Princess and the Thief

[Perplexia]

Closed For The_Spectre

Princess Cassandra May Scott paced up and down the court yard after her argument with her father. She had only one way to be queen of The Kingdom of Fargo, and that was if she married. She was not impressed by the suiters that came calling, none of which seemed interested in who she was. It was true she was quite stunning, her long golden hair fell below her waist. Her eyes where as clear blue as the sky on a winters day. But her looks and title were not all she was.

She remembered watching her mother and father interact. Theres was a romance of legends. They were so in love with each other. Since her death her father seemed to forget about the way his heart beat when his wife was near. He spent little time with his daughter. It was almost to painful for him to bare. she was close to the spitting image of her mother as one could get. Her independence and wildness on the other hand he wasn't sure where that came from. She was stubborn like a wild animal, refusing to agree to the simplest of rules.

If she refused to marry, he would have to pass the title to a non blood relative.
For the recipient it would be a change of luck, for it was written in the laws that a third son of a man with four who bared the mark of the moon upon his left shoulder would be the next king, if ever an heir could not take throne or if none existed to continue the rein.
"you will find a husband or i will find one for you" were the words of her father the last time he saw her The Kingdom of Fargo.

To avoid chaos in the event this were to happen, the birthmark was kept out of the publics knowledge. Cass weighed her options. Live in a wall with a man that cares nothing for her.. or leave it all behind. She was not afraid of working, although she had little skills other then riding and archery. If anything she could survive by catching her own food, and riding her chestnut mare from province to province. But first she would need a disguise. Her face, attire, and hair were well known.

She swore her maid to secrecy and set her of on an errand to find some boy clothes that would fit. Taking a small dagger she grabbed her long flowing hair and began to shorten it to her shoulders so she could pull it back as the young gents did.

Her clothes arrived and she dressed down to that of a pauper. Her breasts would be a problem. Finding a wrap she bound them as flat as she could. Uncomfortable it was indeed, but she had no signs of being a girl any longer. An ascot would cover her lack of Adams apple, and her frame could easily be mistaken for that of a boy.

With a note that simply read "Find your successor for it shan't be I, goodbye Father" placed upon her dresser. Cass sneaked out of the castle to the stables with little more then a bag of food, some coins, her bow an arrows, and a knife. She frowned as all the saddles had the royal emblem on them. Making a quick decision with nothing upon the horses back, she rode from the castle.

The roads were dark this late at night, she wasn't sure how far she'd gotten but it would be best to make camp. She made a fire by the river bank and laid out looking at the stars. "so this is what its like to be out of a cage" she said lightly to the horse who seemed content eating the grass.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

In time, it will be said that the world is a fine place and worth the fighting for. If you were tell this to Julius, he would agree with the second part. Julius was born into poverty in a city miles away from The Kingdom of Fargo. His father’s identity was unknown to him and it was a secret that his mother took to her grave when she died of sickness. Julius was 13 at the time and it was the first time he was truly alone. A year after, Julius took many jobs to keep him fed, aiding the local blacksmith as well as sweeping the floors of the city tavern. Of all the places he worker the tavern seemed the most humiliating. Working there gave him a perspective that stayed with him even to this day. The world is a seedy place filled with people who only work for their own means, at first this realization was almost heart breaking to Julius. As time moved however, Julius felt that if this were true, he should at least do the same.

And so one dark night, Julius snuck into the tavern and stole every piece gold that was in the place. His next stop was the blacksmith’s stable as he took two daggers for protection, leaving a few gold pieces for the blacksmith. If there was anyone who Julius respected it was him. With that last gesture Julius left the city, never to look back. Robbing the tavern had given Julius another realization, he was rather good a stealing very well in fact; something that perhaps stemmed from his childhood. If there was any greater gift that his mother gave him it was the ability to read, before her death she would teach him using what little books she had. One book that Julius loved was one that told the tale of a band of thieves who would steal from the corrupt and give it to those in need. While Julius would steal for strictly for his own means, there were times when he did show some compassion whether it be giving bead to a few kids or even money to a mother with child. Julius was not a monster but was no hero.

