(I have an oc that was the son of Rupunzel and Flynn who learned about his father's stories and left home to become a robin hood type person but he wouldn't be the best fit right now)
"Desperate cry for help and a promise of revenge. He helped me and I promised to care for his ward Aurilla. Hades will help me get my revenge so long as I care for Aurilla and treat her as my blood." He explained. "She is like a sister to me." A ghost of a smile appeared on Rhysand's face as he remembered the person he was closest to. "Atlantean? I've never heard of those runes, nor have I seen them anywhere. Maybe thats what this is." He responded to her statement.
(He definitely sounds interesting. If you want to put him in the story, that's good with me.)
Emmeline nodded with an understanding chuckle as she finished her meal. “That doesn't surprise me. Desperate people always did attract attention from him.” Or those like him. She hummed a little as he explained about Aurilla. “I didn't know that he had a recent ward… but she must be very interesting.” She shrugged at his comment. “It’s possible. My Maman told me she’d been there once or twice but she never taught me the language… But, I think, this looks like an “A” in that lettering.” she sighed a little. “If you really want to be sure, it’ll be difficult to get to that city.”
"Aurilla is an angel. She comes to the surface when I summon her with her potion. That's what I was reaching for when we first met. She can be a bit…much at times but she means well." Rhysand frowned and looked at his book more closely. "King Milo did come visit the seaward kingdom some time ago for business and I heard Queen Kida came too, wanting to trade for some English books for their kingdom. Maybe they brought books with runes? We could go check that place out as well ."
Emmeline raised a brow but nodded slightly. “Is she mortal or did Hades actually give her some… real skills?” she asked, intrigued by the way he could call on her. “I hope they did. They've always been a little secretive… But I heard that King Milo was mocked before he found the kingdom. It's possible he brought some of their knowledge back to show he was right.” she theorized. “But I wouldn't be surprised if the information was exclusive to certain people.”
"She is half mortal, im not sure what the other half of her is but Jades seems to adore her. She has healing abilities for the most part but Hades also blessed her with the ability to bring up an army of the dead and communicate with them. I have never seen her bring up the army but she tells me that the last time she did that, she fell asleep for 2 months to regain her power." He explained. Rhysand watched Emmeline talk about her theories for King Milo's business trip with an understanding look on his face. If she was right, it would be difficult for them to get their hands on something like that. "If that is the case, then he probably gave any and all information to people to he trusts will only use them for knowledge and not to make a fortune off of. I guess that will be our first stop on our adventure. I brought everything down with me when I woke up. After breakfast, are you ready to go or will you need to go back to you room and get your equipment?"
“Really? I never thought he would admire much of anyone. He's not known for being a people person.” she smirked briefly. “Though this Aurilla sounds like a very fortunate and interesting girl. If the opportunity comes up, I’d like to meet her.” she admitted. She scoffed lightly but nodded at his reply. “Very possible. Though I haven't met too many people who weren't motivated by money in some regard or another. Or if they want knowledge, they want it for themselves.” she shook her head with a soft sigh. “No one is as altruistic as they seem to be.”
"Aurilla can come up if you would like her company in the kingdom." Rhysand offered. Aurilla would seem to like Emmeline and if they got the chance, she would try to befriend the young witch. Rhysand stretched and let out a short yawn, looking slightly embarrassed afterwards. "Seems I didnt get much rest. Regardless, you are right. I have yet to meet one person, of this world, who isn't motivated by money. At the moment I too am motivated by money, I would like to repair my kingdom. I don't think I would be out here if not for my needs."
“That would be nice.” she admitted softly with a small smile. She didn't want to impose a meeting on either of them but she was very interested in the possibility of knowing the, apparently, favored ward of Hades. Emmeline chuckled briefly but nodded at his comment about last night. “Well, considering how you woke up, I'm not too surprised. Though you can say that you have as of now. True, I have a job selling flowers and herbal remedies but I don't really do it for the money. Any money I earn I either save for emergencies or travel, or spend on things I can't make myself.” she told him with a small shrug. Even though I haven't done much traveling lately… But that's about to change. “Besides, I consider your reasoning to be a more just need for money. Fixing your kingdom is a selfless desire. I can respect that.”
