Standing up, you are about to follow Eleanore into the fray when a thought occurs to you. Looking at Sieglinde awkwardly for a moment, you whisper with a mix of urgency and sheepishness, "Sh-Should we offer them a chance to surrender?"
*cough* Neianne, common judgment for banditry in medieval societies is, well, death.
You are aware that you're tiny, your voice is squeaky, you're stuttering, and you're otherwise not being a very convincing offerer of surrender. Yet somehow, at least a fourth of these bandits take one look at you and suddenly start screaming and running in the opposite direction.
Why does this always happen? you wonder helplessly as you wave your buster sword around.
*snicker* I can't imagine why! Nothing to do with your choice of weapon!
But second is that Eleanore's longsword begins to crackle with lightning.
Well now. That looks familia--
Stephanie's katana. Stephanie has the same skillset as Eleanore.
--r. Yes, that.
Your charge is accompanied with a great heave of your buster sword at the three bandits in front of you, albeit you lead with the flat of the blade. Eleanore may have little aversion to spilling blood, but you'd be happy to accept a surrender; besides, the flat of your blade is no small thing, and there's no guarantee anyone struck will survive it.
Uhhh yeah Neianne. You're still hitting them with an improvised greatclub. They are about to have a very bad time regardless.
She does not strike with the flat of her blade - she does not need to - but for the most part, the cuts from her katana are not so deep that they are meant to kill, only to maim and decapacitate.
...an eminently survivable injury, yes.
(decapitate, anyway)
Eleanore has disappeared from your sight. You spot Stephanie disappear behind the treeline
Oh I am sure that this is just coincidence.
"Where's Stephanie?"
"She says she wants to check the area and make sure no one else is sneaking on us." Elizabeth scoffs a little.
Yes that is the most believable reason in the world.
Eyes wide, it takes you only a split-second to step into a curtsy: "Lady Almsyre." Now face-to-face with the Sheriff of Apaloft, the legendary arm of Apaloftian law is everything you expected her to be. Tall and handsome, Sigrid Rossfeldt Almsyre has the air of casual confidence that you've always associated her rumors with, dressed impeccably in high-quality riding clothes, complete with a thick leather cloak that shields her from what rain makes it past the foliage above, coated with a bit of mud at the hem yet still flattering on her. It's hard to tell with elves, but she has the look that would correspond with being in their late twenties or early thirties by aseri and human reckoning. Luxurious locks of blond hair flow down to her waist, her longsword held professionally in a gloved hand, her slight smile carrying the unmistakable ghost of pride, but not unkind when turned upon you. You can't shake the impression that this is the kind of woman that Aphelia wants to grow up to be.
#GrownupGoals
Remember, it's not enough to efficiently kill your enemies. You have to also look fabulous while doing so!
"That I did. They met up with me at the scene of the crime, and performed admirably under my command up this point. You and your squad have done well and have my thanks." Her gaze swivels toward Sieglinde. "They have certainly spoken well enough of their squad leader, Neianne."
An awkward moment passes with you and Sieglinde exchanging awkward glances before she turns to Lady Almsyre and introduces herself with just a hint of dryness in her tone: "I am Sieglinde Corrina Ravehill of Arcaster." She gestures to you. "She is Neianne."
It's okay Neianne. Some day you will not be underestimated on first social impression.
Today is not that day.
"J-Just for our studies at Faulkren, m-milady," you stammer and find yourself curtsying again. "I-I'm Neianne of C-Caelon."
"Caelon?" echoes Lady Almsyre with what is almost certainly a tiny hint of amusement in her voice.
It's...yeah, I got nothing good to say. Well, no wait yes I do, Neianne and her sister are from there, that's sufficient!
until the knight suddenly stops in her tracks for a second, hesitates, and turns around to look at you and Sieglinde. "Thank you, Neianne, Ravenhill," she says, bowing with a touch of awkwardness; you get the feeling that she doesn't do that much with outsiders. "May we meet again."
What a dork.
For a moment, you think about calling out to her and asking if she even knows where she's going - she's going in a direction that's very decidedly not towards either Faulkren or her destination of Glendina Monastery - but you ultimately decide against it.
Total dork.
Emerging from the trees, Stephanie marches up towards you and the Sheriff of Apaloft, giving her surroundings one more wary glance before announcing, "I've finished scouting the area. If there were any other patrols, they've probably long fled by now."
Yes I am sure that you just finished the scouting Stephanie, 100% belief.
"Peasants twitch prettily when struck by lightning," Elizabeth offers; contrary to your expectations, instead of looking viciously amused, she mostly looks bored.
To be fair, nobles also twitch prettily when struck by lightning.
But the instructor turns her glare to the rest of the squad. "When we were back here, all of you talked right over your squad leader as you decided how to formulate a plan." She turns to Stephanie specifically. "You were the one who suggested splitting up without consulting Neianne." Then to your elven squadmates. "And you two talked right over her."
Your squadmates exchange glances. Stephanie looks a bit awkward, at least, almost apologetic. Sieglinde's face could've been chiseled from stone. Elizabeth yawns.
It's...a work in progress.
"In your case, having heriesses from such important families willing to really follow your directions will tell people you're someone to listen to, at least."
heiresses
She pats you on the shoulder, already on her way out. "It's important that you do," she agrees. That seems to be it, at least until she pauses for a moment and turns back around to face you a little. "I've seen my share of privileged, difficult colleagues, you know. And I know both Houses Ravenhill and Zabanya. I never would've expected their girls to be following a dryad freeholder." She gives you another smirk as she turns around and leaves to whatever job she has next, giving a carefree wave of parting over her shoulder. "You've got something working for you. Don't forget that either."
Aww, what a nice pep talk.
[x] Press Stephanie about her connection with the Caldran knight orders.
-[x] Don't use this knowledge to press Stephanie into falling in line with your decision to participate in the Inter-Academy Tournament.
(So, please, no morbid jokes, Kei).
