|
Post by Ser Mehran S'Disraeli on Aug 31, 2008 22:40:11 GMT -5
And so, after a time, it was for the Indwelt to wander. She had become withdrawn and paranoid of the world, more than ever before. At the times when the Demoness wasn't awake, the Indwelt faced the shame of Her actions and words. Much had happened--the loss of several supporters and friends, the loss of honor and respect (such as assassins and spiders have), and worst of all, the loss of self. In a fashion, it was the Indwelt's own fault; the search for power and control had been her complete downfall. The loss she so keenly felt, she had largely brought upon herself, though she did not know so to admit it. Nor would she, for a very long time. She simply could not see having been the cause of her own various problems.
As she stood, half the Court of Miracles was obliterated, diverted from her support by the tyrant Demoness. The rest that remained had never been truly loyal to the Indwelt; they only stood to gain something by her presence. Senon and his search for the ever-missing Lilith; Taka attempting to locate her past and lost power; Ghost and his sweet wife needed a place to belong. All were loyal to the places they were, not to the Indwelt herself. So she felt the need to remove herself from the place.
And there, our story begins... ..........[glow=yellow,2,300]ФMust take the hidden path, can't be seen, need Solitude, where's Solitude? Need solitude, can't be alone, hidden path, there, rabbit path.Ф[/glow] I scurry down the side of the mountain. The range was that which bordered the Dominion of the Unconquered Sun and Ravenwood, with all its districts. I wander close to the newest, the one yet without a name. Most likely, I will end up there, given no distractions. [glow=green,2,300]ЖYou can never run from your problems, Tiny Fool. They'll only follow you here and there and everywhere. All the while, they will grow, like a festering wound grows and gangrenes, until you are no more. Everyone hates you and they are only happy to be rid of you.Ж[/glow] "Shut up, shut up, shut up!" I yell, my voice echoing off the range and startling a bird from its perch. "I care not for your thoughts, Ugly Thing. Get thyself away from me." The Demoness hounds me, but I refuse to listen. Only I know the best, and She cannot distract me from my goals. [glow=yellow,2,300]ФWhat are my goals? Where am I going? Where am I at?Ф[/glow] All I can see in my mind's eye is a red symbol on a black field. It is foreign to my thoughts,and I almost stumble off the path when I remember the group that accompanies the sign. The Dreadwood company, of course, and how could I forget that? [glow=yellow,2,300]ФI'm losing my touch...Ф[/glow] [glow=green,2,300]ЖToo right you are. And soon, you'll have lost yourself completely. And when you do, this body shall be mine. Forever.Ж[/glow] "Never!" I vowed, snarling. "I hate you," mutter I, golden eyes flashing in anger. I relocate the path, and shortly am at the foot of the mountains, with no plan as to when I shall return. Sometime in my life, I am sure. Only I know best, and I know I won't be away for long. I love my home too well, and Suncera City will always remain the City of Gold in my heart. I awake, and as my consciousness asserts itself, I scream. It is a nasty, animal scream of rage and pain. I have lost who knows how many days, and am probably far from my destination. That Ugly Thing in my head, in my body, whom permeates my very soul has taken me again, to who knows what end. We haven't met another person for days, and no doubt Her lust for chaos has caused Her, and therefore me, to search out hearts to rend. How dare She! I scream again, and this one ends in tears. I cry. [glow=yellow,2,300]ФNo one makes me cry. Those who cause me sorrow shall pay dearly.Ф[/glow] There is no response. This means She has had control for days. I should have known; the deterioration of my thoughts for my last few days meant I was growing weary. A woman can only stay awake for so long, after all, and I have overstepped my bounds again. Damn. After a long while, I leave the crevace I inhabit. It is hardly more than a nook in the side of a molehill, but what does She care about the weather and the conditions of the body? A cool anger overtakes me. Most beings fear this anger, but She is unpunishable. To punish her is to harm myself. I'm not ready to die yet. The forest is nearby. I walk along its edge for a distance, always looking over my shoulder. The elves here are not necessarily trusting, especially not of a Wildling woman with mussed hair and ripped breeches. My overskirts are long sacrificed to the Old Gods of the wild, as well as my shoes. My feet, once fine and tender, have regrown their Wildling callouses. I daresay they feel more comfortable that way. But my shirt looks decent, and I'll not soon like to have it scarred by a well-loosed arrow to the back. The