Edith
The Town of Farshire was constructed in the delta of the Styx river. Initially, it was only a port to transfer cargo from the larger sea vessels to the riverboats. However, its location made it a great fishing spot and processing mill for the woodcutters that sent trunks down the river. 

Today the city has a great economy from the numerous raw materials that pass throw it and the finished goods that it exports. While the town has many commercial and residential buildings these may be at times short-handed or homes empty as the laborers head back up the mountains or into the forest and sea when the seasonal weather is best for their trades.
Joseph
Hours ago, Adrienne had found the best horse she could find in the royal stables and marched away with the excuse of going for a ride. She had a dark cape dripping over her dress and covering her face and hair. The black mount took all the way through the coast and into the little town called Farshire. Where the female shifter decided to take a break after so many hours riding a horse. Her bum was sore and all she wanted was to eat and drink something. Luckily, her brain told her to bring a purse with all the coins she could muster so when they arrived in town, she went towards the local stable and commanded the boy to take care of the stallion with a few coins as a tip.

When the time came to slide off the horse, she flimsily stumbled down but landed on her feet, clearing her throat when the kid stared at her in confusion. "He moved.." She said as an excuse, pushing the cape off her head as she walked away from the stable and towards a nearby tavern. 

There, she found a table and saw a short waitress come towards her. "What do you... Want.." The woman said, blinking and looking at her from the tip of her shiny boots to the top of her head. She looked way to regal and formal to be from around here and Adrienne could feel a few stares on her as she pondered on what to eat. 

"Do you have apple juice..?" She asked, hoping they had a decent menu of what she could order. The waitress shook her head and sighed. "Look, darling. As you can see, we are not that fancy so let me pick something simple for you that everyone likes." The woman tapped the table with her fingers and walked away. 10 minutes later she came back with a glass of apple cider and a dish full of soup. A small simple cheese sandwich next to the bowl. Everything was put on the table and the girl's stomach growled so loudly that the waitress chuckled and left her to eat, still noticing how the princess' cheeks warmed up at the loud sounds her belly produced for the world.

↓

Adrienne couldn't help but slowly take a spoonful towards her face, first sniffing it and then blowing on it to make sure she didn't burn her tongue. A hum of pleasure came out of her mouth as the hot food warmed her body and took away part of the cold sticking to her bones even if the dress was comfy and warm for traveling. She was definitely going to stay here a little longer to enjoy her meal.
Jose
*Suddenly the door slams open, and two tall figures enter the tavern. Everyone's eyes turn around, trying to find out where to loud sound came from and who made it. Markus and Merilynn make their way through the masses, ignoring all the glares and squints they receive for having interrupted whatever everyone was doing. Both of them sit down at the counter and order a drink, Merilynn orders an Apple Cider and Markus orders a dark beer. While Markus was taking a big sip of his beer, Merilynn would give him a disgusted look and ask the waitress behind the counter if anyone, that seems out of place, has arrived recently.*
Joseph
Adrienne also went quiet when the doors slammed open. As soon as she saw those siblings walk in and sit at the bar she went into a coughing fit. She gasped for air and big sip of the cider, mentally panicking as it was obvious they were looking for her. 

The female dropped a few coins on the table and pulled the cape back on her face, slowly making her way around, the farthest away from them and towards the door. Once she was on reach, she pulled it open and left, not caring if it slammed on her way back. 

The wind pushed the cape back off her head as she took a deep breath and pressed a hand around her forehead, looking around to think about what to do. Her black hair flowed with the wind and her boots crunched on the floor as she prayed they didn't see her leave, making her way back to the stables.
Jose
*The waitress wasn't very talkative considering the topic, no one likes being ratted out and so the waitresses lips were sealed tight. Merilynn sighs and looks at Markus who promptly replied*

[Markus]: What? Why are you looking at me like this? This is only my first beer, you surely don't think I'm gonna get drunk from-

[Merilynn]: The purse, idiot, I need the purse. I don't care about your drinking habits, that's not my problem. Give me the purse already...! *Ughh*

*Merilynn reaches out for Markus belt where the purse was situated as it didn't seem like Markus understood correctly. She swiftly removes the purse from his belt and throws a few coins on the counter towards the waitress, which swiftly and quietly pointed towards the figure that was leaving the tavern. Merilynn boxes Markus and gets up from her stool, she quickly makes her way towards the door, not waiting for Markus who's complaining she shrug away with a quick eye roll.*

[Markus]: Huh? W-wait for me!! HEyy I haven't finished my beer yet!

*Markus quickly gulps down two more sips from his beer before leaving his half finished drink behind. Due to his large size he was behind his sister in just a few steps. After Merilynn leaves the tavern she sharply shouts at the figure in front of them and angrily takes a few steps towards her and reaches out for her shoulder.*

[Merilynn]: HEYY, YOU!! What do you think just storming off like that!!
Joseph
Adrienne flinched when the door slams once more and two pairs of footsteps crunch after her, a shriek escaping her lips when Merilynn's voice reaches her ears. 

"O-Oh.. Hi, Meri.." She stammered, feeling her grab her shoulder so she couldn't run anymore. "I was just.. Uhm.. Taking a few strolls. I will come back later today.. Wait for me there." She attempted to lie, pulling against her hold on her shoulder to keep walking. In her mind, face palming herself due to lying to her childhood friend. But she couldn't tell her the truth, the real reason why she attempted to run away. Maybe her friend would understand, but she could also just say that it was her duty. A problem only royals and nobles seem to have. 

