Dragonheart: Tethered

[Moonlight]

The young woman shrugged one shoulder at Solomon's vaguely bemused reply, the sharp witted thief quick to pick up that he was choosing his words with care. "Perhaps," she said dubiously, swaying towards neither side. Not trying to push away the person that could possibly be her only ally, but making it clear she did not even bend easily.

A wry smile curving her lips at his banter, offering a short laugh. "Stubborn I may be, but it can be extraordinarily useful some days," Sauda returned, not afraid to admit it. But her words seemed to have had a double meaning, even if they appeared to have just slipped out in reply. "Yune, though. You've probably heard of it at some point," the thief added, knowing that the large port town was well used. Trade between Nasim and the Pele Islands being an everyday occurrence, after all.

She paused at mention of his heritage, though. That explained why he felt he had no place. "It may be crass to say it, but that bites. More over since you cannot chose your lineage," Sauda said, her words to the point, but honest.

[Zorayda]

Solomon smiled at the thief’s laughter, glad he could ease some of her discomfort for a short while. As resilient as she seemed, she’d seen nothing yet of Seymour’s anger… humor had always helped him in the worst of situations, as it was doing for her as well.

“Mm, I’ve been through Yune before. Interesting place… one must be careful to keep their pockets protected there,” he said, glancing at her meaningfully. “Speaking of which… how is it you came to be such a talented thief? You wouldn’t have been caught if it weren’t for faulty rafters.”

At her comment about his lineage, he threw his head back and laughed—he hadn’t heard anyone put it that bluntly before. It was… refreshing to hear from the woman.

“Ah, I suppose it does… but I believe that it’s made me grow into the man I am now—strong and street smart, unlike the ‘nobles’. It does make me wish I had more respect, though…” he added softly, internally wincing at the deal he’d made with Seymour. He would eventually gain power and freedom, but at a hefty price… and here he was, talking to the one he’d sold out. She wouldn’t know until long after he’d left with his prize.

[Moonlight]

Although it had already faded, amusement wryly invited the smile to return at Solomon's reply. This time because she had all too much experience in it. "Naturally," the brunette returned, as if it were a private jest. But seeing as there was so much coming and going, it was easy for even a novice pick pocket to glean a day's bread from it. The port was always busy.

Hesitating when he asked, before recalling that it would be heard anyway. And if her suspicions were correct ...

"Touche ... And as you can tell from the lack of a brand," Sauda added, gesturing towards the left forearm that many caught thieves bore the mark on, "this is a first." But her tone turning somewhat sour at the thought, finding it ironic of what had happened in its stead. She'd have almost rathered take the branding.

"It helps when one has professional training and education, though," the brunette finally returned, keeping her thoughts directed away from specific details. Just that they had saved her skin many times. She may have been caught - but she wouldn't allow her father figure's memory to be tarnished by the nobleman's scorn.

Nodding at his later words, though. "At least you can admit that you are who you are," Sauda stated simply. Noticing his voice trailing off at the murmured wish for respect, almost silent entirely.

Shifting against the wall after a long moment, drawing her legs up to her chest. Displaying surprising dexterity and unusual thinking, using her legs and the wall to support her as she worked her arms down. Stepping back over the manacles, before sitting again. At least now having her arms in front of her, far more comfortable without straining her already aching shoulders.

[Zorayda]

"Well, I must say I'm impressed. Not many thieves go unbranded," Solomon remarked, crossing his arms. "As for me, well... let's just say I'm one with nature--and the bow."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise at her next remark about having a professional education. Not many had access to the resources for such a thing, especially people from poor towns as Sauda was.

"Hm, really? Seems you and I have some things in common then," he mused, respectful of the fact that she did not want to delve into the details for her own privacy. But now he understood why she spoke so intelligently. An education expanded one's vocabulary extensively.

He let out a bark of laughter when she commented on his ability to accept who he was.

