The Medallion of Asgar

14.

Rui

Rui sat in silence, her mind slowly wearing down. Her muscles ached for movement, knowing the danger she was certainly in-but she knew now that trying to fight back with what she didn't have was just foolish. The thought of it all almost made her want to laugh; if only her family could see her now... They'd call her a mockery to the name Jycel. Not that was anything new though. Beautiful and kind as she was, Rui had always been that one black sheep in the bloodline, never quite good enough to capture the praise that everyone else recieved. Her sister was revered, and her parents had been respectful and talented-but Rui was just another bland witchen to them. She had been okay with that though. Being born with magical gifts was blessed enough. It just really sucked otherwise.

'...Oh well,' she sighed mentally. Shutting her eyes softly for a moment of thought, she also mused, 'My life may be but a pawn in Jycel's hands, but that's the life I lead. If I cannot carry out Her will, then this be a fitting end to my mockery.' Sitting ever so quietly, the woman appeared quite calmed now, not that rushed and weary woman like before. It was almost as if she purposely came out to the forest for solitude, not persecution. If only that had been the true case, then what a blessed night it would've been for peace. Yet now, the only path she could lead was a criminal's path, fighting her way every step. So decreed the elders of the house of Jycel.

As the final knight approached her quietly, Rui merely looked up to him. In his solemn words, he spoke of her crimes so heartlessly. For that moment, with his helm placed over her face, she could begin to see why so many called the Charcoal Knight a cruel and merciless man. Without soft features to express real feeling, the helm became a mask of fear. The same could be said of all knights though. Rui thought little of how burdensome her crimes were, and thus, remained unfazed by his words. After revealing his face, now able to recognize him as the knight from the tavern, the woman became strangely comforted by his presence. He was here to arrest her, no doubt, but the familiar face at least gave her the pleasure of company in her lowest hour. She bowed her head slightly, out of respect to the honorable knight.

Asking his question, she snuffed out a light chuckle, smiling kindly. "He's no King of mine. Like others before him, they will not even acknowledge our name unless it be of spite. But, we bear no ill will unto them, for we still find peace and live on..." Looking up, her lavender-gray eyes of polished stone watched the Charcoal Knight with a kind sense of fondness. Even now, as they were set against one another as enemies, she couldn't find it in her heart to be mad at him. After all, in a sick and twisted sense-the two were quite alike. With a small smile, she then answered his question in cryptic manner. "Sir Knight, I have done what I have done for the same reason you pursue me: you follow the orders of the ones you serve. Because that is our purpose, what we were made to do. But you fight to protect a man; I've been called to stop that man from unleashing a calamity onto the world."

She lightly scoffed again, soft eyes glancing down for a moment as she spoke further. "..Though, I wouldn't put it to you to understand my reasonings. You are a Knight, and he, your King-whereas I'm but an outcast with no place than to be a bloodline's pawn." Rui had no qualms for the sort of manner the knight treated her with. It was his duty to carry out the King's will. As nice as he was back at the tavern, a task was still a task to be carried out.

Sighing calmly, Rui shifted her position to sit more comfortably, hands resting on her lap like one would expect a maiden to. Eyes begging with pleading forgiveness, she simply told the knight in a solemn manner, "If my fate be to die, then please, Sir Knight, at least let my death be here, where I can keep my dignity. It is all I have left on this human earth. I may have been following orders not my own, but I would still wish to have a say in the matter of my death."

...At least, that's what she told him ever so convincingly.