Completed A Road Less Traveled {Orion}

[Hadyn Skellig]

55th Day Spring 513 Hadyn hitched the girth up a final time, standing in the early morning light, Syliras' gate looming behind her. There was a crispness to the air as a breeze picked up, the horse's warmth welcomed as she turned her face from the wind. In all honesty she hadn't expected Orion to offer himself for this task. She hadn't asked with the anticipation that he should respond thus. In fact she was a bit surprised by his answer in the smithy. It seemed reasonable the Knights would make trips to the outpost and she figured she could tag along one such trip. But instead the squire volunteered his time and energy. A small part of her was glad not to have to make small talk with a stranger - something she wasn't terribly fond of. It had, however, been a pain to contact the man when she decided on a travel date. She wasn't about to run around Syliras asking after one Orion Michaels. Exactly the kind of behavior he would tease her endlessly for. Finally settling for a missive delivered to his barracks, Hadyn penned a simple note. On it she'd written the day and time along with where she would wait for him. She also specified that she would be paying for his efforts. Didn't want him getting the wrong idea, so puffed up was his ego. The chestnut snorted impatiently, the cloud of dust rising from his pawing hoof curling in the light. Stepping to the front of the horse, Hadyn held the reins beneath his chin loosely, back to the wall as she waited. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, though she probably should've braided it. Her clothing was nothing he hadn't seen before, dark trousers tucked into boots, the brown vest over a grey tunic. The cloak was tied to the back of the saddle, along with a small pack. The reason for their jaunt to the outpost lay rolled carefully into calfskin pouch, tucked away. Shading her eyes, Hadyn tried to ignore the creeping worry that Orion would not come. It'd be just her luck that he changed his mind - fearful she would ask more than he wished to give. Or perhaps he forgot, as he seemed to have quite a bit on his plate. She couldn't decide which was a more annoying excuse. If he didn't show in another few chimes she'd go on her own. Couldn't be that hard to trek down the Kabrin and take care of it herself, right? She had a few weapons on her person and she wasn't exactly a desirous target with her homespun clothes and comely appearance. But it never hurt to travel in the company of a Knight. A particularly handsome Knight who knew just how attractive he was and gave her cheeky retorts at every turn. This could end up being a long trip.

[Orion Michaels]

"You can probably do that."

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dinah.

He'd asked her several times leading up to it, but she'd been loathe to agree. Not only was it the fact that he'd shown little reason to trust him on an event such as that. That was enough on it's own. While they'd improved over the course of the season, his insubordination had grated on her nerves. At least for the earlier parts of it. He'd actually gotten much better since the mid season festival and was truly starting to come into his own. There was little shame in this man, just a few years her junior, being her squire.

There was a problem though. The person who he would be escorting. The woman with whom he'd been with the night Orion finally pushed Dinah too far and made her put away the carrot, instead breaking out the stick. The Knight had run her squire into the ground the following day, and he'd not complained once. Maybe that made it worse for Dinah. Did he not care that he was being punished for it? The man had a wild soul, she knew that. But it didn't make it any more enjoyable for it to be her squire the one out sleeping with every woman who he turned his eyes on. Even she was a bit taken with him when they'd first met. Not that things had changed all that much.

He'd shown some semblance responsibility lately, so sending him out on a solo patrol wouldn't be an issue, not that close to the city. The knights patrolled that stretch of road frequently, due to its importance, so it would be a good way to get his feet wet.

"Yes, Orion. Go, go. Try to contain yourself. I don't know why you're going with her...well...maybe I do."

Orion could only laugh at the whole thing.

With official permission from his patron, he was able to requisition a horse for the endeavor, which would make the whole thing easier, while he wasn't sure if Hadyn would have one, well, he couldn't rightly ask for two. Full armor, shield, and sword, travelling gear, and rations. He had it all, and he was ready for what was hopefully a rather uneventful time.

