What's wrong with being (over)confident...

[Klara]

This day was a special one for Klara because she had to go on a mission so she couldn't take care of the orphans like she usually does... Few days ago, a messenger from Polis came in TonDC to deliver her orders from Heda. She had to go on a mission as a scout to see what was going on at the border of their territory.

Nyko heard of it because Klara needed some medical material and she came to him to get it. Nyko trusted Klara because he knew what she does for the orphans, so when she came, he thought about his son Artigas who will be very happy to go scouting and he told his son's mentor that Klara was going scouting for Heda.

When Artigas's mentor came to see Klara to ask her if she could take Artigas with her, she accepted because she loves kids so if she can help one or make him happy, she will do it without hesitations.

That was why she was in the forest with the young Artigas, early this morning...

Tag: Artigas

[Artigas]

The boy walked cautiously through the forest, sword drawn as a precautionary measure. He had been surprised when his mentor had approached him and informed him that he would be accompanying Klara on a scouting mission, however he'd been more surprised when he'd heard that it was his fathers idea. He was just a boy, or that was at least what everyone saw him as back in the village. Of course he had not yet completed his training but he was fifteen, he wasn't a defenceless child anymore, he knew how to wield a sword, he could fight.

"What kind of mission is this exactly?" he asked Klara suddenly, he hadn't thought to ask her yet as he'd just been excited to get out of the village and perhaps he'd been a little too eager to accept but he had no idea when he would next be allowed to leave the village without his mentor or his father present. His dark brown eyes watched the woman, they were filled with curiosity, about where they were going and why he'd been selected to go along with her.

Klara

[Klara]

Klara was accustomed to go on missions alone but she never refuses a little bit of company... Even more if it was a child one. Moreover, Artigas seemed very motivated based on the way he was holding his sword drawn. And the way he was always on his guard since they left TonDC made Klara think that he will be a great warrior.

However, Artigas surprised her when he asked her about the mission... What did he wanted to know exactly? Probably just why he was here and where they were going... "Heda worries about what happens at the border because she heard about some army coming so she wants us to inform her about what's going on."

Artigas seemed satisfied by her answer so she asked him a question in turn. "Why did you come with me?". Of course, she didn’t ask this because his presence disturb her, on the contrary, she was just curious about his motives that was all. She assumed it was his determination to become a great warrior with loads of skills like scouting which brought him here...

Tag: Artigas

[Artigas]

Artigas was surprised at her answer "An army?" he questioned as he slowed his pace "Whose army? Azgeda?" he had been unaware that there was an army on the move, he'd been very young when Azgeda and Trikru were at war, it seemed like such a long time ago and yet now there were rumours of an army at the border of their territory. Of course if there was to be another war, he would be eager to fight, to prove himself as a brave warrior of Trikru. The idea of war sent an excited thrill pulsing through him, but a lingering sense of dread weighed him down, he was aware that was wasn't a game, people lost their lives fighting to defend their clans.

At her question Artigas smiled "It was my father who approached my mentor and told him that he thought I was ready to go on this mission" he informed her, an almost proud look on his face "if this is an opportunity to prove myself I cannot pass it up, besides... I'm not usually allowed to go this far from the village without a larger group at my side" Artigas was confident that nothing bad would happen even if he did leave the village alone, his mentor was proud with the progress he was making with his training, he'd already proven that he could defend himself from warriors and animals alike. He didn't understand why everyone was reluctant to allow him and the other seconds his age to go out alone, the world was a dangerous place, but they'd grown up in it, surely they were prepared for any dangers that were out there.

Klara

[Klara]

Artigas's reaction when she said the word "army" made Klara smile. "Yes, an army and we have to figure out whose army it is, how many they are and any other useful informations." She began to explain him. "But I hope it isn't Azgeda army because if it is, it may restart an endless war..." When she said that, Klara had a twinge of sadness as she was thinking that this war was the reason she never knew her father.

Artigas seemed to have seen it because he just answered her question about the reasons he came with her, probably trying to change the topic of the conversation.

His answer made Klara smile because Artigas reminded her how she was when she was a little bit younger. He seemed determinated and motivated and it was two important things to become a warrior. And he also seemed to love being alone in some great space where he could just think or relax without being disturbed sometimes. He was the same as her except he followed his dream of becoming à warrior whereas she didn’t after both her parents died... If she was a scout now, it was thanks to a guard who caught her stealing on Polis market but who was touched by her story so he recommanded her to Heda. She got lucky. "You seemed very determinated, it's a good thing for a warrior. I'm sure you'll be a great warrior soon.". She really thought what she just tell him...

