[centre][h3][color=coral]Lucca the Redeemer[/color][sub] [sub][sub]featuring:[/sub][/sub] [color=FFDF00]Roland the Oathkeeper[/color][/sub][/h3][/centre] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDv_PlrBg14]A symphony of caws rang out from above as an unkindness of ravens flew overhead, soaring onwards into the horizon.[/url] Lucca brought a gauntleted hand to her brow, shielding her eyes from the harsh sun. To soar the skies with the grace of the raven, to fly true to wherever the wind happened to blow...such was true freedom, one which the young saint would sadly never experience. Not in this life, at least. [color=FFDF00]“Good luck, those ravens. A sign that The Lady Serafina Herself blesses our quest.”[/color] came a booming voice from behind. The girl startled, which in turn caused her steed to rear. She tightened her thighs around the beast and held on for dear life as it took to it’s back legs. She was ready to bail, should it come to it, but the horse soon returned to its natural balance. It was a good beast, well-trained, experienced, and practically a gift from the heavens to a newer rider such as Lucca. But as calm as it was, even it couldn’t help but be spooked by Lucca’s nervousness. A deep laugh bellowed out as the source, an older looking man atop an older looking mount came trotting up beside her. [color=FFDF00]“Hehe...spooked her, didja? Just relax.”[/color] he called to her, taking the chance to exaggerate deep breathing. [color=FFDF00]“We’re still hours out from the forest. So enjoy all of this while you can…”[/color] he started, staring longingly out into the distance before turning to look at the girl. [color=FFDF00]“It may be the last of the sun we see for quite some time.”[/color] A chill ran down Lucca’s spine and she visibly shuddered, stirring up yet another laugh from the old saint. The two rode in silence for some time after he calmed down. They trailed behind the wagons some distance. Lucca hadn’t asked why. She had been forming a question though. [color=coral]“Permission to speak, ser?[/color] the nervous girl called out. Roland gave her a curious glance. [color=FFDF00]“Permission to- bwhahahah!”[/color] bellowed the older man, causing Lucca to raise an inquisitive eyebrow. [color=FFDF00]“Speak freely, Lady Lucca.[/color] The girl nodded. [color=coral]“What did you mean earlier? About the ravens? How are they good luck?”[/color] To that, Roland grinned. [color=FFDF00]“Ahh...sounds as if somebody needs to spend more time reading from the Teachings.[/color] he croaked, causing the girl’s cheeks to catch fire. He wasn’t wrong. As of late, she seemed to find more and more to interfere with her lessons, and quite honestly, she wasn’t all that torn up over the matter. Still, she was curious. [color=FFDF00]“Hmm...I could tell you...but...I won’t. Instead, you will tell me. By the the last flame of tonight’s camp, you will share with me the tale of the ravens. If you can do this, you’ll get to skip tomorrow’s lessons. If not...then it’s scripture from dawn ‘til dusk.”[/color] he playfully offered. Lucca turned and studied him closely...before cracking the faintest shadow of what might have been a smile. [color=coral]“This is fair. This one accepts the wager.”[/color] Lucca answered. To this, Roland frowned...but he held his tongue. The older saint glanced around once more before urging his mount to speed up. [color=FFDF00]“Come. I’ve a mind to speak with this Randall Durant. It’s been much too long. And...well...it wouldn’t hurt you to learn of your fellows. Once we go beyond the trees, they very well may be all that stand between you and certain doom. Never forget that.”[/color] he ordered. After a moment, he added, [color=FFDF00]“Oh! And...do be mindful of the Beasts. Filled with anger and hatred, those ones are. They curse The Lady’s name for their place in the world. Don’t let it bother you. Treat them with the kindness and respect that The Lady speaks of.”[/color] before speeding off. Lucca uttered an affirmative before begging her steed to do the same. It obliged. As Roland approached the respected blacksmith, Lucca lagged behind slightly. Something had caught her attention. [color=0076a3]"I-i would never do something so i-indecent! I-if anything you s-stripping would blind everyone from how hideous you are!"[/color] The sudden outburst had caught Lucca completely off-guard. She flinched again, yet luckily her steed held her nerve better than the saint. Lucca tried not to look but...curiosity had gotten the best of her. Odd...even a year ago, the girl would rather claw her own eyes out than look at the Master during an outbreak. To look at the Master during an outbreak would mean Punishment, of course. Perhaps freedom really WAS changing her… … Lucca shifted her eyes from straight ahead to her left. The woman who had shouted was...eccentric-looking, to say the least. Though the one she had been yelling at was just as oddly dressed. If she had to wager, she’d place the two of them as Magi of Themis. Magic...it was an odd thing, truly. Lucca was one of the unlucky few who felt no calling to the arcane arts. Unless one counted the blessing of Serafina, which Roland and the church adamantly did not. Those were miracles of the Lady… Lucca shrugged. It didn’t matter. What good would come of dreaming of such a thing? Naught but disappointment, truly. The girl then shifted her gaze to the third. A Beast. Where they truly as angry as Roland warned? She had been around them her entire life and...well...they seemed no different than her, honestly. This one in particular didn't seem to be...angry. If anything, she seemed...broken. Huh... Lucca’s eyes fixated on the cat-girl’s neck. At the leather collar. Unconsciously, Lucca rose a hand to her own collar, rubbing her fingers against the white symbols cut into it. A slave then...even as far as they had gone, the Masters still held their chains tightly. No matter where one would go, the phantoms of the past would be ever close behind. Why, Lucca could practically feel her own Master...creeping up from behind, eager to hand down His Righteous Punishment. It was absurd, really. He had been smote by the holy wrath of The Lady but… Lucca shuddered once more. She knew the truth, yet still she had many sleepless nights, just waiting for the Master to crash into her lodgings, laughing, no, screaming that everything had been a simple joke, and for being such a stupid slave, she would be punished. … Oh. She had been staring at the cat-girl. Lucca’s face heated up as she returned her gaze forward. She felt rather uncomfortable...she glanced over towards Roland, hoping that perhaps he would come to save her, but alas, the roaring laughter coming from the two dashed any hopes she had of that. Oh well. Face front, eyes down, and move. That was her task for now.