Thread: I'll Be Good (OffToTheRaces x Quantum Tangle)

At the top of the stairway, the soldiers were set in line with blades threatening any unpermitted movement. As they were herded into place, Este cast a coy, chastising look at the man who seemed to be the leader of their idiotic pack, quirking a dark brow had they been closer, she would have tutted as if she were scolding a child - in turn, he spat at her feet. The guard holding onto her eased his grip in favor of shoving the slighted man back in place with his comrades. There was little concern that any of them would risk leaving, especially as the man who had intercepted the incident approached, flanked by his own guards. With no kerchief or means to wipe the blood from her face, Este carefully lifted a hand, brushing long fingers across the top of her upper lip at least it would cease the blood from pouring into her mouth for now. As her fingertip traced towards the edge of her mouth, her eyes met briefly with the older man. Who was he? Clearly, whoever he was, he outranked everyone present by considerable means. His mere presence had stunned the men beside her- she could practically see how they quivered in place. though admittedly there was a bit of a drunken sway to add to their unsteady stances. Este had little understanding of military rankings, but the moment the word Teryn was stammered from one of the soldiers lips, even she was able to make a very stunning connection. Teryn Loghain. The Father of the Queen a Hero of Ferelden that her Uncle spoke of with more esteem than any shem, even the King himself. Her curious pondering was cut quickly short however, as the same soldier who relayed the older mans identity so curtly, exposed her own. And then another affirmed his claim. Este felt the air suck out from her lungs a harsh blow that rattled the deep into her bones. Fereldens culture was not as intrigued by those like her, when compared to the other lands of Thedas even Tevinter was shockingly tolerant. In Orlais or Antiva she would be a coveted status symbol, but the dog lords of Ferelden were far more conservative in their views at least in the open. As the Teryn turned towards her, she could practically feel the pyre burning at her feet. With blush rising to her fair face, her dark eyes widened slightly. Even while she quivered on the inside, she did not avert her attention from the Teryn as he approached her instead she met the intensity of his stare with her own piercing gaze. Her people were conditioned to cower, to break and bow their heads to fall to their knees like the soldier who had professed in front of the unimpressed Lord. While silence in some way had aided in her survival over the years, submission had not. When the Teryn touched her chin she lifted her head, following his touch as he examined her and, in turn, she made no subtlety in her expression to show that she was inspecting him as well. The fine lines etched into his features only enhanced the already refined angles of his face - age was no stranger to him, but he undoubtedly handsome. Her lips parted as he spoke, a visceral display of her own shock to his words. She would never anticipate sympathy - but understanding? From a shem? When his grip tightened against her chin, her tongue habitually touched to the roof of her mouth, but having noted his irritation towards delays in response, she made no hesitation to speak when addressed,It is as you observed, My Lord. I was tending to my duties, and these She turned her gaze towards the solders, noting with slight amusement how they all kept their focus forward rather than on her. Looking back towards the Teryn, her blood stained lips quirked faintly, Soldiers She let the word hang in the air, dripping with playful poison, Took it upon themselves to try and take some reprieve that they felt was owed to them. Apparently an enrollment incentive these days is you get to stick your hand up any skirt you desire, with little care to the one wearing said skirtWhich must have been an exclusive offer to them, or your armies would be much larger.