Running the streets (Erech)

[Taske]

Little Allaire ran down the rows of stalls set up, the owner where shouting there wears, and why the people passing should buy them. Allaire was passing them, her eyes on everything, but looking an nothing, there was one person she wanted to see, and he was somewhere, but exactly where, she did not know.

Under her baggy clothes where the diamonds that Alexa the princess gave her. But before she sold them, she wanted to make one into a earring. Allaire always kept things given to her in one form or another. And this was one thing she wanted to keep, at least one piece of it. Alexa was an important person in her life, almost as important as Black Star, and Black Star was like a sister to her.

The little girl was almost to the Blue Boar again when her arm was grabbed. She turned her green eyes wild. She gasped looking at the man that had caught her the night of the spring festival. "Ah so it was you. ow what have you been lifting this time?" She struggled ageist his hold, trying as she might to get her arm from his hold. She gasped at him her little voice weak. "I haven't stolen anything!"

Just as her arm was almost out of his hold the diamonds flew from inside her shirt onto the cobble stone path. She gasped and lunged at them, gathering them in her small hands. "Ah so you have stolen something! A little street rat like yourself would never afford something like that!" He gripped her arm and started to pull her down the street.

Allaire squirmed, failing her small arms, Screaming at the top of her lungs. "They where given to me! By the princess!" Th man turned his head, disbelief and anger now etching his face. "Lies! Our Princess would not converse with a street urchin!"

Allaire pulled with all her might, and soon found herself exhausted, and without any hope, she was caught... and she was not even stealing anything....

[Erech]

The town was filled with life, the traders voices bellowing down the streets. Erech walked with his loyal companion beside him. He wandered past a few stalls, looking but too nothing of his interest. However, as he passed a stall, a glistening ring took his eye. An emerald gem, surrounded in gold. Erech bestowed the ring fitting with his attire. He spoke with the trader, attempting to haggle on it's price. "How much for the that ring there lad?" A young lad, only in his teens took the ring into his hands. He replied to Erech's question and Erech too replied with an offer. "4 coin?"

The boy nodded to Erech's surpirse, he had bagged a deal there. Reaching down to his pocket he retrieved four coins as said and in return he was presented with the ring. Slipping it onto his index finger. Erech looking at it as he watched down the street. Ellesar still obediently walking beside him. However, his good mood was quickyl dampened as he saw a man dragging a small girl. His eyes focused on the struggled and it just happened to be a little DeJaVu. That young Allaire was being man-handled by the same man from the festival. Erech quickly darted over. Ellesar quickly behind him, with gnarling teeth and a vicious growl. Erech grabbed the mans arm once again.

"You leave this girl be, and if I see your filthy hands upon her clothing once more, you shall not have hands to grasp her with." Erech ordered in an emotionless tone, he spoke quietly enough for the man to hear, but enough that the young outlaw couldn't. He knew this girl was under the protection of Black Star. He needed to make his point clear and ensure this man would not harm her again. Erech stared deeply into the man's eyes. Erech pulled his arm and he released Allaire from his grasp. "Now, move on." Erech ordered as the man waltz away cursing at Erech under his breath. Mumbling to himself the man had been seen on once again.

However, this time it was not Allaire who reacted to Ellesar, it was the bi polar situation. Ellesar calmed as he leapt as the girl. They had created a bond over their short interval of cuddling and petting. Ellesar had taken a liking to Allaire, and Erech loved to see the smile on their faces. "Seems you get yourself in a few situation, Allaire. But I wouldn't worry about that man othering you again." Erech smiled as he watched Ellesar and Allaire play.

[Desperanza]

The day was rather vibrant and bright. The day after the festival was no doubt a day of hangover for many, and a new day of enthrallment for others. People whom had spent too much on fancy wares and gems and people whom had celebrated wildly in the night now waking to days feeling born again and refreshed from the festival. The town buzzed, busy with activity as the yells of ware sellers echoed down the streets and the jingle of tinkers and coins lifted into the air. At the moment, the castle was fairly quiet. The King was busying himself with their newest guests to the castle. The outlaw queen herself and ‘Jahanarwa’. The queen was no doubt busying herself with Abigail and other things about the castle and for the first time in a while, Alexa was given the chance to sneak away from the castle in the day.