Tag: Artigas

[Artigas]

"I've heard stories about the war against Azgeda... I don't really remember it, I was quite young when it was going on and was shielded from most of the bloodshed" he told her, his brow furrowing in concentration as if he was trying to remember something. "I know that we lost a lot of strong warriors in that war though" and that was one of the reasons he was so determined to do well in his training. Trikru needed strong warriors so that they could defeat any threat that came there way, they needed their warriors to be strong and brave.

The boy watched the scout as he heard her voice, she sounded upset as if something grieved her and in an attempt to change the conversation he looked to the task at hand "do you often take warriors with you on your scouting missions?" the question was innocent enough, a slither of curiosity was present in his tone. He didn't know if this was a regular occurrence or if he was the first to accompany her, he didn't often go scouting, obviously that was a job for the scouts. He'd been on a number of patrols though, to search for danger so that they could keep the villages in the area safe. Dipping his head at her words a smile appeared upon his face "I am determined... I want to make my father proud, he was once a great warrior until he took on the role of a healer instead" he muttered, shifting his hold on his blade as he walked. Truth be told he had a suspicion that his father had hoped that he would follow in his footsteps and taken to path of a healer, it was a much safer path to take but it wasn't the one Artigas had chosen.

Klara

[Klara]

"Yes, this war was dreadful..." Klara said holding back her tears, this war was the reason why she was orphan, the reason why she grew up alone... so it was very hard for her to speak about it...

She noticed that Artigas tried to change the subject of the conversation with his question about her bringing warriors on mission. Maybe he saw her tears... She didn't hope so... But right now, she had to reply so she took a deep breathe before answering... "No, I always went scouting alone, you are the first warrior I took with me because your mentor was the first one to ask me to bring his second scouting. But maybe I'll do this more often if other warriors want to because it's always cool to have some company.

". She tried to smile but these all war things just made her feel pretty sad.

She listened to him when he spoke about his determination and the fact that if he was so determined it was because he wanted his father to be proud of him. That made Klara questioned about what her parents will think of her if they were still alive... Would they be proud of her, of who she became?

She was still questioning herself when she suddenly heard some noises not very far from them... The way Artigas looked her and how he got ready to take his sword, she understood he heard it too...

Tag: Artigas

[Artigas]

"All war is a tragedy" Artigas muttered as he watched her carefully, trying to read her emotions, he could hear it in the way that she spoke that the topic brought her pain. Perhaps she had lost someone to a war, perhaps she was just haunted by the images of what war could do. Whatever it was, it brought her pain to think about it. As he listened to how she told him that he was the first warrior to accompany her on a mission a small smile played upon his lips. "Maybe if my mentor allows it, I could come with you in the future..." he ventured slowly, he was enjoying the silence that the forest brought, combined with the excitement he felt for exploring without the need to worry about somebody calling him back or correcting him as he walked.

Suddenly as he picked up the unfamiliar sounds up ahead, his whole body froze. His eyes searching the trees cautiously as he gripped the hilt of his sword tighter than before. His gaze momentarily flickered to Klara before he began to walk forwards in the direction that they'd heard the noises coming from. Carefully placing his feet like his mentor had shown him so that he would not make a sound. His tongue poked out of the side of his mouth slightly as his brow furrowed in concentration. Glancing over his shoulder he offered the girl a smirk and gestured quickly with a hand, encouraging her to follow him. She'd told him that the mission was to gather information and that was just what he intended to do, of course whilst taking the necessary precautions to avoid detection.


Klara

[Klara]

Klara didn't have the time to tell him she'll be happy if he comes with her again because of the noises. Now, she was following him as quietly as possible as she knew so well. Artigas was very discrete, he will probably be part of the warriors who can also be sent as scouts during the battles. It made Klara think that it will be very interesting for both of them if he came with her on other missions in the future. But right now, she had to focus on these noises which were probably produced by a human.

When they reached the place where the noises came from, they stopped behind trees to see what produced those noises. It was an Azgeda warrior who was probably checking the forest around his camp to see if there weren't scouts like Klara and Artigas in it. Klara signed to Artigas to follow her discreetly as she decided to follow the warrior because he will bring them right to his camp so they could get all the informations they needed.

They were going after the enemy for a little while when Artigas accidentally walked on a branch. Klara didn't hold a grudge against him, it could happen to anyone, even her. The only thing to do then was to hide and don't move so maybe the enemy won't find them. That was what she was going to explain to Artigas when she saw him pounce on the enemy.

