Legend of the Warrior Princess: The Saga of Fang: Episode Two

[ZorzLeth]

The Traveler looked back and forth between the Barbarian prince, who she would learn was named Oscar, and his father, the king. She heard him laugh and comment about how long it took for Oscar to find a bride. Of course, that, coupled with how he was speaking to Oscar, was like a parent saying something that their child found embarrassing. The Traveler had to resist the urge to laugh at this mighty Prince basically having his father act like his masculinity was in question. Granted she didn't like the King calling her property, but had to roll with it for the time being.

As they talked, the Traveler was slowly working on the freeing her hands from the bonds; all the while trying not to arouse suspicion.

As the Traveler was dragged away, she did make a comment:

"Guess your father loves to say such things out loud. Must be embarassing." The Traveler commented to Oscar. She was close to slipping an arm out, but waited until they were alone.

[MappleMan7]

"Emberassing is... putting it lightly"

Oscar left it at that as they soon made it to his chambers, opening a door and closing it behind them. The room itself was tattered with animal pelts and various longsword and axes. A mix between an armory and some sort of trophy wall. Along that were a large chest, a massive bed that looked completely out of place by how fluffy and regal it looked- fixed with jewels and other valuable metals, and the spot the Traveler would likely be place- a corner of the room with wall hooks for chains to connect to, with a large fur rug on the ground. If the Traveler was observant, she'd notice the hooks and such appeared to be completely unused and dressed with a thin layer of dust on them. Once Oscar was sure they were alone and the door was fully shut, he'd continue speaking.

"I want to apologize for my Father's words. His views on people are... simplistic. Cruel. For what it's worth, I don't agree with his actions"

[ZorzLeth]

As they went into one room, the Traveler could see all the traditional, conventional and obvious customs of a Barbarian's home. She noted the different things in the room itself, including the hooks that are used to hold a prisoner. She'd expect she'd get held there for the time being. She then heard Oscar's apology, as she listened to him describe his father. Some of it made clear that he was not on board with his father's worldviews; though the Traveler remained skeptical.

"And yet you had no problem raiding and taking prisoners for slaves." The Traveler said skeptically. Even if what Oscar said was true, the Traveler felt that he still should do something.

"Have you not tried standing up to your father?" The Traveler asked. As they talked, the Traveler made sure to face Oscar, so that he wouldn't see her working on undoing the bonds on her arms; which she was close to doing.

[MappleMan7]

"...I tried that once. Only once. It... didn't go as I hoped"

Oscar secured the chains the Traveler was bound into the hooks and turned his back to her, removing his chest armor to reveal scars alongside his back. Signs of whipping, cuts, even burns. The Prince hoped this was enough for the Traveler to put two and two together as he threw a softer shirt on. Probably something to lounge in.

"All I can do is carry out his will and try to help those I can, even if those are few. Frankly, I do not think you have any right to tell me about standing up to someone- to do the right thing. That's what you did when you encountered me and my men in the village and look where it landed you. You do not realize how lucky you are. If I had not laid claim to you, then I can see nothing short of truly horrible things happening to you at the hands of my men and my father"

Oscar paused his rant as he finished putting the shirt on, glancing back at the traveler.

"... This is a harsh lesson to learn, traveller, but that's how the world is. But if it eases your worries, you'll spend the night here. I can take you out to the forest tomorrow and release you there. Make up some story about you escaping or something of the like"

[ZorzLeth]

Of course, as Oscar secured the Traveler's chains to the hook, he did not notice that she almost free one hand from the bonds. She looked at Oscar's back to see the scars that he obtained. This made her feel sorry for Oscar, as it was made more and more clear that he was forced to do much.

But then there was the part where he was lecturing her about how she did know of the harsh lessons of the world. Which made her think back to when she was first taken as a slave.

----------------------

The moment that was she captured as a girl, she was brought on board of one ship. The crew was all the same.

"She's too young for what women are good for...but in time..." came one voice who the little girl could identify as the captain.

"Lock her up for a couple of days. That should make her obedient enough to do menial labour." was the command heard before the little girl was effortlessly being dragged away; despite her struggles.

"Ngh! Let go of me!" would be the words that the girl would scream before drawing her back to reality.

----------------------

As Oscar continued on talking, the Traveler slipped her left hand from the iron cuff, allowing her to escape from the hook; silently she had grabbed a sword and had it ready for once he turned around.

