paladinpuppet | A Puppet's Playground

Being a knight, a paladin, had been a family tradition for years. Their family line had carried the honor for longer than Kuron could even trace through the books holding their lineage and it was expected for every son to carry the mantle when they came of age. Become an apprentice to a knight and learn the ways of the brotherhood before earning their own banner. It should have been easy and he should have been able to follow in his older brother's footsteps without issue.

Except that an accident when he was an apprentice had left him without his right arm from the elbow down.

They said it was a miracle that he even survived. That he was lucky. He didn't feel lucky. It felt like a curse. The sad looks that his father gave him--the disappointed way the man would glance at him whenever the subject of knighthood came up. The sympathetic looks his brother would give him whenever their paths crossed. His mother...she could barely look at him without tearing up.

It all became too much for Kuron and at fourteen he left. Slipped away in the night with a simple letter wishing them well before disappearing into the darkness on horseback--one skill he'd thankfully never lost.

That was seemed like so long ago.

He was twenty five now and while he carried no real banner, he followed the way of the Paladin as best he could. He'd adapted to life with only one arm, sharpening his skills and learning to wield a sword deftly. He was swift on his feet and could best most he took on in a fight, able to hold his own on the road as he traveled from place to place looking for the next job that would put a meal on the table.

Sliding off the back of his horse, Kuron smoothed his hand against the animal's flank with a gentle smile as the smokey gray animal tossing it's head and bumping it's nose against it's rider's chest.

"Easy, girl," he murmured as he looped the reins around one of the posts outside the pub, bracing his hip against it as he tied it with one hand as he'd taught himself to do ages ago. Once it was secure he made his way inside, hood drawn up and cloak tucked over his right shoulder to hide the missing arm for now, the young man making his way towards an empty corner near some of the windows on the far side. It wasn't busy as most nights probably were, something he was grateful for, but he could feel a few pairs of eyes on him and cast a brief glance around to take note of who was where.

Just in case.

Funny how some people embrace tradition while others look at ways to bend it. Not that Aqua truly hated her role and destiny, but there were some aspects of it that left her feeling almost incomplete. After all, the grass is usually greener on the other side. Although if a noble tells anyone that, they may very well get laughed at.

It isn't that Aqua had trouble with being a royal. Her people were kind and gracious in their own ways, and she loved just about any and every chance to meet them. She wasn't bad at diplomacy or the handling of issues her people were experiencing. If anything her advisors just chalked it up to inexperience, but claimed and reassured the princess that she was doing well.

No. It actually wasn't until her early teens when she actually watched the knights practice their training and witnessed first hand the results of said training. Not just tournament performances. Not just reports on what happened. A small group that aimed to raid the marketplace while the princess was making a visit encountered a handful of paladins. Watching them skillfully take down the raiding group inspired the young princess. Royals may govern the people and make the rules, but the men that dispatched the invaders were the real heroes.

Of course, girls weren't allowed. And a princess joining the knights? Absolutely out of the question. It was disheartening to hear the ruling from her own father's lips, and Aqua did her best to respect it, but it was hard. Incredibly so.

Especially when shortly after, that small raiding party returned after they left with their tail between their legs. But this time, bringing friends and allies and aimed to lay waste to the castle and her country.

It was only the skill and cleverness of one of the knights that Aqua even made it out alive the night that the castle walls fell. Separated from her parents and advisors, everyone she knew, the one knight had her smuggled out of the city without much of a plan and only a small purse to her name. It was hasty and messy and after hearing the news about how decimated her country and home was thereafter, regretful. So many lives lost. Her family mercilessly killed. Maybe if she knew more, could do more, the outcome would be different.

It's the thought that drove Aqua for nearly ten years as she wandered around the other nations and countries. Without rules to follow, she took up a sword and trained herself, as still no master would take her under their wing. Tamed a horse to be her loyal steed. A lot of the things she couldn't do before were now available to her. But at what cost? Her home was gone and once the invading force found that the princess wasn't among the deceased, a bounty was soon placed on her head.

Maybe she was better off dead? No. Those thoughts don't even cross her mind. She would make the most of what she had, and help as much as she can.

Unfortunately, that does lead her to some rather suspicious places, much like the pub. Keeping her hood up to hide her hair (a natural bright blue. a sign of royalty) and a cloth covering most of her face, these establishments are places she would be advised to avoid. And yet here she is. But even wandering lost princesses need a break from time to time.

Especially when interesting folk come in. Aqua already has a table along the wall when a much taller man, cloaked figure comes through. Something about the way he holds himself, even physically, catches her attention and she can't help but make eye contact.

His eyes meet those of a figure seated in one of the far corners and he can't help but pause a moment as he holds the person's gaze, a flicker of curiosity on his face before it's gone and he's walking to a table a few over from where the cloaked individual is.

It's not long before a barmaid is chatting at him and he's polite, offering a faint smile and a nod as he orders a pint of whatever brew they have. She wanders off to get him his drink and he glances towards the figure again.

There was something odd about them.

"Here ya' go, sweetheart."

Kuron startles as a tankard is set down on the table and his gaze snaps to the barmaid, the knight clearing his throat and smiling again.

"Thank you...what can you tell me about that man over there?" he asked, voice pitched low as he slid some coin to the barmaid who took it and let out an amused snort.