As he was ready to fight whereas the Azgeda warrior wasn't, she let him go alone but she kept an eye on him and prepared her bow and arrows in case other warriors arrived. Artigas seemed to cope well when Klara saw another enemy who was pointing his arrow right on Artigas...

[Artigas]

As Artigas followed Klara, he felt around carefully with his foot before taking each step, every time a leaf rustled as he took a step the boy winced. As they peered out from behind the trees, Artigas' breath caught in his throat as he spotted the Azgeda warrior. The warrior was across the border, deeper in Trikru territory than Artigas had expected to find the enemy and this was cause for concern. As he watched Klara sign to him to follow the Azgeda warrior, he nodded in confirmation. They could learn a lot from this warrior and that was the mission, to gather information, as far as he was aware Heda had not ordered them to attack, just to observe.

After a while of following the warrior Artigas noticed something, the silence in the trees, it was unnatural. The birds had stopped singing. This distracted the boy as he stepped forwards and heard the distinctive crack as a twig snapped beneath his foot. He froze in his place, it had sounded far too loud and as he risked a glance from behind his hiding place, he noticed the Azgeda warrior was staring in his direction. Of course he had heard the blunder. Gripping his sword firmly Artigas squeezed his eyes closed briefly before they flew open again and he flew from his hiding place. The Azgeda warrior had just raised his sword when it clashed Artigas' the sound of steel on steel echoed through the forest as the boy grunted with the effort of keeping the more experienced warrior at bay.

Retreating out of reach of the warriors sword, Artigas smirked. It was a cocky smirk, maybe he meant to taunt his opponent despite his larger size and obvious experience that showed from the scars upon his face. The Azgeda warrior launched a follow up attack, running at him his blade sliced through the air but again Artigas blocked him, his brow furrowing with the effort, he wasn't as strong as the older man, but that didn't mean he could not win the fight. Aiming a kick at his opponents knee, he watched as the warrior grunted with pain but managed to keep his balance. He'd seen the move work before, but obviously he had not put enough power behind the attack. Deflecting the warriors blade, the boy took the split second he needed to slice his sword through the warriors leg, making him drop to one knee. Following the attack, he slammed the hilt of his sword against the warriors wrist, making him drop his own blade, however something didn't feel right about the win. It had come too easily against such an experienced warrior, too late Artigas saw the warriors eyes flicker to something behind him and turning his head he saw an archer, their bow drawn and aimed directly at him.

Klara

[Klara]

Klara saw that Artigas was petrified since he saw the archer, he was an easy target right now and she couldn't let this archer shoot Artigas so she shot the enemy first just before he had time to shoot. She turned back to see Artigas just in time to warn him that à warrior was arriving right behind him. "Behind you!". That's all she had time to say before being attacked too.

She was fighting as she could with her dagger and her bow but she also kept an eye on Artigas, which cost her a deep wound to the left shoulder caused by an arrow of one of their opponents. She replied by shooting him with her bow even if the injury hurt her. Then her look came back to her companion, that's why when he began to get hurted, Klara tried to come to him as fast as possible but she had to fight against another warrior to finally join Artigas.

This warrior seemed much more experienced than her but she had to help Artigas and there were no other ways but to beat this warrior so even if her shoulder made her suffer, she took a deep breathe and got ready to fight. The enemy bounced on her but she dodged his attack by rolling on her right. She took the sword which was next to her, stood up hardly and got prepared to block the next attack. And she blocked it but the enemy was stronger than her so he pushed on the hilt of his sword and it came hit Klara right in her wounded shoulder, it was so painful that she dropped the sword. After that, the warrior kicked her in her legs so she fall down.

She was thinking that it was the end when she heard "Let them live! They can be useful."...

Tag: Artigas

[Artigas]

As Artigas stared at the warrior, prepared to die for allowing his guard to drop whilst he had been battling the other warrior. An arrow pierced the archer through the throat and sent him stumbling backwards, choking on his own blood. Surprised at the archers sudden death, the boy almost missed the warning that Klara called. Behind you. Spinning around, Artigas raised his sword just in time to block the weapon of another warrior, as their weapons clashed it sent a painful jar up his shoulder, causing him to grunt in pain and loosen his grip on his blade.