"Ha! And who am I, exactly? Who are you? I say all human beings are nothing but selfish, foolish creatures who want to rule over one another and claim sovereignty," he scoffed. His views on life were naturally pessimistic, having been dragged through the worst of the human race his entire life. His comment was interrupted by the thief's sudden display of dexterity and cleverness as she made herself more comfortable in the shackles.

"Huh. I'd heard that women were naturally more dextrous, but you seem to be living proof," he complimented, his tone belying that he was impressed.

[Moonlight]

The young woman nodded, seeming vaguely pleased with herself at Solomon's remark about how few unmarked thieves remained. Her interest piquing as he mentioned his own skill with the bow, confidence brushing his tone. He seemed sure of what he did know, at least. Something that would serve him well.

Sauda offered an inclination of her head at his comment, only for a brow to arch at the one that immediately followed. It was a ... stark view point, to say the very least. Humans were hardly the most wholesome creature alive, but not all of them were as horrid as the ranger was assuming. "It is easy to see, that some are ... But not everyone is. Not quite," she added after a moment, hardly in the position to be spouting optimism about all of humankind. Clearly not all of it was that ... enticing to be around. Even herself, perhaps.

Chuckling when he changed the subject, commenting on her new arrangement. "Perhaps. But it was not without much training. That much is obvious, I'm sure," Sauda said, a wry smile briefly curving her features.

Resting her head against the wall after a moment, a long sigh escaping her lips. Her silvery gaze wandering towards the barred window, and having a strong suspicion that things were stationed so that any means of escape would be nigh impossible. Even as she considered her options, it was painfully apparent that the Marquee was not one to leave things to chance.

And if her suspicions about the glyphs themselves were correct, as well as Solomon's warning about the open telepathy - an advanced form, even - on Seymour's end, then any attempts could be easily thwarted anyway. If he heard the thoughts to do so, at least.

But whatever he wanted her for ... She had little doubt it was not for some honorable task. Her skills themselves were shady. Untrustworthy. It was just who she was. It also seemed that some of the nobility were not content with the masses that they already possessed. Keh.

Her eyes closed after a moment, quiet. The brunette's jaw was clenched, her situation crystal clear. As well as the likelihood of her worming out of his grip, at the moment. But despite that the night was not through, and her nocturnal nature, her battered and lithe frame seemed to slowly relax. Remanents of Seymour's lightning magic still hanging through her body, and the pain of the glyphs sapping what little energy she had.

Asleep.

[Zorayda]

Solomon listened as Sauda tried to tell him, in so many words, that humans were not as bad as he though... he scoffed quietly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at her. He'd heard that so many times... But nothing would make him think that humans weren't less than the dredges of sewers. Nothing. He chose to move on from her statement, ignoring it entirely.

He snickered quietly to himself as she told him that she'd been taught to be flexible, trained her body... he refrained from making some kind of lewd comment about it, not wanting his new permanent partner to hate him already. But he thought it was funny in his own mind.

Solomon sighed and rubbed his cerulean eyes as the room became quiet. The girl seemed to have slipped into her own thoughts, so he left her to them and kept silent, wandering in his own... what would become of the two of them? What would Seymour use them for? It was a question that disturbed the ranger far too much to think about. He glanced at Sauda as her silver gaze became glassy--she was obviously tiring from her huge ordeal today. Sighing, Solomon rested his head against the hard wall, trying to clear his mind...

His eyes were drawn back to Sauda, and out of the corner of his gaze he saw her body hanging loosely against her bonds, eyes closed--she'd fallen asleep. The tight lines around her eyes that had signified her stress and anger before had relaxed, making her look so much younger, much more peaceful. Solomon's eyes softened as he watched her ribs rise and fall slowly in slumber.

Now that she was asleep, the ranger allowed himself to scrutinize her further, his gaze raking slowly from her head down to her small, quiet feet. She was indeed very beautiful, with shiny, hazelnut-colored hair, and her eyes, when they were open, were luminescent silver and extremely wary. She had a dainty little nose and mouth, and when it came to her body--well, everything was small about her, but the subtle toned muscle and the pale, smooth skin worked in her favor.