She was even more embarrassed that she had brought her brother, he could be another man that saw her marriage to a random noble part of her duties. He was a knight after all, the more dutiful role in her father's reign.
Jose
[Merilynn]: "A few strolls? A FEW STROLLS? YOU JUST RAN OFF WITHOUT A NOTICE, DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED WE WERE?!"

*Markus notices his sister getting louder and rolls his eyes. He warned her about this a few times through out the trip, but as usual she didn't listen to his advice. He uickly grabs her shoulder to turn her around to face him.*

[Markus]: "Hey, it's okay now. We got her, now is not the time.. You can lecture her on our way home. I'm going to organise us a carriage."

[Merilynn]: "Thanks... Phew, deep breaths... No, No. It's getting too late, we should stay a night here. Who knows who's after her, running into a ambush at day is bad enough, even worse at night. No need to rush, gives me more time to have a stirn talk with her as well. Go find a place to stay."

*Merilynn turns back around to Adrienne to give her a stirn look saying her last words. Markus rolls his eyes and mumbles a few words along the lines of 'Always me...' before turning around and heading off.*
Joseph
Her shoulders dropped and she looked away like a scowled puppy, biting her bottom lip as she kept yelling at her. 

When Markus intervened and turned Merilynn around, Adrienne took the chance to turn around and walk off to an alley, breaking into a sprint when they started rambling between each other. By the time Merilynn turned around the give her a stern look, she had already left and only the traces of her footsteps could be seen. 

She was breathing harshly, running down the dark alley and shrieking when she ran into a man and both went tumbling down. "!!" The man angrily pushed her off and shook his first at her. "You whore! You look where you are going!" He cussed at her, making her stumble back and keep running, noticing that he carried a big pot with water that now dripped down her cape and boots, making it more tricky to run as she made her way towards the forest where she could ditch her clothes and shift. If she shifted now, her animal form would get trapped under all the layers of dressing and they'd catch her faster.
Jose
*Merilynn quickly turns around to see where the footsteps were leading. She turns around to Markus again and gives instead of Adrienne the angry look,*

[Merilynn]: "What are you waiting for?! You distracted me as she was running off, don't tell me that was on purpose! Go after her! I'm going to try and find a place to stay, I don't trust you to find a proper place..."

*Markus wasn't sure how to react and just kept her rambling without replying. He learned fairly quickly that it was a bad idea to interrupt his sister when she's angry.*

[Markus]: "Alright, alright... I'll go after her...*

*Markus follows Adriennes footsteps until he arrives where she felt to the ground, leaving him stumped where to go next since any further footsteps were mixing in with the rest of the foot steps of other people. Fortunitely his height helps him severely, letting him tower over all of the others and spot a small running figure with a black coat. He quickly storms towards her, pushing anyone in his way aside. The man with the pot being pushed once again, but this time not saying anything once he saw who he was pushed by. Markus wasn't quite able to catch up with Adrienne through these busy streets, but he was able to keep the distance at which he was following.*

[Markus]: *Grumbling* "Why is it always me that needs to run around..."
Joseph
Adrienne could see the edge of the forest, the cape flowing after her as her feet finally touched the grass. She sped up a slightly bit once they breathed in through the forest, her eyes glowing more than normal as her body begged her to take deep breathings to absorb the smell of nature, of forests. Her eyes involuntary closed for two seconds, enough for her foot to get caught in the root of a tree and send her flying deeper into the forest. 

Adrienne rolled on the ground, for a few seconds, groaning slightly as she slowly tried to bring herself back to her feet. A small cut drawn through cheek bone due to the fall and some stick or rock she probably scratched against. As she looked over her shoulder to see if someone was coming, her hair was a tad messed up with a few leaves stuck in her hair. Lips parted in exhilaration as her heart beat wildly against the chest that came up and down on fast deep breaths to recover from the running and the fall.
Marcelo
Adrienne could see the edge of the forest, the cape flowing after her as her feet finally touched the grass. She sped up a slightly bit once they breathed in through the forest, her eyes glowing more than normal as her body begged her to take deep breathings to absorb the smell of nature, of forests. Her eyes involuntary closed for two seconds, enough for her foot to get caught in the root of a tree and send her flying deeper into the forest. Adrienne rolled on the ground, for a few seconds, groaning slightly as she slowly tried to bring herself back to her feet. A small cut drawn through cheek bone due to the fall and some stick or rock she probably scratched against. As she looked over her shoulder to see if someone was coming, her hair was a tad messed up with a few leaves stuck in her hair. Lips parted in exhilaration as her heart beat wildly against the chest that came up and down on fast deep breaths to recover from the running and the fall.

A black hair young girl calls out in a soft tone to Adrie, she seems to be dressed in hunting gear as she hides by a tree. "Hey!" 

"Hey lass, is that brute trying to have his way with you? I could lead him away if you hand me your cloak. Us women have to look out for each other right?"

She crouched and extended her hand out waiting for the young woman to give her the cloak she is running with. 

"Just give me that and stay here so he doesn't see you and I'll help you get back to town, ok?"

"But you have to hurry, we can't take on a large brute like that."
Lisa
*He runs after her as quickly as he can, huffing from the exhaustion, since he was still wearing his armour. Once he arrives at the edge of the forest, he leans on his knees to catch a breath and takes a careful look around. She couldn't just have disappeared into thin air!*

"HEYYY! Adrienne!! I-I know we didn't start on good terms, you know my sister, she gets a little hot headed from time to time, but we're not here by anyone's command, my si- *We* Just want to help you!"

