[ AW ] Traitor to the Crown

[Breeding Check]

A R Y T H M E T I K

It was, perhaps, the last time he would ever see his den. At least the way it was now. Grigori’s scent still lingered, mint and fresh air intermingling with the pine needles. But he hadn’t lain against the cowboy’s warm, powerful frame in weeks. The absence might have chilled him. Instead, it lit a fire in Arythmetik’s skin, in his gut, in his heart. To have his husband ripped from his arms just after their honeymoon was unforgivable. Grigori made this hovel a true home, and without him, it was nothing but a hollow prison.


But that wasn’t why Aryth was leaving. The metaphorical prison would become all too real if he did not move soon. News of Princess Mhairi running away reached the College rapidly, and soon, the knowledge she’d joined the Rebel King Jacob would spread like wildfire too. But Arythmetik already knew. He felt it, deep in his heart; a heart that was tattered and aching. He had made a terrible mistake. Without consciously realizing it, his teachings pushed Mhairi straight into her cousin’s arms. If only he’d taught her peace instead of justice…if only Nimue had been her tutor. There was no changing the past. The royal family would soon understand what happened, perhaps even blame the educator who filled her head with politics. Then they would hear how he lied to get Nimue out of the dungeon, claiming the Princess demanded it.


Arythmetik was dead if he stayed. There was only one place that was safe for him, now.


So, with one final, longing glance, Professor Aryth Hardin left his den in the Arboretum behind. It was impossible to bring all his belongings, so he could only hope that his small, personal collection of books would survive another war. The only thing he carried with him was the journal—Grigori’s wedding gift.


Thoughts swirled in Aryth’s mind as he took off into the night. They were supposed to fill the journal with history, with memories for their children. And he so desperately hoped they would adopt children. They were going to start a family…they were going to be fathers. It felt like a distant dream, like a fool’s hope. Tears crept into the corners of the man’s emerald eyes, his breath hitching as he ran faster, faster. As he slowed down near the road, crossing stealthily into the treeline. He was on the run, but he could not outrun his crimes. Nor could he outrun that precious, foolish dream as it shimmered in his soul. Strangely, part of him felt like it was possible that he and Grigori already had children out there, somewhere…just waiting. Maybe if he ran fast enough, he could run to them, too. He loved them already.


Hush your thoughts, the professor chastised himself. He shook his russet skull. There was no time to ponder the improbable. If only he could join Nimue in Ayr, or stop at the Barracks to see Grigori one last time. He no longer believed in the mission of where he was going. He wanted no part of that violence. But if he went anywhere other than Inverness, he would surely never see his loved ones again.


Now he stood, exhausted and harried, outside of Freeman’s Fortress. Is Mhairi here? Did she tell them about me? It was absurd: a scholar joining the forces of Rebellion. But it wasn’t as if he had nothing valuable to offer. His knowledge of Rionnach’s history was impeccable, his loyalty to Jacob’s mother was true, and his scientific and political skills could be assets. Besides, if Jacob’s Army wanted rebels, well, he’d committed the highest crime in the land.


Treason.

code by claerie


ooc. Arythmetik is officially joining Jacob's Army.

RAITH SAMAIRE
Temperance is my virtue

Crimson dripped down the boy's snout, eyes of a matching hue glaring with a determination to win a spar with this veteran only to feel the dirt be swiped from under his feet and his shoulder crash brashly into the soil. He’d lay there a few long moments, taking in steady breathes as the older man let out a hearty laugh of victory before seeming to pat the young warrior’s shoulder with encouragement before ushering him up to his feet once more and mutter for him to not to be hard on himself for losing. A scoff escaped his throat as he spit his own blood from his mouth, using an ivory paw to brush it off with mild frustration but he would only nod, silent as usual but not going to turn his comrade into an enemy. He was offered a few things of aftercare due to his minor sustained injuries that he would shrug off, feeling he needed to let them sink in and learn from them instead of trying to get them to vanish immediately.

Letting out a sigh, he would start to wander toward the exit of the barricade the fortress provided, his tail lightly dusting his heels as he pushed forward with each stride.

Lanky steps would come to slow as he noticed an unusual scent pass the iron perfume that coated his nose, one not of this land and with things of ruins married in. His ears would flick as he changed his direction, creeping closer toward the outskirts till he would find a haggard figure, small as it was, encroaching on their territory. He would not leave the shelter, standing firmly atop a crumbling wall pillar overlooking the man. A pelt of soothing embers had they not been so bright but the darkness of night tinted it down enough not to hurt his eyes. A brow would arch as a tongue trailed along his jaws, wandering nearer to the cinder edge with mild curiosity but his face lacked an assortment of emotions.

