The Runaways
RPG hosted by [Thrice]

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Olivia was waiting.

There would be a certain moment when the floor would creak, signaling her fathers slow departure down the hallway and stairs away from her bedroom. She drug a rugged breath in between her teeth as she felt the rising welts on her back. This beating had been bad. Who would have known smoking tabac at the table would have set her father off so?

She smiled. With plans in motion inside her brain, she wasn't worried. Her father would get his.

Ah, there it is. The creak.

She moves to her closet and pulls out her backpack; a rather large ugly thing that is filled with several things needed for her departure. It is heavy and it drags across her welts as she moves, but she didn't learn to fight the kingdom boys to be a baby about some welts. She tosses open her window, three stories high, and tosses out the makeshift rope. She watches as the tied sheets tumble down to the ground and then very carefully she lowers her pack down on another rope. Some things are breakable; somethings meant to trade for knowledge.

Hearing something in the back ground she turns and examines the room. Nothing is out of place. Scolding herself for being so jumpy, she wraps her hands with towels, mounts the window and slides down the sheets. With a yank, she pulls them down, stuffs them into the pack, and then removes the towels from her hands.

Then she turns, dancing off into the night.

---

 In the kingdom the night was quiet. Farmers, merchants, peasants and the like had all long retired to their beds. The only noises were those coming from the hungry livestock and poor thieving abandoned children running about looking for a place to stay for the night. The tattered buildings were dark, lights long snuffed out, businesses closed. The cracked cobblestone echoed as he walked counting his money for the day. Unlike most nights when he joined the back alleys with obnoxious gamblers, lewd prostitutes, and excited fighters looking for coins this night he strayed from his usual path and found himself wandering near the kingdom castle. Without much direction he cut a path near the back of the castle, headed into the woods where he would camp for the night, looking out for weary guards looking to cause unnecessary trouble. He hadn't the patients to deal with that sort of thing tonight.

---

My father is so stupid, Liv thinks as she runs. So stu-

"Ooof!" Falling flat on her back wasn't in her plans, and she scrambles up using the side of the wall. Shifting her backpack, she crouches and looks at the human laying on the cobblestone. How had she been so stupid? She was trying to be stealthy and she ran headfirst into this man. Sighing, she pushes his leg with her foot.

"Hey." She whispers, cocking her head at him. "Hey, get up."

Eon shifted his eyes to look at the girl. With the castle in her background she seemed misplaced, as if she belonged somewhere far away from that place. He pushed himself to his feet with little effort and took her in. Not much of a threat that he could tell. "I apologize" He noted, respectful.

Liv repositioned her backpack with a grimace, trying not to show her discomfort to this stranger. She looked him up and down and, with a frown, thought what she was supposed to do now. He had a good look at her and if questioned he would most likely say that he had seen her climbing over the outer wall like she was about to.

She sighed.

"I'm Annabell." She lied, holding out her hand. Dear God, just believe me, she thought. "Uh, what are you doing so close to the castle walls?"

"I am heading to the forest for the night. The closer to the castle, the less wildlife you run into. I'm not usually bothered this late at night" He eyed her once more, rethinking his initial take on her. She did not seem like the usual riff-raff that wandered this late at night. "It's nice to meet you. Though you should return home. The streets aren't kind to pretty girls."

Olivia laughed. Partly at the thought that she couldn't defend herself and partly at the fact that he had completely missed who she was. She shifted her hips, tossing her long silk hair behind her shoulders, making the short sword at her side obvious. "I think I'll be alright." She considered him for a moment. "You know an easy way through the walls, yes? May I ask to follow you out? I am headed in that direction as well."

He shrugged "Not easy, but easier. Come on" He led her down the edge of the castle walls. Behind the walls were the dangerous and unforgiving forests. "Why are you taking the back route out? You look like someone who could get out the main gate..." He eyed her somewhat wearily. She was in small stature for someone carrying such a weapon.

