Quote:'s good. Just ran it through a spot of editsu, and it cleans up very nicely ^_^.
Edit2: That's what I get for having a brainstorm at 2 in the morning *grumble*
Luxembourg Castle
June 1430
So much for sneaking out, Shiro thought.
The plan had been simple enough. Try and escape the castle through the postern gate before anyone noticed their prized prisoner was gone. The unfortunate appearance of a female castle servant on her way to the jakes went a long way towards spoiling it. She was too far away to quiet quickly without killing her with his bow, and his companion, the abovementioned prisoner, forbade him to do that.
"You cannot kill an innocent."
Shiro agreed, but the tactical situation had steadily deteriorated since. The only possible consolation in the given situation being the fact that his companion was surprisingly skilled with the sword he'd Imaged for her.
Her eyes had widened when the broadsword had appeared in his hands, seemingly out of thin air, but she'd said nothing otherwise.
As things stood, though, the path to the gate was littered with broken and bleeding bodies, and despite their own lack of injury outside of a few scrapes and bruises each fight, no matter how brief, had still taken far too long.
Now the rest of the castle garrison was blocking their path to freedom. Shiro was going through the options available to them when a voice rang out in command.
"Stay your weapons. I would have words with our prisoner..and her rescuer."
A richly dressed lady appeared out of the shadows and stood boldly in front of the pair.
"Good evening ... or should I say, good morning, Jehanne? Are you tired of our hospitality, already?" she asked with a weary, but heartfelt smile.
"Lady Joan", Jehanne replied with a weary nod. "It would have been better... if your guest had not tried to rape me!" she spat out
Lady Joan's eyes widened. Whatever she was about to say interrupted by Shiro, who spoke in flat tones.
"True. The pig was getting ready to rip her clothes off when I interrupted his ... fun." He continued more conversationally. "Unfortunately for him, he forgot to lock the door cell behind him. You should have seen the look on his face when he discovered his mistake."
"I ... see. In that case, I thank you for safeguarding her honor and virtue, Sir ...?", Lady Joan asked.
"I am called the Knight of the Bow, Lady Joan," Shiro replied with a respectful nod.
"Well then ... Sir Knight of the Bow". Can I ask you to lay down your arms? There are forty knights and twice as many archers and footmen in the castle's garrison. There is no chance of winning your way to freedom."
"Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Tell me, is there any guarantee that Jehanne," Shiro inclined his head towards his companion, "will receive true justice if we do so?"
Lady Joan opened and then slowly closed her mouth. "No," she replied sadly. "Not while the English desire to rule all of France. My nephew is negotiating right now to sell her to the English."
"Then, as an ally of justice, I cannot lay down my arms."
Countess Joan of Luxembourg, castellaine of Luxembourg castle, had been wracking her brains for a way to help Jehanne, once she learned of her nephew, the Count of Luxembourg's, intent. Once Jehanne was in English hands, they would try and burn her as a witch without question or hesitation. And in these recent, unexpected events, she saw what could be considered a heaven sent chance to save Jehanne.
She moved closer to Shiro as she spoke in a very low voice.
"Then, as a fellow ally of justice, let me see to helping you win her freedom."
-Griever
still computerless
When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force.
When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything. - The Book of Cataclysm