Lord Arlund's Hunt

The Lord sat impatiently on his horse. He was a man clearly a few years past his prime, and though he was probably in good shape once, he seemed to fat for a proper hunt now. His dogs trotted about anxiously.

Isolde bowed her head as she approached the caravan, "Lord Arlund. I apologize for the delay. I was occupied by some civilians." She mounted her horse.

Arri followed behind her, saluting the lord before mounting a horse behind Isolde's. She pulled her hair behind her, tying it in a ponytail.

The Lord grunted, "We should make haste. I wish to arrive tonight, Knight-Commander."

Isolde nodded, "Of course, Lord Arlund."

Arri remained silent, watching Isolde discreetly.

The Lord pushed is horse hard to get it to run fast. Isolde's own horse seemed pure strength. Her weight, even with armor, didn't hinder it in the slightest.

Arri kept pace, keeping silent. Her eyes moved from side to side, keeping observant.

They arrived at a castle, small by castle standards, as the sun was setting. Isolde dismounted effortlessly, though The Lord needed assistance from his servants.

Arri swung off her horse, patting her affectionately on the back. "Thanks, girl...."

Isolde took the lead of the party, nodding to Arri, "You take the back."

Arri nodded in affirmation, taking the rear post. She rested her hands on the hilts of her swords, wary.

They walked up to the gate and Isolde knocked. The gate keeper looked through a small hole in the door, "Who goes?"

"Lord Arlund and his accompanying party." Isolde stated simply, a little too used to speaking with gatekeepers.

The gatekeeper nodded and opened the door, letting them in the castle.

Arri nodded to the gatekeeper as she passed by him, gently holding her sword hilts.

The door closed behind them as they entered the castle, and a few servants gathered everyone's luggage. A tall, stately man smiled, "Ah, Lord Arlund. I trust your trip here was pleasant?"
The lord grumbled, "Not on horseback it wasn't."
The man chuckled, "You must be tired. Let me show you and your men to my guest suites. Come."

Arri rubbed her eyes with one hand, looking downward. She hadn't been getting much sleep lately, and it was starting to show.

Isolde was tense. Mounted elves' heads lined the walls, their faces frozen in expressions of fear.

The man lead them to their rooms, "And for the two guardswomen."

Arri eyes had been glued to the floor after seeing the first elf head and she nodded to the attendent. "T-Thank you..."

OOC: Are they sharing a room?

OOC: Yep.

Isolde bowed her head, "Thank you, ser."

He closed the door, and Isolde exhaled.

Arri stumbled against a wall, pale. She tore off her bracer, sinking her teeth into her arm. A muffled whimper escaped and she leaned her head back against the wall, tears starting to run down her face.

Isolde seemed concerned, "Are you alright?"

After a few minutes of that, Arri moved her arm away. There were several other such marks on her skin, and this latest bite had obviously broken the skin. She nodded slowly, and her voice was hoarse when she spoke. "Y-Yes....I'm fine...."

Isolde frowned, "Arri, please tell me what's going on. You don't appear fine to me, and I ask because I'm worried."

Arri shook her head, pulling off her armor piece by piece and stumbling over to one of the beds. She sat on the edge, staring at the ground. "I'm fine, Isolde....just fine..."

Isolde frowned, "Arri, there are bite marks on your arm. Explain. That's an order."

Arri stifled a sarcastic smile. "I made those...." Her voice was wistful and full of regret.

"Why?" Isolde asked commandingly.