Her mind was on Allaire just then, curious as to what the child had chosen to do with her diamonds that would provide her with whatever she wanted for some time. Alexa smiled at the thought and sighed softly, a smile touching her pretty features as she gazed down the street, her thoughts trailing through her mind. She had settled into a simple sky blue and gold accented dress that hugged her slender form, her ice blue eyes gazing down the streets and her face shadowed by the royal blue cloak that hugged her back and shoulders, tied securely at her throat and the hood tucked up around her facial features. Her lips puckered slightly, her nails scratching the skin of a lemon lightly before lifting it to scent the bitter smell of the fruit and though the sour smell was vibrant and strong, she smiled. She was served only the best food available and yet, she adored making her way down the market streets when she had a chance to shop. Setting the fruit down once more, she thanked the woman and selected an apple, dropping a few coins into the woman’s hand for good measure before she turned and made her way down the street. She always made her way down to her father’s keep and gathered a pouch of coins to take with her, sharing the wealth of the castle one way or another. She rather knew that her mother would be infuriated at her giving away coins so she always feigned buying wares or slipped coins into the hands of the towns’ people unknown for if she dropped her hood, there would be a stir. People would know without a doubt who she was and word would reach the castle. She would be flooded with guards for protection and whisked onto the back of a horse to be kept away from the people. It was something that she did not want and would change once she was queen. She adored her people and now as she always had, she wanted to help them.

So as she dropped the coins into the woman’s hand, she grinned and turned to make her way along the cobbled street once more, slipping the apple that she had just bought from the woman to a sweet faced bay horse that stood patiently, waiting for it’s owner outside of a shop and as it crunched it, she stroked his nose before wandering on once more. Making her way along the street, her light blue eyes scanned the sights before herself, smiling lightly. She rather did not expect to see anyone of whom she knew though she remembered many faces from the festival the night before. The sight of the town lit by the warm rays of the sun and the rather festive faces of the people lifted her spirits. As the heir to the throne, and the one who held the knowledge and secrets of the oncoming war, her shoulders were heavy with burden and yet, she remained relaxed for now.

As she traveled the main strip of town, she gazed through each stall of wares, winding up buying a ruby ring from a woman at one stand and dropping coins to her hand before turning around and sliding the ring onto the finger of a young girl who grinned and squealed, dancing about like she had been crowned as she danced away with her new ring on her finger and Alexa smiled, straightening once again as she paused, furrowing her brow as she turned her gaze down the street now instead, her eyes narrowing as she gazed towards the sight of the man that stood there, his hand curled to the arm of a young girl and as she looked closer, her heart leaped into her throat at the sight of none other than Allaire. She gasped briefly, her hands fluttering wildly before herself in worry at the sight, quite obviously something was wrong. She grit her teeth, infuriated that the man would dare lay a hand on Allaire in such a way and she strode forward, her steps sharp and determined as she darted forward, her lips parting to speak but as she did so, she paused as Erech came into view, her head inclining to glance towards the man for a brief moment. The man could quite obviously hold his own against the rude man but she stepped forward none the less. She adored Allaire, she loved her in her own way more then any other child she had met. She had cared for Allaire and brought her into her bed when she was sick and now delivered medicine by hand to the Grellon camp to keep Allaire on the better side of things. As she stepped forward, she finally drew the hood from her face, hearing the gasps and murmurs from a few people close by that the Princess was in town and the fact that she was intervening on such a situation as Alexa bent down and scooped the diamonds from the ground, turning to face the man now, ”I suggest you take your hands off this child. Consider yourself lucky that I do not have you arrested and hung by your ankles on the spot.” she hissed in warning, her ice blue eyes flaring sharply as she looked up at the man, bending forward as she tucked the diamonds back into Allaire’s hand with a slight smile to the girl as she brushed a hand through her ebony tresses before she straightened again, watching after the man with a shake of her head before she turned to address the pair, ”Are you all right? You should not be wandering the streets alone.” she murmured to Allaire with a smile, shaking her head slightly to the girl before she sighed softly and rested a hand at her shoulder before glancing to Erech now, ”Thank you sir, it was kind of you to step in for her defense.” she stated with a soft sigh as she looked up at the dark featured man, offering a soft smile to him this time as she gazed upwards across his features. She gave a curious spark to the stranger, surprised at the kindness of the man whom had stepped in to protect the child that she herself had bonded with and had protected before.

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[Taske]

Allaire was tugged down a busy street, she small body getting tossed about as the man weaved to the the provost guard. She could not prove the Alexa had given her the diamonds, and they would not believe her anyway, she was only a street urchin, someone born into poverty, not worth the time to listen to her words.

She was ready to sit in the smell cell and wait for Black Star or even Alexa to notes her missing and come to her rescue which could take days or even months, Allaire is notorious of slipping through cracks when she needs to...