elves of Ravenwood are proud of their lands, and one more than one occasion a traveller of Dominion has gone missing due to these wild woods. After a while, I enter the woods. It is a quiet, forlorn place, but I don't mind. It means I can hear my enemies approach. And I hear nothing, so I feel safe. Soon, I become careless and lost in my own thoughts. I am shaken from them by an arrow quickly bypassing my face into the tree I am passing. "I didn't have to miss, Traveller," a feminine voice calls out. "I know. The elves of Ravenwood are known widely for their accuracy of aim, Archer, and I can only assume you are among their numbers." "Your flattery is unbecoming, but you are correct." The elf makes her appearance, and much like elves always are, she was beautiful. Strawberry-golden hair glints in the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the dark wood, and her blue eyes hold a look of steel. And her ears are the utmost in pointedness, much like her demeanor. "Where are you from, Traveller?" "I see no reason to lie, Lady Elf," says I, "I am from the realm of Dominion, though no longer of there, I'm afraid." "Are you, then?" Her eyes narrow. No doubt she has heard the happenings of my old stomping grounds--the growing problems with the Wildlings and the Wraiths from North of the Wall, and the discontent of the populace at large. Winds of change were blowing, and the gusts were strongest throughout Dominion. "And are you affiliated with the disgust of the undead?" she asked, affirming my belief and expressing the same opinion of almost all elves, to make that blanket statement. Lovers of nature and life such as the elven population do not quickly deign to love the unnatural undead. "Most definitely not affiliated, Lady," I responded, "although I do not deny working with such in the past. I, too, have--had a clan to feed and people to care for. The Wraiths in the Dark Armor brought in the booty for a while, but when the deal became unprofitable, we soon left their arms." I nod. "Hm." She looks away; I am unsurprised. "Such is the past of the Khan," I continue, shrugging. "The real question is, Lady Elf, will you and yours allow me to pass through your beautiful forest to other lands?" For as sure as the sun rises and the twin moons set, where one elf is, nineteen more follow. "That decision is not really up to her, Mehran Khan," a male's voice sounded behind me. I whirled, being unusued to such quiet footsteps. "But rather up to me. You know where you are, of course, you're not ignorant of Ravenwood geography." "Indeed, Eldrin. Or shall I say, Eldrin the Bard, or Saint Eldrin, or Eldrin the Black?" I know this man. I've watched him for over a year and a half, roughly. "Aye, and you of many names. Mehran, Phen, Waterdancer...I hear 'Disraeli' is the latest." He notices my very visual wince. "Indeed, though unwelcome of a name," I reply. How ignorant of him, and yet, how could he know? I chuckle lightly. "In whichever case," says he, "we shall have to converse, Khan. What news can you bring me of your lands?" Audibly, many bows relax, and I know there are no more arrows trained on my poor head. A relief, I must think. I follow Eldrin deeper into this untrusting wood, into the unknown world.
|
|
|
Post by Ser Mehran S'Disraeli on Sept 1, 2008 15:28:54 GMT -5
That night, I awake in the sweet-smelling lofts of the new city in Ravenwood. Truly, it is a pretty place, if not my beloved Suncera. The air smells constantly of Spring and Autumn simultaneously, and various blooms and blossoms sprout here that I don't think ought to be possible. One kind, my favorite, is a desert rose that in all my travels, I've only ever seen grow on the Golden Gates of Suncera. And yet, here they grow wildly on my bedside. I am amazed, but I don't show my awe. Elves have some outstanding powers, but I'll be damned before I bolster their confidence. They're already a very arrogant sort.
[glow=green,2,300]ЖOh, if that's not hypocrisy, I don't know what is, Tiny Fool. You're just as disgustingly smug as they are.Ж[/glow] The Ugly Thing in my head speaks again. Apparently, she has had enough rest to come back and harrass me more. And yet, her voice sounds weak. My heart pounds as I make the logical connection in my quick mind. Of course, deep evil such as hers cannot thrive in the boughs of the Elves.
"You'll shut up if you know what's good for you," I reply, chuckling. "You'll find yourself without a home soon enough." I, however, have been given the sanctuary of Ravenwood. I think back to the conversation Eldrin the Black and I had, long into the night.
"Your absence in the Dominion of the Unconquered Sun has not gone unnoticed, Weary One," he had said. "My concern is not for our neighbors to the north, but rather for you. No doubt leaving is hard for you--I have left places myself, and the severed ties were some of the most difficult trysts to endure."