He was aware of the sound of Klara fighting somewhere nearby and although he was desperate to see if she was okay, he was confident that she could handle herself. Getting distracted whilst in battle could prove to be a fatal mistake, that was what he had been taught. The warrior he was fighting now delivered a well aimed kick to his stomach, sending him flying. Artigas landed in a dazed heap upon the floor, the air knocked from his lungs as he lay gasping on the ground, his sword had flown from his grip and as he reached for his weapon, his hands clutched at nothing but grass. Growling in frustration, he fumbled at his belt for his knife just as the warrior stood over him. He pressed a foot to the boys wrist, applying the pressure as Artigas refused to relinquish his grasp on the blade, still the warrior added on the pressure, Artigas could hear the sickening crunching in his wrist and finally, he had to give in and the blade rolled from his hand.

Lying back defeated, Artigas spat at the warrior that towered above him now, his brown eyes glaring at the enemy. Just as he heard the words 'let them live, they can be useful'. Useful? He didn't know how he could be useful to these warriors or to Azgeda and he had no desire to find out. However it gave him hope, the warrior had said 'they' that meant Klara was alive and if they were not going to kill them yet, then they would have every opportunity to escape. He could not just accept that they were to be taken deep into Azgeda territory, who knew what horrors lay to the North. Azgeda were known for their ruthlessness, they had to learn what they could from the enemy, escape and warn the Commander of their plans.

Klara

[Klara]

"Let them live. They can be useful."... These words resonated in Klara's head because they meant that Artigas was still alive which made her happy and relieved but they also meant that they will probably be tortured to give information to the enemies unless they manage to escape quickly... But for now, her shoulder was too painful to try something, so she let the warriors put a canvas bag on her head and tie her hands with a rope. And she didn't rebel when one of the Azgeda warriors began to pull her to made her advance. 

Klara was trying to concentrate to know where they were going even if she couldn't see because of the bag when she heard someone falling and some cries coming from behind her. It was probably Artigas who tried to creat a diversion but Klara couldn't do something right now... The warrior who was pulling her stopped and turned back to help his comrade... Artigas was apparently rolling on the ground and the warriors couldn't stop him... That's when Klara heard a thud, they probably just knocked Aritgas out.

After that, one of the warriors probably took Artigas on his shoulders before continuing their walking to the camp. Klara didn't know where they were anymore because Artigas's escape attempt surprised her and now she was a little bit lost but it didn't matter. She greatly appreciated the courage of her young companion but the problem was that this courage was getting too close to recklessness when he felt trapped and that could cost him his life... Moreover, in a case like their one, an escape attempt must be prepare and to do this they had to work together, so she decided to start thinking about a way to escape that she could explain to him when they will be together in the enemies' camp...


Tag: Artigas

[Artigas]

As an Azgeda warrior tied his hands and roughly put a canvas bag over his head he immediately began to struggle. He didn't like where this was going as he was hoisted to his feet he felt something sharp prod him in his back and immediately the struggling stopped. He let out a grunt as the sharp object, probably some sort of blade started to dig into him, forcing him to move forward. He was not about to let Azgeda take him without a fight, he was a warrior, he wasn't going to let the slight draw back of having his hands tied stop him from escaping.

Suddenly he fell forwards, as if he'd been tripped by something "Get up!" he heard the gruff voice of one of his captors yell at him as he lay on his side. The fall had shifted the bag from his head and he now had a pretty good view of the warrior that was looking down at him. Kicking out his leg, his foot took out the warriors legs, earning a grunt from his captor. As he rolled across the floor, trying to get away from the Azgeda warriors, he suddenly let out a cry as he felt something hard hit him in the back of his head. Images swam in front of him briefly before the world began to blur and eventually went black around him.



Klara

[Klara]

They were still walking... Klara felt like they were doing this for an eternity... Time was much longer when you were blindfolded. She was still trying to figure out a plan to escape but her shoulder was so painful that she couldn't stay concentrated on anything. Suddenly, she heard noises, more they advanced, the more the noises were becoming numerous and loud. "That's it, we are in their camp..." Klara thought. Finally, they stopped and before she had time to understand what was going on, Klara had been pushed and fell into a trap. The canvas bag wasn't on her head anymore because it fell during her fall. She lifted her head to see the sunlight again just in time to see Artigas falling in turn. 

Her young companion was coming back to him. "How do you feel?". He seemed to be good but she wanted to make sure that he was. Once she had been convinced by his answer, she stood up and began to search for a sharp object. "We have to find something to cut this rope!" she said when when saw he was looking at her with a puzzled look. She was determined to cut the rope which tied her hands because it was too tight so it began to hurt her. Moreover, while she was searching, she wasn't thinking about her painful shoulder...

Tag: Artigas