Lover

[K9Guardian]

“They are not clear,” Jadir replied. “But the tidngs grow ever more grave. You will recall that our esteemed Baron Granitecruncher has attempted several times to increase taxes on exports from dwarven lands?”

He took a bite of his food and chewed thoughtfully. Baron Vorignun Granitecruncher outshone every dwarf-lord before him in lack of sense and mightiness of temper; this was well known to Dale and all the Council. Of late it seemed that bright radiance, or lack thereof, had grown unusually strong, strong in the way that brought the fingers of the King’s right hand together in an iron fist. Dale knew the story, but not this one.

“Vorignun has increased taxes on exports to all other nations as well,” he said after he had swallowed. “I have heard tell that there was fighting among elves and dwarves over the new prices. I am not certain what this may portend. Have you wisdom to give on this affair?”

 

[MissCellaFane]

As the conversation turned towards economics and everyone began to eat, Roden let his thoughts drift. He prepared the toast and eggs on his plate, adding salt here and butter there, until it met with his satisfaction. As he began to eat, he glanced around the dining hall. Everyone seemed to be talking about something, the sentences and voices collapsing upon one another, creating a loud humming instead of actual words to the ears of the casual listener. But there was one person in the room who wasn't talking. The elf maid who had arrived shortly before the king. Earlier he had noticed she had been near tears. And now, she was looking at him in the oddest way. It wasn't a casual glance or even a look of curiosity. It was almost as if she was watching him for something. His eyes narrowed involuntarily as he met her gaze. Paranoid. Just being paranoid. He thought to himself. Then, realizing that they were just sitting there staring at one another, Roden spoke softly to her. "Are you all right, my dear?" The question may have seemed a little impertinent to the outside observer, but Roden had seen the way she had looked earlier and genuinely wondered if something was amiss.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"There must be a purpose for this increase other than Mr. Granitecruncher's lack of good sense." Dale answered, thoughtfully. "The mountains of Ilin are known to have an abundant supply of treasures in the mines. It is likely the dwarves have either stopped working or are just greedy."

He took another spoonful of oatmeal, thinking the situation through.

 

[CJF]

Trista blinked after Roden spoke to her, unsure if she should answer or not. She almost sneered and looked away, but caught herself. She was, after all, sitting near the King and Queen and figured it would be terribly rude if she were caught sneering. She, she forced a faint smile and nodded. "I am perfectly well, thank you." Of course it was a lie, but he didn't have to know that. She seriously doubted that he was even interested in the truth. After all, he knew nothing about her, so why should he care?

 

[MissCellaFane]

It seemed that having Roden speak to her had snapped her out of whatever dreamlike state she was in for her expression and attitude changed in that brief moment. She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes and Roden knew it was only for politeness. "I am perfectly well, thank you." She said and looked away.

Well, that's it for my breakfast conversation. Roden thought to himself grumpily. See if he tried to start up a conversation with anyone or express concern for someone's well being again. Instead he concentrated on his food, listening to the conversation around him just like he always did. That was his mealtime ritual. Listen, don't speak. It had always provided him with valuable information before about different goings-on in the castle. And today, with the celebration looming before him, he needed all the distraction he could get.

 

[StarSplitter87]

Shaula growled as she sipped her cup of milk and nibbled at her tiny helping of oatmeal. Really she was more upset that there were so many laughing and speaking and SHE wasn't. Truth be told, Shaula had not always been so moody and icy. She had been full of life, her cheeks flushed with the thought of love, and her mood on cloud nine. Her recent disposistion of darkness had only been the last two or three years, and even then more so as they went on.

But it had not started until SHE had come along. Shaula glared more heatedly upon her oatmeal. SHE had caused this, taken HIM away from her. Taken her Orin, her Aries, her star amongst the hunks of coal that was this pitiful kingdom! The only decent man left was the King, and of course his devoted Queen stood by him, breathing. Not that she cared, the King was not for her. She just wanted to feel love, to feel it like she had once long ago.

Suddenly, she stood, bowed to the King and Queen as was customary though they probably did not glance up, and waltzed out of the dining hall to the outer gardens. She often walked them for contemplation. Today she walked them to restrain herself from cursing every object she could muster words for a spell over her loveless sickness in her heart and soul. Today was just a bad day....