At that point, I was skeptical. I have been used before, and I have been naive in the past. But since my young days, fleeing for the south after Skeith killed my village and Kriggud killed my father, I have grown jaded, and less trusting. Leading the Harem and being Dominion's lead Spider had that effect on me, both to my chagrin and my ever-loving gratefulness. I had wanted to tell this man to get to his point. But the part of me that misses trusting people was wide-eyed and listening closely.
"Ravenwood and Dominion differ in several ways," he continued, not entirely oblivious to the thoughts inside my head. He's not ignorant. "The greatest of which being the way in which we are governed. Dominion's Council of Nine may work for that fair realm, but would never work in Ravenwood, with all our provinces. The provinces of Ravenwood are largely autonomous, with a loose bond that makes us all Ravenwoodians. Despite the differences in our races and creeds," said Eldrin, referring to the Urkzimmuthi to the east, the elves here in this place, and the humans that ranged all over the realm, "we are united by our diversity. And as Ravenwoodians, we seek to protect and nurture the diversity we have in this place."
"Of course, Eldrin. And no one can appreciate that more than me. You know my Harem consistantly brought in the strangest type."
He nods. "My Lady Ilyia and I wish to extend the same protection to you, Mehran," he said, dropping the title off of the end of my name. "We do not require your citizenship to do so, either. Indeed, all we ask is that while you remain in our borders, you do no harm to anyone. This may be difficult to one such as you, who has been used to Spidering to survive. But there is no need for that here." Eldrin smiled, and for the first time in a long time, I smiled back. It was a genuine one, and though my jaw muscles hurt from it, I kept it on.
"I think I should find it simple enough to agree to that, Eldrin," I replied, and inside me, the sweet, naive, fire-kissed Wildling girl was squealing with pleasure. "I would like to think I will like it here, for as long as I am able to stay." I knew then I would be here for a while.
I think now of Eldrin himself. His personality is a large one, not unlike my own, and I have kept my Birdies on him for quite some time. A talented bard and brilliant diplomat, as well as a smart tactician. For a while, I wasn't sure that I liked this man. I have met him before, of course, both on the field of battle and at Dominion's various gatherings. The Gates of Summer have been the location of two such meetings, and I have enjoyed his company and song around a fire many more times than that. He is one of a very select few who know exactly who I am, what I do, and is not in my service. As for his loyalties, I'm not sure if he can be classified as good or evil. He seems rather like me in that sense. I think in the past, my distrust of him is the same as I have for other people that are like me--in that I know how I am, I sometimes assume other people will be as well. I think I will have to get over that way of thinking.
..........
A few days later, I can be found reclining next to a small pond in the Ravenwood. This particular beauty is a body of water formed by a spring coming down off of the mountains, and the water is fresh and very cool. The very air around it smells clean and pure, and I think it might be the most relaxing place I have been, forgiving my own house in Suncera. I rest against a rather conveniently shaped rock, sipping from a glass goblet water of the spring. It tastes of the same blossoms that surround it, and I'm not sure why my surprise is so high. Things are different here in Ravenwood, and the magic of the elves abounds in ways I have never witnessed before. I am growing quite fond of this place. It is also, luckily for me, a place where the Ugly Thing inside my head cannot control me for overlong, and I am relieved.
Part of that issue, I would like to think, is compounded by the fact that I am always so involved and busy in my home realm. My mind is constantly filled to the brim with the Spiders, Birdies, and gossip there that I hardly ever have time to sit back and control my own life. And in my weakest, most paranoid moments, the Ugly Thing takes over and I lose myself for days. But here, there are no Spiders to weave webs, no Birdies to fly into my windows, and no gossip to relate. And I can busy my mind on myself.
