A Midnight Escapade

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* A Midnight Escapade *

Lady Darcy J'aivianne Brighton

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Hoofbeats pounded against the forest floor, that was blanketed with leaves. One could hear the rhythmic four-beat gate, as Darcy rode her horse at a gallop. Her majestic quine was as black as her surroundings soon would be. It wasn't quite dark yet, but what little light there was left, would soon vanish. She had just enough time to practice her weaponry.

She had gotten into quite the habit, sneaking off late in the evening, into the forest. But wonder of wonders, she hadn't been caught once. And she didn't plan to ever be. This was her time, the time when she do what she wanted, with having formalities, and burdens of etiquette held over her head, preventing her from expressing her true nature.

Darcy pulled gently back at the reigns with one hand to slow the horse, and glanced around at the trees that encircled her. Her eyes scanned the trees with scrutiny, until she found the one she would use. She saw a knothole on the trunk. She turned her horse around and rode back a ways, then turned once more to face the tree.

Darcy lifted one arm and revealed her bow. She was mindful to fix the reigns so they wouldn't fall to the ground; for if they did, the horse would trip over them. She gave the signal and the equine set its legs to motion, once more at a gallop. Darcy reached back one hand to grab an arrow from the quiver that was slung diagonally across her back. She rested the arrow on the bow, and raised to aim. Squinting one sapphire hued eye, she concentrated on the knothole. When she was satisfied with her aim, she released the string, and watched as the arrow sailed through the air. She quickly repeated the steps. She noted the color and pattern of the feather tip, so she would be able to tell which arrow was shot at which distance. After she had shot one more, she tucked the bow back under one arm. A few moments later, she pulled to a halt in front of the tree. The first arrow had missed the knothole, by about four inches. The second was just outside the rim. The third, since she had been much closer to the target by the time she shot it, actually made it inside the knothole--just barely. She tugged the arrows from the tree and placed them back in her quiver.

Darcy looked around her. It was getting darker by the minute. Too bad. I don't have enough time for more archery, tonight. I better use the rest of the time for knife-throwing. She thought. So, she went back to the starting place. She cued her horse, and they set off. She removed her jagged edged dagger from its hiding place under her dress. With a forceful thrust forward with her arm and wrist, she threw the knife, then rode to the knothole. The dagger had landed a mere inch from the center. Darcy was very pleased with her progress with knife-throwing. I will master it soon. She thought happily. You could hardly see any of the blade, for it had gone so far into the tree. Darcy yanked at it, but it would not budge. She tried, again and again. Finally, she dismounted her horse. From the ground, the knife was just in her reach. Life is so difficult for people at five feet. She couldn't help but think grudgingly. She wrapped her fingers around the silver and jeweled handle, and used all her might to pull. But her efforts were to no avail. The knife wouldn't budge.

"I'm not about to lose a good knife!" She spoke aloud. Darcy was bound and determined, so she tried, again and again. But the dagger, apparently, was just as stubborn. "I'll pull you out if it's the last. Thing. I. Do!" She huffed, for this was starting to tire her arm a little.
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Notes: If someone would reply, that would be lovely ^.^

[Marian Cooper]

Marian was exploring. She knew it was risky, especially at night, but that seemed to be her best chance to get out of the castle and go unseen through the forest, and return with no one the wiser. And secrecy was important right now, since the last time she had escaped, word of her flight had brought not her husband-to-be's loyal men searching, but that damn hated bandit and his not-so-merry men. She was actually a bit insulted that he couldn't even be bothered to pretend to care.

She wasn't actually trying to get away yet. She'd realized that more planning was necessary before she'd be able to slip the noose that was her impending marriage, and exploration was key. Last time, she'd gotten terribly lost. She needed to familiarize herself with the woods around the castle first, and then she could branch out from there. She had no intention of wandering into anymore bandit camps unawares, that was for sure.

But it seemed she wasn't the only noble girl to find herself wandering the woods, although the two of them had very different goals in mind. Marian was distracted from her mental mapping when she heard a very feminine voice, not far from her at all. And ever the curious lass, Marian decided to investigate. She made sure that her hood was securely fastened, shadows obscuring her face, dressed in the garb of a man so as not to draw suspicion. Cautiously, she approached the other woman, wondering just what she was up to.

She smiled a bit in amusement when she saw, and heard, what the little lady was up to. Feeling a bit on the mischievous side, she figured she ought to have some fun...besides, wandering around the woods was dangerous for someone so small and delicate. Better she run into Marian than some of the darker inhabitants of these woods. She gave a chuckle, loud enough for the girl to hear, and made her voice deep enough that she would pass for a man. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

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Lady Darcy J'aivianne Brighton

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I hope I'm not interrupting anything?