 

[CJF]

Trista sat, staring at her plate. The food was delicious, she had decided, but she had no appetite. She really didn't know why she hadn't ran from the hall screaming and crying yet. She felt so out of place, and terribly unobliging. She didn't know what to say, or even if she should dare say anything at all, nor did she really want to speak. So there she sat, staring at her plate and feling ridiculous.

She had been to many banquets in the past, with the only being who'd ever captured her fancy, and being there only reminded her of him. Seeing the devotion in the Queen's eyes as she gazed upon her husband only made her heart pang and ache to be with him once more, and even though she wished for it, deep down she knew she would never see him again. She was doomed to live for all eternity in an endless life of misery and pain. And somehow, she felt it only right.

 

[K9Guardian]

“I doubt that it is so simple, Lancir,” Jadir replied. “Though Granitecruncher may lack sense, his people on the whole are wise in ways the rest of us are foolish. We must have respect for all nations who hold seats in the Council.” Nodding vaguely to the departing shaula, he took in a forkful of eggs. “I fear there may be more trouble afoot. I have word both dwarves and elves will be sending petitions before me shortly. On top of this, we still have not heard of the Priest’s return from his vacation.”

 

[LightofHeaven]

Lancir stroked his white beard thinking it through. Of course, it could not be as simple as it seemed. The wisdom of the dwarves was usually underestimated; and even he, Councilman Lancir Dale, knew this. What then was Granitecruncher's reason for the tax increase?

"I have reason to think there may be something going on in Illin." dale finally spoke. "But to be clear on the matter, may i suggest sending Flynn out to investigate?" He paused to take a sip of his milk before speaking again. "The Priest has not returned?"

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden grew tired of the breakfast conversation and, after he had finished eating his meal, wiped his mouth on his napkin and stood. He bowed slightly to the king and queen and walked out of the dining hall, relieved to be out of that room. He stood outside the door for a moment, closing his eyes. Remembering the headache tonic he had promised the king, he drew a deep breath and opened his eyes again, squaring his shoulders and walking back to his laboratory. Not that he wanted to help the king. For all he cared, the king could have a headache all day! In fact, the less King Jadir enjoyed his anniversary, the better the day would be for Roden! But, the queen would suffer as well and Roden wouldn't abide by that. As much as he hated seeing the king happy, he hated seeing his queen unhappy even more.

Arriving at his laboratory, Roden strode to the far end and retrieved a large wooden box from one of the shelves that lined the back wall. He rummaged around in it for a moment, pulling out or rearranging bottles, flasks and phials of different potions and tonics. He knew it was in there somewhere. His dark eyes caught sight of something purple in one corner. Aha! A voice exclaimed inside his head. That's the little devil. Picking up the small glass bottle full of a fine lavender powder with one hand, Roden replaced the box onto the shelf with the other. He then poured a small amount of water into a cup and reached for a spoon to measure out the powder. Doing so, his hand came close to another carafe that sat on the desk next to him. A curious expression came over his face and he blinked. The liquid inside the carafe was a deep indigo and he recognized it instantly. A poison he had stumbled upon in one of his experiments. He had only tested it on small rodents before, but it was quite deadly. Roden wondered briefly what it would do to a human. His heart beating fast, he glanced at the cup of water in his hand, ready for the lavender powder of the king's tonic and he swallowed hard. It would be so easy. The tonic would be a darker purple than usual but, knowing the king, he probably wouldn't notice. Roden ran one finger down the glass carafe of poison, staring into the dark liquid it contained but not really seeing it, a vision of the king's funeral in his mind. Kaira would be heartbroken of course. But who better to tend her emotional wounds than the king's most trusted healer? And in time, she would forget about the king. Yes. And she would remember how Roden was there for her during her time of grief, always there to lend a shoulder to cry on or an arm of support or a comforting embrace.