As I am sitting, I think about these things. Quickly, I lose myself in my thoughts, and my eyes close. I am so relaxed in this place that I can sleep outside of my protected rooms, and I take advantage of that fact. My mind drifts into slumber, and though I rest, I disallow the Ugly Thing from taking over our shared body. She is dismayed, but I am restful and unconcerned. Shapes and planes drift over my closed eyelids, but I know my dagger is to my left, and within my arm's reach. Besides, I am safe here, with the long-hearing elves and the gentle countenance of Saint Eldrin the Black. There is no need for fear. I drowse, watching the sunlight filter through the leaves onto my eyelids. Everything is peaceful.
|
|
|
Post by Senon on Sept 2, 2008 15:28:38 GMT -5
Quietly and quickly,Senon made his way between trees and rocks,already cursing and covered in the blood of whatever unfortunate soul had tried to attack him. He had gone through great lengths to find where that stupid Khan had gotten to,as tracking over mountains and valleys were harder than he liked. However,the still present spirit of the dark Demoness remained in her,he thought as he grabbed absent-mindedly at his chest. Really a double-edged sword for him,he had a lot of distain for the torturous wretch,and found himself sorrowful for the poor body she had decided to inhabit. "Ah well,her fault" he said aloud to himself,as to justify to himself about what he may have to do. Glancing down at the blood-stained page he had last recieved from her,it seemed for all her talk,she was just as far behind his lost love as he was. Crumpling the paper,he stowed it back into his cloak and quickened his pace,looking around wildly. "Damned elves,they'll shoot me like the rest of this undead trash." He sneered,however smiling inwardly to himself. Vanity was a bad trait for a Rogue,but who was alive to tell him he wasn't the best?
Scaling a small tree,Senon made his way silently across tree branches and large boughs,leaping easily across the dense forest,stopping at times to evade a hunting party or single warriors traveling through the forest back to civilization. Finally,he came to a small clearing and perched himself high in the branches,watching the resting 'Demoness' as she faded into relaxation on the edge of a pond. Smiling as he slipped his cloak off,he slit his palm with Ruby and spilled his blood onto the black material. Concentrating,he closed his own eyes and threw the cloak out towards his quarry.
Suddenly,a large shadow crept up the form of Mehran,finally blocking the sun from her. Senon's cloak stood between her and the sky,eclipsing the sun...
|
|
|
Post by Ser Mehran S'Disraeli on Sept 2, 2008 16:21:08 GMT -5
I shift, as though in a bad dream. Emanations of negativity are coming my way, but I'll be damned before I let them bring me down from my sweet slumber. This is a good nap, by this pond, and I don't want it to end oversoon. Besides, I am safe, in my own Court of Miracles, surrounded by big burly men and ogr--my eyes snap open, suddenly. Cursing myself, I grab my dagger, unsheath it, and slice the cloak to ribbons, all in the same fluid movement. My hand has not lost its quick touch, I see, and I am pleased to know it. Unfortunately, I have wasted inexpendable energy--there is no body underneath the cloak I have shredded. "Damn" I mutter. A scent of musty blood fills the air, and it stirs my memory, though I cannot say to whom or to where.
I start glance over my shoulder, leaving the rags on the ground. My senses are elevated, and though I am angry, I do not lose my calm, calculating exterior, nor do I lose control of my mind and thoughts. It has been a while since I have been in a physical one-on-one confrontation, but the skills are not lost to me, much to my relief. I feel fairly confident in being able to hold my own against most enemies, especially one as sneaky as this. I know the cloak has been thrust to distract me from my true enemy, so I must remain vigilant. But I also know that I am rusty, and have relied on the shoulders and backs of others to guard me too long. The road between overcompensation and sloppy carelessness is a jagged, narrow one, and I can only hope I'm not snatched from it.
|
|
|
Post by Senon on Sept 5, 2008 3:34:49 GMT -5
Senon dropped from the branches onto the outer bank on the other side of the pond,landing quietly,if only out of habit. He had no intentions of hiding,after all. He drew Sapphire from his belt and cut into his hand again,this time though,no blood stained the blade. Instead,the crimson fell from his hand like vines,weaving quickly from his cut and across the water,bringing the torn pieces of his cloak to him. The blood-tendrils pulled the shreds around his body,forming it whole again,and quickly he was applauding her quick attacks,shaded from the sun by his hood. "Very nice," He yelled across the small pond,only barely enough,though,for her to hear, "speedy for a lazy,rich one." He laughed and sheathed his blades.
"For as much as I heard,your information was no better than any I could have gotten off a common tavern-wretch if I tipped her a silver." He spat into the pond,"Although,I don't pay you,so I suppose the tavern-girl'd been up a silver..." He muttered off to himself,quickly talking to low to hear,but loudly enough to hear the plosive sounds. "...So,I really need you to quit running around about your damned business,and give me what I need so I can quit tracking your lost hide. Mountains are tough!" His attitude ebbed and flowed,almost like it couldn't decide how to rest - angry at her for running off,or giving him the normal faulty product he always seemed to find; or interested in the new land she had found,and the feel of the surrounding land was different,he sensed both good and evil here; probably from a local temple somewhere and the general evil of the outer lands.