"Bruidhinn ris an adhbhar agad, a choigreach,"(Speak your purpose, stranger.) his voice thick, mimicking his chieftain of a father to sound stronger than he was. There was doubt in him the other would understand him but there was miniscule hope he would, for the common tongue was not a language he knew well, having never had a reason to use it.

There was mild concern for why he looked the way he did as he loomed above, finding it peculiar how out of tired this small male was when there was no scent of other predators he could pinpoint or Imperial Soldiers that might be chasing him as his gaze peered out past the trees. Listening and waiting for a snap of a stick, a jostle of leaves or a growl of something threatening. There was nothing but the peace of the river, frogs that croaked in the night and this man’s incessant fatigued breathing.

code by claerie
@Arythmetik

A R Y T H M E T I K

Aryth breathed heavily, eyes darting up immediately to see a figure on the parapets. He squinted through the dusk, emerald eyes scanning a boy—wild-looking with red eyes, surely a Highlander. Friction, the hedgehog, quivered at Arythmetik’s feet. It seemed he’d made it to the right place. “Is e m’ ainm Arythmetik Hardin.” My name is Arythmetik Hardin. He called up to the lad, though there was something hollow about his voice, as if he didn’t want to be too loud. He decided to respond to the Highlander’s native tongue in kind; he’d grown up using the language intermittently as well, and as a scholar was fluent, but he felt the language had more significance here. “Gus o chionn ghoirid, bha mi nam phroifeasair sa cholaiste agus na neach-teagaisg aig a’ Bhana-phrionnsa Mhairi.” Until recently, I was a professor in the college and Princess Mhairi’s tutor. It was no secret to anyone in the castle or anyone who knew the Rebel King Jacob that his young cousin absconded to join his forces. Aryth sighed deeply. Finally, he admitted, “Tha mi an seo gus a dhol còmhla ri Arm Jacob.”


I am here to join Jacob’s Army.

code by claerie


ooc. At this point in the timeline, Aryth was still technically a Jacobite! His allegiance didn't officially change until recently. Also so sorry, I only have time for a short post! <3
@Raith

RAITH SAMAIRE
Temperance is my virtue

Silent judgment passed along the young man's face as the other did not even seem frightened by the appearance of another, making him wonder if he was just naive or he knew not where he was, not that his fellow man were murderous monsters that drew blood the moment they saw a new face. As much as he heard from some that once lived in the Mainland, that's exactly how they were perceived by the nobility and soldiers alike. Primal creatures, wild men that might eat their first born. His nostrils flared a little at the thought but he would remain silent for now as the other spoke fluently, even if the accent was a tinge off to that of someone native born, it was commendable and a relief to say the least. No having to guess every other word he didn’t know, this would make things easier with communication all in one piece.

His ears would swivel at the name, it had some familiarity to it though he couldn’t pinpoint why, he didn’t hold onto it much either as a name only meant so much from a stranger's mouth but if it was true then he had given the fae a hold on him. That alone brought a touch of life to his eyes, gaze casting over for any signs the forest entities did not welcome him, a gust of wind seemed more giddy than angry as it danced with the flora.

The introduction would bring a small bit of recognition, not enough to make this figure anymore known but he did recall talk of a tutor competition that had taken place once upon a time. He never had been curious enough to ask anything further about it. It brought his brow to knit, not liking where this is going as would that not mean this man was a follower of the false King? Why else would he wish to serve the man’s heir? The last statement about joining that followed made his ears flatten on his head with agitation, finding that harder to believe. The recruiter in him wanted to snatch him up and take the word entirely at face value but the skeptic of this man’s intentions brought a rigidity to his shoulders.

"Ciamar a bhios fios agam nach deach do chuir a dh’fheuchainn ri a slaodadh air ais sa phàrlamaid?" (How do I know you were not sent to try to drag her back by parliament?) a calm voice asked as he jumped down from the bastion only a few steps away from the small man, biting back any pain he might have felt in his hip on impact. Crimsons peered down at the little erinaceidae at the man’s feet, tilting his head to it. "An e sin tiodhlac a chosnadh ar deagh ghràsan? Cha bhiodh e a’ biathadh ach leanabh mòr ach tha e nas fheàrr na dad," (Is that a gift to gain our good graces? It would only feed a large child but it's better than nothing) he stated gruffly, finding it strange he was keeping his food alive but at least it would be fresh.