*He yells into the forest in hopes of shedding some light on the reality of the situation and maybe make her turn around. He waits for a few seconds for a reply before entering the forest himself. With his hand on the handle of his weapon, he walks along something he deemed a long forgotten path through the forest, probably made by some kids, and takes careful looks around in hopes of spotting her or tracers of her somewhere. He repeats his message a few times, slightly altered every time.*

"I really don't want to hurt you! I know we haven't seen each other for a while, and you probably forgot me in the meantime, but maybe we can have a chat about things! This is not funny, you know. There are dangers in the forest, and there are probably some less nice people after you than us! My sister is looking for a nice place to stay for tonight, there is going to be better food than in that tavern we found you in!"

*As he steps over a quite large root, he hears some voices and instinctively crouches down. He carefully listens to what the voice was saying, which was pretty hard considering all the forest sounds around him and the distance to the voice. He couldn't really understand anything they were saying and decides to step closer, he takes a big step over the root in front of him and spots Adrienne at the foot of the hill laying there quite worked on by the forest and another young lady who he has never seen before. He speaks directly to Adrienne with a sharp voice and grabs his sword handle even tighter.*

"Please step away from this woman, Adrienne."
Joseph
Adrienne looked at the young girl, pushing herself away from her, slightly startled that she was suddenly there. "Who are you?" She asked, Addie could be a noble and a bit dumb but she wasn't that naive... But the woman's help could also mean she had a chance to deceive them both. While the other woman ran and made Markus follow, she could go back to town by herself and grab her mount. 

All the thinking went through her brain but it was too late, by the time she started undoing her cloak, Markus' voice became louder and louder. Her head snapping towards him as he made his presence known. 

"I don't want to go back.." She said to him softly, her eyes reddened and rimmed with tears as she pushed herself onto her knees and looked at him. "Please, I beg you. Just let me go." Adrienne told him loudly, her dirty hands clenching on the dress as she didn't move either way, towards him or the young girl. 

"You don't understand, neither will Merilynn.." She said, suddenly angry as she grabbed several rocks and flung them his way one at a time. After she was done, she looked at them both and pushed herself to her feet once more. Running in the opposite direction of them both and deeper to the forest. 

This time she tried to keep herself away from the roots and stick to the path. Her hands were now grabbing onto the dress, pulling it up as she ran through to not trip with the long hem and layers of material. The cloak was half undone and with all the struggling and running, the button that held it closed and around her slid out of the hole. It slid off her shoulders and drifted to the floor, making Addie look back and stop for a few seconds before she looked around and went back on track, wind hitting and cooling off her face and messing up her hair even more.
Marcelo
"She" Hides behind the tree and continues to keep sight of her as much as he can from the shadows. 
Seems trying to capture her will be more work than was expected. These two arrived far faster than expected.
Lisa
*Markus' grip on his swords handle lightens a bit as the stranger leaves. He lifts his hands up in front of his face to shield himself from the stones flung at him. His patience was depleting rapidly, furthermore he could already feel his stomach rumbling. He slides down the hill and kneels down next to Adrienne, reaching out to her with his hands in hopes that she would just accept his help. If she doesn't he would have to carry her all the way home on his shoulders and he would rather not do that. Everyone would look weirdly at him walking through the streets with a woman over his shoulders*

"You haven't even told us anything, of course we don't understand anything right now! Merilynn probably already found a warm place to stay for tonight, you can get yourself cleaned up and we, Merilynn, you and me, can have a talk about this whole situation. Now, let me help you... W-wait, where are you going?!"

*Markus sighs deeply as his patience reached zero. He gets back up on his legs and brushed the dust of his armour before running after her. He wants to get this over with as fast as possible, now, that he started getting hungry and daylight was getting dimmer. He quickly rushes after her, only seeing her figure that was slowly growing in size as he approached her. He keeps yelling after her to stop running, but she wasn't listening. He quickly catches up to her and swiftly lifts her up by grabbing her waist. He quickly bends her over his shoulder and comments angrily.*

"You're time is over. I tried to be nice, but it didn't work. Don't you dare complain to Merilynn about this, you brought this on yourself."
Joseph
Adrienne's heart beat faster and faster while she heard Markus' voice calling after her while she ran away. The crunching of his boots growing louder the closer he is. Her small figure no match to the knight's stamina and speed. She was breathing harshly by the time he caught up her, a loud shriek escaping her lips as she was suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, almost slipping before everything went upside down. A loud whimper escaped her mouth as she landed on his shoulder, hands on his back and knees on his torso. "Y-You can't do this to me..!" She yelled out loud, kicking her legs against his body as her hands pushed against his back in an attempt to slide off. "I am a princess, you can't just throw me over your shoulder like a bag of potatoes, you savage!" She exploded, squirming and thrashing on top of him as he spoke angrily. Her grunts and complains quickly turning into angry sobs as she squirmed . "I just wanted to be free..." She hiccuped, looking into the distance, in between the trees. Silent tears of anger and dread slipping down her cheeks and splattering on top of his armour. 

