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[Alexander Faircroft]

55th Spring 516AV

11:33PM

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex sat atop the dark haired stallion. His hands tightening around the reigns. He was edgy, uneasy. The last few times he’d been on a night shift patrolling like this it felt much to his dismay, the same. Something always happened when he felt like this. Right now though there was another thing on his mind. Wondering who’d been paired with him for the night patrol around the outside of Sylira’s perimeter. He shifted on his horse lightly. His shield was strapped to his arm as normal and on his back lay his bow. His bastard sword on his left hip and dagger just above his rear. Encased in steel he was ready fully, to go on patrol. However there was something else.

Alex trotted his horse back and forth he wasn’t impatient. Just anxious. He wasn’t sure who’d be turning up for the evening out and knowing his bad luck with things it wasn’t going to be ending too well. His right hand now held the reigns whilst his left shielded arm rested lightly over his sword. Alex glanced skywards, the dim light of the city now starting to fade as the stars came into full view. Looking towards Leth and the stars Alex also looked for some guidance in this current situation. A small feeling nipped at the back of his neck. Something he couldn’t quite shift. A dark feeling that something was bound to go wrong.

Sightings of bandits were nearing Syliras and this patrol was to go and make sure they hadn’t encroached too far upon the city. Else it would be bad news for both traders and the citizens. Alex sighed as he heard the approach of horse hooves. The soft clop against the stone work as they lead towards him. As this his partner for the patrol?

CreditMassive thanks to Fire for this awesome template.

[Poppy Blackburn]

Part and parcel of a squire’s duty lay in patrolling the city, and the region around it to prepare themselves in their bid to become a full-fledged knight. Patrols were important as they asserted dominance and as the lawmen of the region, they had a responsibility of upholding the law and keeping the local populace safe by neutralising any bandit threats that may pop up from time to time. Tonight would be one of her first few night patrols, and Poppy was both equal parts excited and nervous. The moon was shining brightly in the sky, illuminating the surrounding nightscape wherever the moonlight fell.

The stars twinkled brightly in the sky, as though dancing and celebrating in the glow of the light of the moon. Retrieving her mount from the Windmount Stables, Poppy gave the horse a pet and caressed it’s head for a couple of chimes, before placing the saddle onto the back of the horse. Holding the reins in her left hand, she gripped it firmly but not tightly ensuring that she had sufficient grip, she placed her left foot in the stirrup, lifting her armoured body onto the saddle, before swinging her right leg over to the opposite side of the stirrup. Resting easily, the lass gave the mare an affectionate pat to thank it for letting her up with little to no fuss.

That wasn’t exactly a necessary gesture, but Poppy never failed to do it as she was always thankful of the horse she’d come to know as Sunstar. While she did have experience riding a horse, riding it armoured was on a whole different level of difficulty.

It’d taken her quite a number of falls and attempts to get it right, but by now, it was no longer as difficult as it used to be. Urging the mare into a trot, Poppy began to lead the horse towards the meeting point. She wondered who her partner in her first night patrol would be. It would most likely be a more seasoned squire than her, and the lass was more than looking forward to learn from the experience.

Apart from being fully suited in her plate armour, she was also fully equipped with her longsword at her hip, her shield resting on her arm and her recurve shortbow slung behind her back. The hooves of her horse clip-clopped on the cobbles and ground of the city producing the tell-tale sound of a horse approaching.

Her helmet was up, and so was its visor, providing a good sense of visibility while still retaining a decent amount of protection. Poppy, like many others have heard sightings of roving groups of bandits that prowled around the edges of the city, picking on any unwary and unsuspecting locals and foreigners alike. These bandits didn’t care where you were from, it mattered not to them. All they cared about was your money, the Mizas you carried on your person that would now belong to them. To resist and not be combat trained was to risk your very life, for these scums of villainy would not hesitate injure or kill to get what they desire. Spotting another mounted armoured figure in the distance, she urged the mare along, meeting up with her patrol partner for the night.

[Nivel]

Nivel was a morning person, so it was unfortunate news when she was assigned the night shift. She wasn’t going to argue with an assignment but still hoped in vain that they would find someone else to take her place. She woke up at the crack of dawn as she normally did and tried her best to fall back asleep, knowing she would be awake far past her bed time. Although no matter how much she tried to make herself comfortable she kept waking up, usually in an uncomfortable twisted ball. She eventually lost interest in trying to sleep and began planning for the mission.

Planning for a mission was always easy since Nivel didn’t really require very much. She had already eaten a large helping of clay the day before and unlike many of her taller comrades she didn’t really need armour. All she required was her trusty pypole Grick, and the green scarf with the embroidered windoak on it that her patron had made her. Nivel wasn’t sure why but she felt like a more capable fighter despite her minimal size, when she had her key shaped weapon around and Without armour the only sign she was a part of the order was her scarf.

Renting a dog was out of the question since Patcha was still gone and Sir Thomas was still an old miniature terrier with arthritic back legs. Nivel would have to go out on foot and hope that someone she was working with wouldn’t mind having a pycon ride on their saddle horn or even tucked into their pocket. She left early and walked all the way from her room to the gate, to wait for her patrol group.

The long walk was more strenuous then she was used to, most likely due the uncomfortable naps she had earlier. By the time she arrived at the gates she felt groggy and a little irritable. She climbed up to her usual vantage point atop a wooden crate and started a dance to put her self in a better mood. She spun around and moved her feet in a rhythmic fashion but she just didn’t feel as into the motions as she usually was. She did feel slightly better after a few shakes of her hips but still didn’t feel like her usual chipper self. Nivel assumed it was because of the lack of Syna, the gentle light of the goddess always seemed to nourish the pycon. Nivel didn’t have anything against Leth but he just wasn’t nearly as fun or invigorating.

