Harpago leaned back against the soft cushioned chair, enjoying the gentle vibrations of the carriage as it trundled down the road. This was always the best part of taking bounties from rich fops: the accommodations they gave her. She gazed out the window in awe, taking in the almost impossibly vibrant forests. It was no wonder the Duke was looking to reclaim the outpost here. "First time in the Sympheglades?" A musical voice called her attention, and she looked over to the other occupant of the carriage, a beautiful auburn haired woman wearing soft silk robes and a shimmering crystal necklace. She also had wings. Big, shiny, feathery wings of red and gold currently folded behind her as she smiled across the carriage. Harpago returned the smile. "Yeah, I'd heard about them but didn't realize how beautiful they were in person! Had no idea the coasts were this lush here." Her companion nodded. "Yes, they can be quite lovely. And not just the forests, either. I hear those who live there are quite lovely as well~." She giggled musically, gesturing to herself. Harpago giggled too. "Oh, you’re from here? Well, those rumors are quite true then. They may even be underselling it~" Her companion giggled modestly and extended her wing. "Celaena~. Pleased to meet you." Harpago gently felt her wing. Surprisingly soft. "Harpago. And the pleasure is all mine~." Celaena blushed and giggled again, and Harpago couldn't help but blush too. She certainly preferred Celaena to some of the other people she'd had to work with. Preferred her quite a lot...

Their luxurious ride was suddenly and violently interrupted by an arrow crashing through the window and ruining the cushion next to Harpago. She sighed. "Figures that there'd be lookouts. I was hoping we'd have more time to converse~" She winked at Celaena before grabbing her rapier and leaping out the window. She deftly threw a knife through one archer's throat before striking down an approaching brigand. Their arrows snapped off her elegant elven mail, and another brigand was felled by her next swipe. As she took a quick breath, an arrow whizzed past her, nearly nicking her ear. 

Before Harpago could react, the last brigand hiding in the woods attempted to grab her. She easily slipped out and retaliated with a lethal slice. Glancing around quickly, she saw one she'd missed back by the carriage, bow in hand. She rushed back, the archer hardly moving. It was almost effortless to fell his unmoving body. As she stood above him, grinning triumphantly, she heard Celaena's voice just next to her. "He was already under my spell, you know~. I'd hoped to get some knowledge from him." Harpago grinned sheepishly. "Ah, well, we already know where we're headed anyway! And you can always find more brigands to charm~" Celaena nodded, smiling. "True, true~. Brigands like this are always so weak-willed~."

Kneeling down, Harpago began investigating the body. Celaena cocked her head in confusion.  "What are you doing?" Harpago smiled, digging through the body's pouch. "Seeing what he had on him! Ooh, look at this~!" She pulled out a lovely topaz ring. "Seems the brigands here are pretty rich~" Celaena looked down at her. "You're just taking it?" Harpago giggled. "I mean, he's not using it anymore, is he~? Oooh, and he had a magic arrow too!" She held up a glowing green arrow. Celaena nodded. "He was about to shoot that at you before he fell soo deeep under my spell~." Harpago grimaced. "Eeesh, this woulda hurt a lot. Thanks for saving me~" Her winged companion smiled. "Oh, it's nothing. I enjoyed hypnotizing him just as much as you enjoyed fighting his comrades~" Harpago laughed, then looked over at the carriage. Several arrows stuck out of the walls, and one of the horses looked to have run off. She shrugged. "Ah well, I guess we're on foot now. Come, let's head on!" She gracefully began running up to the woods, and Celaena followed, stretching her beautiful wings wide.

---

The trek through the brigand-infested woods was difficult, to be sure, but it wasn't exactly unpleasant. For one thing, the Sympheglades were well-named. When the wind rippled through the vibrant emerald and crimson leaves, it sounded like a lovely chorus singing their praises, and even something as mundane as leaves crunching underfoot had a subtle melody their. And of course the combat was exhilarating as always. Little thrilled Harpago like the sensation of the air flowing around her as she wove through the weak strikes of her foes and cut them down as easy as grass. It was why she was an adventurer, after all. Well, that and the treasure, which these brigands had stolen spades of. She could only dream of how rich their leader would be. But that wasn't what made this adventure so pleasant... Celaena was.

Harpago had worked with many a person in her line of work, but few were even half as memorable as Celaena. The siren possessed grace almost comparable to herself, dancing through the air without seeming to expend even a modicum of effort. She couldn't truly fly, but those majestic wings weren't for show either. She soared through the air like an acrobat, pirouetting away from arrows before diving towards their user. But while Harpago would simply strike them down, Celaena was far kinder. Instead of hurting them, she would merely wave her necklace, or caress them with her soft wings, or even just give them a whispered serenade, and they would fall into a deep, pleasant sleep. And those under this sleep were happy to tell her whatever she wished about themselves, their boss, the road ahead, and anything else she could possibly need to know. And for such a kind, soft technique, it was astonishingly effective. She learned of more traps than the finest rogue, discovered more shortcuts than the sharpest ranger, and knew of those lying in wait before they could even notch an arrow.

... And of course, it didn't hurt that she was absolutely lovely. Harpago couldn't help but stare at her beauty as they walked and talked and fought. As befitting a native of the Sympheglades, her every action was musical. The wind sang past her as she danced and flew, a subtle yet ever-present melody lingered under her voice, even her footsteps seemed to always follow a pleasant rhythm. And her wings were gorgeous. They had the sheen of the prettiest of treasures, yet moved like the finest silk. And they were wonderfully soft as well, warm and comforting. A few cold nights, she had even considered joking that her blanket was too thin, and could she use Celaena's wings instead? But no, no matter how much the idea of cuddling up together made her heart beat fast or her cheeks flush, it would be far too forward of her. She would have to be content with gazing at her over the fire as they talked into the night, staring into those lovely golden eyes... Like the most wonderful treasure hoard Harpago could think of... And for once, she was even thinking of something other than adventuring. Celaena  occupied her thoughts... Her dreams... Her heart... Who wouldn't fall in love with someone like that?