Naveen

???:

I let my eyes roam over the lands around the hill before turning my attention back to her. She was in heavy concentration trying to pick apart the knot she had created. I glanced towards the cottage before going back to watching the girl.

Maleen:

I blinked awake slowly and focused on Rina. “Where… Where did Wren go?” I asked. Rina’s features slowly twitched into a frown. She left the door way and headed outside. “Wren?” I heard her call.

???:

I glanced towards the cottage when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. "I think your care taker is looking for you. You had better go." I remarked softly. She looked up at me before turning her gaze towards the girl I knew to be named Rina.
The girl next to me turned to look at the knot in her lap before offering it out to me with an embarrassed smile. "I couldn't get this one." She said quietly.
I shook my head and closed her fingers around it, "Keep it, it will give you something to do."

Maleen:

I followed Rina after looking up stairs just to make sure. I looked around for her, she was close by, I could feel it.

???:

"Your friends are looking for you, you should go to them." I said quietly, she gazed up towards them before shrugging and looking back at me.

"I think I will stay here, I'm safe right?" She smiled though I didn't answer, seeming to take a yes from my silence. I decided then that if she wouldn't draw her friends attention I should. So I raised my arm and waved to them, calling Rina's name.

Rina:

I turned my head in the direction I had been called. I went towards it with Aero and Iris flying by me. “What are you doing?” I asked seeing Wren with the soldier.

Maleen:

I hurried to Wren’s side and lightly grabbed her arm with my hands pulling her gently closer to me. “Why did you leave me?” I asked softly. Knowing what she was made me worry tirelessly that someone we couldn’t trust would find out. People did awful things to creatures they did not understand. And an angel was at the top of the list for creatures least understood.

Wren:

"Well...Maleen fell asleep, and I didn't want to stay cooped up indoors. I stayed within sight of the cabin!" I said squirming sheepishly.

Rina:

I gave cold look to the soldier, he reminded me of my loathing of his master. He could be a perfectly nice guy and I would still dislike him by association. “Come on girls.” I said nodding back to the cabin.

Wren:

"Be nice." I chided Rina as I caught her look to the soldier. "He gave me something to do and called you over when you couldn't find me."

Maleen:

I glanced back at the solder with a soft, shy smile of thanks as I tugged Wren gently back to the cabin.

???:

"Sorry for causing trouble ma'am. Have a good day." I said giving Rina a smile and a bow before turning my attention away from the cabin. I was glad I could be of service to them, even if it was only one for a little bit.

Rina:

I was getting anxious after weeks of being cooped up with the girls. I needed to be doing something other than babysitting. It wasn’t right for me. I told Brian as much and he told me it was my choice, but that he might have some work for me coming up. Another moth passed before I was called to attend a parade as a spectator. More specifically a royal parade at the castle. I agreed to go only because I had been so deprived of any risky work. I nearly backed out when I found out Talon and his soldiers would be going as well, besides the ones who were watching the cabin.

Talon:

I was with the soldiers I had stationed at the cabin, giving quiet instructions and tasks. They gave affirmatives, and moved to their tasks. I watched them before sighing softly through my nose and heading towards the camp. I had twenty soldiers total, and ten were watching the cabin in shifts. That left me ten to bring with us. Enough to take on anything that came our way. Though not nearly enough to protect me from Rina's cold gazes that I knew I would be getting.

Rina:

I had said goodbye to the girls early that morning and then reported back at camp. I was back in my private tent that had been neglected for so long. Brian had supplied me with a dress for the occasion. I wasn’t allowed to wear my usual shift. The outfit I had to wear was compete with a corset that threatened to smother me. But I got dressed in the gold and red gown and did up my hair with pins. The rustlings of my skirt bothered me as I walked, but I wouldn’t get to go unless I wore it. I found my horse with the rest who were going to the parade.

Talon:

My soldiers were waiting outside my tent, all ready with their horses. One offered a helping hand to Rina, the picture of a servant helping his lady onto her horse. I stepped out of the tent, running a hand over my hair to smooth it down. I was now dressed up, wearing a clean cut dark outfit of the time. A decorative sword hung at my waist. I knew I looked like a prince or lord. I knew I was striking and good looking to some. I knew I wore the outfit naturally, as if I had always worn something like this. I hated every second of wearing it.

Rina:

I thanked the soldier for his help and settled onto my saddle like a lady. I wasn’t used to riding like this. I eyed Talon resentfully. I had come to tolerate his soldiers and even be somewhat friendly with some. But he still made my blood boil with barely one word from his mouth. And now he was dressed as a lord. For heavensake, he had no right. I knew I had no claim to my bloodline, but I couldn’t help feeling insulted that he should be treated like a prince and I was ordered like a common soldier.

Talon:

I moved over to Rina, taking her hand gently and bowing over it as I brushed a kiss over her knuckles. "My lady." I said softly, playing my part perfectly. I was to be her escort, and so I would dance to what ever tune I needed. I let her hand go and moved to my horse, swinging myself easily into the saddle.

Rina:

I didn’t say a word to him but took the reins with the hand he had kissed. My skin seemed to burn and tingle where his lips had touched. It was perhaps the first time we had actually touched. I assumed I was allergic. I nudged my horse to lead.

Talon:

I shook my head slowly, gesturing with my fingers. Two of the soldiers rode ahead of her, taking the lead. I hoped she knew what she was doing. It would be hard enough trying to explain all the soldiers to anyone. It would be impossible to try and explain if she couldn't act like a proper lady.

Rina:

My hands tightened on the reins. I shot an ice cold glare back at Talon for a brief second before resigning myself to follow rather than lead. It was probably his idea to play this silly masquerade. I wouldn’t put it past him. I could have gone as myself and been a commoner in the crowed. But instead I I had to wear a full gown and have assigned seats. I decided it was his fault and added it to the list of stains on his character, in my eyes.

Talon:

I shook my head at her glare my horse keeping step with hers as I started to follow along. "Once we are out of sight of the camp, you can take what ever lead you want. But around people, we have to act the part." I paused and said more to myself than her, "No matter how much we don't want to partake."

Rina:

“You make it sound so appealing.” I said coldly. “I can act the part, but I won’t be submissive. Don’t try to tell me what to do. I take my orders from Brian only. You don’t out rank him.” I said keeping my eyes on the road.

I looked at her mildly, my voice completely calm as I said softly, "Which is why Brian put you in charge. My soldiers are here for protection, I am here so you blend in. He thought this way might be best. Besides, as the tickets stand..." I offered them to her from a saddlebag, "You are the young noble, heading off to look at the sights in the city from your country estate. I am either a suitor, a servant, or the head of the guard. What ever role you feel is best to get in and out with the least amount of trouble." I adjusted my outfit a bit before scowling at it. "Why he put me in this get up before we set out, I haven't a clue."

Rina:

I shared his scowl at his out-fit. “You would never pass as a servant in that. Possibly head of the guard.” I said distracted from my loathing for a moment. I would not have him pretend to be anything more to me than a guard. Though his uniform suggested higher class than that.

Talon:

"I have other clothes in my bags." I said simply tapping my bags with a finger. "This is your lead, Rina do as you see fit."