Dimia added a wink towards the older woman then turned back around.

Dimia was amused that the woman called her 'Sera'. It was true that she was a few years older than Ryia, but she was still a squire herself. Still, she liked the sound of the title, and if no one else said anything, she was glad to let it go. Rachel's thoughts on being a Knight were a lot like their own, and if she was sure that was the path that she wanted to take, Ryia and Dimia both would be at her side. "I find it hard to believe that you're from Sunberth.' Dimia said with a smirk. "I mean you speak so clearly and you're smart too, no wonder you left them. Must have been suffocating living there."

Ryia looked back between the two as they talked. She knew very little of the place called Sunberth, but she had heard rumors like many others. "It is really that bad? I mean, are the people as cruel as the word says?" The young squire wanted to hold out hope, hope that there wasn't a city out there that was so corrupt and tainted. She had already heard about the evil of Ravok, but to learn that there was another city just as bad as Ravok, it made the world seem darker. Dimia was just about to answer for the woman, but Rachel asked about their sister. "She has been gone for a while. Maybe we should go and see what's keeping her."

Dimia looked at them both for conformation, though Ryia was a bit hesitant. "She told us to wait here. If we go in there, she will be mad at us for disobeying her. You know how she can be Dimia." The teenager wanted to go in, and her chest was swelling with worry. Helena had been gone a while and there was a lot of noises coming from the inside. "Don't worry about it Ryia, you'll get used to her ways, and if it makes you feel better you can tell her it was my idea, Now come on." Slipping down from the horse, Dimia adjusted her sword and moved towards the mines.

"Are you coming too?" Ryia asked the woman behind her. She needed to back up her sister, but she didn't want to leave Rachel alone either. It was a bit difficult to slip down the front of the horse, when she was just getting used to slipped off the back, but Ryia managed and followed her sister to the inside of the mine.

by **Rachel Messer** on February 14th, 2014, 4:54 pm

Rachel was confused for a few ticks when the blond sisters laughed at her 'punishment' suggestion, then it came to her that they might find the idea of slapping the behinds of offenders funny. After some thought, she agreed with them, "Ahaha, forgive me, that's indeed an odd punishment," It might be odd, but she didn't mind actually doing it, "Of course, once I have the authority to do so". Dimia's wink eased the woman's opinion about her, Dimia appeared arrogant to her at first but after they warmed up, it wasn't so bad. As for Helena, it might take some time, Rachel almost kill her after all.

The instructor could very much understand Dimia's view on her history, most people would not think a 'civilized' woman such as her was from the Sunberth, city of lawlessness and crime. Everything Dimia said was correct, there was nothing more satisfying other than leaving Sunberth, save for her encounter with Priskil. Rachel gave the sisters a small smile, she wasn't fond of remembering her life in Sunberth, though there were a few happy moments, but the rest... they ranged from mildly disturbing to outright trauma-inducing, her encounter with two drunken men came to mind. "I agree with you, Sera, I'm trying my best to remove any connection with that city, except for..." Could she tell them? She supposed she could, "My father, he might be the same person as Kreig's father, Kreig is my brother and he's a squire in the Order".

Rachel mulled over the youngest's questions, Sunberth had a very bad reputation and Rachel personally knew why, "Well, I don't know how 'bad' the rumors you heard, but yes, blatant robbery, mugging, and kidnapping happens in broad daylight," As for the people, "The cruel people controls the city, but decent people are there, like Madame Calyn for example, she's the caretaker of the Orphanage I lived in, there's also Osd, my old friend, I wonder where is he now?" She would like to meet with him again, but they separated years ago, "In conclusion, Sunberth is an atrocious city, Miss Ryia".

The sisters agreed with her, Sera Helena was gone for a tad too long than necessary. She let the sisters discussed about the decision whether to check up on her or not. The noises were loud, giving the impression of a riot going on, the instructor hoped it wasn't the case and she was just being a worrywart. They decided to check, Rachel decided to follow, she would not stay put if she had the power to help, the instructor awkwardly climbed down the horse, then with her right hand on her longsword's grip, she followed the sisters closely.

by **Ryia Brock** on February 22nd, 2014, 10:14 pm

It was so loud inside the mine, and darkness covered the entrance and just inside. It would only be a guess to say what was going on there, or what they would find once they entered. The squires were worried, their elder sister was a strong woman and skilled Knight, but no one was invincible and locked inside a cave with angry workers wasn't the best place to be. They hadn't gotten far in when the horses outside became wary and started to pace about.