"Selfless or not, I intend to wreak havoc on those who left us in the cold when we asked for help. So money and revenge, two things that motivate a person to their highest extent." Rhysand grew quiet as he turned back to his book. He let Emmeline eat in peace, knowing that more conversation would only make them leave at a later time. While she ate, Rhysand looked to the back of the book where his mother left a small message for him. It seemed to be the last thing she gave him, a simple sequence of dots which, to the unknowing person, would look like a mistake on paper but to Rhysand, it was his mother telling him how much she loved him and that she was sorry she couldn't see him grow up.
Emmeline hummed softly with an understanding nod, her eyes glimmering dangerously for a moment before she went back to finishing her meal. She wouldn't deny that she wanted revenge on that royal brat, but more than that she wanted her Maman to get the recognition she deserved as well as for her to no longer be treated as a cruel witch. The Enchantress had blessed and cursed multiple kingdoms before his. It just turned out that one would be the most well-known for her interference.
(Do you want to time skip to later that evening when they're about to leave for the sea kingdom?)
(so, skip over all the prep and packing? That's fine with me. Go ahead. 👍)
The horses were tied outside and their bags packed in Emmeline's wagon, the last thing they needed was a map of the sea kingdom and some empty bags and bottles. At the present moment, Rhysand was arguing with a merchant, who was trying to get home, about his prices. "5 gold prices for 20 simple glass vials? Each one is smaller than my smallest finger!"
"Sir! These are made from the strongest glass and forged in dragonflies, they are enchanted to never break!"
"I only need basic ones to collect liquids in! Not fancy vials made from the blood of gorgons or the teeth of a basilisk! Something plain!"
"I will offer you the last of my glass vials for 15 silver prices. 30 vials for 15 silver pieces."
"10 silver and 7 copper. Thank you." The merchant tried to complain but Rhysand looked at him and grabbed his collar. "You want to sell them, I want to buy them. Deal or no deal?" The merchant nodded slowly, prompting Rhysand to let go of him. He packed the vials in a wooden box with some goosefeathers to keep them safe and gave it to Rhysand, who tipped his new hat ar the man and left the store to where Emmeline was waiting.
It was late afternoon but still busier than most days. At this point, many people were closing up their stores to go home but today, Rhysand saw excitement in the way people were walking in and out of the stores. "Aah, so midsummer's festival is approaching. Wonderful." He sighed and set the box of vials in the wagon, grabbing his bag and undying the horses. Etoile was a king's mare so she was sold for a very handsome prize to the town's wealthiest merchant. He bought it as a gift for his daughter. In return, he paid them with gold and gave them two Arabian horses as a gift. Rhysand bellies the horses were acquired in an unlawful way but they needed fast horses and these ones were free. "Shall we?" He asked his partner, a playful smirk crawling up his face.
Emmeline stood diligently outside the building, watching their new horses and belongings as Rhysand bartered for the vials. As much as she hated feeling like a helpless damsel, she knew there was not much for her to do in that store, since she didn't need anything from the salesman and someone needed to at least pretend to keep an eye on things.
Though she personally only carried three bags, including her satchel, it hadn't taken her very long to pack up almost everything from her home, except for most of her mother's belongings… not that there were many of those left. If she had been a little better at not getting tongue-tied on that somewhat silly spell she might have been able to get everything into one bag. But as it was having three did appear more normal for travel.
She nodded briefly at his comment as he joined her. “Mhm. It's quite a sight when you can manage to attend any of the seasonal festivals.” she said, looking at all the people preparing for the event. She was just a little bit jealous of them since she hadn't gone to any for a few years. But she had more important things to do right now. She smiled coyly at the question. “Oui. Let us begin.”
(Sorry, wasn't in the best headspace and I'm still adjusting 😊)
Rhysand saw the look on Emmeline's face and gave her a half smile. "Think of it this way, we will be travelling to different kingdoms and we will see how they celebrate the midsummer's festival in their own ways." He said as he jumped onto his horse, Ali. "It will be a wonderful adventure. And we will reach the next kingdom by early morning two days from now if we move at a steady pace, earlier if we move faster." He calculated.
(Oh, I hope everything is ok. If you want to talk about it, you can pm me if it's personal…)
Emmeline raised a brow at his suggestion as she mounted her own horse, Jewel, before glancing around them. “I suppose so. But, if you are implying something, I would prefer if you just say it. I simply said that the festival is quite a sight. Not that we should attend. I don't have much to celebrate these days anyway.” she explained, casting an illusion of a mule to “carry” the wagon when no one else was paying attention. “But I do like that plan.” she added with a smile at the thought of their adventure.
