Ivy rode for what seemed like years, though the beating sun at its full height meant it was a little past noon. Don’t misunderstand, Ivy loved the scenery of her homeland, Breged. Her rolling pastoral hills, vast seas of grassland home to many a fierce wild beast, and of course Ivys ever loyal companion on this leg of the journey, the calm, babbling Grendal River. It’s only that at a certain point rolling becomes monotonous, vast becomes plain and ever loyal becomes ceaseless. The singular interesting sight Ivy had found for the last six hours was a far-off herd of thunder mammoth. But to Ivys annoyance, a similar annoyance to most visiting zoos without multiple viewing platforms, every last one of the tubby things were facing away from her. And adding fictional insult to imagined injury, they were too far off for her to even see if there were any babies. Honestly the nerve.
Just when Ivy was contemplating the idea of wrangling a mammoth and using it as a mount, she felt a sudden jolt of hunger. Bellona’s words about breakfast rang more reasonable in the woman’s head now. She reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a pouch of raisins and nuts. An odd concoction of Ivys own design, a kind of mix for the trail ahead. As she was about to fill her cheeks with fruity and nutty goodness like a demonic little chipmuck, Ivy remembered the one-ton hulk below her also likely was becoming peckish. Ivy leaned down and pat the side of Lilys neck.
“Are you getting hungry big girl?” Ivy said.
Lily turned her head to the side and looked at her mistress. Ivy was cooing again in her odd tongue. Lily noticed Ivy was holding a bag of what smelled like fruit. Maybe her mistress was offering her the bag. Lily was growing quite hungry, but like any good steed she knew she always had to be alert. Ready to bolt at a moment’s notice or stand her ground with gusto if she must. But if her mistress was offering her food then mistress couldn’t be rejected. Lily made an attempt to push her muzzle into Ivy’s bag, however it was just out of reach. Lily thought she’d try just a little harder. She didn’t want to offend her rider by not partaking in her gift.
From Ivys perspective, Lily began nipping at the trail mix bag and spinning in place.
“Alright, alright big girl, no need to try so hard.” Ivy upturned her bag onto the road. The mix became its final form. A true mix of the trail. Each ingredient reveled in the splendor for the few seconds they had before a hungry horse gobbled them down.
Ivy surveyed the area and noticed a large oak tree nearby, with plenty of shade for a woman and her horse to have a relaxing picnic. She wheeled Lily away from her road snack, which took some effort. She brought the both of them to the tree where Ivy dismounted. Then rummaged through her saddle bag to find some dried meat and Lilys feed bag. Filling the bag and placing it on Lily was very routine to Ivy, and soon enough she was lounging on a tree trunk tearing into a large helping of over salted jerky.
Ivy had stopped for her break in view of the crossroads. Going right, and following the path of the Grendal, would lead to the heart of Breged. Ala. Mighty walls, a bustling city, the best theater district in the country and all set around an impregnable castle known as Bears Hold. Some believe The Bear may have even built it herself. Whether the Bear had built the city or not she continued to protect it even today, through her chosen warriors. The Green cloaked Paladins of the Bear.
Of course, Ivy had been to Ala before, just under strict chaperones. Unable to explore the hidden wonders she knew she could rat out. She never got to meet any paladins formally. Just passing by seeing their glistening armor and verdant capes. Everything a hero really should be. And they were only as far from her as home was now.
To the left. Mystery. The unknown. All she knew was the mountains, of which she was meant to avoid, and Apie Fields. She had no idea how far it would be, the state of the roads or even how this Apie Fields would receive her. She knew though they probably didn’t have paladins. She even wondered how the Zolts were faring.
Lily awoke Ivy from her idle thoughts with a muzzle digging into her shoulder. Ivy felt the bottom of Lilys feed bag. “All done girl?”
Ivy began to remove Lilys feed bag but noticed the horses’ eyes and ears were set to the side. When Ivy followed her friend’s gaze she found herself looking at a rather large boat. It was sleek and thin, made of a glossy wood in a color darker than any Ivy had seen. The tall mast in the center of the deck had its sails wrapped up tightly. Sails were only good for sea travel. This vessels go to method of movement down the narrow Grendal were two rows of long oars down either side of the splinter ship.