But the man was soon gripped on the arm much like she was getting gripped. She was roughly let go and fell to the stone. It seemed that someone had come to her rescue a lot faster then expected. She huffed nodding her head, and got to her feet, to only be tackled by a large form.

She giggled as a wet tongue crossed her face. She petted the shaggy body and smiled, seeming to forget everything that just took place. "Hello Ellesar, are you being a good boy!" Her giggled at his small woof as if he was telling her that he was always on his best behavior.

But as Allaire was making hr way back to her feet the voice of non other then Alexa entered her. She turned her green eyes shimmering. "Alexa!" She tucked the diamonds back into her shirt and raced into her legs, her small body pushing lightly on her legs.

After her greeting with Alexa Allaire turned to Erech, who she bowed to. "Thank you... umm again." She giggled. "How is it that we only meet when I'm almost arrested." She covers her mouth with her hand. "Oh Erech have you meet Alexa! Alexa this is Erech." She pointed at the man her face in a big smile, not paying any heed to the gathering crowd about them, she smiled up at them both. With a small nudge on her elbow had the little girl spin around. "Oh I almost forgot, Alexa this lovely wolfy is Ellesar." The wolf smiled seemingly proud of himself and Allaire rapped her arms about his neck.

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s smile was wide, inviting. The situation had passed and she was relaxed once again despite the fact that a crowd was now gathering around them, murmurs among the crowd of her arrival reaching her ears but she did not address them just yet as she bent forward and whisked Allaire into her arms, hugging her gently for a moment before she righted her back to her feet once again with a smile as she looked down at the child, nodding patiently to her words with an adoring glance as she glanced between Erech and the wolf for a moment. She smiled at the sight of Ellesar and lowered a hand to brush her fingers gently along the canine’s head before righting herself once again as she folded her hands in front of herself for a moment, glancing back to the tall stranger once more with a charmed smile as she nodded slightly in greeting, ”A pleasure to meet you sir. I suppose you know who I am by now.” she returned with a small giggle, lifting a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before she lowered it once more, folding her hands before herself again as she glanced to Erech’s ring briefly, her eyes lighting briefly with interest, ”Oh! Genuine emerald no doubt, hand crafted. Fabulous design.” she stated thoughtfully with a curt nod, lifting her gaze to Erech once more with a slight tilt of her head, ”A fantastic choice for a hand piece no doubt.” she paused, her right hand fluttering to the satchel at her side as she pulled the small bag open that jingled with the remaining coin that had been held at her hip.

Casting a distracted glance around herself, she glanced among the crowd with an uncertain smile, offering a brief wave before she turned her attention to Allaire for a moment instead, ”One moment darling, I have something for you.” she stated thoughtfully with a grin as she slid her fingers into the small bag and rifled through the coins until her fingers closed upon the form that she needed and she pulled the ring from the pouch, lowering her hand to lower the trinket into the child’s hand, realizing once again that the amount of gifts she was producing for the child was growing but the sweet faced young girl had fast weaved her way into the Princess’s heart and she rather could not help herself. Now, she offered the child a ring. It was carved from silver and very feminine with a pristine lilac amethyst stone set in the center with wrapping silver tendrils that she had picked and had bought with Allaire in mind and sized for a child. She sighed softly and lowered the item into the girl’s palm with a smile, nodding slightly to her, ”There, I had wondered if you might like this.” she stated thoughtfully with a slight smile as she looked down at the girl before she returned her gaze to Erech once more, a sudden light glittering within her ice blue eyes, ”Good sir please,” she began, her hands lowering to untie the satchel of coins at her right hip before she offered the leather pouch out to the dark featured man, ”Take this as a token of my thanks for protecting her. Buy yourself something, anything that you happen to desire.” she stated thoughtfully to him, her features soft and inviting, ever thankful that he had rescued the child once again from the stranger whom had seemed set on stealing away the young girl’s life one way or another.

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[Erech]

Erech's eyes were focused on the man and he was slightly startled by the recognisable voice that also gave pursuit to the young girl's protection. The warning was harsh, somewhat even more harsh than Erech's. He turned to glance at the beauty that was Princess Alexa. She asked of Allaire wellbeing then turned to thank Erech."No need to thank me Princess."

