[center][h1][b][u][color=9e0b0f]Rhea Duvalier[/color][/u][/b][/h1]

[b][u]Interacting With:[/u][/b] [@LordVoldemort] [@Poi] [@Solace] [@Zeroth] [@Mercurial] [@Redneckatron] [@Lord Orgasmo] [@Kazemitsu] [@Tala Avana] [@Tenma Tendo] [/center]

[color=gray]Perhaps she had been a little too tough on Gorou. The words he spoke next had taken on a completely different type of tone, and the man even fell silent as they flew. It was a little too awkward for her; she wasn't sure what the myrmidon's intentions were, with that act. Either way, Rhea kept her eyes facing forward, her hands firm upon Icarus' reigns as they flew. [color=9e0b0f][b]"I appreciate your concerns, but there's no need for your worry when it comes to me,"[/b][/color] she muttered to Gorou as she once again became immersed in the torrent of graceful wind and the wonderful scenery that surrounded the two. Maybe Eli was right-- maybe she was a little too abrasive when it came to interacting with others. [color=9e0b0f][b]"Keep your eyes open. We'll be at Bolsan before you know it."[/b][/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/i6fLcHF.pngp[/img][/center]

Slowly, almost painfully, five hours passed. While the short journey was entertaining for her, Rhea wondered how tired Gorou was. He was a swordsman, not a beast rider, so she definitely knew that he wasn't used to be riding for so long on wyvern back. During the travel, the two exchanged some words, albeit it took some time for her to regain her confidence around Gorou. They mostly conversed about idle things-- nothing of importance, at least to her. But, while she talked, Rhea thought about the horses below her. Was everything alright? Were the horses very tired? Maize had a sharp eye, he should have dealt with any issues that arose among the men and women and even [i]children[/i] below them. Already, worry began to bubble in her chest. [color=9e0b0f][i]Maybe I'll have Icarus remain on the ground for the next stretch of the journey,[/i][/color] she thought, her eyes once again drifting ahead of her. In the near distance, a quaint village sat, the cresting midday sun hovering over it like a halo.

They arrived at Bolsan shortly after Rhea discovered the hamlet. Rhea could tell how tired Icarus was when the wyvern set foot upon solid ground; the great white beast gave a hefty sigh as his wings tucked close to the mass that was his body. Her legs even ached, but she did not make that evident as she made sure to keep her wyvern behind the horses as to not frighten them. As they approached the entrance, the party began to dismount, and that was when she lifted herself off the saddle and dropped to the ground. She was used to dismounting quickly from Icarus' saddle, and while it might seem it took a toll on her legs, she was accustomed to the impact of the earth after falling from such a height. Her hand drifted to her wyvern's reigns, pulling downward and making the creature crouch in order to grant Gorou an easier time of getting off Icarus' back. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, drawing in the light and amiability of the village. 

Small, wooden homes decorated the sides of a dusty stone road, their terracotta-colored roofs glittering in the afternoon sun. People bustled outside alongside the path, buying and selling their wares. Small, open stables were scattered about, and more and more people went to tie their horses in the small infrastructures. [color=9e0b0f][b]"It's quite nice, isn't it?"[/b][/color] Rhea spoke mostly to herself, walking Icarus over to a small tree that rested beside the road. She began to wrap the reigns around its trunk when the sound of several unsteady feet slamming against stone pavement reached her ears. Rhea turned her head, spotting a gathering of men hovering drunkenly near a bunch of vendors. At first, she thought that the merchants were simply engaging with the drunkards in their joviality. But the expressions the peddlers wore were something far from comfortable, and the way that the drunken men toyed with the pommels of the weapons upon their hips disturbed her. Of course, just when she thought that she could have peace and quiet, there always had to be a select few that made her lose hope in catching a breather. 

She took a step forward, grabbing hold of Icarus' reigns and tugging him closer to the unfolding scene in front of her. The drunkards were surprised at her advance, but, seeing as they had greater numbers, did not scuttle back into tavern-- even at the sight of a beast as large as Icarus. [color=9e0b0f][b]"Is there an issue here?"[/b][/color] Rhea demanded. The group of men exchanged looks with one another before the leader, a burly man with a sweaty mustache, curled his lip at her. Even from a distance, she could smell his rotting breath.

[b]"Ain't no issue that pertains to you, lass,"[/b] he slurred at her, his right hand toying with the hilt of the sword at his waist. Her eyes remained on his face, watching the other men fidget apprehensively behind their leader. 

One of the other drunkards, a thin man with bloodshot eyes, pointed his sword at Icarus. Her shoulders stiffened at the motion, and she heard the wyvern rumble lowly in a dangerous growl. [b]"You thinks that you can scare us by bringin' yer monster on a leash? Big mistake!"[/b][/color]