Ivy furrowed her brow seeing the vessel. Seeing a boat in a river was normal, Ivy knew boats were often in rivers. What puzzled Ivy was a speedy foreign vessel stopping the middle of nowhere, carrying no cargo plainly seen, baring no marks of origin and-
It all clicked in Ivys horned head at once.
Smugglers.
That must have been it. Why else have no heraldry. Why else stop far from any port or city. Ivy knew she had to do something. Tainted, foreign, possibly illegal goods brought into her home and country couldn’t stand. The ship was likely from Emond Valor, the festering land of witches and warlocks. As Ivy mounted her steed she grit her teeth. Magic made her sick. Bending the laws of nature for your own sick and twisted enjoyment was revolting. Maybe magic was what made the strange vessel so glossy and clean, fang bitten weasels couldn’t even be bothered to clean a boat without magic. Despicable.
Ivy sat as straight as an arrow in her saddle. Her gaze was icy, and her silhouette became somewhat intimidating. Although the intimidation did mostly come from the horns, and being atop a creature who shared more physicality with a moose than the average horse. Lily had naught but crossed the road when the crew of the ship had lowered a gang plank to the river shore. Ivy’s hand moved down to the haft of her new halberd images danced in her brain of a daring hero facing villainous pirates. Ivy didn’t get her swashbuckling escapade, as much as she wanted it.
A whip thin cloaked figure strode ethereally out from a cabin at the back of the ship. They were followed by a robust wide set man. Ivy believed he was a man because she was under the impression only male mammoths had tusks. She was mistaken, any mammoth can have tusks it is only a bit more common for females to be born without the ability to grow them. Nevertheless Ivy was correct in this case, the gigantic mammoth headed person was in fact a man.
Beast men weren’t entirely unknown to Ivy. She had rubbed elbows with a fair few in her families’ trips to Ala for court. Lizard folk, bird people, she even met a man with a boars features once. Though he may have just been ugly. By far the most common were people with the heads of hounds. The Jarl of Wilksgrad was one such as that. She bore the shaggy grey fur and lanky build of a wolfhound. But a mammoth. Unheard of even in the stories she read.
The figure and the mammoth man made their way down the gang plank. They appeared to be having a conversation, although Ivy could only barely make out the man because of his deep booming voice. He was saying something about the weather or maybe some leather. As they reached the shore he clapped the figure on the back with a hand larger than the person’s torso and exclaimed a hearty farewell.
Ivy rode a little closer. Convincing herself she hadn’t been noticed.
The diminutive figure removed their hood facing the ship, revealing long golden blonde hair. The mammoth man climbed his way back to the ship. Then with arms as thick as tree trunks and a trunk as thick as a man’s arm, he hoisted the long plank back onto the ship. He let out his own trumpet of celebration at his feat of strength. The small thin person waved a goodbye at the man their opposite in every way. Then just as silently as it had pulled up to shore the oarsmen pushed off the riverbank and glided off. The boat left only ripples in its wake.
The figure then turned, immediately meeting Ivy’s gaze. The instancy of the action caused the rider to jolt in place. The person’s face was thin and angular. Everything about them was thin and angular. Their skin was so pale they seemed to be a spirit. Their grey cloak and red robes swaying in the wind was the nly proof this world touched them.
Then, like they hadn’t just initiated the creepiest riverside staring contest to date, the pale figure just turned and left. They began to glide down the road like they hadn’t a care in the world. Ivy watched them go, filled with an intense curiosity. This was no ghost; ghosts don’t ride boats. They were just a traveler. A traveler who didn’t have anyone to keep her company. Or any form of protection. And yet they weren’t slowed by that lack. Ivy looked down at her mount, then her gaze went to her halberd. She was well equipped, well-armed and riding a tank.
And if she wanted to be a hero she had to start somewhere. With being the hero to this small defenseless person. Who luckily had just taken the fork towards Apie Fields. So Ivy rode forward at a trot. Following behind until Lily sat besides Ivys new curiosity.
The traveler kept gliding onward.
Well, maybe she was shy, Ivy thought before she spoke. “Hello!”
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The pale skinned person now looked up seeing the crimson skinned heiress up on a literal high horse.