As time passed Julius became more skilled and even better equipped. His attire suited his profession, dark and concealing. A hood seeming to always cover his eyes while his cowl would cover his mouth when ever needed. He now had two new daggers, one at his side, the other hidden behind him. Behind him was a bow and quiver, while he was exceptional using a bow and arrow, he was not the best; however it did help locals believe him to be a hunter rather than a thief so it didn’t hurt to keep it.

Night had passed and Julius was wondering through the woods as he was making his way to another town. He hugged the shadows and he walked, the darkness had always made him feel safe, for it was when he felt truly invincible. No one could see him and so no one could hurt him. The sound of water told him he was nearing the river bank, his eyes following the light that seeped through the bushes. He walked cautiously, his feet landing gently on the ground as he watched what appeared to be a young man. Julius couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something offsetting about him. The man’s legs were together, not apart like most men, there was almost a sort of feminine grace to him. It was then that he heard him speak, that rose suspicion even more “so this is what its like to be out of a cage”.

‘This was no man’ Julius thought as he his eye continued to gaze upon the “young man”. Perhaps it would have better for Julius to just leave but he was curious and something was telling him to investigate. He removed his hood and cowl revealing his short yet growing black as he walked slowly into the woman’s sight. His dark brown eyes giving an innocent look as to indicate he meant no harm. “Hello….” he said in an innocent tone “I’ve been walking for quite a bit and I couldn’t help notice you’ve set up camp. Would it be alright if I rested here with you?”

 

[Perplexia]

Cassandra was in her own world when the voice startled her. She stepped back a couple paces to let her eyes adjust to the darkness and make out the stranger.

He was handsome enough, in a rugged un kept way. His eyes didn't show any malice, but perhaps he was a trickster or a charlatan. She studied his movements, slow and cautious.

Perhaps he was thinking the same of her. There was a chill in the night, the fire she had built would serve two just fine. As well as watching him would allow her the opportunity to get some general male sitting qualities down.

She deepened her voice "Suit your self, but i don't have any food to spare".
With her dagger on her person, she took a seat on one side of the fire facing him.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

"Suit your self, but I don't have any food to spare".

Perhaps if Julius were a lesser man, he would be fooled by the woman’s faux voice. She wasn’t the first woman that he crossed paths with who impersonated a man. He had met a few along his travels; their stories were usually that they were running from or to something. Some were running away from their responsibilities and some went to war. Regardless of what their story was they all seemed to use that deep voice to cover their identities.

Julius smiled as he sat down across from her, fighting the urge not laugh. His feet together as his leg spread out in a V. “It’s quite alright, I have some food with me” he replied as he took a loaf of bread from his bag, breaking off a piece to offer the woman. He had no intention on harming her or even stealing from her; he simply found her interesting and wondered where she was headed. “I’m Julius….” he said. He gave no surname as he did not have one, usually one would take the name of their father, but seeing Julius never knew him, his name stood alone. He held out his hand to her, “I’ve been traveling around for awhile…. I must say it’s nice to see someone else out here”. He gave a small smile as he ate his bread, his eyes looking over her, noticing she had a bow and quiver. “You’re an archer?”

 

[Perplexia]

Cassandra watched how he sat and mimicked him. "thanks" she said taking the bread in her disguised voice. "Names Cas" she said not offering anything else either. She shook his hand firmly and went back to chewing on the bread.
When he asked if she was an archer she simply nodded.
He was certainly what seemed to be a nice guy. Very polite and charming, it could also be part of her facade she thought.

"which direction are you heading?' she asked with her disguised voice again.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

“I was thinking about making my way to Fargo” he confessed his hand between his legs as he looked at Cas and then at the fire. “I’m not entirely sure if I should though, something tells me a man like me would not very welcome.” The Kingdom of Fargo was very lush and lavish place filled with many things worth a good amount of gold. However the kingdom was well protected and from what Julius had heard rather strict when letting people in, he doubt he would make it no less than a few feet before being stopped by guards.

