Succession: Rebellion

Rhys

Rhys shifted his weight nervously as he studied the Priestess for a few seconds. He had done quite a lot of favors for her lately. He had risked everything, betrayed everything. There had been a reason for why he had done all that, Rhys admitted to himself as he looked back up at Chris. She was his friend, likely his only one at this point, and despite everything that had happened ... she was worth sticking with, Rhys decided as he began to walk forward.

"Yes?" He asked quietly once he was a few feet away from Chris.

"These people here," Chris started, glad that Rhys had agreed. "As you probably know are refugees. Jewels was suppose to take them today to the rebel base, but as you can see, he is not entirely fit to."

"Don't pick fights with bald, tattooed people in bars," Jewels said. "It ends pretty badly. My right arm is now a little messed up and I can't fight."

"That is why I asked for you. I need someone to protect them incase someone tries and attack. I cannot do it. And Jewels is hurt. Luckily he is still able to guide them. Please Rhys, help them out."

Rhys

Rhys glared at the thief for a few seconds, wondering what on earth could be so important that Jewels would risk his physical safety when he knew all these people would be relying on him. He should just turn around right now, Rhys thought as he looked back at Chris. Rhys really had a death wish these, days, the Captain acknowledged as he sighed loudly.

"... How soon can they all be ready to depart?"

Jewels smiled and slung his good arm around Rhys's shoulder.

"They are ready to go right now if you are Captain."

Chris shook her head. She couldn't see what Jewels did, but she knew that if it involved him and Rhys working together, he was doing something.

Rhys

Rhys bucked Jewel's arm off using just his shoulders, before grunting in reply as he headed for the Refugees that were grouped together near the front of the temple. They weren't Soldiers, obviously, but he would be strict with them. Even if Rhys didn't intent to attempt keeping Jewels in line, he could at least discipline the people under his protection.

Jewels sighed as Rhys bucked off his arm. He made a mental note to stop touching him so much. Jewels wanted the Captain to like him.

"Ok let's get going," Jewels called out. The refugees nodded. All together they headed to the sewers. Once everyone was inside, Jewels started down a path. After a bunch of turns, Jewels looked at Rhys.

"So why are you helping us," he asked.

"If it saves my life, then yes," Ana growled. "And you wouldn't seek me out just for small talk, not with how things went last time. What do you want?"

How had she not known that he was here, in this base? No, that was foolish thinking. She had only met him once, and hadn't given him much thought after that. He had just been another name on the list of those that she despised. But still... it irked her, that he had found her before she had found him.

Rhys

Rhys rolled his eyes at Jewel's presumptuousness, but decided he might as well answer the question, along with keeping a few boundaries set. So Rhys looked at Jewels and replied, "I'm helping Chris and the Refugees out because someone has to keep them safe. By this point, the Empire already has a long list of reasons to kill me if they find out everything I have done," He stated calmly, his left hand gripping onto his sword hilt as he glanced behind to make sure the Refugees were following them, presumably, to an entrance to a tunnel system or something that would take them to a tunnel or path system that led to the rebel base. "Protecting innocents seems seems like something worth betraying my family, morals, and Empress, I think. I've done much worse, after all," He finished glumly while looking off into the distance. A few seconds passed by before Rhys shook his head and looked back at the Thief.

"We should separate, you lead in the front, I'll stay behind the group just in case anyone is following us," Rhys ordered.

"You've done me," Jewels pointed out. "So in your mind you have done worst." Jewels smiled at the Captain. Then he shook his head. He was going to make Rhys mad. He didn't want him mad. "But I can understand that. Chris is hard to turn down. There is just something about her that you can't hate her."

Jewels looked at Rhys seriously. "Do you know she's going to die? Someone will kill her. I can't...I wish she would tell me who so I can stop it." Jewels shook his head. "You're right. You go in the back. Just don't lag too far behind. I move fast at times."

Rhys

Rhys eyes grew wide at Jewel's first response. Rhys got near the thief for a few seconds before whispering, "Stop doing that, stop ... flirting with me. You need these people to trust you, to trust us ... to trust the rebellion you work for. Don't give them a single reason not to, Jewels," He stated before quickly backing away. There was a slight silence for a few seconds before the Captain suddenly added, "And yes, I knew," he stated before quickly walking away from Jewels, through the Refugees and towards the back of the group.

(Jewels doesn't know how to stop. He's like a flirt machine. XD)

Jewels frowned. He didn't think it was that bad, but he had to agree. Maybe they could have a serious conversation about it later. Hopefully they would be alone and Rhys would be in a better mood.

"Ok let's get going group." Jewels started off again. He was soon focus on guiding them. He didn't want to lead them the wrong way and it was hard to navigate through the sewers. Still he was thankful for them. It was the best method to get to the rebel base.

After an hour or two, they stopped and Jewels turned around. "Ok we are near the base. Once we go outside we got another ten minute walk. Don't say anything and do not stray. Last group we were attacked by a few bandits. So Captain, d-Please be on guard."

Then Jewels turned back around and they exited.

Xen Lu

"What, one assassin can't pay another a simple social visit?" Xen Lu chuckled before stowing his dagger away. "Never mind, that question answers itself. I'm here because you fascinate me, girl. I am the best of the best in Gaboria. But you....you not only fought me to a stalemate so many months ago, you killed the man I was paid to protect. Not to mention you're one of those smelly humans, too. Quite simply, I consider you an....oddity. Perhaps a worthy opponent, as well."

