The tale and woe of the Masquerde Ball!

[ptsluvsnfl]

((Sure, I was waiting for you. There must be a whole group of them it all the lights go out at once. How about a gang of forest theives/outlaws looking to get a good ransome? Maybe all the lights go out first, and then we introduce them? Maybe the lights go out on purpose for the unmasking?))

[Elli]

Ella smiled as he brought up one of her favorite topics. "I love Baylor, he's fun to ride. But then again Chanestia is the fastest out of the rest. Do you have a favorite out of the stable?" She wondered if he would appraise the same horses she did, or if he would actually state his own opinion.

[ptsluvsnfl]

"Chanestia is quick, but not very bright. -the fastest ones are always lacking the intelligence of a slower horse. They run fast because they are always running from the slightest sounds, -no, not very bright. If you want a gentle, faithful horse, there is old Pumpkin, the carthorse owned by one of the serfs, -not very quick, but you could trust an infant with him. Chanestia is likely to run out from under you in dangerous situations. I have never ridden Braylor, but he has an easy pace from what I have seen of him. He is a bother to brush, though, because one must constantly watch to make sure he does not take anything, -he is overly curious. I fear of there was a man holding a sword to his neck, he would just turn his head to watch the man and to play with his sleeve, -but you would not know about caring for horses, anyway," Ben was one to be a bit spiteful at times, -so much that he did not notice when he did it.

[Elli]

Ella shook her head, "no probly not. I enjoy to groom them when I finnish riding them, but I don't have the time to fully understand each horse." She smiled, "that's why I'm glad I can talk with the stable hands about them. I was thinking about riding Chanestia for the upcoming hunt, but your words have dissuaded me. Is there any horse that will be fast enough for the hunt, but reliable enough that I won't have to worry about being thrown off?"

[Elli]

((I made my bad guy's profile. So I'll be ready when you are.))

[ptsluvsnfl]

Ben looked over his shoulder, a trace of Ignis's own mischief on his face, "I would ask Ignis... he's ridden all of the horses!" Naturally, the exercise boy would have to ride a few of them, but Ben was thinking of the Lord and Lady's personal mounts that not just any servant was allowed to ride. Ben doubted that Ellanore would mind it.
---
"Lady Patricia..." Ignis whispered, kissing the hand of Ella's snobbish cousin. Many a visit, Patricia had yelled at him for his care of her "fine steeds", and many a visit, she treated the other servants, -even Ella with discourtesy. This was a fantastic vengeance. He had shared four dances with her, and she was sure that he was some fine nobleman, and so pleaded for his attention. She nearly begged him for a fifth dance, and he consented in his most regal manner.
“You are a fine dancer, but I would like for us to touch,” Patricia sighed.
“When it comes time to unmask, we shall see about that. As you should know, I cannot be seen dancing for long with those of a different social status, -it just would not be proper,”
“What is your social status?” Patricia wondered, already feeling unworthy, and hating it.
“We shall soon see how ridiculously different we truly are…”
Oh! Thought the lady with excitement, perhaps royalty has sneaked in among us!
----
“If I were to chose a good mount for the hunt, I would chose-” Ben was cut off as the instruments all played loudly, and a voice shouted, “When it sounds again, we unmask! One… two…”
---
The sound came again, and Ignis pulled back his cape and removed the mask.
Patricia slapped him, and he laughed continuously even after she stormed away.
Ben also removed his mask, and turned to look at Ella…
And then the lights went black!

[Elli]

Almost half the women screamed, Ella decided against it. What was the use adding meaninless noise and causing more histeria. She was about to joke about it with Ben when someone grabbed her from behind. A scream slipped out of her mouth, but was muffled by a hand that was placed apon her mouth. She tried to bite it, but the person had a glove on. Whoever it was started to pull her through the crowd. She could tell it was a man, for he had enough strength to hold her and by his voice when he said 'excuse me'. She was soon outside and was blindfolded, gagged, and had her arms and legs bound.
-----
Kern finally had the girl, and he took her outside. No servant was out there and so he could stop and tie her up so she wouldn't be able to complain. He was going to have to wait for his accompliance to get out of the home before he could leave the site. He went towards their horses, looking at Ella's dress, he knew it would have to go soon. Once they got far enough they would have her change.