She perked right up as she spotted a set of familiar armour.
“Alex!” She called out as she jumped up and down to get his attention. “By the look of your attire, I think We might be going on patrol together, am I right?” Nivel paused as she noticed a female shaped squire ridding along side him. "Who's this?"
OocMy post takes place after Alex and poppy meet since Nivel doesn't have a horse and would need to hitch a ride with one of you two. to save time I'll just give Alex permission to pick Nivel up and put her were ever is convenient.

Credit for Boxcode goes to Ferrin Al'Mandrikan

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Glancing off down into the gates of Syliras was a familiar sight. Poppy. The Female squire whom recently he’d seemed to have run into more and more. It was oddly enough both a relief to know it was somebody he knew he was out on a patrol with but vastly worrying because she hadn’t been a squire long and this may have been one of her first couple of actual night patrols. She was at least fully armed and prepped for the run. However Alex had been told that there would be two Squires with him. With a small smile he nodded as she got closer. Alex hadn’t actually been wearing his helmet as was his usual affair.

As she drew close enough to be within the reach of his horse he spoke.
“Well good to know it’s someone I know out on patrol with me. But who else-” As he was about to finish his thoughts about who was with them he heard a small and very familiar voice with them. Unhooking his foot from the black stallion Alex stepped down onto the cobble stones and spotted Nivel. She didn’t seem… Quite as energetic as was usual. Offering a hand down for her to stand upon he lifted her up onto his shoulder. If she was going to come with them then she’d need a good standing point.

“Well Nivel. This is Poppy one of the newer squires from this season.” Shifting his gaze back over to poppy he spoke again. “And Poppy this is Nivel. One of the Pycon squires. And a pretty good mage from what I hear.” A brief introduction between them and Alex made sure that Nivel had a strong footing and grip on his shoulder as he stepped back atop his horse. Whirling his body over and into the saddle. “Well looks like the group is all here. And Looks like myself and Nivel will be leading this patrol as you’re still new poppy.” His words were similar to usual but a lot firmer. More commanding. Less that of the quiet and leisurely unsure squire. Right now he was acting like a leader.

“So our duty for tonight is to do a patrol across the perimeter of Syliras. A bell and a half’s ride away from the walls. Were to scout for bandits and other things lurking within the forest. Sound easy enough right?” He smiled lightly and trying to re assure Nivel and Poppy that it wouldn’t be too difficult. Slipping his helmet on, he snapped the visor down before whispering to Nivel lightly. “You don’t seem like your regular self today, what’s up?” Pushing his heels into the flanks of his horse it broke out into a soft trot out into the dark expanse of the forest.

A slow pacing through the mild density of the forests dark undercurrents they needed to get a good distance away from the city itself. As they did though Alex hoped that Poppy was lightly behind them. Knowing full well that the patrol wasn’t large but would take a long amount of time it meant they’d likely get one skirt around the edge of Syliras before their shift was over and they had to head back in for a shift change and some sleep. “Poppy since this is one of your first excursions at night don’t be afraid to ask either myself or Nivel any questions.”

[Poppy Blackburn]

As Sunstar trotted over to the armoured squire up ahead, Poppy soon realised that her partner for tonight was none other than Alexander Faircroft himself. She had recognised him at once for he was not hearing his helmet, and thus easily identifiable. Lately, the two squires seemed to have been hanging around each other a lot, and she had no idea if it was affinity or simply a bunch of coincidences that always put themselves together in a series of occasions.

This may have been her first night patrol, but she wasn’t exactly going to let it get the best of her. The lass was more than willing to learn and be an important part of the team. She had no doubt that Alexander would be able to guide her along and help her out, should she face any issues. As she drew close, he remarked that it was good to know who the people you were doing the patrol with, and for that she agreed with a nod. “Likewise. It’s good to see a friendly face.”

But as he spoke about someone else, the puzzled girl gazed around as she was not expecting a third member to their party. A small voice made itself known, and for a moment Poppy tried to figure out where the voice was coming from, until she gazed down and saw a Pycon squire on the ground.

She wasn’t familiar with this particular pycon, but that wasn’t an issue as Alexander soon introduced them to each other. This particular pycon squire was Nivel, and one of the mage squires. Interesting. Not only was this the first mage squire she’d met, but it was also the first pycon squire she’d met that dabbled in magic. "It's nice to meet you Nivel!" The lass watched as he lifted the pycon onto his shoulder, before mounting his horse once more.

Now that the entire team was present, they could start with the patrol. Alexander had duly informed her that since she was the junior, and they the seniors, the both of them would be leading this patrol. Poppy had no problems with that. She’ll have plenty to learn this way as well. “I have no problem with that.”

She then watched as he rattled on with their mission on hand, which was to patrol the perimeter and keep out an eye for any bandit or suspicious activity. “Yes, Ser!” the lass answered with an excited smile. Nivel’s down spirits seemed to be affecting Alexander quite a bit as he questioned her if she was alright.

From the way they acted, the two of them seemed to be rather close good friends. Soon enough, the trio had left the city of Syliras, and began trotting around the edges of the forests as they kept an active eye out for possible bandits that were known to be prowling in the area. She was then told to ask either of them if she had any questions pertaining to their ongoing patrol.

“Yes, I most definitely will indeed!”