She came into view immediately as he exited the gate, leading his horse in a trot over to her. It appeared she was long since ready to go. "My, my, I hope I didn't make you wait too long. Morning is a vague term, and with you only leaving me a note, I could hardly ask for more details." Blue eyes fell onto hers again as he flashed his disarming smile. "I'm sure you don't want to keep waiting, so shall we be on our way, Miss Skellig?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

The sound of an approaching horse quelled her concerns as she turned to find one Orion Michaels making his way toward her. She piqued an eyebrow at his getup but threw him a simpering grin in response as he pulled up beside her. She offered a nonchalant shrug while moving to the chestnut's side. He was a wiry horse, mixed blood by all accounts standing roughly 16.2 "Wasn't entirely sure you were literate," she replied coolly, setting her foot in the stirrup and hoisting herself into the saddle. The gelding gave a snort, lurching forward before she'd even gathered the reins. "Thank you, by the way." Catching the horse before he bolted off, Hadyn slipped her other foot into the stirrup, a pleased smile unbidden on her lips. It'd been too long since she'd been on a horse. Although he was technically her brother's beast, the chestnut seemed fairly partial to the woman, enough that he minded her most of the time. She nodded to Orion that he might lead the way - much to the horse's discontent. But he obeyed with an irritated flick of the tail, settling into a relaxed frame as the blacksmith applied a little contact on the bit. Tossing a quick glance behind them to the city, Hadyn breathed a slight sigh. Returning her attention to the Squire she eyed his attire once more. "I hope you brought smellin' salts, considering the stench you'll reek after a bell in that armor. No enemy will come within a stone's throw of us with you roastin' in your iron." The woman smirked brightly, encouraging the gelding to move up from behind Orion's horse. He was a petulant audacious creature, the chestnut was. Not unlike her guide.

[Orion Michaels]

"Gods no, I can't read. I had one of them learned squires read it to me. Books aren't for the riff raff and rabble such as I." He tilted his head slightly as she thanked him. No such thing was needed. It was work. While the sentiment was nice... "No, no, no. It's simply my job. That's the line, right? Just doing my duty. So I'll still be fighting you on this 'paying me' thing. I just couldn't imagine it." While being a squire didn't bring in any extra income for him, it didn't cost him a thing to live, either. It wasn't too bad of a setup, so he wasn't horribly concerned about increasing his income or making the weapon smith pay him a copper.

Orion gave his mount a soft kick to get it going again. Thankfully these horses they allowed the squires to use were well broken in. None of them were paragon's of their species, but they listened to what they were instructed to do and they got the job done. He couldn't ask for anything more. Animals weren't his thing. That he had to learn to ride, and skillfully so, was sure to be a challenge. "There, there. Good girl," he whispered to the horse, not really sure if it needed encouragement or not.

Orion scoffed, shaking his head back and forth. "We've barely been on the road a couple of ticks, and already you start in on me. Stop it with the shameless flirting already. I know it's difficult to resist a man in armor but...," he paused looking over his shoulder to make eye contact with the brunette woman. He let his voice lower to a whisper before he continued. "..but you could at least get out of sight of the gate before you try and get me worked up for another romp. Women these days." He licked his lips, biting the tip of his tongue softly as it returned to his mouth. Too easy to tease. Just too easy. This trip was either going to fly by, or be an eternity. It was certainly too early to tell.

"So if I may ask, what are we delivering? Those weapons at your side, I assume? I was a bit surprised to hear they commissioned something from a civilian, but I guess I came to you for my blade. Maybe I picked right if the knights are calling on you."

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Oh come now, Sir Michaels," she replied, the gelding coming up along side his mount, her eyes on the trail ahead. "No need to pretend. We both know the real reason you agreed to this rests solely on your unquenchable desire to get into my pants. Again." She tossed him a grin as she continued, her tone congenial as though she were discussing the weather. "Though I couldn't hardly blame you... Not like you're the first." Hadyn glanced at him with a superior smile. Give him a dose of his own self-aggrandizing banter. Wasn't exactly her style but she didn't mind playing at his game. She fully expected him to take it in stride. Orion was not a man to be ruffled by much as far as women were concerned. All the same, she wasn't finished teasing. "As for a man in armor," she paused to give him the symbolic once over. "I find 'em easily resistible given their penchant for cocky small talk." Of course she was making a clear fool of herself considering he already bedded her. But this wasn't about one-upping him as far as she was concerned. Why should he enjoy the fun of making her seem like she was all doe-eyed for him? Their attraction had been mutual and she could hardly resist returning the favor of his sardonic quips. "Regarding the delivery, it's confidential." It was, in fact, somewhat secretive. Civilians weren't in need of weapons, particularly at the outpost. But this commission was a personal favor and Hadyn didn't really see the necessity of sharing it with Orion. No rules were broken and it wasn't exactly the most exciting conversation starter. After several moments she spoke again, her expression mischievous once more. "Was it difficult to leave the city on this errand? No doubt you left scores of women in your wake, sobbin'. An' I'm sure you're superiors are wingin' their hands waiting for your return, champion squire that y'are."