[ptsluvsnfl]

Ignis was on the floor, having been smacked again by Patricia. He chuckled when the lights went off and he heard the screams, but he noticed two struggling figures exit a side door from the light of the moon that poured in. Suddenly, somebody tripped over him, and hurriedly ran after the first two out the door.
"Ben-" Another person tripped over him just as he called. "Oh, Ben, there you are!"
"How did you know it was-" Ben saw the door close, "We should follow them,"
They stood and felt their way to the door.
"Ignis, are you touching my face?"
"Is that what that revolting thing was? I was trying to find the door, but your face must have rudely put itself in my way!"
"You had no need to pull on my nose,"
"I thought it was the handle,"
By now, their voices were being drowned out by the mumbling of the guests, and they left without much notice.
Ignis blinked into the moonlight, and Ben pulled him away from the door, "They will see us!"
"I could not see anything. That is a very bright moon! I do hear horses, though,"
"Should we follow them, or do you think they are guests leaving?"
"Unless that was a fainted woman they were running off with, I think they have taken someone captive," Ignis answered.
"You watch them and I will get us some horses from the stable," Ben said.
"Ben-? Not old Pumpkin, Ben! I know what you were thinking!" But Ben had gone.
Ignis squinted. Was that Ellanore? It was logical. He remembered that many noblepeople often disappeared during parties, only to be found dead, killed by a rival, later on. He remembered this from his childhood.
Now, Ben had heard Ignis's warning about the old cart horse, and the streak of rebellion in him almost convinced him to take Pumpkin anyway. But, this could be a dire situation, and he searched the larged stable frantically, wishing that Ignis, who knew the gate of each horse was there instead. But the torches hanging on the wall caused him to change his mind.
Different steeds poked their noses over the stall doors, finely bred, beautiful creatures, -every one of them. But to find two horses with speed and stamina as well as intelligence and loyalty among beasts bred for appearance, it would take time, and time was greatly needed. Surely, his friend would understand this problem and help to stall them.
Ignis had thought of this already, and another glint of mishief hit his eye. He approached the group, wobbling unsteadily, and giving off the rudest of hicups as he had seen some of the more pompous men do at previous gatherings after taking too many drinks.
"Ah, fine sirs! What be yahr buis-isness? A fine night! Fine for daaanc," he stumbled somewhat, "ing... an riding... and for wine! Did you, did you try the wine, sirs? Fine wine it is!"
Some of the men looked at one another, and then to their leader.
((lol, Ben doesn't understand the concept of chasing someone as they make their getaway!))

[Elli]

((I see that... lol))
Ella struggled once more, but in the end she gave up. The men pushed their horses to go faster, but she could tell that they weren't meant to go fast for long distances. She knew that they would soon stop to rest. Or just change horses. Either way they would have to stop soon. She just had to find a way to escape when the time came for it.
----
Kern sighed as his horse didn't go faster when he pushed it. He could tell that they would soon have to 'secure' some more horses. Maybe another one for the girl that they would attach to one of their horses. He just hoped the horses could make it a little longer.

[ptsluvsnfl]

((Kern finally had the girl, and he took her outside. No servant was out there and so he could stop and tie her up so she wouldn't be able to complain. He was going to have to wait for his accompliance to get out of the home before he could leave the site. He went towards their horses, looking at Ella's dress, he knew it would have to go soon. Once they got far enough they would have her change.
Okay, when did they actually get ON the horses and start running? I thought they were getting ready to leave and were about to before Ignis started talking to them. ))

[Elli]

((Eh heh heh...))

[ptsluvsnfl]

((Did you
a. forget what was going on
b. think too far ahead because you're excited to get this part over with
c. skim over my post and miss the part where Ignis was talking to the dudes
d. feel very tired and do all of the above
XDDDD))

[Elli]

((I have a feeling it was D... let's just say that she could feel the horse trembling and knew it wouldn't last long... and the man did too. The horses were not going yet.))

[ptsluvsnfl]

((XD Okay))
The men looked to their leader, and then back at the drunk boy.
"Stupid boy. Go back inside before the dogs eat ya!" One man snarled.
"Hic! Where are the pretty horses going, sirs? Who is the lovely lass? Where is the wine at?" Ignis asked in a childlike tone. He couldn't tell who the girl was, -even in the moonlight. He could barely see in dim lighting, but Ignis let the men think he could. If it became any darker, and he would be blindly talking to the trees while the real kidnappers escaped.
---
Ben led two horses as close and as quietly as possible to the group. He had not saddled one of them, and had put poor halters on both in his hurry. A bright-eyed, furry, dapple gray followed with some curiosity, and went without letting his excitement become noise. He felt the tension, and loved it. The other, was rather anxious, wondering what was happening and why they were sneaking around. He pulled back on the reins and let out a shrill whinny.
"Shh! Dumb beast!" Ben whispered. Realizing that he spoke to a horse, he just moved more quickly. "I had better find that fool before he goes off among the trees again!" He muttered under his breath. Ben hoped those men were just guests, but he knew that if they did run, he and his friend would be on the chase for a long time. He hoped he had taken the right horses.

