Jo's Journey

[DamedEscrime]

Jo listened carefully to the news of the day. Zarcon was missing and Lady Moon had been kidnapped. She began to get that "I hsould do something" feeling again.
"You highness, please, allow me to aid in this adventure," She asked in all sincerity.

Arcon studied her for a moment. She was a pleasing young woman and had made some great changes in herself, but he knew she was not ready to take after cutthroats and kidnappers.

Lochinvar was interested in the king's answer too. Surely he would not allow this one to go anywhere, at least he hoped not. The now greening bruise of her pommeling was eveidence enough that she was not experienced enough to hold her own in a battle.

Arcon turned to Jo and said,"My dear lady, I am pleased that you are willing to serve the crown, and I mean no offense, but you have only just begun to understand the mechanics of the fight. It would be foolish of me to send you out too soon. Be patient, your day will come."

Her eyes watered and looked to the ground. She managed to mumble a weak. "As you wish, you majesty." And turned to go, leaving the group looking after her.


(Do you really think Jo will do as she is told this time?)

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[Iwant2bafencer]

Let see. . .does she ever? I'm just kiding you know I love ya.
Lady Rosaline

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Carpe Diem

[DamedEscrime]

Jo hurried to her room and slammed the door behind her. She did not want anyone to see her tears. "I'm never good enough for anything," she thought. "Somehow I must prove myself. I must become useful to the kingdom. But how?"

Her mind raced. She wanted so much to be more than she was, to be accepted, not looked on as someone who needed to be taken care of. As she paced about her room she formed a halfbaked idea.

"AH, I know what I can do,"she said aloud to the empty room. "It sounds to me that the Lady Moon was spirited away in much the same fashion that I was by Sir George of Washington. If this indeed be the case, they would have taken approximately the same route."

She quickly slipped out of her dress and tossed it aside. (No more gowns on missions, she had learned that the hard way.)Then she dropped her corsette and kicked off the pale yellow shoes. Finally, she placed her mothers earfobs into a trinket box for safe keeping and began to dress.

Black seemed to be called for. She dug around and found the pair of black leather breeches she had been saving for riding lessons. Pulling them on she hastily tied them and donned a black chemise. She added a pair of black kidskin gloves and sturdy riding boots.

Now for a weapon. She owned none of her own save her lady's dagger and her sisiter's hammer. She slipped the dagger into her boot and retreived the hammer from its hiding place. She would have to make it to the display wall, undiscovered, once more to find a suitable sword. The last thing she needed was a mount. That part would be tricky. She did not ride well and she knew it. She had no idea how to choose a horse either. Hmmm... Lochinvar's would not be needed and he seemed to be an agreeable beast.

Quietly she slipped down the corridor to the greatroom. There she selected a fine sword. Then she snuck into the kitchen larder to confiscate a bit of sugar for "her" gelding and some bread as well as a bladder of wine for herself. Finally donning a dark cloak she made her way back toward the stables.

[DamedEscrime]

The stable was quiet save for the pawing of hooves on straw and the occasional heavy breath of one of the mounts. She approched Sir Lochinvar's mount cautiously speaking softly, extending a bit of sugar as a bribe.
"Here you go beautiful. Would you allow me to ride you?" Jo gazed steadily into the horse's eyes as it greedily accepted the sweet treat. The animal gave a nod as if to say yes, so Jo took a blanket from the stall and placed it on his back. Next she wrestled a fine black, silver studded saddle from its place and heaved it on. She placed her knee in the animals belly as she had seen done and sinch the straps as best she could. That done the placed the bridle over his ears, grasped the reins as guided him quietly toward the outside of the palace.

All was going well when, "YOU THERE!" It was one of the palace guards. She froze in her tracks and nodded her head in his direction.
"You're going the wrong way. Arcon wants all special agents in the kitchen immediately."
She waved and nodded again then turned to head in the suggested direction.

In a far corner of the kitchen a chill ran down Jo's spine as she listened to the king's words.

(As written by Arcon)
"My Queen, and fellow Arconians. Once again we have fallen upon chaotic times.
Our citizens have been inspired to riot...they have been decieved by lying traitors....these traitors are still at large and are enemies of the crown."
"This although serious in itself was only a diversion....Zarcon, my evil brother as you
know has abducted Lady Moon. Ive also just been informed that Meekal and Kliff have escaped the tower." "By way of carrier pigeon Ive learned that
Zarcon is headed toward the valley between our two lands. This was the valley of our birth. I can only assume that he wishes it to end where it began. This is very dangersous country, the ride is long and the canyon is very deep. As deep as three of the tallest trees upon each other."
"There are many places for ambush." One things for certain....he will save me for last. If any of you here do not wish to go, I will understand. There will be no penalty
or punishment if you simply walk out of this room." "I can speak with certainty that all of us will not return."

She had not consisdered the possibility of...anyone not coming back from this. She looked to the face of each one in the room imagining what it would be like if one of them did not return. The thought stabbed her as a sword twisting in the gut. She lingered on Lochinvar. She had only just met him, yet she felt more deeply about him than any in the room.
She shook the thoughts from her mind. She must focus. This was to be her moment of destiny and nothing must interfer.

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: DamedEscrime ]