‘Perhaps another time’ he thought as heard the crackle of the fire. While Julius loved a challenge, he wasn’t exactly prepared to sneak into a kingdom. “How about, are you going in any particular destination?”

 

[Perplexia]

"I just came from there, not much for the likes of us. I figured i'd just keep heading that way"she pointed in the opposite direction, still using her disguised voice. "thought maybe i'd find some work or something, for a day or so before i continue to head out.".

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

He nodded as she spoke in her faux voice once more. While she didn't know him, she did however realize that someone in his attire would probably be very welcome in Fargo. Still it was indeed a shame, he would have rather enjoyed looting the palace, perhaps even get a glimpse of the beautiful princess that was said to soon be queen.

Julius looked as Cas pointed in the direction. While it exactly Fargo, it was a very wealthy city, one that was ripped for making some money on. "What exactly do you expect to find," Julius asked "You don't seem like the kind of person for hard labor.... hunting for money perhaps" he nodded over to her bow.

 

[Perplexia]

Cas listened to him question what she would do. "Yes, i can hunt for money, or perhaps hunt and skin my catches and sell their furs. I can also give archery lessons as well. I haven't met one better then me, so perhaps a competition or two will help line the pockets." She said all using her fake voice.
"what will you do?"

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

There was a small second of silence when Cas asked Julius of what would do "...trade for one" he replied. Julius did from time to time sell off his stolen ware, so technically he was not lying but more not telling the complete truth. The closest city to where Cas pointed was a city called Orin, a rather big city filled with moderate wealth. It was a good place for Julius to scout for possible targets.

Julius was intrigued by her idea of teaching archery. Cas seemed rather confident in her skills and figured perhaps they could work something out. "You know while I too carry a bow, I must admit I am rather mediocre at it. Perhaps you could give me a few lesson and in return when we get to town, aside from a few coins I'll help you find work." Julius didn't really required her assistance, but she intrigued and he was interested in knowing more about her.

 

[Perplexia]

Cass listened to what he had to say. She liked his voice, it was nice and smooth. It was difficult to tell if he was sincere. Perhaps she wasn't 'strreet wise' but she knew enough to be cautious. "Ok" she said in her disguised voice "however instead of a few coins you could just buy some traps. Then when you gobto town to trade you can sell those and we'll split the profit. I won't be going to town i'll set up camp outside an do the skinning an set up a range for lessons."

Cas placed another piece of bread in her mouth and chewed waiting for his answer.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

IT was almost too perfect, Cas would make camp and not come to town therefore lessen Julius' chance of getting caught in doing his "job". The less anyone around him knew who he was the better. "Deal" he said as he offered his hand to seal their partnership. He had never considered the idea of taking a partner, but it seemed like too good of a deal to pass up.

He leaned back laying himself against a stump and began to stretch, normally the night was when he would go about the town but seeing as they still miles away from the city, rest seemed for the better. "I'll head for Orin tomorrow and bring back some traps" he said as he put put his hood over his head, making himself comfortable. "This may be the start of a great partnership".

 

[Perplexia]

Cas shook his hand and followed the way he stretched out. This was perfect she thought. She could make a living and not have to go to town. Therefore her chances of being caught were minimal. What she didn't count on was word and flyers spreading of the missing princess.
Curling up cas fell asleep in the morning when she woke Julius had left.

Taking her bow she traveled further into the woods to catch some food for them, and hides to sell.
Returning to the spot she brought back her prey. A deer, a squirrel and a pheasent. She began skinning the deer first. The skill she had with a knife and the knowledge of bow to do this properly she learned from the castle hunters. Cutting the throat she hung the deer up by its feet to let it drain.
Next the squirrel she skinned it an put it on a make shift spit over the fire an layed th hide out to tan.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

Julius had left early as Cas slept. The sun had barely rose as he set of for Orin, he loved watching as the sun rose from the east as if it were guiding him to the city. Once he had reached Orin, Julius walked around a bit searching for various places to trade and buy as well a potential places for him to “visit” come night fall. He managed to find a local merchant he could trade with. The man was old, around 70. Julius liked that he paid well and didn’t ask questions as to where he acquired his items, he paid him and that was that as Julius went to acquire some traps.