The silence of the forest had been broken, by a voice. Quite visibly, Darcy jumped back, her hand still grasped tightly around the knife handle. As result of her reaction, the knife had finally let go of the tree. Or possibly, vice versa. Darcy spun around to face the voice. She saw the figure of another person. Their face was concealed in the darkness cast by the hood. It was just as well, for with the dim light of diminishing sun, Darcy wouldn't be able to make out any facial features anyways. Relying on the height, and voice, Darcy assumed that it was a man, that was in her company. Surely so, for she doubted that many other women took walks out in the woods, alone. What with all theses outlaws roaming around here, it simply wouldn't be safe. So why am I out here, again?

Darcy felt her light complexion turn as rosy pink. She finally mustered the courage to speak. "N-no. You're not interrupting anything....important anyway."
Feeling uneasy, Darcy glanced around for her horse. The ebony mare was a few trees away, oblivious to everything, searching for some sort of tasty green plants to munch on. Darcy stepped over to her and grabbed the reins. Just in case I need to make a fast escape. You can't trust anyone you meet out here. Darcy thought to herself. She wondered if this man knew she was a noblewoman. She hoped not. She had heard of outlaws taking noblewomen captive, and demanding a ransom for their safe return. And if that were to happen, her mother would never let her out of her sight again! And that would be just terrible. Not to mention, they might hurt me in the process.

Curiosity had always been one of Darcy's weak points. And so, history was to repeat itself. "Are you...an outlaw?" Darcy's voice held just a hint of awe, though she tried to hide it. Despite her worries about being taken away and held hostage, she had always wanted to meet an outlaw, and see what their lives were like. She always imaged that it was filled with adventure, and lots of fun. If you didn't get caught, that is. A life filled with danger and yet...so appealing.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian gave another deep chuckle when the jumped back, all kinds of flustered, clutching a shiny jeweled dagger in one hand. At least she'd gotten her knife back. "Oh, good. I'd hate to interrupt an intimate moment between a girl and her...tree." She was getting better at imitating the voice of a man, if nothing else. Fortunately, this girl seemed to be short, and Marian was somewhat on the tall side (for a woman), so she could pass for a somewhat slight man, especially in the dark of night.

She noticed how the girl moved closer to her horse cautiously, probably a good plan. She still wasn't sure what the girl was doing out in the woods at this hour, it seemed like a good way to find trouble if that's what you wanted, but just going for a late night ride in Sherwood Forest wasn't a very bright idea of late. Not that Marian was really one to judge...but at least she had good reason for being out here, or so she was quick to reassure herself. She didn't make a move to get any closer to the poor girl, she was probably already scared enough --which was kind of amusing, from Marian's perspective-- but she didn't want her to bolt off like a scared rabbit and find herself even deeper in the woods and in even more trouble.

She couldn't help a grin at her question. "And what if I am?" She wasn't going to lie to her; just let her draw her own conclusions. The girl sounded somewhat...impressed? What, did she think the life of an outlaw was a glamorous one? Or maybe she just found the whole adventure of living outside the law, righting an unjust system to be terribly romantic. Ugh. Here was a girl who actually needed to meet the real Robin Hood to get those delusions cleared right up...yet, she had run into Marian instead. She'd have to show this girl the error of her ways.

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Lady Darcy J'aivianne Brighton

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And what if I am?
Darcy wasn't sure. She had just expected a simple yes or no. "It makes no difference to me. I was just curious, that's all..." She said softly, though loud enough to be heard.

Darcy took a good look at him. He was a little short, but definitely taller than Darcy. Not to say it's very impressive to be taller than I. Everyone is. She couldn't help but roll her eyes in annoyance, at this thought. She often wondered, what had she done to deserve the curse of being practically minuscule? Everyone always treated her like a porcelain doll. They seemed to think she should stay inside all day, lest a leaf should fall on her head, for she might shatter into a thousand pieces! She could almost hear her mothers words now "Darcy, my dear. You are fragile...You are precious, like a fine jewel. And you must be treated as such. You must be protected, I don't want you getting hurt." Of course, Darcy was glad for her mothers tender care and affection. But on the other hand, she felt trapped. Like she was missing out on life, as it passed her by.

Darcy lifted up her hand and stroked the velvet hide of her mare. She placed the knife back in its hiding place in her dress. Then she glanced at her bow. As least I have plenty of weapons to depend myself, if need be. But the stranger didn't appear to offer any immediate danger. A more cautious, and possibly brighter girl would have ceased the moment, thanked her lucky stars for safety, and galloped back home. But Darcy felt no urge to leave. She decided to stick around for a little while longer.