"So,you've found shelter somewhere far away from your giant mansion in a pond. I do hope you've sold the place,a great waste if you didn't!"
|
|
|
Post by Ilyia Wyst Shadowsbane on Sept 5, 2008 22:00:56 GMT -5
"Shar kyr ol caesi? (What goes on here?)" The voice was heard before the speaker stepped forth revealing herself. The young elven archer stood with an arrow notched and ready. She nodded towards some unseen others as if signaling them to wait. "I don't know who you are, stranger, but we don't appreciate the fact that you are harassing one we have offered haven to", she said evenly, nodding toward Mehran but not taking her eyes off the aggressor.
|
|
|
Post by Senon on Sept 6, 2008 17:47:40 GMT -5
Senon turned slowly, in no hurry to acknowledge the Elf - it was no surprise that these woods would be otherwise inhabited. His cloak pulled tighter around him as though pressed by a strong wind, although nothing more than a breeze had passed. He smelled at the air and chuckled to himself, his arms drawn to his sides but his eyes moving at small,quick increments across his range of vision. "Harassing? How so,archer? I haven't even touched 'er!" He laughed aloud, "And I am not the one threatening attack with readied weapons."
|
|
|
Post by Ser Mehran S'Disraeli on Sept 6, 2008 21:03:52 GMT -5
Upon the vision of my long-time nuisance, I sigh. I have left the Dominion of the Unconquered Sun to escape this variety of harassment, and it has, somehow, followed me here. No wonder I can't seem to rest well. Now that I have found the source of the aforementioned negative energies, I relax a bit. He won't hurt me, and if he does try, despite his and my own better judgement, I have Ilyia at my side to help defend me. I don't let my guard down, however. Few are meant to be trusted, and Senon is, by far, not one of those numbers. "Senon, Love," I call out, "I have not, in fact, sold my home. It waits for me, as always. I do trust and hope you haven't burnt it to the ground, with the rest of my fair city!"
Ilyia still has her arrow nocked and at the ready, and I do not attempt to dissuade her. Far from feeling as though it's necessary, I just know better than to talk an elf out of defense. And to do so would be stupidity on my part, as well as wasteful of time.
The two of them yell back and forth to each other, both quietly and barely loud enough to be heard. I sheathe my dagger back in its case in my bodice and cross my arms across my chest, listening to the clever wordplay in front of me. They're both excellently intelligent, and at first, I am reluctant to end the conversation. But at the mention of readied weapons, I throw my arms out. "Now, now, if you two can't play nicely together, I'm going to make you hold hands." I smile congenially. "So, let's all play nice-like, savvy? Senon, what is it that you want. And if you can't come over here like a gentle-rogue, then I won't hear a single word you say. It's more my style to speak over a cup of tea, not a pond of water, you know."
|
|
|
Post by Ilyia Wyst Shadowsbane on Sept 6, 2008 21:47:48 GMT -5
"Defense is not attack", the elf quipped. "And on the defensive I will remain until you explain to me why it is you are sneaking around our lands! For it is not by accident or invite that you are here! We may discuss things in a more civil and comfortable manner when I am satisfied as to the honesty of your exact intentions here!"
Mehran had been so right about the stubbornness that would ensue and although Ilyia knew it was trying to her newfound acquaintance, the archer stood her ground.
|
|
|
Post by Eldrin the Black on Sept 6, 2008 22:38:41 GMT -5
"Ravens,Lower weapons!" came a commanding voice from the treeline and, no more than a moment later, out strode a black clad figure carrying a black great shield and longsword. His face was covered by the face plate of his helmet but it was apparent that Eldrin had come calling.
Eldrin stood for a moment eyeing Senon and then sheathed his sword. " I would say your very fortunate master rogue," the large man said as he removed his helmet and held it under his arm. "If that blood on you were the blood of one of my soldiers you'd be a pin cushion. I would say it, but I suppose you know that." Eldrin smiled to show no offense was intended, only a matter of fact. "These archers don't often miss."