"I brought this to myself, he says." She commented angrily in return, doing her best to kick his torso as he kept her locked on his shoulder. "Brainwitt.." She muttered, her hands trying to reach between his arms and his ribs to reach the hilt of the sword. "You should be more respectful to your superiors." Adrienne said to him accompanied by another kick. "What are you gonna do now, donkey? Because you're going to carry me aaaaall the way back, right. Yeah, yeah, I always knew you resembled one anyway." She kept roasting him out of anger and annoyance.
Lisa
*While Markus carries Adrienne over his shoulder he gets more annoyed by the second from her kicking and comments. Her kicks don't hurt of course, but introduce a uncomfortable rythm while running through the woods.*

"Oh I definitely can, I can do whatever I want considering how deep we are in the woods right now, you know. And will you shut up already, I cannot hear your endless whining anymore... You had your chance"

*He slows down near a big tree and slides Adrienne off of his shoulder. He quickly puts Adrienne face down onto a huge root of the root, letting her feet tangle in the air. He presses his hand down onto her back, making sure she can't escape a second time, before getting a rope out of a pouch on his belt. The rope isn't nearly long enough to tie her legs as well so he just ties both her hands behind her back.*

"Because I know this alone won't make you shut... *Tries to rip some cloth of his cape with one hand and pushes it in between your soft lips with his fingers, before binding it behind your head* I'l have you wear this!"
Joseph
Adrienne wasn't expecting Markus spoke or behaved like that. "W-What.." She gasped, slightly offended when he mentioned he could do whatever he wanted. "How dare you speak to me like that!" The girl raised her voice at him, looking around when he suddenly approached a tree and stopped walking. A yelp escaped her lips when gravity scrambled her once again as he placed her body on a root. Her feet kicked harmlessly through the air, hands attempting to get herself back on her feet. 

Her small height, made it hard to escape, even harder when his palm pressed down on her back and her held there. "D-Don't touch me..!" Addie stammered noticing how badly this position could look to any bystanders. Her cheeks blushed furiously as his strength moved her wrists onto her back and quickly tied them together. She kept sputtering insults in a very gracious way, her last restort was to scream for help before the call was muffled by the material of his cape. She was angry now, squirming and squirming because she couldn't reply to his mocking words. 

She was going to murder him as soon as he let go of her. If not her, Merilynn.
Lisa
"What happened? Why are we so polite all of the suddenly, did we get scared now that someone is actually doing something against your constant stream of none sense out of your mouth?! Yeah, you didn't expect that right? You're such a spoiled annoying brat, someone had to put you in your place one day..."

*He doesn't think about how this looks for any bystanders. He harshly grabs her hips again and pulls her up into the air to once again put her on to his shoulders. He looks up into the air and sees large grey clouds gathering above the forest, dimming the light significantly.*

"This is not looking good... I'm not sure if we can make it home dry..."

*In his uncertainty he just starts sprinting as fast as he can back to town, in hopes of getting back dry. Only a few minutes later a strong rain comes down on both, soaking them and turning the forests ground in mud.*

"Of course this had to happen... Next time Merilynn can go after this brat..."
Joseph
Thanks to his DIY gag, she couldn't reply to his angry comments, wishing she could kick him through that stupid armour he wore. She did her best to zone him out, every now and then squirming to test the boundaries, her legs still kicking every now and then.

As he grabbed her hips, her eyes widened and he squirmed in his hold, a complain coming out between her gagged lips as he placed her on his shoulder once more. His words made her look up towards the sky, not really being able to due his hold on her.

Her body bounced on his shoulder when he started sprinting, hair going all over her face and neck as he moved forward through the rain and towards the town. When he mentioned a next time and Merilynn, she did her best to kick him as hard as she could even if it hurt.
Marcelo
Feax would keep to the trees and eye from afar. He couldn't hear them, but given the way she was being carried away, there was a familiarity to the way they reacted to each other. Most likely, he assumed, they would spend the night in town. He would wait for the bird he had sent out minutes before all of this would return.
Lisa
*Luckily Markus had a cloak and his armour, but Adrienne barely had her dress. Throughout his trip he worried about her getting sick in this heavy rain, even if she was a spoiled brat she was still his sisters friend. He sighs deeply and slows down until halting, before getting Adrienne down from his shoulder and setting her down in front of him.*

"Listen, I'm gonna let you down for a second. Don't you dare run away again, you know now that it won't help you."

*He unbuttons his cloak and wraps it around her shoulders.*

"If you rip or damage this cloak in anyway, I'll have you make one on your own!"

*He says with his pointed finger in a warning before approaching her once again to put her over his shoulder with his usual hip grab technique. He seems to be getting quite comfortable reaching out for her hips.*
Joseph
She felt Markus slow down, attempting to look around in case they were in town but they were still in the middle of nowhere. She listened to his words, glad that he was going to her cold body a break from being face down, not running or moving when he placed her back on her feet. Looking up at him through her lashes as he unbuttoned his cloak and wrapped it around her, using her tied hands to grab a side of the coat and cover herself for more warmth. Taking a step back in surprise when he approached her and grabbed her hips to throw her over his shoulder again. Addie sighed and did morning, hair sticking against her face as the rain kept pouring on them.

Her eyes settled on his armour as he kept walking, sighing in coldness and exhaustion as the sun settled down and everything slowly turned darker.

Had she actually ran that deep into the forest? Was her horse still safe in that town's stable. Hoping the kid had taken good care of him.
Lisa
"I don't think we'll be able to reach the the town, before sunset... We will have to look for a hide out for tonight"

*Markus halts and slowly takes a look around him, taking in his surrounding the best he can before the sun was gone completely. Luckily he spots a lightly treaded path that was leading away from the road. There was a sign next to it reading: 'Queen's street cabin', the sign looks like it could fall off at any moment and seems to be very old. 'Lucky us', he thinks to himself and takes the path. Markus was unsure of this path was actually leading to a accomodation, they must have walked this path for at least 15 minutes now surrounded by complete darkness until they finally reached the shack. It indeed was very old and looked abandoned. He approaches the door and reaches out for the door handle, the door swung open which made Markus quite uncomfortable, no lock means he had to be on high alert for any intruders, but also Adrienne trying to escape again. They enter the cabin and could see a desk, a bed and a fire place. He slides Adrienne down in front of him and places his hand on her shoulder with a firm grip.*

"Looks like there is only 1 bed... Listen, I'm not gonna try anything shady, but I'll have to tie you to the bed, if you want to sleep in the bed that is. I'll not remove your gag, I want to sleep tonight, but I'll free your hands. Keep them by yourself, I'm warning you."