His eyes then shifted to young Allaire and Ellesar playing as if nothing had happened. Erech was glad that Ellesar had made friends with the young girl, it borught a smile to his face to see them both happy. Allaire was struck for choice, she leapt from Ellesar to the Princess, they obviously had a strong bond, Erech could see that their bond was similar to his and Ellesar's and as he thought about it, his eyes moved to his loyal companion. The smile on his face broadened with the sight of such bonds all around him. Allaire then turned back to Erech, thanking him and asking a rather odd question. "It seems i'm in the right place at the right time." He laughed softly as he smiled at Allaire.

Next came an introduction of some sort. Allaire officially introduced Alexa and Erech. He smiled bowing his head to the Princess. "The pleasure be all mine Princess Alexa." She then took an interest in Erech's recently purchased possession, his new Emerald ring. He smiled as he twisted and tilted his hand. "Why thank you Princess." This was the first time Erech had been formerly introduced to teh ones he so desperately wishes to protect. However, Erech watched on gracefully as the princess moved to her satchel, retrieving a red, glimmering ring she proceeded to give to Allaire. Erech was delighted to see the young girls face. Her eyes filled with joy and Alexa's smile of grace. The princess then moved to give Erech a few coins, but shaking his head he replied. "I shall not take the coins, I am simply looking out for the younger generation. I do not wish for rewards of substance, the sight of their faces is enough of a reward to me." Erech smiled as he spoked out declining the coins from Alexa, he motioned his hand towards hers, curling her hand back into a grasp of the coins. "Keep them." He then removed her hands away from the soft touch of Alexa's his sight returning back to Ellesar as he reached down and ruffled between his ears. A soft spot of the wolf only Erech knew of. The smile embedded on his face early on in teh situation remained stationary between his cheeks the whole meeting.

[Taske]

Allaire smiled up at Alexa her face becoming bright, for almost getting caught not even stealing, this was turning out to be a great day! "Thank you Alexa." The little girl gripped the ring in her small hand, looking at it through her fingers. It was a lovely thing, perfect for her small fingers, she then proceeded to slip it onto her right ring finger. and held it up into the light. She already loved it...

After she was done looking at her ring, she watched the small interaction between the two. Tilting her head a bit, she seemed to get a brilliant idea! Alexa was basically her mother, well who better to know whats best for her was her child? And besides who was better than her knight in shinning armor to be king!? Yes Allaire was getting more crazy idea ever, she would get those two together, two very important people in her life.

Allaire smiled up at the two, her child's grin toothy, her smile that of a plotting child. Oh she had the perfect starter plane, but first; she looked about herself, her eyes scanning the crowd that had gathered; they needed a way to be alone. Allaire grabbed both Alexa's and Erech's wrist, and started to race into the crowd, they would soon be lost behind with there eyes on the trio.

Allaire turned into a ally then, hoping to lose those eyes, hoping that the princess's prescience hadn't called to much attenuation, that would just ruin the plane. With all three, and Ellesar tuck within the small dark place Allaire turned a large smile on her face. "I want to spend the day with both you you. We can use that gold Alexa has to make a fun day!" That way, the money can be given to the people, like the little girl knew Alexa wanted to use it.

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s breath caught in her throat for a brief moment, her ice blue eyes flitting to the features of Erech’s face as she gazed upon the ranger whom had rescued Allaire. He was kind and he was honest, traits that she did not often find so easily on the surface of any man no matter how many times she traveled into town. Not even the royal Princes’ that came to court her could compete with the man before her and she smiled at the thought. Her gaze fluttered down to their hands for a moment as he moved to decline the coins and she gasped softly. She had half expected soft oiled hands like those of royalty, the men of whom she cringed at. These hands were rougher, more masculine, inviting and warm and gentle and she felt a slight zing run through her at the simple touch and though whether it was from the kind gesture or the touch of his hands, she was unsure but she did not question it just then as she met his gaze once more and nodded slowly. Carefully, she took a steadying breath and returned the coins to her side, her gaze meeting his for a moment longer before she felt the words of the child reaching her once again and she pulled from her thoughts and returned to the presence, casting a glance to Allaire as she thanked her and she smiled softly to the girl in return and nodded slowly, brushing a hand over Allaire’s raven tresses with a soft smile of adoration for the girl, casting a glance back towards Erech once again with a light smile touching her features that seemed to reach clear into her eyes now as she gazed upon the dark features of the man, falling silent briefly until she felt the sudden tug at her wrist and she gave a brief sound of surprise, turning on her heel to follow where the girl led.