The stranger looked forward and grumbled words Ivy could hardly hear. “You’re joking…”
“My apologies friend, I couldn’t quite catch that?” Ivy said cheerily.
“Nothing… uh- hi. Do you need something?” The traveler asked looking at Ivy out of the corner of her eye. Kind of like a weary hound.
“Well I simply saw we were headed the same direction and thought it kind to introduce myself. My name is Ivy Elizabeth Alexandria Marie Humble, and it is very pleasant to meet you miss.”
“Not miss.” The traveler said plainly.
“Oh. Well, my deepest apologies. I hadn’t meant to offend.”
“You didn’t.” Said in a tone that said otherwise.
“Well, how might I address you, friend. I wouldn’t like a repeat of my offence” Ivy said.
“Yesenia.” They said.
“Yesenia! That’s a rather nice name. Rolls off the tongue well. Yesenia. Quite the name.” Ivy smiled broadly. A bit too broad.
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Silence and the serenity of nature overtook once more. Birds sang far off. Lilys hooves made a gentle rhythm on the cobblestones. It was a lovely day as well, just a spattering of clouds. Only enough to give the sky texture. Perfect picnic weather really.
“So-.” Ivy’s voice invaded the serenity of nature. “Where are you headed friend Yesenia.”
“Apie Fields.” Yesenia said.
“What luck! I’m headed to the same town. Looks like we are going to be traveling friends for a bit longer.”
“Mhm, must be fate...”
The pair began to enter a canopied section of the road. Ivy could already see the road becoming less and less well kept the further they got from the road leading to Ala.
“You know they really should send someone out here to fix up these roads. They are absolutely dreadful.” Ivy said peering down at the root knarred road she wasn’t actually standing on.
“I doubt anyone ever will.”
Ivy beamed at getting five words out of Yesenia again and followed the current of conversation. “Oh? Why do you say that?”
“Because the royalty of Breged don’t care about people”
“Ah yes maybe that’s-“ The current had just become rapids. “W- What do you mean by that.”
“I mean, they just don’t care.” Yesenia gestured to the trail they were on. “You just said this roads no good and it’s meant to be a trade road to the Andren Mountains.”
“Well I- what I meant was-“
“If royal families can’t think enough about the people to maintain roads they don’t personally walk on, how can you expect them to care about anything.” Yesenia said
“I suppose-“ Ivy got out.
“And it all stems from that geriatric King. I say he ought to just be put in the mausoleum now. Doubt the old codger would even notice”
Ivy’s eyes lit up with anger. “Now just wait a second! King Ceratin is a peach. A peach! I bet you’ve never even met the man. If you had you’d be eating your words right now!”
“I don’t need to meet him to know he can’t rule properly.”
“He can rule! Breged has been under his care for almost sixty years, and we’ve been flourishing!” Ivy began to raise her voice and pulled Lily to a halt.
“Flourishing? The only places flourishing are Ala and maybe Port Venga. Which might I add basically runs itself at this point.” Yesenia stopped as well turning to face Ivy atop her horse head on.
“Are those not cities of Breged? How can you account for their success if not prime leadership?”
“Port Vengas only doing well because of the Iron Clads. Ala though just steals and leaches off the rest of Breged. I’ve seen the records on the tax hikes”
“Taxes aren’t stealing!”
“Taxation is inherently theft.”
Ivy breathed in deeply in an attempt to calm herself. “Listen Yesenia, you seem nice. How’s about you just resend your clear ignorance on this great land, and we can continue to travel in peace.”
Yesenia squinted at Ivy with cool clarity in their piercing eyes. “Robert Ceratin is an elderly, inconsiderate, cowardly, and incompetent ruler. Breged would be better off if he found a hole to crawl in and die already.”
“That’s it!” Ivy roared. “I’m gonna-“
“Ladies, ladies you’re both pretty.” A voice cut in from behind the arguing duo on the shady path.
Ivy and Yesenia’s’ heads both shot around. Both represented the extreme hot and cold of anger respectively. Their anger turned to shock once they saw the end of a crossbow aimed at them. The weapon was held confidently by a young skinny man.