*He turns away from her, being pretty sure she wouldn't just jump out of the window, and closes the door. While turning back around to Adrienne he slides off his Helmet and sets it down on the desk, next he removes his chest plate, leg armour and boots. He quickly slides his hidden knife from his boots into his underpants. He unties your hands and kneels down in front of you to tie the rope around your ankle first and around his next. He slightly bows down in front of you and says in a ironic voice.*

"After you, m'lady. The bed is ready"
Marcelo
Waiting about 10 minutes after they entered the old shack. He would shift to a large dog, it was the smallest form he could take, he placed his clothes and items down to take his new form. Slowly walking around the place sniffing and looking for anything of interest and to pass of as a random street dog away from town. Having a look at the sack he lay down next to the wall of the room they entered and waited to see what they would do or talk about.
Joseph
Addie was dripping wet by the time he caught a glimpse of the cabin, making his way to it for around 15 minutes. She started wiggling on his shoulder when he started walking into the cabin and stood in the middle of the room. The cabin felt cold, it didn't help that her clothes stuck against her body as he slid her off his shoulder and she landed in front of him. Her body was way smaller than his tall frame next to her, slightly looking up at him through her eyelashes when his hands firmly grabbed her shoulders. Her hair was wet and there were parts sticking to her forehead and cheeks. She used her bound hands to brush them off, wanting to be able to see properly as he spoke to her. Her cheeks slowly fluttering into a red tone and he mentioned tying her to the bed. 

*Was this man for real..?* Addie wondered, rolling her eyes at him to get over the shyness that invaded her at the thought of sleeping in the same bed than other man.

*Keep them to myself.* 

She frowned, watching him as he turned around to close the door. Her fingers quickly reached for the gag behind her head, tangled into her hair. Addie wanted to give him a piece of her mind now and she would definitely give it as soon as she undid the stupid gag. 

The princess also turned around when he seemed to tug his equipment off not wanting to see the face of the boy she used to play with as a child. Looking down when he came back to untie her hands and her ankles. Her body wobbling and instinctively grabbing onto his shoulders for support. 

His words made her heart thunder in her chest, tensing up and pushing herself again, both arms going around her petite body. 

She motioned to her clothes and the fact that they were wet, looked at the bed and shook her head, then to her dirty damp dress once more.
Marcelo
Seems not much is going on. As he lay there in his dog form he decided to relax and simply keep an ear open waiting for the to argue or fall asleep. Waiting till then he would lay as comfortably as possible out of the reach of the rain using the house and its roof flange as cover.
Lisa
"Do I have to undress you, can m'lady not do that on her own? If there are any more complains you can sleep on the floor."

*Markus rolls his eyes at her and steps closer, before untying her hands. He reaches out for Addie's shoulders to turn her around and quickly unbuttons her dress, letting it fall to her feet. Next he grabs his cloak and quickly dries Addie off with the dry inside of it that luckily had stayed dry thought this journey. Once Addie was dry enough in Markus' eyes he would swiftly take off his own shirt, revealing his muscular chest to her, before roughly putting the shirt on Addie. The shirt had a slightly rough texture and accidentally pulls the gag with it, out of Addie's mouth. Markus was so tired and fed up with the situation that he gave her a warning finger and didn't re-apply the gag.*

"If I'm not able to sleep tonight, because of your endless spurts of 'wisdome' I'll have to teach you a lesson on how to be shut your trap. Now get in the bed."

*Markus grabs the other end of the rope that was tied and gently tugs on it to gesture her to walk towards the bed. Once Addie was close enough he was able to tie the rope to the bed frame. A sigh of releave left his body as he was finally able to sit down and lean back into the bed, enjoying the few seconds of silence. Silence? Hm, strange. Addie was never that silent... He opened his eyes again and looked at her just standing there eyeing him and the bed.*

"What are you standing there for? Do you want to sleep on the floor voluntarily?"
Joseph
As soon as Markus spoke about undressing her, her body jerked backwards. His eye roll causing a small spark of annoyance ignite in her chest along with flakes of embarrassment. No one apart from her personal maids had ever undressed her, the thought of a man like Markus taking her clothes off making her cheeks burst into flames. A blush that reached her cleavage, hiding under the dress. She whimpered in protest, trying to move back against his hold while his hands gripped her shoulders and turned her around to undo the buttons of her dress. She squeaked when the material of her clothes drifted down her legs and puddled at her feet. Slightly tense when his hands started rubbing the damp skin with the inside of his cloak. She rubber furiously thinking about the fact that this knight had the guts to touch her, would this take her pureness away in her father's eyes?
Her body jerked back when the cloth and his hand accidentally tugged the gag off her lips, making her slightly trip against him.

 "Ouch.." She mumbled softly, using a hand to cover her lips. Her eyes remained on the floor as he hurriedly dried her off, looking up at him through her lashes when he wiggled his finger at her in a warning. What a cursed knight, annoying and bossy. 