Suddenly they started to snort, and neighed as they reared up on their hind legs, something was out there. The sounds inside the mines were loud, but they didn't completely drown out the horses just yet. It was enough that the warning made it inside to reach the ears of the blonde trio. Ryia stopped first and looked back, head angled to better catch the sounds. "Do you both hear that? The horses...something is wrong."

Dimia had heard it as well, but with the dueling sounds coming from inside and out, it was hard to focus on just one. They had a decision to make now, go in to check on Helena or go back out for the horses. "You two go check on the horses and I'll go on in to see if Helena needs help." Turning away , Dimia continued on the path inside the mine, leaving Ryia and Rachel alone. The youngest of the group took a breath and headed back towards the entrance. "We can just take a quick look, maybe it's just a fox or something that scared them."

Once they were close to the light from the outside, she could see the horses jumping around just before they started to run. "Ah! Rachel they're running, help me!" Ryia cried as she dashed towards them. A sudden heavy and loud snarl slowed the teenager's pace and she went pale at the sight of it. Standing not that far away from where they had left the horses was a bear. It was tall, thick fur and looked very hungry.

by **Rachel Messer** on March 5th, 2014, 3:52 pm

As they approached the mines, the commotion became increasingly louder, this fed Rachel's worry, she clasped her right hand near her chest, praying for Priskil's blessing, her palm shone a comforting golden light through the leather gauntlet, easing her anxiety away and feeding her with courage. It would also affect all those near her so if Ryia and Dimia accepted the light, they would feel their own courage mustered. "Should someone call for reinforcements?" The thought of bandits invading the mind came to her, perhaps a robbery was in place, the thought seemed odd at first for bandits to invade such an important site, but... one could never know. From her experiences in Sunberth, there was no predicting on how low men could become.

"Huh?" The instructor instinctively turned her head to Ryia, between the loud sounds, she had to focus to comprehend Ryia's words, "I think so..." She heard the horse's panicked neigh as well, but shrugged it off at first because she was worried about Helena's safety. Now that the squire sisters expressed their concern regarding the horses, Rachel couldn't help but share their unease. "Acknowledged, Sera" the blond instructor nodded as she turned to Ryia, "Alright, let's hope it's just a fox or snake..." A lot of things could spook a horse, but horses trained for combat? Not much, she assumed. The instructor bid a short farewell to Dimia as she closely followed behind Ryia.

Suddenly, Ryia cried out for help, asking for Rachel's assistance, "I'm coming!" She didn't know why the horses were escaping and this lack of knowledge scared her. The instructor put her right hand around her sword's grip as she dashed after the blond squire. "By Priskil..." Her green eyes gazed upon a large beast, a common beast known as 'bears'. The bear had brown fur, tall, bulky, and the predatory look on its face suggested it wasn't here for chit-chat, "Ryia! Get back!" Rachel's motherly instinct prompted her to stand between the bear and the squire, she unsheathed her longsword, gripping it firmly with both of hands in front of her. She didn't want to kill this bear, it was simply an animal driven by natural instinct, it couldn't do evil. If she could, Rachel wanted to intimidate it to leave... somehow, someway.

"Go on! Shoo! Scram!" The instructor made her form looked as large as possible to coerce the bear into retreat. She gave a quick glance at Ryia, whispering, "Help me scare it away..." By Priskil, she didn't want to die in the hands - paws - of a wild animal.

by **Xira Hezmek** on March 14th, 2014, 8:31 am

Rachel Messer :

Additional Comments: Lame that it had to get cut short, it was getting really good! Oh well, I gave what I could

Optional Lore :

Please edit your post in the grade request to reflect that it has been graded. Any questions or concerns feel free to PM me

Skills	Amount
Observation	+3
Weapon: Crossbow	+1
Socialization	+2
Riding:	+1
Intimidation:	+1

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