Liv mulled over his question for a few moments before shrugging. "I like the adventure, I suppose. Besides, it is night and as you mentioned earlier I am a pretty female. I could go missing and who would notice? The guards would lie to cover it up, you know how they are." She blinked her long lashes and looked at him. "I figure I'll take my chances with you, first."

He snorted "You have that right" He passed one of the walls guard towers and stopped "How athletic are you?" He asked, noting to the pieces of broken, jagged bricks jutting along the wall in random difficult places. "I could push you halfway if you like" He added.

Liv glanced either way and then began to scramble up the side of the wall like a spider. When she hit the top, she glanced either way. To her left, a guard was just turning to start heading her way. "Wait a few minutes before you climb; one is coming back." She then launched herself from the wall and into the grass of the forest, rolling when she landed.

Eon stood in the shadows and watched the guard. A fleeting thought crossed his mind of slitting that mans throat. Once the guard had passed a favorable distance he scaled the wall and landed on the other side. He had not expected Annabelle to still be waiting for him. "Which direction are you heading in?" He asked, heading into the darkness of the forest.

A sickening smile crossed the girls lips as she rose her eyebrows. "Wherever life leads me." She checked her pack to make sure it hadn't ripped or lost anything. She stood and forced herself to not lean back against the tree she was near. "Which right now leads me right into the middle of the daunting forest all of the peasants tell spooky tales of." She shrugged. "It was nice meeting you, uh..." She realized he hadn't told her his name, so instead she gave a smooth curtsy. "May your travels find you shade." She turned and began walking into the deep of the forest.

Eon followed behind her casually "This woods are assumed to be haunted, you know" He fell into step with her "I've seen a few wandering spirits myself. Along with foul demons, trolls, giants, pesky fairies and ill-tempered elves. Can you use that sword as well as you can climb?" 

"Yes. I know." Olivia touched the sword on her hip and grimaced, hating the thing just by who gave it to her. "I've made up quite a few stories myself. Did you ever hear the one about the giant ghost troll that killed several people? That one was from me." She has a smug smile but it fades as there are shouts on the wall. "I fear you will see just how well I can use a sword..." She turns to see flares being lit, more guards yelling. "Um, run?" With that she turns and bounds through the forest like a deer.

Eon blinked, then turned and followed her "Perhaps mention next time you implore a stranger for assistance that you are a fugitive? Was it you that killed those in the forest rather than a ghost?" He kept easy pace with her. He could hear the guards moving, mobilizing.

Olivia growled. "I am no fugitive, street-boy." She ducks behind a tree and pulls her hair out of her face. "My name is Olivia De La Toi, and I am the princess of Turset." Her large eyes look up at him. "Now are you going to help me escape or are you just going to stand there?"

"Now isn't the time to gawk at you I suppose." He rolled his eyes, unfazed "Follow me" He led her through an awkward path in the forest until the pair of them were both exhausted from running and they came across a pub in the middle of nowhere. "The ruddy guards won't follow anyone here without having a death wish. Stick close to me, please. Scum lurks here." He pushed the door open and allowed her entrance. The bar was quiet, the bartender cleaning dirty glasses, and a few dusty old men in the corner playing poker. He turned to look at her, frowning. "You are kind of...obvious..." He glanced around, seeing if he could find something to hide her face.

Olivia marched outside and around the back of the randomly placed bar. She began grabbing clumps of dirt and rubbing them around in her hair as if she were washing it. She found a tie and tied her hair up, exposing the rather nasty scar lining her face. Dust then dirtied her face a little, her jewelery was placed in the bag, and a cloak hung around her shoulders hid most of her better clothing. Moving back inside, she looked at the boy square in the face. "Does this suit you better?"

"You should have done that earlier" Eon chuckled. "If your running away that is. Always be prepared for the worst...apparently. Gonna' tell me what the deal with you is now? It might be important in the near future. Your a princess. Where are you going then? Why did you leave?" His eyes continued to flow back to Liv's scar.