“Now, how about you girls hand over any valuables ya got, and I’ll just let you return to your bickering.” The man said with a grin.
Lily turned to face the man, stamping her hoofs like a bull ready to charge as Ivy said. “You, good sir, have picked just about the worst time to anger me further. I will hand it to you however, you seem very brave to wish to face me.”
“Oh you flirt~. But ain’t nothing brave about two on four.” The skinny man chuckled.
“Two on-“ Just as Ivy had reached to grasp her halberd she heard a mechanical click from a bush besides her.
“Slow it down miss knight, or you and your horsys dog food.” Said person so short Ivy would have thought he was a child if not for the chin strap beard and steadiness of aim he had with his own crossbow.
Ivy turned to Yesenia, who was standing just as cooly as before muttering something under their breath. Just past Yesenia was another armed bandit, aiming directly for the pale traveler’s head. Ivy growled in anger looking back at the leader who was as pleased with himself as a tomcat staring at a mouse. The fourth promised bandit emerged from the woods to the leaders left training his weapon on Lilys chest.
The leader spoke. “This doesn’t have to end messy ladies. Just hand over whatever you’ve got, and we all can just go our separate ways.”
“You cannot treat me this way!” Ivy roared at the leader like a marauding bear. “I am Lady Ivy of House Humble! When the authorities hear of this you will rot in Ala’s dungeons!”
The leader furrowed his brow in confusion. His second leaned forward and whispered a few words into his ear. The man began to chuckle as his grin returned prouder than ever.
“Well that clears up a few things.” He snapped his fingers and his second began to approach Ivy and Lily. “Don’t hurt the “Lady” boys. She’s worth a pretty penny alive.”
Ivy’s eyes widened realizing what the man meant. She looked around franticly for any path of escape. She can already hear her mother scolding her. Bellona disappointed in her. A Humble held for ransom not even a day away from home. She’ll be the shame of the entire lineage. She couldn’t fathom anyway this could get worse.
Lily began to panic as well, feeling her rider’s mood and seeing the men with their pointy things pointed at her. Lily snorted and stamped in place. She wouldn’t let them get to Ivy. They would need to get through her first.
“Jon, shoot the stupid horse. It looks ready to bolt.” The leader said without care.
The little man beside Ivy began to ready a shot directly into Lilys rib cage.
Ivy shot up a warding hand, nearly falling off her horse. She let out a primal scream of anguish that echoed through the woods around them.
“No!”
To the riders shock, the man appeared to listen to the plead of terror, lowering his weapon from its intended target. The confusion and frustration plain on his face as he tried to lift it back up went against the notion. Jon heaved and huffed, his face growing red with the exertion of effort just to keep the weapon from falling. But fall it did, and with such force that it shattered on the hard road. You’d imagine a shower of splinters or at least the thing to accidentally have shot itself with the sheer power the fall had. But no. The pile remaining looked more like the crossbow crumbled like a very dry slice of cake.
Jon and Ivy looked down at the ruined thing in pure bewilderment. Jon then raised his head and with a terror-stricken face and bloodcurdling scream he said.
“Witch!!” and fled into the woods.
The other bandits looked at their friend’s flight with confusion. But before any of them could mock his cowardice or question his claim, all of their crossbows met the same fate as his. Dropping out of their hands and nearly noiselessly crumbling to the stones.
Ivy looked around at the scene. Eyes wide and mouth agape. She turned towards the leader, who had lost all of his bravado and cunning and was reduced to just a lanky scared young man.
“I- I don’t-“Ivy finally stammered out.
“She’s a witch!! Boys run! Don’t let her cast another spell on you!” The leader shrieked out turning to bolt down the road.
The two other boys ran as fast as their legs could carry them. Which was quite fast if you ignored the time they spent tripping over tree roots.
Ivy’s jaw was practically in her saddle. She slowly turned. The kind of turn accompanied by a door squeak sound effect. She looked down at Yesenia, who had a devilish smirk on their pale face. Yesenia in turn looked up at the horned rider.
Ivy stammered. “ D…Did-“
“Yes~?” Yesenia said very pleased with themselves.
Ivy looked on the brink of tears. “D…Did I really do that.”