code by claerie
@Arythmetik

A R Y T H M E T I K

The other male, barely more than a child, seemed unconvinced. Aryth had to wonder where the other Jacobites were, although perhaps this was a task fit for youth. He started as the male suddenly sprung from the stony overlook, landing nearby quite deftly. Aryth was surprised and impressed with the boy’s agility. Still, there was something feral, imposing, about the wolf that kept the scholar on edge. He was grateful for Grigori’s lessons on self defense. And yet, he was sure it would not come to that. The boy asked a fair question and he nodded. “Tha mi a’ dearbhadh dhut, chan e mise an seòrsa airson duine a shlaodadh an àite sam bith. A bharrachd air an sin, tha mi nam neach-brathaidh a-nis. Às deidh na h-uile, b’ e neach-teagaisg Mhairi a bh’ annam...theagaisg mi dhi eachdraidh na dùthcha, lìon mi a ceann le beachdan air ceartas. 'S e nighean ghlic neo-eisimeileach a th' innte, ach dh'fhaodadh iad a' choire a chur orm. 'S e binn bàis a th' ann an tilleadh gu Caisteal Stiùbhart.” I assure you, I’m not the type to drag anyone anywhere. Besides, I’m a traitor now. After all, I was Mhairi’s tutor…I taught her the history of the country, filled her head with ideas of justice. She is a wise and independent girl, but they could blame me. Returning to Castle Stuart is a death sentence. He eyed his new counterpart warily at the boy’s next words. He stepped in front of Frik defensively. “Ah, sin mo chompanach. Ach tha mi air ionnsachadh mar a shealg ... is urrainn dhomh rudeigin a ghlacadh dhut, ma tha feum agad air gluasad le deagh rùn.” That’s my companion. But I’ve learned how to hunt…I can catch you something, if you require a gesture of good faith. It made sense for the Highlander to be suspicious. After all, he had no way of knowing that Aryth’s heart had always been with Queen Aileen.

code by claerie

@Raith

RAITH SAMAIRE
Temperance is my virtue

He anticipated the other’s hackles to raise, to show some kind of defensive or offensive behavior after leaping down from his vantage point but it would seem this older gent wasn’t one to push forward an altercation. It was a wise choice but it lacked a show of instinct in his own mind to keep self preservation at the forefront but did that not make a perfect soldier? No, it made a stupid one that would die far too easy, especially when their leader did not cower in a tower surrounded by far better trained soldiers. That alone made Adamh seem absolutely pathetic as a leader if he could not even raise his own teeth to the challenge and used everyone else to do his dirty bidding. The mere thought made the young man’s brow knit just a touch, but he didn’t get to let his mind wander long before the other prattled on to answer his skepticism.

"Tha mi a 'faicinn seo, chan eil thu fiù' s a 'coimhead comasach air sabaid an aghaidh ùr-bhreith agus buannachadh."(I see this, you don’t even look capable of fighting a newborn and winning.) It was not meant to be a jab but an observation as he slowly circled him, taking in his frame with an tentative gaze, noticing the lack of muscle built up. He was fairly certain at least the professor part wasn’t any form of a lie based on his measly silhouette alone. His paws also looked too clean but maybe he just groomed himself plenty. It was the scent and appearance that held his curiosity the most as he stood in front of him once more to bring up the prey item.

His very appearance screamed of this land but the lands he’s touched contradicted that being possible, the Highlands truly being an entirely new scent upon his fur. Nothing stale besides the South and even that seemed hard to pinpoint if he was of the Low or Main. He did not doubt the story up to this point, but it still made him question intent.

Russet mantle would rise when the man finally showed some gumption, causing the faintest smile to touch Raith’s lips, amused by the display of defending the hedgehog. Companion? Was that some weird Mainlander thing to keep animals as slaves too? Though most did not likely protect their slaves, not from the stories he had heard. Maybe it wasn’t so different from his own connection to nature, his desire to keep even creatures outside of their own species safe and loved, sometimes finding little critters curled up to him when he snapped from meditation. Taking a step to the side, he’d lower his head to look more level at the familiar hidden in by legs, his attention never fully leaving this professor knowing he was putting himself at risk in this position. It was cute.

"Tha fàilte an-còmhnaidh air ullachaidhean, chan eil ùine againn uile airson sealg. An e dìreach fasgadh a tha thu ag iarraidh?"(Provisions are always welcome, not all of us have time to hunt. Is it only shelter you seek?) he ask, standing back up straight, rather close to the man now, realizing he was taller than he originally thought. Was he only after a place to hide? Or did he have something to offer in turn, for this fortress was not just for civilians to flock into but for the True King to plan his rebellion, for warriors to be prepped and trained. He hoped this fellow didn’t think he could just stay for free.

code by claerie
@Arythmetik