"I didn't really have time." Liv mentions, sitting at a table in the corner. "I was trying to get away as fast as possible, and then you drag me into this bar out of no where." She smiled despite the irritated sound of her voice. "So what, are you following me now?" She watched his eyes follow the length of her scar, but she didn't hide it.

"This is a bar created for those with nowhere else to go. I often used to stay here at night. It's infamous for being a hang out for wanted criminals and misfits. You asked me to assist you in your escape, yes? This is me assisting you." He turned to the bartender and ordered a drink. "You want one?" He asked, pulling a handful of coins from his pocket.

"Sure." Olivia waited till the bartender was gone. "I suppose I did ask you to, but I didn't mean you had to follow me this far." She accepted the drink graciously and then began drinking. "You know of my father, yes? You know of the laws he passes."

"Not necessarily. I don't pay taxes, I don't own anything in the kingdom, and I frequent parts of the town your father would rather ignore. Unfortunately, I ignore the royals/guards and authorities like the plague they seem to be." He watched the way she winced when her backpack shifted slightly against her back. "I hear he is a cruel man though."

Olivia dropped her pack to the floor and shrugged. "No wonder it was so easy to lie to you." She took another drink of her ale and looked back at him dead in the eyes when he mentioned hearing he was a cruel man. "My parents are... stupid. There is no other way to put it, really. The exist in their own wealth; wealth that they have stolen from others - their people, you understand. When I was a child, I didn't understand. I ate the apples like there was no reason to worry that someday there might not be any. However... Things changed. My father... He is in for a rude awakening."

"Me believing your lie and going along with it are different instances" He gave her a half-smile "I'm used to people being shady and hiding the truth. It it is not my business I have no reason to pry. So you have left your kingdom. Do you have a plan? You could always run aimlessly through a dangerous forest with corrupted blood thirsty men chasing you. Honestly though, you might be better sticking around here for a while." 

"Oh you shut up, you seriously believed my name was Annabell." Liv laughs and takes another drink. "I do have a plan, actually. I plan to gather an army and overthrow my father." When she realized what she had said she looked at him. "Well... Sucks for you but you're bound to me now. I'm not going to risk you telling other people of the information I just handed you."

Eon took the chain around his neck in his hand and placed it into hers "Treat me kindly, princess" He shrugged. "And your correct. I wasn't even aware the king and queen had a daughter. I just thought you were a typical runaway." He downed the drink he had been handed in one swig. "Don't pull on that chain by-the-way. My neck is always sore." He rubbed his neck lightly.

Olivia examined the chain for a moment before dropping it. "What is that?" She questions, watching him for any sort of movement as to what it meant. "I am The Brat. I am surprised you haven't heard. I smoke tabac at my fathers dinner table and get whipped for it. I wear breeches, daring my father to have the guards rape and kill me like the rule he passed. I break their fancy vases and sneak out to spar with the boys on the street. I am quite infamous in Turset."

Eon shook his head "I might have heard of you but never registered it consciously." He cocked an eyebrow "Are you truly a brat though? I don't think I'm being payed enough to babysit..." He smirked. "This is a...collar...like you would place around a dogs neck. I suppose that is what I was considered when I was younger. I've had it on so long now it is literally impossible to remove it without severe body mutilation and possible death. It reminds me of where I come from. Where I will never return to..."

Olivia rose an eyebrow as he talked about the necklace. "I've heard of that before." She quickly changed the subject as to get his mind off of such sadness. "Oh no, I am not a brat to anyone but my parents." She looked up at him slowly. "I'm not paying you anything. And you still haven't told me your name."

Eon shrugged "I'm fine with those terms. I don't need anyone to pay me. I receive more enjoyment from winning money using my own merit. Now tell me; where do you intend to raise this army?" He ignored her question. "Army's require a cause, money, weapons, a base...bigger kingdoms have tried to overthrow your parents and failed. What makes your pipe dream different?" 

