[IC] Swords Beneath the Starlight

Adara taps her chin playfully, thinking your questions over.



"Oh, about... one thousand total? I wouldn't say I lead them in the same way your little princeling's father leads his country, though. Just handle the organizing. We're freefolk, equals in every sense of the word. You'll hardly find our elders fattening their pockets like in the peasant republics out west. None of us do anything without all others getting a voice in it. Anything less would be the tyranny we're all running from. There are plenty of capable folk who can manage my duties without me around, and we all agreed I was the best one for this job, so here I am."

She flashes a smile and a wink at Baylee.



"Oh really? Nowhere Important happens to be where I'm from, too. Lovely place, I'm sure you'll agree. I look forward to learning more about you, if that's the case: the most interesting folk seem to always come from Nowhere Important."

She gestures to you all. "Come along, then! Let's get a move on."

As you walk, the NPCs introduce themselves.

--

Eventually, you arrive in a small grove in the middle of the woods.

Before you stands a strange assortment of characters. One of them is tall, of indeterminate gender, with short hair and dark skin with strong red undertones. They stand beside a pegasus, of all things - a rarity in these parts, even in a kingdom as rich as Renault. The other stands out because he lacks any such distinguishing equipment - no weapons, no armor, no horse. He only has a set of clothes and a big blue scarf.

When the knight speaks, it's with a sort of... strange, formal gentleness, as if they're distant from the world but still beholden to its conventions.


"Lady Adara - I am glad to see you return."


"Ugh! How many times have I asked you not to call me 'lady'? The word drips with pretense. We are equals, Alex, and I will not see you act in deference to anyone, no ifs ands or buts! Understood?"


"...Understandable. I will try to resist the urge in the future."


"I've got my doubts. These the folks we've got to escort?"

Adara confirms you are, and goes through the trouble of introducing each of you.


"Got it. I'm Dorian. Stick near me, folks - I'm not much of a fighter, but in battle you'll find no one you're happier to have around!"