To make herself feel better, she mumbled an unintelligible insult under her breath, rolling her eyes back at him at his statement. "I would never take a lesson from a peasant. You have nothing of value to teach me." She told him, lifting her chin at him as he moved towards the frame to tie the rope. Addie then went quiet, watching him walk around the bed and sit down, staring at his back and the cushions. She was so tired but... To lay with him...? That seemed wrong. Her body begged her to stretch on the bed and place her head on the pillow.

Very slowly, and hesitantly, she approached the bedside and sat down, her back towards him. She looked small and lost, just sitting there, looking at her own hands on her lap, wearing his enormous shirt compared to her small frame. 

His words made her head turn towards him, the blush visible from her neck to her cheekbones. Addie slowly laid herself onto her side, back facing him, head on the pillow. Her hands gently pushing down the edge of the shirt so it covered everything it should.
Marcelo
He lay there eyes closed listening to the floorboards move and the two "Adults" Having a childing conversation, perhaps this knight was closer to the princes than he tried to let on, this might be of use or may hinder his mission further. He simply continued to wait there, nothing much he could do until the knight fell asleep and his messenger bird wouldn't be back in the area for at least 3 hrs. 

As the rain started to soften a bit and he lay listening to it hitting the trees flashback of his home and family came and went. His parents had always been very attentive and kind, his mother was a firm but loving woman that showed him from an early age to always respect and protect his sister. His father had just started to show him his trade as a huntsman and he was about to start going out with him hunting, he had reached that age. 

Now all he had left was his sister, though in a gilded cage. As a spy in the house of the King she had a good living, yet always a less on her neck by the people that took them from their home. To make matters worse that collar around her neck could easily become a hangman's noose that would kill her if they did not comply.
Lisa
*Markus wiggled around a little bit once a in a while trying to find a comfortable sleeping position without any luck. Soon enough he decides he had to take off his underpants (not underwear, underpants are like thin pants that are designed to keep your warm) to enable his legs to move more freely about. He quickly slipped them off and threw them towards where he left the rest of his armour.*

[Inner Monologue]

"Ughh, how am I supposed to explain this to Meri... She'll never believe me... I'll have to talk to Adrienne tomorrow and ask her to either keep silent or tell Meri the truth... Anyway, I should sleep some for tomorrow"

*He sighs deeply before pulling the blanket over both them, he briefly looks over to Adrienne to make sure she is still there any staying clam. Quickly the warmth of the blanket and Adriennes body warps itself around him, causing his mind to slowly drift away into sleep.*
Joseph
The girl was quietly laying there, slightly looking over her shoulder at Markus when he wouldn't stop squirming after 30 minutes of laying down. 

Addie furrowed her brows and looked away, ignoring his movements. The sound of clothing being removed and thrown away making her tense and stare sharply at the wall. She couldn't help but grip the blanket as soon as it landed on her, pulling as much of it as she could towards her body to warm herself up. With a hand, she pushed a handful between her legs to hug it, her chin tucked into the blanket with the edge against her lips. After a while, her eyes closed and, thanks to the warmth, she slowly relaxed into the covers. Her eyes fluttered in exhaustion as she drifted into sleep, one of her fists gripping the blanket tightly as the other one slid under her cheek and around the shape of her ear. Her damp hair spread across the pillow and part of the bed. 

From afar, she'd look like a bundle under the covers, so small compared to the size of Markus laying next to her. Her dark hair contrasting against the white sheets of the bed.
Marcelo
It had been quiet for close to an hour. They were uncomfortable with their current state and situation yet they both had fallen asleep. He returned to his wet clothes and got dressed again, it was time to attempt to rescue her and gain favor, at least until new orders came in. 

He took his time as he moved into the house, making sure to move on solid bards or when the wind blew the rain around to mask some of his movement (rolled stealth with advantage due to training and you two tired from the rain and walk Details:[2d20 (17 11)]).

As he made his way in. He took out a short leather strap, about a foot, out of one of the belt pouches and entered the room coming over to the large man. He tied one end onto the bedpost and started to slide the second end with a hoop on it onto the ankle of the man. As he was sliding it by the arch of his foot light night struck close and the thunder shook the house. 

'AH great!! Now I have to run with her.' He hoped that the loop would still close around the arch of his foot as he would attempt to stand and make him fall. Giving him time to pull the girl out. 

🌩️
Lisa
*Markus was having nightmare, heavily sweating in his sleep soaking the pillow. His breathing was fast and light causing him to wake up in a cold sweat, gasping for air. Instinctively he reached for his throat, wanting to remove whatever was restricting his breathing. It took him a few seconds to realise that there was nothing to remove and several more seconds to realise that he was alone in the bed and house. He quickly jumped up, immediately falling to his feet, due to the leather strap. He reaches for his knife and swiftly cuts the leather. He slips into his boot, his pants and shirt before harshly opening the door. He breathes heavily while scanning his surrounding, peering into the darkness, trying to find any silhouettes of Adrienne. He listens carefully for any sounds and was quickly able to spot a scream from Adrienne, it was clear, she wasn't just running away. Adrenaline rushes into his ears and he sprints towards where he thinks the scream came from. Wet Twigs and leaves smack his face, reddening and cutting him, but he doesn't feel any pain and he keeps running. Finally he was able to spot a silhouette far ahead of himself. A new rush strengthens his legs and whatever was in his way now flies uproot through the wind, once close enough he shouts from the top of his lungs:*

"STOP, DON'T YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON THIS GIRL!! OR YOU'LL REGRET YOUR LIFE!!"
Joseph
Eveything happened so fast. 
She was sound asleep when someone started nudging her awake, her eyelids blinking as her pupils tried to make sense of the surroundings. "W-What.." Addie mumbled in confusion, her sight slightly adjusting to the darkness and catching Markus' asleep silhouette in the bed. "Markus..?" She called very softly, blinking a few more times, her feet were automatically moving, stumbling after the hand that grabbed her arm, tugged her out of the bed and towards the exit of the cabin. 