Olivia looked at him sorely. Why was she offended that this perfect stranger was giving her a hard time? It did offend her though, so she finished her ale and quickly ordered another, drinking half of it before she spoke. "I have everything I need to do so." She didn't give details or information.

"If you say so. I'm just into practicalities. You don't strike me as a brat, or a royal, but ruling an army is a difficult feat. At the very least you will need a damn good guard captain or general or something....a position for which I like to think I am well qualified for." Eon smiled genuinely for the first time that night. "Either way I admire your feistiness. Not many princesses would take a dirt bath and travel a haunted forest with an unnamed piece of trash that smells of animal waste."

Liv smirked. "Well, your smell covered the smell of the roses they put in my bathwater, hmm?" She frowns down at her cup and finishes the drink. "You are a stranger, still, keeping your name from me. How will I appoint you general if I don't even know your name?"

"I could make one up, Annabelle. People who know my name are in danger. Most people in the kingdom call me the 'blind demon'. Though I was born with the name Eon. You don't need to know much more than that." He downed another drink. "Speaking of that, I won't be able to remain awake forever. We should either bunk here for the night or find a place. I won't be much use half-asleep."

Olivia resisted the urge to growl at him. "Go and sleep. I will follow shortly." She pulled her bag up to her lap and began to search through it, dismissing him.

Eon cocked an eyebrow "Alright. But if you leave me here I'll hunt you down for the reward." He laughed. "Kidding, G'night, princess." He tucked himself into a corner booth, sword trapped between his legs and let himself doze off to sleep.

Olivia watched him and felt an awkward sense come over her. A moment where t she was truly alone, without her soft bed or any luxuries. She frowned and picked up her things, moving toward him. She crowded into the booth with him. "It's nice to meet you, Eon." She whispered and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

Eon awoke sometime during the night. He watched a group of men enter the bar and speak to the bartender. They were noisy despite the few people snoozing in the booths. Awkwardly he slipped under the table after resting Liv's head against the booth cushion hoping that she didn't wake. He approached the men with interested caution "Is there a problem?" He asked. One of the gaurds with dark eyes turned to him and spat in his face

"Yer' damn right ya' limey bastard! Nows I don't know if you've noticed but I ain't talkin to ya'. So why don't you go sit yer' ass back over there and mind yer business." He gave Eon a light push to reiterate the threat.

"Touch me again and I'll shove that arm down your throat." Eon growled. "This isn't your jurisdiction and you have no authority here. Also, your waking up more dangerous men than me. Men who don't appreciate the likes of you especially when they are cranky and tired. So state your business here or move along." The guards glanced around quickly, noticing the dark shadows stirring in the corner.

On of the taller guards pushed the illiterate one out of the way and handed Eon a wanted poster "You likes are into bounties. Find this girl and we will make your dreams come true." He pushed the paper into Eon's hand before bowing in respect. "Good day, sir" He added to Eon and the bartender.

Eon exchanged a glance with the bartender "Should'a took his arm off on principle alone" He said, ripping the picture of Olivia in half and jamming it into his pocket.

So many beautiful flowers! Olivia danced through them, picking several and winding them into a wreathe to set atop her head. It smelled wonderful here, so wonderful... Like a land where only peace was known. She looked in either direction. Only vast flowers were shown moving out into the red horizon. She took to running as fast as she could, leaping here and there until...

She was falling. What happened to all of the flowers...?

Seconds before impact with an unforgiving force, Olivia woke, sitting straight up. "Wha...?" She turned, watching the guards leave. She shoved all of her things into the corner and then turned back to eye the room. Waking men were talking loudly, questioning what the guards wanted and whether or not they should go after them to show them a lesson. Olivia looked at Eon right as he ripped the paper in half, dropping it. Two halves of her face fell to the floor, gliding like she had over the flowers.

"Eon?"

Eon nodded to a few of the men who simply returned to their seats, grumbling irritably. His twitching fingers toyed with the hilt of his sword. He slid into the booth on the opposite side of Liv "They are already after you" He whispered "We need to get away from this kingdom..." He glanced around.

