Captured

Well, one review and 500 hits is a good start. No word from McBob yet, but that honestly doesn't surprise me.

This chapter will focus a little on Florina trying to improve and the swordsman trying to protect her but trying to continue his own life. But, nothing is ever easy for those two.

Chapter Three: Trauma

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Northern Bern
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For a week, Florina had been traveling with the swordsman. Very few things were said, the only word Florina managed to utter ever since he freed her was "Why." As hard as she tried, she couldn't talk. Though the swordsman seemed understanding and patient, she couldn't even tell him her name or ask for his.

Close to noon, Florina and the swordsman arrived at a town. Florina walked nervously, trying to avoid other peoples eyes. The swordsman led her to an alley where he stopped and pulled a wallet out of his satchel. He checked it and sighed. "Damn, I'm lower on funds than I thought I was." He said. He looked at Florina for a moment. "When you took my short sword and tried to stab yourself, it went dull, didn't it?" He asked. Florina nodded. He pulled the sword and the scabbard out from behind his cape and looked at it. "I'll have to visit an arena and get some more money, but I won't be able to carry a second weapon. The sword will let you hold onto it. Just, do not be surprised by it's reactions." He said. Florina took the short sword and nodded. The swordsman walked towards the north end of town and an arena.


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Inside Arena
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Florina wasn't normally interested in watching arena battles, but this time she felt compelled to do so. Mostly out of concern for the swordsman. The arena wasn't very merciful on losers, no penalty would come if you killed your opponent. After two battles, both of which ending in fatalities, Florina noticed the swordsman walk in. She clutched the sword he gave her closely, he walked in without his cape or satchel, his armor glittering in the sunlight, as well as the edge of his huge blade. His opponent walked in as well, the mans arms were knotted tightly with muscle and veins, he also carried a large axe. He was a full foot taller than the swordsman. Even with the weapons advantage, Florina wanted to shout to the swordsman to yield.

The call to battle sounded. The axeman started to swing, but the swordsman suddenly darted forward. He raised his sword over his head, and smashed the hilt of his sword into the face of the axeman, knocking him to the floor. The axeman recovered, but again the swordsman swung with blinding speed leaving several lacerations on the axeman. He fell over, the swordsman hoisted his weapon onto his shoulder, it was obvious that the axeman couldn't get up.

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Outside Arena
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The swordsman approached Florina at the exit. He was once again wearing his cape and satchel, Florina sighed in relief as she noticed that he was unscathed. The swordsman pulled out his wallet. "I've gotten more than enough now, I'll take you to a tailor so you can buy some decent clothes." He said. Florina simply nodded and followed him.


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Village Inn
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The swordsman showed no interest in taking his blue sword back. He seemed to trust Florina to hold it more than himself. He encouraged Florina to buy a sash so that she could carry it on her waist. She bought a white dress, similar to the one she once wore while she was still a Pegasus Knight. At the inn, the swordsman paid for a room for the two of them. He than walked over to a bar at the inn. It was too early in the day for the real drunkards to be in, the swordsman seemed more interested in something else because he bought no ale. He walked over to the barkeeper. "I'm looking for some information." He said.

The barkeeper laughed and walked over to the swordsman. Florina sat next to the swordsman nervously. The barman put down the glass he was cleaning. "You've come to the right place. What are ye looking for?" He asked.

"Bandits." The swordsman said. "I was wondering if there was any remnants to the Ganelon bandits."

The barkeeper paused to think. "If you're looking for em, you're too late. After some swordsman attacked the base of those scum, the survivors were easy picking for bounty hunters." He said.

The swordsman sighed. "Any other bandit groups around here then?" He asked.

The barkeeper laughed. "Well, not exactly a bandit, but there was rumor around here that the sword princess visited the arena north of the town." He said.

Florina looked around. There was only one roughneck at the bar, but something about his presence made her nervous. The swordsman must've noticed that. "Thanks for the info, but I think I'll check out my room now." He said. Florina followed him as he walked off.


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Late Night
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Florian ran desperately. What was going on?! She was surrounded by fire, running naked as the fire seemed to try to close in on her. Soon, she heard a sadistic laugh. She went froze and looked behind her. She saw him, the man that raped her. He laughed, raised his axe over his head, and swung down. Florina let out a scream, suddenly she heard a new voice. "Hey, wake up!" Florina opened her eyes. She was still in bed, the swordsman was standing over her. He sighed. "Nightmares again?" He asked. Florina didn't reply. She grabbed onto him and shivered. The swordsman patted her on the head. "Hold onto that sword I gave you. It will chase off the nightmares. But for now, maybe it's best if you stay awake. It's almost sunrise anyway." The swordsman said.

Florina felt her stomach lurch. She suddenly felt ill. What? Why was that happening? She let go of the swordsman and walked over to the chamber pot and vomited. The swordsman walked over to Florina and rubbed her back. She coughed a little and calmed down. She had had the same nightmare for almost every night ever since the swordsman rescued her, but that was the first time that she woke the swordsman up with her screams, and the first time she felt so ill.

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Later in the morning
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Florina ate the breakfast that was delivered to their room quietly. The swordsman was looking over some maps, muttering to himself. Finally, he looked up at Florina. "Did you have any destination planned before you were kidnapped?" He asked. That's when it hit Florina. She forgot about Lyn! She had came to Bern in the first place looking for her friend, but Florina forgot about her. The swordsman noticed her reaction. "Were you the one who was tracking rumors about a woman with a katana?" He asked. Florina nodded. "Did you know that woman?" Florina nodded again. "She's heading for Lycia." He said. Florina's eyes went wide. Lycia? She didn't try to ask about how the swordsman knew, but she smiled when she heard that. "Very well, I guess our next destination will be that country. I can track a more specific location once we get to Lycia." He said, rolling up the map. He then looked at the food dishes and paused. Florian had finished her food while he was studying the map. "You've got quite an appetite suddenly. If you're still hungry, you can have my food. I don't usually eat in the morning anyway." He said, getting up and stretching. Florina nodded quietly and started to work on it. It surprised her also, she never could eat that much earlier.

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Western Road
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Florina walked quietly. She was feeling strange. She was thinking, not paying attention to the road. Why did she become so ill in the morning and then eat so much food? She then realized a possibility, and then snapped out of her trance when she tripped on a rock. Florian stumbled but was caught by the swordsman. He looked at her curiously. "Why are you so pale?" He asked. Florina touched her stomach, something was definitely wrong. The swordsman noticed and his expression changed. "So, that's what you think." He said. He resumed walking, Florina followed quietly.