Including the group of quintet of rough looking mercenaries that were surrounding her.
"Well, lookie here," said one as he ran his gaze over the brown haired woman in the robes. "She's a real pretty one."
Another of his companions grinned. "Those robes don't hide that body, do they?"
"I'll say. Hey, magic guy! What do you say? Can you make her lose her wits so that she'll have no problem with joining us with some evening... entertainment?"
"I can come as close as I am able," said a young man as he pulled out a wand.
"I do not think that you would wish to risk that," Neriah informed him.
"And why not? What can you do? I've got plenty of wands for a single girl like you."
"Because you talk too much," she replied.
"And you won't talk at all!" the mageling replied, and activated the wand's spell. "Hah! What do you have to say to that?!"
"This."
The leader of the mercenaries blinked as he saw a bolt of light slam into his magic user and send the boy flying backwards to land unconscious. "How'd that happen?"
"He never thought that I'd have a spell protection up in time."
"So you're a mage in training, aren't you?"
"No, I am not."
"Then a simple spell user won't be a problem."
"But an instuctor, I would be."
Together, the remaining mercenaries gulped as they watched her lift a hand surrounded by magical lightning.
Alyssande sat in the chambers assigned to her and smiled. There was havoc all over the land, as the Guards tried to collect all the other candidates. As the girls were spread out over a wide area, they were going to be hard to find, much less bring together. Each of them were likely going to get into trouble, and were probably going to have already dealing with a rather frazzled reaction at least.
Which was adventageous for her. She was already settled, and in a position to begin setting herself up as a more in control and capable candidate. And since she would already be there, it gave her more time to make a positive impression.
That would be helpful once the others came. They wouldn't be at their best, and she would have a leg up on them in that. Of course, she would help them out, showing what a generous person she was, and if she should point out that they weren't quite ready for the position of Queen, well then, that wasn't her fault. It would leave the field more open for her, but then, that was fine by her.
After all, it would allow her to win, and marry the Prince. Which wouldn't be a chore for her, since he would not be a problem to bed, and she would be the most powerful woman in the whole kingdom. Basically, she would have a win-win situation, without having any worry what so ever.
The group of mercenaries thought that they were being clever as they snuck up behind the bridal candidate. It wasn't like she was sensing them or anything, and it seemed to be a better plan. She was a tall woman, with a sleek form shown well by the simple clothing that she wore, but there was enough about her to tell that it wasn't a good idea to strike head on.
So when they felt the moment was right, they leapt upon her.
A few moments later, they were picking themselves out of the dirt.
"Oooh... playtime," Miarra commented with a grin that showed her fangs as she shifted from her human form. "I could use the exercise."
Not a few thugs stared as the woman who had looked simply human a few minutes earlier changed into something with striped fur and a tail.
"I'm going to have a little fun here..."
If there was one thing that Nissa liked almost as much as sailing her ship, it was getting into a good fight. The lithe woman twirled out of the way of one blow from one thug and hit another as he came face to face with her. The ebon of her ponytail followed her motions as the green in her eyes glinted with the pleasure of being in another scrap.
And fighting on a rooftop was nearly as much fun as doing it onboard a vessel.
"Oh come on boys!" she called out in happily mocking tones, "Can't you do any better than this?!"
They decided to answer by sending out a trio of archers to send their missiles at her.
"Oops. Guess you could," the ship captain murmured as she ran over and leapt to another rooftop, and leapt down to a pile of crates, only to meet two more attackers. It was easy to fend them off, and she had them backing up until she could use her sword to cut the rope up holding the awning that they stood under. With both of them confused by the cloth over them, she was able to smack them in the head with her blade's pommel, and then head off to see what was next.
"Miss?"
Annika turned and looked at the official. "Yes?"
"I'm afraid that you will have to wait for some time," he informed her, "We don't know how long it will take to collect the other candidates, so we will have to delay anything else until then."
"But of course. I would not expect otherwise. Still, if there is anything that I might do, then do not hesitate to ask."
"Don't worry. All is in readiness otherwise, and we are sure that we will be able to accomplish what we have to within a short time. Your offer is appreciated though."
"You are welcome. And as that is the case, I believe that it would be best if I simply spent my time interacting with those not involved in the current crisis."
"As you wish. That would be perfectly fine."
With a simple nod, the blonde moved out of the room with great grace and dignity while:
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(Posted Mon, 02 Aug 2004 17:23)
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