"Nothin' at all about a man," she mused, clearly knowing something but she sauntered off before Kuron could question her further. He frowned and glanced over towards the other table again, hoping to catch the man's gaze again.

She holds his gaze for a few moments, taking in his features as best she could. There's a different air about him, one that's not normally seen in a pub like this. Something... proper and reassuring and strong.

At least that's what Aqua was thinking before he gets up and moves closer to her. Caution overrides her curiousity, and she looks away quickly, making a grab for her pack with one hand. Maybe she was being a little paranoid, but others getting closer in places like this usually didn't good things. Bounty hunters were the type to frequent establishments like these and she couldn't afford to take any chances.

Thankfully the barmaid does give her something of a distraction to work with. She uses the opportunity to slide out of her seat, sling a pack over her shoulder and hand a little coin to the barmaid as she passes by.

Kuron frowns when he realizes the man has left the other table and he doesn't hesitate to stand and move away from his own.

That was just a little suspicious.

The barmaid attempts to block his path but he gives her a quick smile and side steps around her and another table, easily getting around the attempted blockade so he can follow after the individual that was making such a hasty retreat.

"Excuse me," he called out just loud enough for the other to hear over the bustle of the pub, reaching out with his hand to try and catch the other's arm. "Could I have a moment of your time?"

What looks suspicious to her is the footsteps that seem to be following her. Aqua doesn't stop walking or look back. It could just be nothing, just someone who wanted to leave as well, but somehow she doubts it.

She hears him, but doesn't stop until he grabs at her. Blue eyes swing around to stare him down for a moment. He... he doesn't look like a normal mercenary, and his speech is proper and polite. But does that mean she should or could trust him?

Planting her free hand on his wrist, Aqua tries to sweep her leg under his, aiming for the back of a knee. If it brings him down, she's going to bolt for the door.

As soon as her hand hits his wrist Kuron has an idea of what's coming thankfully.

Planting his weight on his right foot he brings is left up and kicks back to stop her leg as he brings his foot down on her ankle, not hard enough to do any real damage but hard enough to at least stop the momentum of her kick. He uses the grip she has on his wrist to brace himself along with the placement of his foot on her ankle to shove himself at her, shouldering her in the chest to try and knock her off balance.

"I just wanted to talk!" he ground out as he attempted to jerk his arm away now and right himself, keeping his literally un-armed side turned away from her in the process.

There's something of an audible grunt escaping her lips as she finds her foot trapped. The shove makes her free leg go wide to the side and behind, as to not completely lose her balance, but it twists her body, especially the hip of her pinned leg.

But she's not giving up his arm that easily, jerking it closer to her when she feels him wanting to pull away. Although for a moment Aqua seems a little distracted by something, her eyes flickering to his other shoulder. Why hasn't he grabbed at her with--?

Her eyes might just widen a bit at the possibility, suddenly feeling guilty about nearly kicking a man in his condition. Regardless, this is still a man she doesn't know, but fighting him more might also attract more attention.

She'll tap his wrist with the hand that's grabbing it and then point to their feet with the other hand. Let her go and she'll listen.

Kuron can't help the slight frown that touches his lips when he notes the way the other's eyes widen. He's seen that look before; he knows what it's about and he despises it.

Still, he's distracted from any desire to show this person just how capable he was by the tap on his wrist, glancing down as the other points then looking back up. There's a moment of hesitation on his part but a quick glance around and it's clear they've got a lot of eyes on them. Taking this any further would just draw others in and that's the last thing he wanted right now.

So he let's go.

He draws his foot back to release her leg and gently pulls his arm to get it free in return, keeping his gaze fixed on the other as he does.

Even if its unseen, she frowns beneath her mask in turn. Not necessarily directed at him, but more at herself for almost attacking a literally un-armed man. Though with the way he uses his weight to keep her in place, he doesn't seem to be a slouch at all.

Aqua keeps her eyes on him as he considers the opinions, not even bothering to look down when he releases his foot. When the weight is off her ankles, her wrists immediately let go of his when he pulls. It's clear to her that he doesn't want to cause a ruckus either. Smart man.

With one last long look at him, she makes a bit of a gesture to follow and turns to head to the door. Now knowing his dirty little secret, she won't make any moves on him unless provoked.

Kuron straightens and waits, watching her to see what she's going to do and thankfully it isn't run. She gestures for him to follow instead and he does, trailing after her as eyes still burn into their backs but he keeps his gaze focused on the individual in front of him as he draws his cloak around himself a bit better.

Once their outside and away from prying eyes and ears Kuron reaches allows himself to relax--slightly--a show of good faith as he stops a few feet from her.

"The barmaid said something strange about you," he says simply, eyebrow going up. "You aren't the usual type of traveler I see in a bar like this and what she said did nothing to sway that thought for me."

Running is still a thought rolling around in the back of her mind. This man may be trustworthy, but it's been a long time since she's been able to really, fully trust someone. But something tells her that compared to the eyes that keep watch of them, the people that she's pointedly ignoring, he may be okay...

Aqua doesn't stop until she's a good few feet away from the door. Sometimes the walls of these buildings aren't the thickest and she'd rather not take chances, even if this man is the one that plans on talking.

He may relax, but she doesn't, taking a moment to consider his words and how to respond, occasionally glancing away from him. "You'd be correct about that. I wouldn't exactly be their usual clientele."

A Puppet's Playground

For the lovely Aqua

....I am so sorry this is so long

Never apologize!

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