[Elli]

Ellanore shifted her head, for she recognized the voice. It was Ignis! She really hoped he was going to save her right then, but she didn't know how strong the men were compared to the stable hand.
----
He grunted, "I think you've had a little too much wine to drink. My sister isn't feeling well, so I was going to take her home from the party early. The lights going off and all the commotion just made it worse, so we're hoping to head home now."

[ptsluvsnfl]

"Is the lovely lady well?" He began to approach them, so as to confirm who the girl was.
One of the men drew a knife, and had it ready, waiting for a signal or nod from the leader.
Ignis began to sing in his feigned drunkeness, "Be you my steed? Be you my steed? I come from the battle, weak and in grief. Be you my steed and with courage regained, we will ride on, all rivals soon slayn." it was a common song enough, but if the girl was Ellanore, she might have noticed that he emphasized the question.
---
"Is he singing?" Ben blinked. He was not surprised at the fact that Ignis was singing, but his place and timing for it. Ben did not always understand things as quickly as others thought of them, but he had learned to trust his friend on serious occasions (they were likely to be the only occasions he could trust Ignis.) Slowly, he brought the horses closer.
---
Ignis was now fairly close to the group, -a dangerous place at that. Several of the men had their eyes darting from the boy to Kern, wanting fiercely to kick their horses and pull away, or to give the young drunkard a bash over the head. Their expressions were easily readable, but Ignis could not see their faces, and did not notice. He continued to move toward Ella's horse.

[Elli]

Ella trembled, but gave a slight nod. She hoped that the men couldn't see, but she also worried about Ignis if he stayed any longer. He sounded drunk almost, but she was starting to doubt that he was drunk right then.
----
Kern growled at Ignis, "I'm sorry, but you must get away from my sister. She gets terribly frightened around strangers and I don't want her fainting again. If you get any closer I'll have one of my companions kill you." He gave a nod to a couple of his men. "We're leaving anyway. Good day to sir!" He got onto his horse right behind Ella.

[ptsluvsnfl]

Ignis heard the horses hooves pound as they began to move, and stared blankly at them. He had seen the nod. "Ben?" He shouted. Another set of hooves came from behind him and he turned around in time to grab the reins of a horse. "Ben?"
"He got away from me!" Ben made excuse between breaths.
"I think that was Ellanore," Ignis tried to calm the jittery horse.
"Mount quickly and go after them. I will inform the guards and then follow as soon as I can,"
"Oh no! I can hardly see as it is now. T'would be far safer if you went. Go, now!"
Ben mounted his horse, -the one without the saddle, and pushed him into a canter after the group.
Ignis mounted his with slight difficulty before heading back toward the stables.
---
Ben, going against his better judgement, had taken Baylor, the reliable, but irritatingly curious colt. This was a good test for the young horse, and Ben wondered if he was ready to take the chase. Baylor loved the run, -especially since his reins were faulty and very loose. He was good now, but soon his muscels would strain, and he would lose his adrenaline.
The gang stayed in sight ahead of Ben, for his horse's pace was even. He had not yet thought of what he would do once he was ready to catch up to them. For now, he wanted to follow them.

[Elli]

Kern kept the horses at a steady pace, not wanting to have them wear out in one spurt. They were going to have to go off the road soon and travel some other way through the woods so that they won't be caught. 'Twas better to be extra careful and not get caught than to be lazy and get caught.
---
Ella couldn't do anything except worry. She knew that she was going to be suspcious in her ball gown, and she had a feeling that the man knew that. So she would have to change... that worried her immensly. She was trying to figure out where they were going, and made the mistake of sniffing which brought the horrific body odor of her captor.
((Am I going to be able to have one of the other heroes? Or are we going to try and get someone else to join?))

[ptsluvsnfl]

((I dunno. Aly would probably be interested if she got the time. She's pretty busy though.))
((Ew, poor Ella!))
After a while, Ben became thankful that Baylor was so smoothly-gaited, for the absance of the saddle was already becoming quite painful for him. The colt was breathing harder now, but he had only slowed his run slightly.
The horses ahead soon turned into the forest, and Ben reluctantly turned his mount as well. There would be no hope of Ignis or the others finding them unless he left something for them to find. He knocked his hat from his head and pushed the colt on.
The light was very dim , and so, he slowed Baylor, now following the rough path that had been made by hunters rather than the theives further ahead of him.