thedispatch | (no subject)

[ Only once in his arms, she realises that she'd been holding her breath! Easing onto her feet, she looks back to give him a grateful smile, hand hovering to touch him before she snaps herself to. There's no time. ]

I'll have to be. [ Following suit, she slings the other over her shoulder, then readjusting the holster at her waist. Heading the direction the horses have been kept, she's shows a noticeable limp, but nothing she can't walk off. ] I wonder how much was heard...

[ He's doing his best to hide he's own pain, giving a soft grunt every few steps. ]

There were others at the entrance to the inn, though I could not hear what they were saying. Hopefully no one has noticed.

[ Reaching the carriage, he nestles his bag into the back before attempting to rouse the horses. ]

[ Grell hadn't noticed the others, so now that he's mentioned it, she'll look over her shoulder to ensure that no one has taken note of their presence. Thankfully, no one yet.

William, however, clearly isn't in the best state. Watching him wearily as long as she can, she then lingers behind to cover and secure their bags - but also to keep watch while the other does as he must. ]

How bad is it?

I will be fine.

[ He has to be.

It takes some coaxing but he finally gets both horses up and hitched. He helps Grell up to her seat, making certain the least amount of pressure is put on her injured knee. He follows suit, gritting his teeth as he climbs. ]

[ Though hesitant to accept his help, in fear that she might strain him further, she quietly thanks him, doing what she can to pull her own weight.

After, she reaches down to hook an arm under his. ]

I'm so sorry, darling...

[ Ah, but are those footsteps that she hears? Suddenly, she finds herself with more strength to pull! ]

It-- it may be nothing, but we should go.

[ He's grateful for the assistance and leans to give her a kiss of thanks. But then he picks up on the sounds she's heard. Thinking it best that they leave as calmly as they can, he gives a quiet command to the horses, steering them towards the other side of the town. ]

[ Even now, her cheeks warm when he kisses her. Looking down, she gives his hand a fond squeeze before she scoots over a reasonable distance. It's a decent distraction from the stares she feels upon them, so that she may not look their way so obviously.

Still, she can't help but glance. It's the stable hand, rather alarmed to see someone leaving without notice. It could be worse, but it still isn't good that they've been spotted! ]

Perhaps a bit faster...

[ Hopefully the man didn't catch the quick kiss. But either way, Grell's advice is taken and he snaps the reins of the cart. The horses are slow to respond, obviously unnerved at not getting the sleep they deserved. The man gives a perplexed shout after them which causes the others emerging from the building to spot them. They don't seem happy. ]

I think his body has been found.

[ The thought occurs to her, as well - and then, she realises that the kiss is the least of their problems! While an audible, steadying sigh, she rests a hand on the hilt of the sword. ]

Seems you may be right.

[ Chancing looking behind once more, she sees that they're being pursued by a few citizens on foot - and it seems the stable hand has drawn a horse. ]

Ah. No question, then. [ She draws her sword. ]

[ It's now that William wish he'd thought to bring a weapon of his own. Grell's skilled with her sword, that is certain, but he can only do so much to protect her with only his fists. With another, sharp crack to the reins, William gets the horses moving fast enough that they may avoid the altercation. He hopes the two can hold on until the others give up their chase. ]

[ Grasping the back of the seating, Grell turns to rest a knee on the bench, sword at the ready. With the horses moving faster, they'll certainly avoid those on foot; however, the stable hand is moving much faster, as his horse isn't pulling a cart. ]

I love you, Will; you know, I couldn't say it enough.

[ Swooping in, she kisses him. ]

I'm moving to the back.

And I love you.

[ He gets a second kiss in before he lets her go. Why couldn't he have admitted it sooner...

Seeing a cross road ahead, William leads the horses in a sharp drift left. It has the cart effectively cutting ahead of the stable hand. If Grell can manage, she maybe able to use the maneuver to her advantage. ]

[ The redhead narrowly avoids crashing into the side of the cart, herself - but, upon gaining her footing, she find herself facing the opposition, and realises William's intentions. Smirking, she plants a foot against the siding, plunging the sword forward-- and though the stable hand has managed to pull his horse up alongside the cart, he only narrowly avoids the jab by leaning back! He can't dodge the blade as it swings for his gut, however; with a shout, he loses balance.

The man falls, but not before reaching out to grasp Grell's shirt. Roughly falling against the side of the cart, and dragged forward, her weight is only kept up by her knees. It's painful, she shouts - but it's nothing compared to the sounds of the stable hand, gutted and being dragged through gravel.

She attempts to slice at his arm, but before she's successful, he's caught on a stone, and his dead weight pulls her to the ground. ]

Edited 2020-04-15 07:26 (UTC)

[ Unable to look back as he's trying to keep the horses from faltering, William's only sense of ease is the shouts from the man. She has to have hit her target for him to cry in such agony. He pulls back on the reins just enough to get their bearings, once more. But it's oddly quiet behind him, now. William risks a glance behind only to find Grell's gone, and her image is slowly growing smaller as the horses continue.

