Rickard bounced himself again, marveling at the softness of the entire bed, then drew back the covers and lay down. He shut his eyes tightly, lips moving silently as he curled himself up into a ball under the covers and clung to the sheets.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Pratik did one final stretch to try to work out more of the stiffness, then laid down with a deep sigh and covered himself with the blankets as well.
Step one: complete.
Well, he supposed the first several steps were complete. Getting sold to the slavers. Getting bought by Tarr. Spying. Getting messages out.
But for now, step one of the escape was complete. And he felt okay about the headstart they'd gotten. They'd move faster now that they each had a horse of their own -- and they knew where they were going, whereas Tarr's goons would be desperate trying to figure out where they'd gone.
As long as there weren't unforeseen circumstances, they'd be okay. And as long as whatever party that got sent after them was reasonably small -- after all, why would they send an entire squadron after three measly escaped slaves whom Tarr underestimated -- then he'd take care of the situation even if it arose.
Ada and Rickard probably wouldn't close an eye around him again if that happened and they saw the depths of his ruthlessness when someone made him choose between himself and them. He wouldn't hurt them, obviously. But he imagined it'd be unsettling to suddenly realize you were in the company of an assassin.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Rickard's gonna toss and turn a bit, then fall asleep so I have nothing to add. I started him as third person limited so I'm tentative to enter his head, especially since he's not technically a main character. Ada'll get some insight though. Wanna skip?)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
(Sure! Works for me! Pratik will fall asleep and lay perfectly still, then wake up about half an hour before dawn and start collecting Rickard and Ada)
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Alrighty. Wanna keep up with these three or jump ahead? We'll wanna get them settled in Serpent Keep before the ceremony but we can do some interactions before then if you like.)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
(I don't have anything planned! We can skip to wherever. Do you have a preference?)
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Not really! If you can't decide I can roll for it.)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
(That works! I truly do not have a preference) (Also aha imagine if Ash brought Pratik along to the ceremony, planning on talking strategy with Loquitur. Ky would lose her shit xD) (But also we don't gotta at all! I just had the mental image aha)
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Poor Ky can't catch a break XD I don't know that Ash would do that but it would be hilarious if he did)
(I rolled a d20 and it told me to skip to when they arrive at the Keep. Based on the time frame we're working with it would have taken two weeks for Gaius's letter to reach Roland, and then add on the two weeks it takes the trio to get to Serpent Keep, I think Gaius might not even be there when they arrive. He'd have just arrived at Caracal Keep.)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
(Okay cool! Do you have an interaction you wanna RP out with them once they arrive if Gaius isn't going to be there? lol)
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(For sure! I think Sera will have stayed behind to help manage things. They'll have sent Cecily, Arcus, and the youngun home as well so Sera and the General are in charge.)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Pratik was frozen clear through by the time they got to Serpent Keep -- but he couldn't complain. Not really. They hadn't gotten eaten by spiders. The soldiers hadn't caught up. No one had gotten frost bitten. All in all, as well as could be expected.
They rode up to the gate and Pratik looked up at the guard who started demanding who they were and why they were here. He could count no less than seven crossbows drawn and aimed at them in that very moment, and he assumed there were more.
"Tell Ash Pratik Chrenkov is here," Pratik shouted up to them. He cast a glance at Ada, wondering how she'd respond to that.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Ada gave no reaction other than to nod to herself. Rickard, however, gave him a confused look.
"Lord Ash isn't here," the guard replied. "He'll return in a few weeks' time. Try again around then."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"Like hell I will," Pratik snarled. "The bastard sent for me! I'm here. Give me room and board."
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
The guard turned as someone out of sight addressed him, then turned back to Pratik. "One moment!" He disappeared from the wall. "Why isn't Lord Ash here?" Rickard asked in a hushed tone.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