(No, thank you though!)
"You told me previously that you hadn't been here for long so I simply assumed you didn't get to partake in the festivities often. My apologies for the blatant assumption." Rhysand raised his eyebrows at the appearance of the mule but didn't say anything. These things were to be expected from the daughter of the enchantress and since they would be together for quite some time, it was better to get used to it sooner rather than later.
"To the adventure that awaits us, mi amigo." He smiled as he clicked his tongue and they started moving.
(anytime)
She nodded a little at his assumption, fortunately not offended by it since it did make sense for most people to think that way. “For now, it is by choice that I don't attend. I have been to several of these events years ago but…” she shrugged. “As I said, I don't have much to celebrate since my Maman disappeared.”
Emmeline chuckled softly at his spirited send-off as she clucked her horse into motion, the mule and wagon following soon after. “Lead the way, mon ami.” she replied, even though she was still a bit hesitant to consider them actual friends. Perhaps allies would be a better term for now.
(Sure. You want to do it?)
(Yep! I'll do it to the morning after when they're cleaning up camp)
It was as thought the gods were on their side, the night was calm and the creatures of the dark stayed away. Perhaps it was something emmeline did after they set up camp but Rhysand was too busy looking at his maps to pay any attention to her. Presently they were packing up their camp and cleaning the area they used before heading on out once again.
Last night Rhysand was plotting their route on the map when he spotted a small village. It was smaller than the size of his castle so it may not have been a village and more like a person's home away from the busy life in the towns. He was curious to say the least but there would be time for that after he got his revenge.
With his horse ready to go, Rhysand turned his attention to the campsite, his tent and sleeping bag were still standing and the little fire pit they made was still burning from the breakfast he quickly threw together. First things first, he broke down his sleeping arrangements and put them away before grabbing the mug he stole from the Inn and walking to the river nearby to get sand. Once the cup was full, he threw it in the fire and allowed it to completely fizzle out before letting his mind wander again.
Emmeline had done a few little things to make their night more comfortable and setting up the camp simpler, but even she couldn't take credit for the calm nature had blessed them with as they slept. Unlike her Maman's magic, hers had limits and couldn't always last as long. She was lucky that her spells and enchantments could last overnight. They often needed a fair amount of concentration or a way to anchor to a lasting object. It was complicated to explain and she was glad that Rhysand hadn't asked for specifics about her magic.
She had glanced at the map a couple of times when he had been looking at it, just to keep her own bearings as they traveled. Considering they didn't know each other very well yet, the young blonde was reluctant to trust him so fully. … She was reluctant to trust anyone fully, especially since she was on her own. It wasn't personal by any means but since he was also a Royal…
"You know, if you cover the firepit with dirt, it smothers the fire without causing so much smoke." she informed him, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. It was likely that he just wasn't used to camping on his own and she wouldn't be surprised if his knights put out the fires like that either. She looked at the remains of their campsite as she cast a minor spell to clean up her supplies and repack them into her bags. Fortunately, that spell was much more simple and less embarrassing than the tongue twister spell she used the first time. "Need any help?" she asked before loading up the wagon.
"That may be so, but I was told to put them out this way, the smoke and smell will linger to allow us to retrace our steps in the off chance we get lost. Granted, its not the safest way to travel if you are trying to stay hidden, but useful nonetheless." He paused a moment to stretch before rolling the map and setting it in his bag. He slung it over his shoulder and let it cross over his chest. Rhysand walked back over to the river and splashed some water on his face to cool down a bit then refilled his water bag. He came back to Emmeline with his hair sparkling in the pale sunlight as the sun rose to welcome the afternoon.
"It is at least a half day journey to the kingdom, we travelled faster than I thought we would, but the path ahead cuts through a short mountain range and it will slow us down. The other option is to go through a small merchants town which will slow us down as well because it will be busy. The festival is only a short while away and the merchants come from far off lands. While this route is safer, it will be nightfall by the time we reach the kingdom." Rhysand explained as he reached the horses. "You are welcome to take a look at the map and find an alternate route but I wasn't able to see one."