[Orion Michaels]

"You got me," he quipped, rolling his eyes. "I simply cannot resist you. My loins, they are aflame, and the moment I feel we are alone, I will take you in front of Semele herself!" He let his voice carry, barely contained laughter flowing beneath it. "Besides, if I've got to go, what better way than getting stabbed by bandits or eaten by a bear whilst petching?" It was absurd, two people discussing copulation so casually, but it appeared that's how things would be. He would dish, and she would return the favor.

"Gods woman, if what we did was you resisting..." He returned her once over. What a duo. Orion, clad in full plate armor. Hadyn dressed so very plain, just as she seemed to prefer it. Orion drawing attention. Hadyn shirking it. It was a chance for him to prove himself to Dinah, show he could do anything he was needed to do, even if it was an escort mission within the safety net.

Confidential? It was an interesting choice of words. Little was confidential from the knights, or shouldn't be at least, if you asked any of them. He wouldn't pry though, at least not seriously. "I can only assume you're undermining the knights somehow." He gave an exaggerated sigh, and frowned. "Such a shame. You won't be able to get your hands on me when you're in the mines."

"Surprisingly, it wasn't. I know, I know. Try to feign some shock for me." No, it seemed he'd risen high enough in his patron's eyes to be trusted out on his own. No need to hold his hand every step of the way, right? "The sobbing women? That would be there regardless of whether I was in the city," he remarked, matter of factly. As she seemed to have known of him before their meeting, there was no problem in being upfront with the generic things."Champion squire, huh?" He let out a chuckle. What an insane thing to say. Twenty six years old, barely knowing what side a sword to hold. A champion indeed. "Where'd you come by that title?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Is that not how most Knights see themselves these days? Masters of the bed an' champions of blade?" her eyes brimmed with mirth as she regarded him by shifting in the saddle. He really did strike a scene dressed in his regalia - though she'd do well not to admit it aloud. She let his other comments slip, enjoying his penchant for sardonic banter. Returning her attention to the road, Hadyn rode on in silence. She imagined by the end of the journey she would in fact tell him what confidential item she was delivering. It wasn't exactly a dark and dangerous secret. But she'd made a promise to be discrete and telling Orion the very moment they set out on the road was hardly discretion. Hadyn wondered at his story as they rode on. For all his charm and swagger he was something of a mystery. He defaulted to humor when the situation took an uncomfortable or personal tone and, while the woman could certainly sympathize with that particular tactic, it made her wonder. Especially coupled with Shiress' tale. Hadyn knew better than to ask. That wasn't part of their relationship. Petching and occasional favors suited both of them fine so far. But it was impossible not to be a little curious at the man behind the squire. Several chimes slid by until she looked at him again, her tone congenial. "How's it you ended up with the Knights? Forgive my bluntness, but y'aren't exactly a fresh-faced youth."

[Orion Michaels]

"No, I don't believe so. I've heard rumors they'll be creating a new unit for me to head, comprised of those who fancy themselves playboys. I can't imagine why I'd be leading, such a symbol of purity and goodness." He smiled over at Hadyn, but the natural ebb and flow of conversation declared this a moment for silence. There was bound to be a fair amount of silence on their short journey to the outpost. Talking inevitably led to questions, and more often than not, a question which Orion dreaded being asked would come up. Silence was the only surefire way to make sure the trip went without major incident. He knew it wasn't going to happen, that a couple days couldn't just go without someone saying something, but still, he worried...