"Yes." She quickly gathered her things, pulled on her heavy cloak with the hood over her face, and moved outside. "The sun will rise soon. Two hours, maybe. We need to make good time before that."

"I'll follow your lead" Eon said, following behind her. They headed off into the dark woods once more. He kept his ears open, straining to hear the guards. "If they find us I want you to run. I'll keep them busy. Just run. Do you understand?" He implored her.

"You think I couldn't hold my own against a few of those fat guards?" Liv laughed, but kept walking. She would see how it happened when it happened. "Already have drawings of me out... That is interesting. Did my face look right in the picture?"

"I only glanced at it." Eon admitted "I was too busy fantasizing about removing one of the guards arms for him." He chuckled but kept steady pace with her. "Your father may have been prepared for this, you never know."

"My father isn't smart, you understand?" Olivia said, stopping and looking at him. "The fact that you gave him that much brains in your idea of him would truly honor him." She roared with laughter.

Eon wasn't amused "Can we continue before we are captured please?" He had a sudden uneasy feeling in the back of his spine. "I feel as if we are being observed" He added in a quiet whisper.

An arrow came rushing through the air - the only signal to it being the whir as it sped through the wind. It landed two feet from Olivia, sticking straight into the dirt. "Was that your sign that we're being watched?" She darted away from the bar through the darkness, running into thicker trees.

Olivia turned to look for Eon, hoping he had followed her but knowing that he probably shouldn't have. She searched for him through the darkness, still walking backward slowly. Her body met something hard, but warm; something that was not a tree or a rock. She turned to face forward slowly, her eyes trailing up another foot to look into the eyes of a rather large... something.

"Humans. Always in the hurry." The voice was that of smoke and Olivia watched as the Troll's lips moved around her long tusks. "What do you be running from? You do be looking like a thief, mon. You have been caught stealing?"

"No! I-" Olivia paused and then grinned. "I mean... Yes.. The troops behind me are after me. I have stolen something very precious, you understand. Please do not falter my escape." Olivia stepped around the troll and started to walk away, but was caught by the back of her cloak and pulled back.

"Kellona do not be hurtin' you, human. Stay." Kellona pulled an arrow from her quiver and drew her bow. "You do be the type to have fire-makers, yes? Light. The arrow do be oiled; it will go up like brush."

Startled, Olivia dropped her pack and began digging through it to find her flint. Once found, she pounded the two together till they sparked and lit Kellona's arrow and fire.

"You do needa be watchin' to learn, mon." She let the arrow loose and Olivia watched through the darkness as orange flame rocketed through the sky and into a dead tree which abruptly caught fire.

"What the hell" Eon growled, following the glowing flame of the erupted tree. He had lost sight of Olivia further back in the forest and wasn't sure what part of the forest he was in. "Anabelle!" He yelled, hoping Olivia still remembered the name she had used.

"Over here!" Olivia yelled, turning back to the troll. "You said your name was Kellona? It's nice to meet you. I have a friend here with me... Tell me, is there a passage through the forest? An easy passage to get away from this group quicker?"

Kellona's voice was like smoke, you could tell through her laugh. "There do be one, small-one. I do be a good guide through. You do have to speak to my elders, though." Kellona's eyes traced passed the girl and to the approaching man the girl had spoken of.

Eon walked slowly and cautiously upon noticing the troll. He was not sure what to think of the new arrival. "Olivia..." He whispered under his breath, never taking his eyes off the troll. "We should get going."

"She knows a fast way through the forest," Olivia said, raising an eyebrow at him. "We don't know a passage through the forest." She turned, hearing men trying to put out the fire her and Kellona had started together. "She helped me start that fire to fight the men off... She's not going to hurt us. Are you?"

Kellona laughed, and shook out her long blue dreadlocks. "The only thing I do be hurtin' are invaders and rabbits. You seem like neither to me. Please, follow me." She began to move through the forest.