Hmm, not really my type at all... but, still very nice to look at, Solomon thought to himself. A few locks of dark blond hair fell from his ponytail as his head dipped forward, chin nearly touching his chest... he was very tired...

In a few moments, his soft snores echoed about the room. He dreamed of Sauda that night.

[Moonlight]

Parchment ruffled lightly as he examined his own documentation of magical experiments, particularly interested in one section of it. The blonde haired Marquee removed the clay lid to his ink well after a moment, dipping his quill into it. Familiar scratching audible as he adjusted some notes, listening to the background in his mind while he worked.

Amusement vaguely crossing the apparently young Marquee's facade as he wrote, seeming pleased at the thief's wit. Sharp as her blades, it seemed. His ice blue gaze strayed from the parchment before him after a moment, towards the young woman's confiscated weaponry laid out on a cloth. The matching tonfa gleamed under the candle and moonlight, whilst a pair of iron-cased fans lay on either sides of them. But inside the fans themselves was a sharp surprise for anyone on the receiving ends - A row of aligned blades prepared to meet any foe.

It seemed that Sauda was well prepared for any physical fight, even if her weaponry was unusual. But that in itself was rather intriguing. She knew how to throw competition off. Something that would serve his means well, without doubt.

After shuffling his papers back in order, the blonde haired man stood as their thoughts and conversation quieted in wake of their dreams. Pondering on his progress, gaze drifting towards the open window to his side.

Phase two was beginning.

* * * * *

A faint groan escaped Sauda's lips as she awakened, light hurting her eyes as they blinked open. Pain jolted through her body as she tried to move, wincing at the sharp reminder of the glyphs. The young woman bit back a hiss of pain as she pulled herself into a full sitting position, glancing at the now padded manacles binding her wrists together. Trying to slip her wrists out again, twisting her hand against the irritating iron. Refusing to be caged and weakened, even still.

"That shan't work, you should realize."

[Zorayda]

Solomon had just finished tying the last of his armor back onto his body as the sun began to peek further over the window sill. He rolled his shoulders and neck--they were quite stiff from sleeping on the hard wall, sitting up as he did. Sauda made a slight noise next to him, stirring slightly, and a small smile curved his lips. So the little spitfire was awake, huh? But before he could make a comment, a shadowed figure filled the doorway. He barely noticed Sauda wriggling in her bonds as he stood slowly, drawing his two short, curved swords until they were firmly in his grip and ready for battle.

The words spoken made Solomon pause for a moment.

"Milord?" He asked cautiously.

[Moonlight]

The nobleman offered Solomon a faint nod as he entered, the barest of acknowledgments. He knew all too well that the ranger did not care for him, but it really did not concern Seymour. Solomon would be all too pleased to be out of sight in the following day, having a mutual respect that they worked better apart.

But as Seymour's icy blue gaze trailed back to Sauda, vague amusement flitted through his eyes when he saw she was already standing. "It seems you can pull energy out of thin air," he commented wryly, allowing the door to shut behind him. He knew the glyphs meant she had not rested fully, being they were so fresh, but her gall was ... impressive. But if she were like any other, she would learn quickly - He never asked twice.

"If it is needed ..." she returned coolly, holding the Marquee's gaze when it met her eyes. Not backing down in the slightest, it seemed. But he noticed that - as he broke eye contact, looking at her as whole for a moment - it was only then that she shifted. As if she did not like even being noticed. Far from intimidated by him staring her in the eye, yet discomfited by a solid glance. Odd.

[Zorayda]

Solomon could do nothing but watch, resisting the urge to fidget uncomfortably as Seymour continued taunting the young thief. It didn't escape the ranger's attention when Sauda seemed to show extreme dislike for the attentions that the Marquee was directing upon her. With a sigh, Solomon crossed his arms and tilted his head down to avoid looking at the scene, a few strands of hair falling out of the thong that held his hair back. Hopefully the girl would hold her own, because there really was nothing the ranger could do to help.