"Are there more of you outla- or rather...other people out here?" Her eyes scanned the trees, half expecting to see faces disappear behind them. But if any did, she didn't see them. It was really dark now. It was difficult to see a few yards in front of her face. She grasped a rein tightly. It wouldn't do much good if she lost her horse. I really should be getting home...If I don't leave soon, I won't be able to find my way back until morning.

Notes: Sorry for the wait.

[Marian Cooper]

She laughed loudly at her meek reply, saying she was 'just curious'. Just curious about an outlaw? Most women would run from the very thought of confronting a brigand in the woods late at night. But most women wouldn't be out in the woods, throwing knives at trees at this hour anyways, so clearly this was not your average woman that Marian was dealing with. Just as well. "You're...curious about outlaws?" Her horse was in easy reach, she could be gone by now, but she was lingering. Not necessarily a wise move.

She smiled to herself when the girl assumed she was an outlaw; Marian had never said as much, but her words had been ambiguous enough that she had hoped the girl would leap to that conclusion. And she had! She hated to admit it, but she was having fun with this little charade. Slowly, she took a few meandering steps closer to the girl. "Could be. Would that frighten you?" She asked, genuinely curious. She didn't actually seem afraid, so Marian was interested to know exactly what her goal had been in coming out here.

She didn't look like a peasant. She was dressed as a noble, and to have a horse and weapons...she had to be a noble. And while she knew the common people loved their benevolent bandits, most of the nobles had something or another stolen from them by the bandits, or knew someone who had and hated them on principle. But this little girl came out here, alone, at night, to practice with her...weapons? "Or...would that excite you? Do you think us heroes?" Because Marian needed to quell that thought before it got out of hand.

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Lady Darcy J'aivianne Brighton

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You're...curious about outlaws?
Judging by the way the man had asked that question, he appeared to be at least slightly taken aback.

"Yes I am." Darcy answered him defensively. "And why shouldn't I be? Curiosity is a natural human instinct, as far as I am aware." It astounded Darcy, how her manners while in the woods were differing from when she was with high society in the castle. She was usually such pleasurable company. And her spoken words were never anything less than delightful. Yet she had spoken to the outlaw without contemplating her words beforehand. In all probability, it was as result of what he is. An outlaw. What she said to him was of little significance, and would yield no consequences. Well, maybe some if she drove him to rage, but that was quite unlikely. Darcy had never cross that line, and highly doubted she ever would.

Darcy flinched as the outlaw took a few steps in her direction. She didn't appreciate the increasing blackness, that obscured her vision. She couldn't trust this man. And she knew that the darker it became, the more vulnerable she would be. Why, at any moment, he could sneak up to Darcy and grab her. And that was not an idea that Darcy took a fancy to. Could be. Would that frighten you? Without thinking again, she made a quick comeback. "Should it?" He continued. Or...would that excite you? Do you think us heroes? "I wouldn't go so far as to say it would excite me...Merely provoke my interest. Think you heroes? Why on earth would you even suggest such an absurd thing? Those who murder and steal. That is hardly the makings of a Hero." In truth, the majority of what Darcy had said was false. She did admire them. It did excite her. But she wouldn't never admit such a thing. Why flatter an outlaw? They have big enough egos as it was. "What is your name?" Darcy asked, quite bluntly. What good is a name going to do me? She wondered, but shrugged it off.[/blockquote]

[Marian Cooper]

The girl's answer left Marian laughing out loud, and doing her best to keep her voice good and deep, just like her imitation of the man she was supposed to be. "Instinct? Is that what you think it is? No, see, because instincts are those things that tell you to run away when you're in trouble, or straighten your back and fight, or hide in the bushes. What you're thinking of is actually a lack of healthy sense of self-preservation." She answered, and maybe she was saying she didn't have any instincts for survival either; but then, she wasn't the one who thought that she was facing down a dangerous outlaw right now and deciding to have a friendly chat rather than high-tailing it out of there.

"That is the making of every hero." She laughed again, but was startled to find that she actually believed her own words. She was meant to just be scaring the criticizing the girl, and yet, she was having a conversation about what made a hero? They weren't fat old nobles who concerned themselves with taxes and things, they were the men who went out and fought for what was right; and in fighting, they had to kill, and no matter how justified they were in taking a life, it was still murder. So every hero started as a murderer, and more than likely he would wind up as a thief. But as long as he won in the end, he would be remembered as a hero.

"And what use would a fine lady like yourself have for the name of such a lowly brigand as I?" She answered her question with a question, since Marian knew she couldn't give her her own name, and so far, she'd managed not to lie to her, so she'd keep up her strategy of reflecting her questions back at her and letting her make her own assumptions from there.

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