As he looked over the traps that were owned by the blacksmith, he couldn’t help but overhear his conversation with another man. “Did you hear Princess Cassandra has felt from the castle” said the other man, Julius head lifting up a bit as he listened “The nerve of her,” said the blacksmith “running away from her responsibilities. We don‘t need a child such as her ruling.” The gears in Julius’ head were turning, this princess had fled her home and it just so happen that meet a woman pretending to be a man who happens to be named Cas. This was getting interesting.

Julius paid for a few traps and made his way out of the city, swiping a few apples as he did so. It seemed that this Cas was more than just some girl pretending to be a man; she was a princess running away from her duties. As he made his way back, he wondered how he could get her to admit or better yet, how he could profit from it.

 

[Perplexia]

Their lunch was ready by the time Julius returned, she had gone down to the stream to take advantage of his absence. Although she was dressed and drying her hair when she saw him, she still felt a bit exposed. "Get the traps" she questioned with her disguised voice. (ooc just assume everything she says is in her male pretend voice, i'll let you know if she slips).
She could see he had and she nodded.

"Lunch is ready" she advised taking the traps from him and heading out into the woods on her own with her bow.
She wasn't sure why she felt the need to get away from him. Perhaps it was his striking eyes, or his broad shoulders, it wasn't uneasy so to speak, perhaps it was that she found herself physically drawn to him. Perhaps because he was real and not one of the fancy dress me up princes that simply wanted her fathers kingdom.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

No matter how much Cas hid her voice or how short she cut her hair, she couldn't fool Julius. She was woman through and through. Her walk could hide the grace that came with her femininity. Her eyes and face were far too lovely to ever be fooled as being a man's. She was beautiful, even with the sweat and dirt on her face, she was still very attractive. Julius thought so when he first spied on her and he thought so now.

Cas left Julius alone to eat as she went out to hunt some more. He gave a few distance before he began to shadow her. Julius wasn't the type of person to just stand by and do nothing, he wanted to learn more about her, see how she moved and hunted. He wanted to see what she learned all those year being a princess.

 

[Perplexia]

Cas moved stealthy through the forest, she crouched low and waited silently. A large buck came through grazing peacefuly. She waited a moment watching its beauty and then aimed. Straight through its heart and down it went. Getting down on her knees she performed a ritual, something the hunters had taught her about honoring their kill for their sacrifice. She never failed to do it, for she hated killing something so beautiful, but they would need food, and money, an this was her skill.

She wasn't strong enough to pick it up and throw it over her shoulders. So she took the time to make a make shift sled with some branches and twine from her back pocket. Getting under it, she pushed the heavy beast, onto the sled, and falling in the process. She let out a laugh as she stood up and wiped herself off. Some man you make She said in her normal voice. Shaking her head she got in front of the sled and laid some traps precisely with markings through out the forest.

Hearing a sound she stopped and positioned her self. A boar came from some bushes ahead and began to charge her. With one arrow between the eyes it dropped. She didn't falter one bit, not even a peep. Dragging her prey by its front feet she hoisted it upon the buck and tied it down.

With lots of effort she began pulling it back the way she came toward the camp. The extra boar weight really did not help her aching thighs, or back. Not to mention the wrap around her breasts was beginning to chafe a little.

Eventually she made it back to camp and plopped down exhausted.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

Julius smiled as Cas used her real voice. It was sweet velvet that seemed to touch his heart in a way he would never admit. He continued to watch over as she went about making a sled for her prey. Watching her was quite a treat for him, seeing her honoring her kill was quite odd to him. Then again honor was something he never saw often. The world in Julius' eyes was of people who only thought of themselves, only doing things out of personal gain, taking what they wanted and that was it. Granted there were moment when Julius himself would do something out of kindness or even mercy, but to see someone else do so was new to him. It made his attraction to Cas grow a bit more.