Rhys

Rhys unsheathed his blade slowly, his eyes scanning the area quickly as he could. A part of the Captain felt like he should be listening instead of watching, like maybe that would be more useful in case there was any danger. Rhys avoided the other refugees, knowing he could run around them instead of through the group if necessary. Hopefully it wouldn't be necessary, hopefully traveling with Jewels had been an unnecessary waste of time that he could mentally complain about later, Rhys hoped.

Then again, he was more likely to complain about other things. The Captain fully expected to be abducted by the Rebellion at this point. He was a Noble, a ranking Soldier who met with Tsuba on many occasions. The Rebellion would be rightfully wary of allowing Rhys to walk out, now that he knew where they were hidden. ... Unlike Chris, Rhys doubted he'd be able to get way with being ambivalent about the whole situation. His weapons would be taken first, then he would be isolated most likely, followed by Jewels being questioned, before finally Rhys was tortured and/or questioned himself. He knew how these things worked out. The issue was, Rhys had no idea how he was going to respond to any of this. He didn't know what to do.

(Should they be ambushed, yes or no. I am leaning towards no, but it's up to you.)

Jewels looked around as well. Even though he could not fight, he still was able to watch for any signs of trouble. He would not lose a refugee. He wanted to prove that he was capable of doing this.

He looked back at Rhys and frowned in thought. "Captain. When we reach the base, you shouldn't come in with us. It would be better if I did it alone. I've done it plenty of times before and it should be fast. Then I can lead us back."

(I'd say no.)

Rhys

"You're assuming we aren't being watched right now, but very well," Rhys consented as he walked up to the thief. Rhys didn't have time to give the cold shoulder to Jewels right now, though he also didn't have time to communicate much with the thief either.

Jewels shrugged. They got to a point and Jewels looked at Rhys and then to the refugees. He didn't want anything to happen to Rhys, but he didn't want anything to happen to the refugees. So he did what he had.

"Silence!"

Silence appeared out of thin air and gave Jewels a look.

"What?"

"Could you please escort these refugees inside for me. My arm is killing me and I want to get back to the Capital as soon as I can."

Silence looked at the ten refugees and then to Jewels. She looked at Rhys and shrugged.

"Fine, but you owe me Jewels.

"Thank you." He then turned to Rhys. "Ready to head back?"

(Jewels: I'll save you from the Rebels. XD)

Rhys

Rhys was startled by the sudden appearance of the demon, but felt relieved by Jewel's forward thinking. The Captain didn't stop to question whether or not this "Silence" was powerful, he could sense the magic, the blood, on her hands. He didn't like her at all, but he also didn't doubt she was helping the rebels.

So Rhys began to walk back the way he had come, not even stopping to reply to Jewels or say farewell to the refugees. Besides, it would be better if the demon didn't see much of him, Rhys wouldn't want to make things complicated for Jewels and Chris.

Jewels followed Rhys as Silence lead the refugees into the base. They were finally alone. It was kind of nerve-wracking. After all this was the real first time no one else was around.

"You shouldn't go ahead of me," Jewels warned. "The sewers are a tricky place and you wouldn't want to end up at some random place."

Rhys

Rhys sighed loudly before glancing back at Jewels. The Captain didn't reply, but simply stood still as he waited for Jewels to pass him. He should have paid more attention when he was following the refugees, but then again, he would have to go back with Jewels either way.

Jewels smiled at Rhys. He started into the sewers. Jewels wasn't headed back to the Temple. Oh no, Jewels had a plan. He was going to get Rhys to talk to him if it was the last thing he did. So he started to take a new path, wondering if the Captain could tell which way was which.

Finally they emerged in front of a house. It was evening time. "I know you probably want to head back to the Capital, but you must be tired as well. This is a house me and Chris usually stay at."

Hazuki

"Hmph. You speak the truth, Nebi. However, I do not have any available or suitable missions for you, at the moment. If something does come up that suits your skills, however, I will notify you of the mission immediately." Hazuki assured.

Ana snorted. "That's what every girls want--to be called an oddity." She took a step forward and slightly to the side, towards her fallen dagger. "Now, if you're not here to kill me, I would very much prefer it if you left. I try not to make a habit of hanging around my enemies. It's just safer, that way."

Xen Lu

"I understand. But I'm not leaving. Not just yet." Xen Lu straightened himself and rose to his feet. He gave Ana a condescending glare as he continued. "I have been in the business of assassination for over two hundred years. Of those two hundred, I remained undefeated for one hundred and fifty. Until you came along. I want to know why. Why you are different, I suppose. Thus, I am not leaving until we have a rematch. Your blade against mine. I just want to make sure your victory was not a fluke."

"It was no fluke." Ana's orange eyes followed him carefully, as she stooped down to pluck her dagger off of the ground. Instantly she straightened back up, sliding the dagger into her clothing. "I am simply the best at what I do. That is all you need to know."

Her past was her own business--nobody else's.

Xen Lu

"Hmph. So you say. But that is not good enough for me. I must face you in battle again. I insist we have a duel. Perhaps....to persuade you, I could make this interesting for the both of us?" Xen Lu asked, raising an eyebrow at Ana.