"I would also say master rogue that you are quite good. In fact I would even go as far as to credit you with the feat of avoiding most of my friends, the elves. But I've gotten reports of some hidden corpses, all undead abominations, within the patrol areas. No footprints, no broken branches and no signs of an intruder." Eldrin bowed his head in reverance to what he considered to be a great feat of stealth. "However, master rogue, I would daresay you have forgotten that magic can cause stronge emanations. I was given a gift long ago that allows me to sense magic emanations within quite a distance of myself. You would be wise, in the future, to not bring any magical items with you into my forest." Eldrin walked over to the pond and kicked a stone in. Chuckling a bit, he went on, "Though, judging from you you'd have to go about naked if you were going to acheive that!" The black armored man smiled broadly and turned to Mehran.
"I think it only fair that you introduce me to you friend, I should like to know whether to make him welcome or..." Eldrin's face grew deadly serious as he looked back to Senon with an unspoken threat, " well let us not go into anything unpleasnt now." It was easy to tell he was putting the rogues life in Mehran's hands.
|
|
|
Post by Ser Mehran S'Disraeli on Sept 7, 2008 18:40:12 GMT -5
"Oh, no, hospitable friends," I reply to Eldrin's unspoken question. "Senon and I are old friends from Dominion. In fact, it was around this time a year ago I blackmailed him into my service, a point I have never regretted. He might not seem the most loyal, but he's no ignorant twit either. If he's followed me all this way," I say, gesturing towards the barely-visible mountains and indicating the rough desert beyond the range, "it's for a good enough reason for me. And no doubt he's followed me here to get the usual thing he wants." I smile. "He won't hurt me as long as I have what he needs, fortunately for me." I lower my head to Eldrin, my own tacit sign of gratitude. "I appreciate the defense you've both provided."
I turn back to face Senon, who through his sharp hearing, has no doubt heard all I have said. "Senon, do be a dear and come over here, I have missed my kin so," I say. By "kin," I refer to everyone in my Harem, for most have been as family to me. I do love them all, even Senon, though a worse haranguer, you have never met. But I do possess a certain fondness for the damnable man, rogueish ways and all. Also, I know that he will not like my having referred to him as kin. He's stubborn that way. "And do stop brandishing rage at me. My allies and friends here don't like it much." I turn back to Ilyia and Eldrin. "He's quite alright, honestly. No doubt he'll sulk and scowl, but he's really an alright sort." My quiet hope is that with this vouching for Senon, Senon will start to come around. In the past, our only bond has been through the information I can provide him. Being in Ravenwood and away from my Little Birdies will effectively put an end to that--no one cares about the poor Mistress of Murderers enough to scale the mountains as Senon has. I fear he will leave and I shall never see him again. The arrogance in me dares him to leave, but at this point, I really need all the friends I can garner.
|
|
|
Post by Senon on Sept 7, 2008 19:51:45 GMT -5
Senon shook his head at the elf and pointed with a quizzical look on his face to the previous Queen of Suncera.
"You heard her! Not bad,and all that other questionable rubbish she said!" He stomped agitatedly, mostly out of irritation that he had been found,and by so many. Throwing his cloak open he gestured to the tree-line that the elf had stepped from and stomped again. "And defense? I'm not psychic, but I would guess you have enough wood trained on me to make me into my own pyre! Arrows,a coward's weapon! Why,you'd never see ME-" Suddenly,his eyes caught another figure in the trees,too big for the other elves that had to be waiting ,and not nearly as soft-stepping. Quickly,he was back on the defensive,pulling his cloak tightly around him again and his hands fell to his hilts.
Watching with a slight wariness,he jumped under his cloak when the voice boomed from under the cover of the woods. Following the path of the black-clad warrior without taking his eyes from either of the "defenders",he smiled at the order. At least he wouldn't be fired on - not now . Slowly,he turned to face the man that had stepped forward and a slow smile etched itself across his face,the gears behind his eyes hard at work. "So true!" He chuckled and bowed,if only slightly,to the man. "It is quite a waste,really,to kill without being paid,is it not? And at least someone respects the hard work I've been doing!" Whirling to face Mehran,he scowled. "Didn't even do this for him and he understands!" A frienzied look came to his features,and he turned quickly back to the man. "I do forget,stupid magic!" He shook his head vigorously and started pulling his rings off,followed by a small bone necklace and started to reach for his belt and he stomped again,putting them back on - it was too late to be rid of the effects,and he was already found. What was the point?