It was then that he heard the sound of the wild boar as it charged at Cass only to fall to her deadly aim. She didn't panic nor move, her eyes were dead set on the beast and it fell before Julius could even say a word. He had seen enough as headed back. It seemed that there was more to the lovely princess than just a pretty face. He smiled as he sat by the wood where the fire burned last night as he took an apple from his sack. His eyes looked up as he saw Cas return with her sled, a smile on his face as she plopped down wondering how long she keep up her disguise. "Apple?" he said offering her one.

 

[Perplexia]

Cas was beat, an when she plopped down there he was with a smile. She did her nod. "
"thanks" she said as she went to catch it she let out a wince, she felt her bandage cut into her skin. Her white shirt started to have dots of blood on it. "hey she said her voice disguised with a quiver, i think i pulled a muscle can you hang up that buck an boar for me an slit their throats. Cas didn't wait for an answer, she got up and headed to the stream.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

Julius didn't respond, at least not verbally as Cas went to the stream most likely tend to herself. Julius stood up and went to the animals as he slit their throats with his dagger in order to end their pain and twitching. He had an idea of what Cas left for, but he wasn't sure. After the animals finally died he walked over to the stream, once again keeping himself hidden as he went to look over. He was hidden perfectly, the tree's shadows kept him cover while the running water provided the perfect white noise for her not hear him.

 

[Perplexia]

Cas had already thrown off her shirt and was in the water unwrapping the wrap. She let out a muffle cry as she took it off a piece of her skin going with it. Blood came out into the water. There was movement and she turned back toward the shore trying to outrun whatever was in the water.

As she hit the shore something bit her leg and started to drag her in. "no" she cried out kicking at it with her other leg. As it released to get another grip she made it onto the bank falling and hitting her head on a rock. Cas was out and blood oozed from above her breasts and her calf.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

Julius ran to Cas as he saw her fall over. He stabbed around the water as he could see what look like a snake as it swam off into the deeper part of the stream. 'Poor girl' he thought as he picked her out of the water, noticing a bite on her leg as he took her back to the camp. He laid out bed roll for her to lie on as he tended to her wounds. She was bleeding a lot but she would live, he had seen much worse on him when he had robbed some landlords estate and fell into his thorn bushes.

Julius took a few of his bandages from his sack and patched Cas up, covering her from the chest up with the covers to conceal her partial nudity as he waited for her to wake up. "So much for your disguise, Princess" he said a loud unsure if she could even hear him.

 

[Perplexia]

Cas turned her head a little at the sound of Julius' voice, her eyes shot open wide and stared at him. With a bit of effort she got up. Traps are marked with an x keep em she said in her girl voice.
She threw on a shirt and began packing up her stuff. "thanks for patching me up." she said as she went to grab her bow.

 

[Deleted member 1126402]

Julius watched as Cas got up. He didn't stop her, he just watched as she scrambled to get her things, truth be told he was surprised how vigilant she was seeing she was still somewhat injured. With her back turned he began to speak, "The towns already know of your escape princess..." he began as he looked up at her, "and with you injured and your what I can say horrific male voice, you won't get very far." He stood up and walked slowly to her his eyes observing her. "You're more or less wanted and seeing as this is your only safe haven, I suggest you stay here and weigh your options."

 

[Perplexia]

"weigh the options...yeah ok time to go, i am not staying here so that you can turn me in to what must be a handsome reward. If i know my father its enough to make a man turn in his mother." she scoffed an continued trying to get things together until she fell. She sat there for a moment and said "ugg i will not go back there i will not do it! there is no way i am going to be married off to some pompous jackass so my father can keep his kingdom in his blood line. Let them go after the one in the prophecy an leave me alone." she looked at him "yeah i know you think i'm mad, well you try being a canary in a cage and let me know how you like it. Out here is where i want to be. I can take care of myself, for the most part."