Parlay

Ten men out of the one hundred rearguards now barricades themselves inside an abandoned warehouse. Those few however are crackshot crossbowmen, able to snipe the armored cavalryman from their fortified place. Shots landed found their mark on the gaps of their armor, preventing them from getting closer before they can crack open the barred warehouse door.

"They stopped" said one of the marksmen trapped inside. They are lead by the young minor noblemen, this army's second in command who warned the commander about the danger

"Good…" said the young man calmly "ammo count" each of them counted the bolts in their quivers gather them into a single pile.

"15 shot huh.." says one of the marksmen. The other one looked out from their shooting spot at the second floor. "And there a shit ton of them lord Valerian"

Morale barely exist now, only the sheer will to survive kept them going, for lowly soldiers like them worth only as slaves, not to be kept for ransom. Even Lord Valerian wont last long in captivity and will be disposed of if the ransom wasn't paid.

"This is the end huh…." one of the soldier slouches, his legs gave up as he fell to the ground

"I'll think of something. Just give me a moment….." his speech was interrupted by the man who keep a lookout.

"Boss. come and look at this" the man called Valerian and he dashes to the spot and looked at the distance. It was Eris walks closer alone. They can see that the other soldiers tried to stop her but she just kept walking closer

"E ... should I shoot her?" the marksmen still baffled by what he sees while his lord stares at her with great intensity. "Sir…" he does not respond

"Wait…" Valerian replied. Then, he stood up.

Eris stopped, just a stone's throw away. Any one of the marksmen could land a shoot on any parts of Eris's body with minimal effort. She smiled, arms open, no weapons in sight.

"I'm Eris Iveria Arazona de Asturia. I came to bargain"

The marksmen confused, looking at each other but Valerian keep a neutral poker face. In his heart, he's screaming with excitement and relief. He hid his fist and clench it, took a deep breath and stood up.

"I'm Valerian Le Cruer. I accept your offer" he said it as an equal despite the unfavorable situation.

The barricades are lifted slowly, Valerian stepped outside slowly towards the girl in armor. As he stopped within talking range, he saw how small in stature this rumored cavalier princess. She who dressed in metal instead of silk, wields a lance not a lute, and an entourage of men at arms, not maids.

Valerian kneels before the princess, showing his gratitude for sparing him and his men, Eris replied with a slight bow.

"Rise monsieur Valerian. You have fought well" Valerian rises slowly after Eris has given her permission. "I hear from my men that you gave them quite a beating"

"I just found a good location madame, you charge through mist, its unwise for the enemy might already have pikes presented" Valerian replied with a textbook line, slightly more relaxed, matching Eris's friendly tone

Eris giggles "well...did you?" Valerian astounded by her question and unable to answer, but the answer is not needed. His expression already told everything. She then turn around "let us continue our chat in the camp shall we? And bring your men as well"

Valerian reluctantly accept the princess generous offer and march to her camp. They were treated well despite being a prisoner. His men were served with food and water in a tent with minimal security and eat alongside their captor. Valerian himself, dine inside the princess's tent. Only three souls present on the tent, Eris, Valerian and Jonathan who just finished overseeing the Valaisian commander's preservation process. On the table, a basket of bread and a mug of mead on the side. After taking several bite of her food, Eris breaks the silence

"I hope you find our meal to be satisfactory" She jest to probe some sort of emotional response from Valerian.

"Beggars can't be choosers" he resumed to eat calmly, trying to keep his cool in front of his captor

Both continue finishing their meal. Jonathan cleans both of their plates and refill their drinks.

"So, how are things back in Valais?" Eris asked casually. She sips her drink making a slurping sound as she drinks

"You guys invading. So Lord Renaut decided to preemptively attack in hopes that the army will turn back and face us" he answered without sounding disappointed

Eris shifts from her playful tone to a more serious one

"That explains the minuscule amount of troops you brought. But a bold move. I respect that"

"and yet you routed us completely" he pauses a bit "what will become of us?" mustering all of his courage, he ask while trying to maintain composure

Eris stares menacingly, then change her tone again. She stood up, smiling.

"I will let you go" boasting with her head held high chest forward "consider this my generosity"

Baffled by her response, he can't help but ask "Just like that?" still suspicious by her motive

Eris nods and moves to Valerian right side. She offered to shake hands "return home with your master's body, and may we meet in a more peaceful time"

Valerian stood up. And instinctively shook her hand back and both left the tent. Both the Asturian and what remained from the Valaisian army prepared to transport the body of their leader home. Before the young noblemen leaves, he asked Eris

"How did you know our exact approach?" he asked. For there are multiple path and detachments sent. Surely it wasn't a mere...

"Just lucky I guess" Eris answer cuts Valerian inner monologue. He gave that eccentric princess a smile and marches with his men, arms at hand, banners held high and their leaders body in a coffin, on an oxcart.

As the Valaisians left, Jonathan walk closer to the princess

"You let them go, just like that."

"A small timer like those to won't fetch a decent price" she looks down, fist clenched "not enough to gain father's attention"

Jonathan place his hands on Eris's shoulder "you'll have your chance milady" this gesture is replied by Eris as she leans towards Jonathan. He tried to let go of her hand but Eris held it

"That's inappropriate milady" a woman's voice was heard from behind and both Eris and Jonathan turned to the lady who spoke it. Its was a woman in a veiled head scarf and wears an Armor with a cloak with a symbol of an angel holding a blade.

"Hi Imelda" Eris dashes to Imelda and hugged her, and shakes the slightly taller woman. "Your powers worked" Eris whispered. On which Imelda whispered back…

"It is...the goddess's will…"