Glaring up at the man,recognition showing in his eyes,suddenly furious with himself,and it seemed the armored-man. "And you! I've paid bards far too much to sing only to hear of another bard! Eldrin,is it?" He shook his head and kicked a stone himself,only to see it fly into the lake and to diffuse his temper. "Should've known! The 'Savior of Arun-Dar',bane of the undead woods!" He kicked another rock,this one too big to move,and he only grunted.
Instead of sulking,he quickly turned back to Mehran,stomping again like a child. "So I've noticed - wake someone up from a nap and they shoot you! And I'm staying right here,I don't trust you steel-happy lunatics!"
|
|
|
Post by Ilyia Wyst Shadowsbane on Sept 7, 2008 22:07:21 GMT -5
At Senon's antics, Ilyia let out a half snorted laugh but quickly covered it with a more serious look. Her arrow was hidden away in it's quiver again and the bow rested easily against her leg. "Well, then! Would our guests like some refreshment or is the sneaky one going to leave in a huff?"
|
|
|
Post by Eldrin the Black on Sept 8, 2008 8:02:11 GMT -5
“I agree.” Eldrin said with an acknowledging smile. “Judging from the bodies of those corpses I deem that you are quite good with your blades.” He paused for a moment, looked into the sky and chuckled again. “Master Rogue, I would tell you that I am a good employer. Mercenaries, well behaved ones anyway, are welcome here. Pay, of course, is dependant upon skill; I’m sure you’ll make enough to get by.” Eldrin, giving a questioning look to Senon, continues in a somewhat more serious tone. “I think that I am a good employer, I have had the same dark elf mercenary for fifteen years under my employ. “Though” Eldrin eyed the dying ripples in the pond quizzically, “he hardly accepts any pay these days.”
The black clad soldier turned and began walking away, speaking as he went. “You’re welcome to come to Dread Holt and discuss details if you wish; I’ll be there for a week or so. You might as well earn some gold while you’re here. If not, cause no trouble and you’ll live longer.” Eldrin stopped at the edge of the tree line and turned to face Senon. “It was a pleasure, Master Rogue.” He bowed low in a formal manner with his helmet toting arm across his chest. “Just know that I have always had a healthy respect for skilled rogues. In fact, my dear friend Raslin was once a rogue of some skill, until I showed him to how to be a war machine.” Eldrin paused for a moment, a wide smile parting his lips. “Your talents are always useful and welcome to me.” The tall figure placed his helmet back upon his head and became nearly anonymous again. “But I must bid you both farewell, I have much work to do this night.” He turned again and jogged into the tree line, but as he disappeared he roared to his rangers, “Ravens….we hunt!”
|
|
|
Post by Ser Mehran S'Disraeli on Sept 8, 2008 15:47:30 GMT -5
"Now, see, this is so much the better." I smile and nod. "It pleases me to see everyone behaving so well. No holes in my dear old friend Senon, and no wasted arrows for my new friend Ilyia and her elves." I much rather for for everyone to maintain civility when in my presence. I do not thrive on confrontation, contrary to what those who hate me say. Au contraire, I prefer for things to flow smoothly, like a sweet stream in a forest. I find I do my best work when I'm not under the pressure to impress others. And I can be a very generous benefactress, despite common misconception. I shrug at that thought. There is no substance to it here in Ravenwood, where I am safe, secure, and even better, loved. And for once, I am not loved for what I can do, for what acts I can perform. I am liked and accepted for who I am. It is a...somewhat odd, but appreciated, feeling.
"I think we would all benefit from something to drink. Senon, truly, the elves have some wonderfully delicious wines. If you're at all taken to imbibe, I would suggest the Bloomberry Elven. It is very nice, rich and full...and only a trifle dry." I do not enjoy dry wines; I'm always happy with a nice, sweet, white wine. "Please do join us, and bring news of my home and of Dominion. For I know you must know something about something!"
I see Eldrin leave and send warm thoughts his way. Truly, the man is a brilliant diplomat. "Eldrin, I do hope to visit with you later. I should like to speak to you, I think." My conversations with him are always of substance, and I never leave his presence without some new lesson to think on. It's quite beneficial, I think, and I appreciate his wisdom. It often makes me sad to think of, however--that one so young should be so wise. But that's the way of the world, I'm afraid, and I, too, know things I ought not know at my young age.
"Ilyia, where shall go?" I ask, leaving our next location in her capable hands. This is, after all, her home, and I shall not take over here. I am more than content to meditate in this place, and I shall not soon leave, I think. I like it here in Ravenwood.
|
|