"Hate to break it to you, but that fake story won't work for a multitude of reasons. More than what you can imagine." the Traveler said as she caught Oscar off guard and with a sword pointed at his throat.

"I'll admit, I let my guard down when fighting you, but you've also made assumptions about me that would normally cost you." The Traveler continued, still holding the sword to Oscar's throat; letting him know how easy she could kill him right now, but didn't take the opportunity.

"By the way, the next time you take a warrior as a prisoner," the Traveler continued, "use a pillory. They're better secured and limit the chances of someone slipping their hands free. Especially for someone with experience with getting out of other shackles." This was to show Oscar that the Traveler may have been captured before, but that did not make her helpless.

"Not to mention that they are a real pain in the neck." The Traveler continued as she rubbed her neck with her free hand, "Discourages the person from even trying."

[MappleMan7]

Oscar turned around to find one of his weapons pointed at his throat- noticing that the warrior had free herself and gotten her hands on one of the swords off of his wall. The prince froze in place, looking started for a moment before staring the traveler in the eyes.

"... You have every right to be angry with me, warrior. But I am telling you the truth. I have no real intention to keep you prisoner here- let alone as a wife. No offense"

Oscar took a deep breath, continuing on.

"I am giving you a golden opportunity to leave this place alive. Why... why do you still fight back? You lost our fight. Disgraced. Humbled. Humiliated. I am speaking from experience when I say it is better to submit"

The Prince couldn't help but pick at the Traveler's brain a bit. The Barbarian couldn't seem to understand the warrior's will- her spirit. It was... alien to him.

[ZorzLeth]

As the Traveler listened to Oscar explaining how he was not going to keep her as his trophy wife, she smirked before saying, "At least we cleared that up. Would be awkward if you were to encounter the one I already pledged myself to." She then listened to what Oscar had to say and was asking why she was not taking that "golden opportunity" to escape.

"Because I know from experience what will happen to those people. If I do nothing, that will weigh on my conscience for the rest of my life." the Traveler responded, "Besides, after seeing your father, I can say this. He may be old and fat, but he's not as stupid as he looks. He will know something is up."

The Traveler then lowered the sword she was holding, "And if those aren't enough to convince you, then the fact that my presence here means everyone else is marked."

[MappleMan7]

Oscar's expression grew heavy as he listened to the traveler. She had a point- his conscience was heavy with guilt just as she said it would for her if she ran. Something the Traveler said, however, caught his attention and made the Prince perk up.

"...Marked? What are you talking about? Marked with what?"

[ZorzLeth]

The traveler noted Oscar’s curiosity. Granted, he seemed genuine with his feelings on the treatment of others, but the two were not friends, much less allies. There was a risk of sharing such information. Besides, she was hesitant because there was danger of sharing it with even friends.

“I don’t want to share much,” the Traveler admitted, “But what I can say is that I myself am being hunted. I am the last of people from lands west from here. We had a small, peaceful kingdom, but it was all wiped out years ago. I was…a little girl when it all happened. Everyone else was killed and I could barely sneak away.” As she talked, her tone revealed hints of painful memories.

“Years later, the ones that were responsible are now hunting me, while I try to learn why that night happened and who my pursuers actually are.” The Traveler continued, “There are bounties on me. And no doubt in a short time, word will spread that I’m here. People will come to take my head or, if your father finds out, chances are he may try and claim the bounty. Worse yet, those that want me dead may come themselves and you all will be killed regardless of what your groups intentions were with me.”

It was made clear by the Traveler that she was no ordinary woman. There was something else…something more. And that was enough that mysterious forces wanted her dead.

[MappleMan7]

Oscar listened to the traveler, staring at her as she explained some context behind what she said before regarding the prisoners in the castle being marked.

"You're serious? What kind of raiders persue a single survivor of a raid like this... and you're adamant that they'd butcher this castle and all its inhabitants just to get you?"

Oscar's face turned pale and he sat down on his bed.

"I... I've made a horrible mistake then. Just another screw up to throw onto the pile. The people enslaved... the people I helped enslave. I never wished for them to suffer their fate and now I might as well signed their death warrants..."

The weight of Oscar's guilt was starting to weigh heavily on him- and it showed. The Prince just stared at the floor, gripping the sheets as he held back various emotions.