It all clicked in her head when the cold weather of the forest reached her skin through the open shirt and her toes dipped into the dirt. "W-Wait.." She complained, tensing and attempting to put her heel down so they slowled down. After a tug, she landed against the stranger's body and down the steps, her eyes immediately focusing on the pale shape of his face. Her eyes widened and she stared at him for a few seconds, lips parted in surprise. 

"W-Who are you.." The girl questioned him, slightly looking behind them as the cabin became blurrier the more they disappeared into the mist. 

"Where are you taking me?" She told him, a shiver sliding through her body as the cold brushed her legs. A pang resonating in her chest as he took her in an unknown direction. She could still feel the rope around her wrist and the dangling material, looking behind them once again where the cabin grew smaller. 

Addie still feel exhausted, her body was stiff and now cold due to the late night weather. Markus and Merilynn were right, she hasn't gotten very far.

After they found her, even less. She had just humiliated herself under her father's eyes and everyone under his command. Her escape not archiving anything but proving she wasn't raised or made to be on the run. Why had they done that to her? Made her so vulnerable and dependant on them that she could never go against their wishes or will. It made her angry, not choose her future, not have free will of whom she'd spend the rest of her days with. To know that she was considered a bargaining chip and as a consolation prize between nobles, not seen as a person with talents and true value. 

The anger made her squirm against the man's hold on her and grunt in frustration. "If he sent you after me, I don't want to go back!" She told him loudly, doing her best to become slightly heavier. Now kicking and squirming against his body so he'd put her down, planning to throw herself at the ground so he would have a harder time taking her back.
Marcelo
Trying as best he could to deepen themselves into the forest and be out of sight he kept pulling on her without being a brute about it "Malady, you are gonna have to be more specific about "HE" But I can tell you I was not sent by the royal family. I am here to aid you, at least if you let me."

As she dug into the ground, he turn and round, and taking her by the shoulders he looked at her. "I know that I'm a stranger and nothing like you have seen before. I tried to help you earlier when I looked like a huntress. NOW, we don't have time. If you want to run from Elsir Vale this is your chance." 

Sliding his hands dont to her's he undid the rope and held her hands "Malady you can run now on your own or let me run with you. Regardless I will be close by when possible. Please choose! Run alone and I distract that knight or run with me and hope to see the morning as a free woman.
Lisa
*Markus was quickly catching up to both of the figures now kneeling on the dirty forest ground. His breath was going quickly as he slows down on approach, stressed by the situation, but not overwhelmed. In his training and time as a guard he learned to work with stressful situations, especially against drunken men trying to lay fingers on girls at night on the streets.*

"Who are you! Let go of her, or I'll have to teach you a lesson!"

*Markus reaches down to his sword and wraps a hand around it's handle. Ready to fight he slightly shifts his balance and steps closer.*

"Adrienne, who is this? Do you know them? Just come back with us! We aren't here to bring you back, we weren't send by the royals, we were just simply worried about your disappearance! Think about Meri, she's waiting in Farshire for our return and is probably worried to death about both of us right now!"

*He's well aware of the gravity of the current situation, if he was to loose her right now he wasn't sure if he could find her again. While talking to Adrienne he would slowly move forward in hopes of getting into range of the kidnapper to disable them with a swift strike of his sword. If Adrienne was able to get away from the kidnapper quickly enough he might not even need to kill them, just push them away and make their escape. If they were to escape right here they weren't gonna get anymore sleep. He would go straight back to Farshire, through this rain and through the night he would carry Adrienne on his shoulder, if she behaves that wouldn't be an issue considering her height and weight.*
Joseph
Even with her attempts to stop him, overtime, he moved them deeper into the woods. His words making her ears perk in attention, eyes blinking in confusion. "Help me? How did you know I needed help, who told you?" Adrienne asked him, now not fighting his hold as he turned around and cupped her shoulders, staring back at her as he spoke about escaping. He did seem to treat her like a lady, like a royal. Unlike that dutiful knight that looked at her with those mocking and frustrated eyes. But this man was different, if he could be called a man. His pale skin made him look eerie and ghostly under the moon and the shadows, almost like beacon. "I do want to run.. I thought my father sent you after me." She told him softly, feeling his touch slide down her arms and towards her hands, the memory of the huntress trying to get her coat flashing in the back of her head. "Oh.." The girl sighed, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. "That was you...?" She asked him, a curious grin curving her lips at the thought of having that ability. "You can shape shift into other things, that's really cool." The princess told him while her hands rubbed the before-tied-up wrist. Her attention moving from him to the sound of panting and running emerging from the trees behind them.

She turned around, her fingers now gripping and pulling the shirt down her legs in an attempt to look slightly decent. 

Her eyes focused on Markus, lifting her hands towards him as he seem to be ready to strike the stranger. "Stop, Markus!" Adrienne said loudly, shaking her head. "He is just trying to help me, like you and Meri.." Her eyes moved between his face and the sword, standing in front of the shifter in an attempt to protect him. Listening to the words that Markus threw at her. 

"I just met him. But I'm sorry, Markus. I don't want to go back." She replied to his questions, throwing her own. "Promise me.. Promise me you won't force me to go back." She forcefully pleaded at him, her hands turning into fists.