With out another thought, William risks a jump from the moving carriage. He falters, stumbling hard onto his knees, undoubtedly causing more injury than the earlier fall. But he's up before he's realised, running as fast as he's able to reach her. ]

[ Falling hard into the gravel, Grell is still quite fortunate that her sword has tumbled a few feet away, lest she'd have fall onto its blade, instead. It takes her a few moments to push herself up on arms that ache terribly - and finds her shirt still weighed down by the man's grasp, though her clearly lay dying.

Smacking his hand away without sympathy, she listens for the cart, growing quieter in the distance. Though her heart sinks, with distance between them, she hopes he doesn't stop.

Hissing in pain, she looks up for the lone horse, now-- but discovers that, since the stable hand had fallen, the inn residents have resumed pursuit. Further in the distance, it seems that the local law enforcement have taken notice.

Hastily looking for her sword, she reaches out with a grunt to grab it. Pulls herself to her feet. There's a faint grimace to her features, but her stance is resolved. She's not going down without a fight. ]

[ William pushes through the pain. He's finally found something he cares for, someone who makes him feel happiness and worth. She's up, he stance showing she's ready to take down the approaching mob on her own. But he knows they don't stand a change against such a large group.

Reaching her, he calls her name before grasping her by the upper arm and tugging her away. ]

We must flee. You can't take them all down.

[ Hearing William's voice, her hair nearly whips as she looks behind her. Eyes widening, a touch of moisture gathers in their corners.

Knowing that he's abandoned his sure chance at life breaks her heart-- and yet, he's refused to abandon her, and she can't ignore how good that feels. ]

Will--!

[ Swallowing down such emotions, she glances back to the mob once more to gauge their distance - but now that her lover is by her side, she certainly won't refuse the chance to get them to safety. Once she has her footing, she tugs her arm away, but only so that she may take his hand. ]

We'll have more of a chance if we cut through the woods-- ngh, everything hurts, damn it--...

Edited 2020-04-15 08:05 (UTC)

[ He has to take a moment to weigh the options. Surely it will slow the mob down, but hopping over fallen branches and dodging bushes in their current state may nullify any advantage. They haven't much time to decide, and with Grell already tugging him along, he has little choice to do anything but agree. ]

I know, but we need to loose them in the woods if we have any chance.

[ The opposite side comes out along the cliffs. The sparse foliage there won't help much with their escape, but... He doesn't want to say the idea that suddenly enters his mind. ]

We can't outrun them, in this state, my love...

[ Her breathing has become a bit laboured, bearing through the pain of her tumble. Surely, manoeuvring around the trees and uneven ground of the forest is proving to be especially difficult, but she won't allow herself to stop. ]

[ With each stumble, William catches her, holding her body close to keep her going. But his own body aches, as well. His knees are sure to give out despite his will to keep moving, but that's all been pushed aside for now.

Somehow they make it through to the other side, and with the law enforcers having to leave behind their horses, it gives them a bit of time to get a better lead on them. ]

[ Breath heavy, she falters for but a moment, once the brush clears and the cliffs are visible. The ocean lashes loudly against stone, and the wind chills her down to the bone, but the sight of moonlight upon the water is enchanting. ]

Will... It's where we met...

[ The rustling and chatter of the others still indicates some distance between them, but it still won't be long until they've caught up - and so, Grell gently pulls him along to chance a closer look at the cliffs' edge. ]

[ The sudden calmness to her voice as she pulls him along has a heaviness settling in his chest. He'd been terrified that night, questioning his decision, yet too fearful of living with his past to turn back. But then she was there, and suddenly he had a reason to change his mind.

Now, as they approach the cliff side, he's feeling the same want to pull her back and protect her. But, how can he this time? ]

I'd wished never to return to this place.

[ Hearing it in his voice, her gaze turns to him. Somehow, though battered and worn, he looks especially beautiful. Her heart simply overflows. ]

Nor did I. Truly, I'd meant what I said; I hadn't begun living until our paths crossed.

[ Her fingers wind between his with a soft squeeze. ]

You've saved me.

Have I?

[ His brow furrows; this time in doubt rather than anger. He can't help but feel that he's failed in his promise to her. ]

Yes. God, yes.

[ Turning to him, she steps in dangerously close, until their bodies are flush, and her nose brushes his. ]

I was desperate to relieve myself of my misery, tormented by loneliness-- and then, there was you. You gave me unconditional love, and in turn, I found peace within myself. Colour, music, and art regained their splendour. I looked forward to every day that we could be together; I was truly happy to be alive.

[ Her eyes have drifted closed, her features serene. ]

My experiences with you this past year have exceeded a lifetime before.