[IRP] Beginnings of Change

[Swift_Assassin]

Cass just stood there and listened to the choir boy's concerned words. She only chuckled to herself with how desperate he sounded and how terrifying he claimed the emperor was. The fear in his eyes did not come across well to the spy. Without a visage to go along with this once nameless specter, he was nothing but smoke and mirrors to her. One that feared magic enough to start a cult to squash it out. She could only mutter to herself, "You haven't seen his great-grandfather in action," referring to Shad's great-grandfather Ludwig Hyperion. If there was a man who fit Yuri's description of Emperor Coran, Ludwig would be that man. Coran's only saving graces in a potential exchange of blows between them would be Coran's youth and Ludwig's presumed death. He disappeared to the Western Isles sixteen years ago to find a worthy death.

Paige immediately declared she was going after Yuri, saying how Shad could join them later. As if. She thought, We're going together. She looked around and noticed Paige struggle with the saddle quickly before unceremoniously rushing off. It was almost comical, if her life wasn't in danger. She looked back towards Eli, but saw someone further away. Alice. "You can go ahead first. We shouldn't be more than a day's ride behind at most." She jumped back onto the horse and secured all of Shad's belongings either on his person or on herself and rode off.

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She came back around and reentered Santaruz, where Alice led them to a secluded spot. Alice walked over to the pair on the horse and looked at Shad. Her eyes widened from the scar she saw. Cass jumped down off the horse and pointed a sword at Alice. "I didn't ask who you worked for last we met, but I think you owe me that now," She questioned. Alice seemed off. It looked like she had been crying and seemed like she was about to again. "What does that scar mean to you?"

"I'm an Ostian spy, as you might have figured. Specifically, I serve my brother, an Ostian general," She answered as calmly as she could. Her following words were caught in her throat as Cass brought the sword closer. [color=#B85038]"He said something to me. 'Don't cry. Nothing bad will happen to you if you wear that ring. Go on now.'" Alice repeated. Cassandra's eyes widened a bit. That was something Shad said to her as a kid. "I...I think he saved me. Ten years ago. Someone tried attacking me in Ostia and an older boy saved me, taking an axe to the side. It terrified me to no end. He gave me his ring and said that to me. I took it without thinking and ran like he said. I thought the boy died, because I never saw him again. But this scar...those words...that ring." She said looking at Cassandra's hand. She glanced at it and looked back at her. "Since I took that ring from him back in that town near Pharae, I've swiped that ring from him several times. I didn't know why I was so enthralled by it, but now I remember why. It reminded me of the ring that boy gave me that day."

Cassandra sheathed the sword and raised the ringed hand to her face. "I've heard him say that before too. Shad thought it would be a cool thing to say if he died saving someone. Funny for a seven-year old to be thinking that way, but that's how his family is. The pup's lived in Ostia for eight years, finding refuge in the city when he was eight. If anyone's stupid enough to toss himself in the way of an axe..." She paused looking back at the unconscious Shad on the horse. "It would be the guy who ran headlong into crossbow fire." She looked back to Alice. "So. Loyalty to the Empire or loyalty to the boy who saved your life?" She questioned.

The air between them was tense for a moment. "I have a camp set up nearby. We should let him rest the night before we move on." Alice responded without a second thought. Cass nodded as the trio rode off. After some rest, to Tania they ride.