“Yes I di- What?!? No! No, you didn’t. I did!” Yesenia shouted.
“You did!?!” Ivy shouted back.
“Of course I did!”
“Then… then you’re a-“ Ivy looked at Yesenia with wide eyes and placed a hand on her halberd.
“A witch? No. I’m not a witch.” Yesenia said.
“What are you then.” Ivy gripped the wooden haft tight in one hand.
“A wizard.”
“A wizard!?!”
“A wizard. Witches are normally more adept in nature magic, requiring long rituals and rites. You know eye of newt, tongue of dog. Wizards, on the other hand are more in tune with pure arcana. Allowing us to shape the world to our whim with only needing the knowledge of how.” Yesenia lectured.
Ivy’s eyes long since glazed over. “You…use magic. I’ve been traveling with a mage…”
“And a mage saved your life. But don’t mention it.” Yesenia gave Ivy a pat on her knee and began to walk down the trail once more.
Ivy flinched at the touch. Her embarrassment at the act heating her slowly. “Where do you think you’re going!”
“Apie Fields.” Yesenia said.
“Y...you can’t just go! I have to turn you in!”
“Turn me in? Are you that far up your king’s ass.” Yesenia turned.
“This is not about the king! Magic is outlawed! The paladins have to deal with you!” Ivy drew her halberd and leveled it at Yesenia.
Yesenia laughed and shook their head in disbelief. “Mugging is also illegal to remind you princess. And where are the paladins.”
“Well.. that’s-“
“No shut up. You’re acting like a fanged idiot. I just saved our lives. And you’re going to just throw me in jail for having the abilities I needed to save us.” Yesenia marched back to Ivy and stared her down.
Ivy pulled her halberd close to herself, looking down at Yesenia. “I thank you for saving me... But the laws of this land clearly-“
“Couldn’t save you when you needed them.” Yesenia cut in.
Ivy felt the icy blade of Yesenia’s words slide neatly into her raging heart. The steam produced drifted upwards, clouding Ivy’s thoughts with a myriad of conflicting emotions. This person truly had saved her life, along with the life of her truest friend. But they were magical. Meaning they could have escaped the situation without allowing Ivy to escape with them. But it’s against the law. So is murder, but even that is permitted under defending oneself. But magic must be worse than murder… somehow. But they used it to save a life. Save my life.
They saved my life.
Yesenia was already nearly a hundred paces away when they heard the thundering of a whole stampede closing in behind. They whipped around in shock to see the horrific sight of Lily attempting to slow down from full gallop. The animal got there eventually, only a dozen feet passed the mark. Before Lily had even halted her movement Ivy flung a leg over the saddle, released the other from stirrups and landed with a thud to the road below.
Ivy marched towards Yesenia with her eyes cold and determined. Yesenia held firm, twisting their fingers into unnatural configurations within the sleeves of their robes. The spells started fizzling immediately as Ivy collapsed before Yesenia, catching herself with one knee. Kneeling as if before a lord.
“I apologize.” Ivy said.
“You what?”
“You spoke true… you saved my life as well as the life of my steed. And for that I am eternally grateful.”
“Well, good you saw-“
“Even though the means of the rescue were vile and debaucherous with foul magics, I am the same indebted to you.”
“There it is.” Yesenia walked passed Ivy. “Whatever helps you sleep at night bootlicker.”
Ivy shot up and began to follow. “I am not-“
Yesenia turned and raised their thin brows. “Hmm? Not what, indebted one?”
“I am not… going to retort. As it is uncouth to do so to one who saved my life.” Ivy said.
Yesenia waved their hand at Ivy. “None of that.” They turned to the road. “Arguing with you was fun.”
Ivy took Lilys reins as a lead and walked beside Yesenia. “Fun? You find argument with me a game?”
“I do. A good one. I expected this trip to be pretty boring. But with you the days will fly by.”
“Well, I suppose that counts as a compliment.” Ivy smiled for a beat. Then she went pale. “…Days?”
Yesenia looked up at Ivy. “Yes, days. How far you think Apie fields is?”
“…a few hours away…” Ivy said.
Yesenia looked forward and a slight grin took root on their pale face. “What should we talk about first. Your failing kingdom or my vile arts?”