As she rushed past the crowd, her cloak billowed out behind herself and she happily slipped past the people who lingered among the stony center of town, murmurs and brief calls at her back as she slipped past the crowd and followed Allaire down the twisting roads and into the darker interior of the alley. She paused, glancing around herself for a moment, lowering a hand to resettle the coins at her right hip and straighten her cloak. She caught her breath once again and gave her head a shake at a few loose tendrils of hair that had come loose from the braid and teased her cheeks a bit. She cast a glance back, curious whether the ranger too had followed before she sent a glance to Allaire once more, kneeling down among the folds of her dress to become closer to eye level to Allaire with a light smile upon her features. She lifted a slender hand to tuck a few strands of the child’s hair back into place as she nodded slowly in return, pondering the thought but she wanted nothing more than to give what Allaire wanted at the moment. She was the Princess after all, who would be there to drag her home? She giggled at the thought and sighed softly, ”Miss Allaire, I would love to. This day sounds like such a wonderful one spent with the two of you but that is only if sir Erech agrees.“ she paused, turning to face Erech now as she stood from the ground once more and came to turn towards him as she stood alongside of Allaire and smiled gently to the ranger, ”I’m sorry that we have not met on anything more then such sudden circumstances but, it would be wonderful of you if you decided to stay with us today.” she offered, her tone gentle and inviting as it usually was now as she gazed upwards to him, tilting her head slightly into a questioning gesture for him now.

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[Erech]

The young girl had become somewhat of a little sister figure to Erech. He had begun to develop a bond with the girl. He watched her smile as she adored the ring. A fitting item for the young girl's personality. Erech smiled and patted Ellesar as he let out a soft, cheerful growl showing he was too happy to see Allaire filled with joy. It was just at that moment, Erech had interlocked sight with Alexa, the somewhat awkward situation felt right deep down as they exchanged smiles.

However, quickly interupted by the sudden pull of Erech's wrist, the young girl dragged them through the crowd. Erech manipulated his body, evading the villagers that stood upon the cobbled stones in their path. They finally arrived in an alleyway, Ellesar quickly rushed through Erech's legs an took a seat in a shadowed corner of the alleyway. Erech turned to gaze upon a true beauty and a young seed, that would soon blossom into an even more beautiful flower. Erech's eyes filled with delight as Allaire made a wonderful proposal, he could simply not decline. He then listened to Alexa also approve of the idea, her pretty face inticed him to stay even more.

"I can't think of a better way to spend my day. I'd much prefer the words, Fate or Destiny to a sudden circumstance." Erech gave a smile as he agreed to the day out with the two girls.

[Desperanza]

The Princess lifted her head, her eyes meeting that of the light blue of the ranger and she felt that stir of emotions deep within herself again and yet this time, she did not shy away as she had in the past. It had been years since she had trusted any males in fact there had so far been only one other that she had bothered truly trusting, her child hood friend who had in teen years become closer and yet, it had ended in pain when they had been separated and since it had been so obvious that on every occasion that the only thing men wanted from her was the power, the money. It had caused her to shy away from opening her heart easily. She was tough, she could care for herself and yet that secret place within herself where she had tied away that simple curiosity and hinting desire to want to allow herself to open up to someone, was beginning to stir. Somehow this time, it felt right to allow herself to feel this way. She was coming to like this ranger and as she gazed upon Allaire, she liked him more. She had heard that children were good judges of character and it was rather turning out to be true in this case, with this man.

As she met the ranger’s gaze, she smiled softly, nodding slowly her agreement as for a few moments, she did not trust herself to speak but finally, she managed and when she did her tone came easy, ”It is fate indeed, then. Or destiny perhaps.” she agreed, her smile sticking upon her face still as she turned to the child once more, her ice blue eyes gazing down upon the darker featured young girl as her eyes took on a curious glint as she gazed upon the child with a slight incline of her head, ”All right, it’s settled then, what shall we do, Allaire? And where will this take us?” she inquired, untying the satchel of coins from her pocket to lower them into Allaire’s hands with the smile. It had been the child that had brought them all together so now, she would allow the child to choose where they went from here. Erech certainly had not turned against the plans so it appeared that they were all headed in the same direction anyways so now, she awaited Allaire’s newest plans to unfold as she folded her hands before herself against the skirts of her dress, her features serene and content as she cast a brief glance to Erech once more. The handsome features of the ranger seemed to be drawing her attention more and more. It was hard to ignore that beneath the cloth of his clothing and the cape at his back, there was pure muscle. He stood a few inches above her and his dark features and light eyes were enticing, inviting but she tried not to stare and again, she turned her gaze back to Allaire once again with the full realization that another thing that made the ranger so appealing was his character, as well.

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