Hadyn didn't give him much time before she resumed conversation. This woman he truly knew nothing about asked a rather benign question of his late path to knighthood. It was a fair question, honestly. It could start a slippery slope, he knew it, but it seemed safe enough. He wasn't young, like she had alluded to. "Ah, well, I'm not quite sure how to answer that," he began, looking down at the back of his mount's head. "I guess you can say that circumstances changed. The knights took an interest in my skills, and I received an offer to squire under a rather high ranking knight. And before you comment, I say this not in boast. I'm as surprised as you are." He sighed quietly, running his hand through the main of the horse beneath him.

"It's the worst thing, staying in those dormitories. Children, half my age, running around, screaming, flirting awkwardly. Well, none of that sounds too terribly different, but gods do they stink. I've contemplated many times filling up my bunk with flowers, just so I can smell something pleasant." He turned his gaze back on his travelling companion. "After all, what am I supposed to do with all those flowers I can't get you," he teased, smirk returning to his lips. "It's better than them being tossed on the street or burned in your furnace, I'd say."

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn snorted to herself at his first response shaking her head once as she trained her eyes on the road ahead. Orion certainly enjoyed making himself into the arrogant ladykiller, and he was talented in the art. His answer to her question, however, was different. He displayed some semblance of humility, admitting to both inexperience and surprise. The woman nodded in response as he mentioned the youth he suffered in the dormitories. He was absolutely right about that - they reeked something awful. "Then consider it a gift from me to you," she replied wryly. "Take all those flowers meant for me and lessen the stench of y'fellow squires." Hadyn waited as the gelding paused to reach around to scratch an itch with his teeth. Once finished he sped up to once again flank Orion's horse, unable to fall behind anyone. Idiot beast. The woman considered the squire's response, a contemplative expression on her face. It wasn't unheard of for the Knights to recruit folk, though they were usually on the younger end of the spectrum. Not to say Orion was old by any means (he was likely around her age anyhow), but adolescents tended to pick up skills and recover better than adults. He must have some impressive capability. Odd. For all his self-assured gusto in social settings and bravado with women he seemed somewhat shy of this. Another piece of evidence to suggest Orion really was a decent man. The woman couldn't help but smile at the thought. No doubt it would singe his ego to suggest the thought to him. But she spent most of her professional life observing people, listening to them request items in the smithy - noting demeanor and tone. It wasn't particularly difficult to discern this incongruity in the man's behavior. All the same, it was none of her business. They rode on quietly. Hadyn couldn't think of much else to say that wouldn't broach the agreement of non-personal discussion. They were well beyond commenting on the weather or the state of politics in the city. The question did sit in her mind. What was his story? his actions and behavior contradicted itself at times and she couldn't help but wonder. Perhaps when he decided she meant nothing by it she would inquire. But until then she would respect their unspoken wall. She could sympathize with whatever reason he used to convince himself that he shouldn't share more of himself with her. Hadyn didn't completely trust him herself. And she would most certainly shut down if he were to ask about those things she didn't wish to share openly.

[Orion Michaels]

Silence, golden silence.

The only sound that carried was that of hooves on earth and the clanking of plate on plate with each step the horse took. Both their steeds fought for position, both wanting to be leaders rather than followers, but otherwise, there was nothing. Orion was content in the absence of conversation, and by her lack of speech, he could only assume she was of like opinion. It was likely that much of their travels would go this way. After all, Orion, if he wasn't actively flirtatious was really an introverted fellow. His life was his life. Her's could be her's.

Syna's rays got brighter and brighter as they traveled, occasional mundane conversation coming in, but always it would give away to silence. Bells would pass as they made their way along the currently peaceful path until those rays of light were finally coming from directly over head. A cool breeze kept him from overheating, but they'd been riding for some time now and it was time for a rest.

"Care to break for a bite to eat? Let these two graze a bit. Unless you're in a particular rush?" He pulled a water skin from his side and took a deep drink from the container, before offering it over to the brunette woman. Regardless of her answer, Orion dismounted after getting rid of the drink. Leading the horse over to a tree on the side of the road, he tied his mount to it, leaving it free to graze in the immediate area. "You know," he remarked, "I've barely ridden. I'm supposed to be a knight, and it's a pain. Just don't understand the creatures."

oocSorry for the blah post.