"I can't go back.. I'd rather die than obey them anymore.." Addie told him, slowly approaching him and gripping the hand close to the hilt of the sword. Her body was close to him and she put her damp forehead on his clothed chest. "Please... I don't wanna become like them. I can't be a bargaining chip." Adrienne spoke softly, her voice slightly trembling as she lifted her head and looked at him with reddened eyes, rimmed with tears, panic fluttering in her chest. "If you and Meri are always going to chase me then I'd rather you finished me off right here." The girl told him, her fingers tightening around his and the handle, pulling from it so he'd take out his sword. "I refuse to live by their rules and turn me into a caged bird for the rest of my life. I was born for that purpose but I reject it." She said, not sad but angry. Mad at the world, mad at her family, at him and Meri. Tears of anger and desire for freedom streaming down her cheeks. 

"Why can't you just let me be? Just go back to Meri and be a knight. That's what you always wanted. Isn't it? Unlike you, I don't want to have duties or fulfill my purpose." She told him angrily, pulling the sword from him even harder.

The thought of having to leave Meri worried about them also eating her heart away. She definitely missed her, spending time and playing together like they did as kids, when she had more freedom than she did today. Markus was also there as a young boy, always calling her annoying and pushing her off, keeping guard of them while she and Meri ran across all the palace. He was also the victim of all of their pranks until someday they just stopped hanging out. As they all grew older, they became distant, each of them with different duties. 

But while Markus and Meri had each other, she was bound to watch them from afar, locked away to wait for the suitors to come by and offer her father a better deal.

That's what made her angry as well, the fact that they moved on and never thought of her, they never tried to contact her as much as she did. All the smiles she gave them while strolling to the gardens, the good talks she gave to people about them so they'd have a good reputation in the palace. Meri did return half of them. But Markus didn't, he just straight up treated her like another noble of the castle. That is why she insulted him and mocked him so much, like one of her kind would do.

"For the sake of our ruined friendship, get out of my life and let me die in peace." She told him, her eyes now meeting his, her other hand traveling from his arm to his neck, pulling him closer to she could place her forehead against his. "For Meri. You don't want her to be on the run forever." Addie told him, shaking her head. "I can't ask her to do this, it would break her heart. But you, just see it as another of your duty. It'll make it easier to carry." The female asked him with an ironic grin. "Isn't that what knights do, anyway?" She chuckled, mocking him from up close. "Mindlessly carry orders?" She hummed, the hand gripping his and the sword pulling them closer together. 

"Well, this is an order."
Marcelo
Taking steps he got but a yard away from her "Lady, you have said it, they are duty bound, they have nothing else in life what you are asking them is to give it all up to let you go. They will not be willing to place their lives in harm's way. Surely you can see that even if they manage to lie other knights will be sent out and hunt you. Please you must flee now, I can help for as long as I can." 

He looks at the knight "Markus, right, what she asks may be a lot but at least grant her the day to run and you can try again. I don't want any harm to come to you simply because you are bound to your orders. We are not animals to be told what to do and do it blindly. I will incapacitate you if needed, let us go!" His hand raises up, holding a thin dagger biny two fingers, and he shows it to Markus so he understands this is no bluff.
Lisa
*Markus halts in his movement, listening to Addie's words, unsure if he should trust their 
Meaning seeing as she was guided into the forest by a strange pale person. He stands still in the 
Rain, watching her and the man closely, and slightly loosening his muscles as he felt her warmth 
Against his chest once again. He was thinking to himself, that he could never let her go with a 
Stranger, even more in the middle of the night and so sudden. Not only that, but he wasn't going 
To betray her or Meri, that's for sure, but Addie doesn't seem like she was going to trust him. He 
Didn't plan on doing it this way, but the current situation didn't allow anything else: He had to 
Take her with him by force, even more than yesterday. Markus kneels on the ground, following Addie's 
Hand's guidance, and wraps his arms around her back. He whispers into Addie's ears, hoping the other 
Male wouldn't hear anything of it.*

"It pains me to hear, that you would think, that I'm able to do such a thing... This will be the 
Only time I will have to disappoint you m'lady. I won't be able to just let you go, right here, 
Right now. I'll bring you to Meri, she knows more. Please trust us, m'lady. We mean no harm."

*His arms around her back quickly tension up, and he lifts her small figure onto his shoulders. 
Now that she wasn't going to see his face any more, he was able to spurt all his anger through 
His eyes towards the man. He lifts his sword up and points it at the pale figure, before speaking 
In a tone he hadn't used in a very long time, since Meri and him left their father, to be precise.*

"Stop following us. You will die, if I see you again."

*With these words and Addie on his shoulder, he sprints back to the wooden shack. Now fully awake and 
Full of energy, he opens the door, and lets Addie down. He pushes her fragile figure against the 
Nearest wall and eyes her for a few seconds. He leans in very close and gives her a warning, 
Ultimately fed up with this whole situation.*

"I don't want to hear a single peep from you. You might be a lady, but you 
Have run far from your golden cage. Now take on your clothes, they should be dry by now."

*He turns towards the rest of his armour, that was still lying on the desk and stool and as fast 
As he could, following thoroughly trained hand movement, he puts on the full set of his armour. 
While doing so, he keeps an eye out for Addie, if necessary he was in reach of her and able to 
Grab her shoulder. In reality, he wasn't going to do anything to her, she's too fragile and 
Small to stand a chance against him. Throughout the short time they spend at the shack for a 
Second time, he caught himself eyeing her and her figure up and down, nearly amused about how 
She was trying to push down his shirt to hide as much as possible.*