Roden shook his head. No. Someone would find out. Especially seeing as the king was in perfect health. His sudden death would cause many people to suspect foul play. He simply couldn't risk the queen finding out of his involvement. Instead, he grabbed the spoon he had originally been seeking and measured out the exact amount of lavender powder for the king's headache tonic, stirring it into the water and watching the subtle fizz rise to the surface, sighing softly in resignation. Now was not the time.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve dug her heel into the gravel, staring down at the slight indent she had made. Even the soil here was better than that of Necromion. The wretched souls; taking everything good and decent and keeping it for themselves. Well, not for long. Eve wouldn't have it.

A slight nudge on her shoulder caused Eve to break her trance. She looked up into the face of a woman, a face devoid of hardships but was equally replaced by a huge wart on her cheek.

The woman gasped, almost losing the basket she was carrying, and no doubt its contents. She flung her hair over her shoulder and took one look at Eve.

"Sorry, love. The streets are a hoppin' they are. Difficult to move 'round without rubbin' elbows with a lass."

Eve stared at the woman, no doubt insulted. Not by her behavior, of course, but how dare any of these vermin touch her. Her response was to bare her teeth and let off a low growl.

The woman hesitated, caught off guard. Then she clutched her basket to her chest and hurried off in the opposite direction with a low murmur. "Tea and cakes, that is. Tea and cakes."

Watching the woman walk off, Eve gave a smirk. However, she couldn't deny the truth behind the woman's words. The market and inner city of Namor was crowded with strangers, all there for the celebration of the anniversary between the King and Queen. Without it, Eve and her companion would have had a harder time getting in without being noticed.

At least that was one thing the King was good for...

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir fought the urge to laugh maniacally at Eve's response to the woman with the basket and the look of utter surprise on the woman's face. Instead, he gave a small smirk beneath the hood of his cloak, his dark eyes now scanning the crowds. He decided they were much too happy, these people. Men haggling over prices, women gossipping animatedly, children running through the streets playing, all of them completely consumed with their own petty lives.

A sudden stinging sensation on his right wrist caused him to glance down. The glove on his right hand had slipped down, exposing his pale skin to the sunlight. That was one thing he'd noticed about this country. It was much too bright. Blasted sunlight. Samir grumbled to himself as he tugged his glove back into position and shrugged his broad shoulders, letting the sleeves of his cloak slip down further to cover his wrists, his skin still tingling where the light had touched it. Ever since he'd crossed the border between Necromion and Namor, he'd had a more difficult time keeping the sunlight from touching his skin. It could have been his imagination, but the land seemed brighter than Necromion, the sun stronger. And the sun most definitely set later in the evening than he was used to. It irritated him immensely.

To his left, a middle-aged, very fat merchant was waddling toward the two of them, ornate necklaces dangling from his fingers, his eyes on Eve. His protective instincts taking over, Samir stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "The lady wants nothing." Samir stated, keeping his tone of voice even.

The merchant backed up a step and smiled, a bit nervously if Samir wasn't mistaken. "But my jewelry is exquisite, good sir!" He said, the slick tone of his voice that of a well-practiced salesman. Samir seriously doubted his statement was true, but didn't dispute it. The merchant began to walk around him, again heading towards Eve. "Surely a lady as beautiful as-"

But he didn't finish his sentence. With startling quickness, Samir had stepped in front of him yet again, but this time he grabbed the man's upper arm, squeezing it tightly. "I said...the lady wants nothing." Samir growled, giving his arm an even harder squeeze. The man gasped, either in surprise or pain, dropping the cheap necklaces onto the cobblestone street beneath them.

"Yes, of course, sir! I was mistaken!" The merchant whimpered, looking up into the inky blackness of Samir's hood, his eyes pleading.

For one small moment, Samir pitied the man, but it was soon replaced with annoyance. He released the merchant's arm with a small shove. "See that you don't make the same one again." Samir watched him retreat, the necklaces still strewn on the ground. What a coward. If all the men of this city were this timid, they would have no trouble completing their mission. He turned back to Eve. "Shall we go on, my lady?" He asked, grasping her elbow gently so as not to lose her among the crowd swelling around them. "This place is much too crowded."

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve could never get enough of Samir's protection towards her. Granted, she could have easily handled the little swine herself, as she could with most of those Samir chose to stand up to, but it felt good. Perhaps it was the inner royalty of her blood that enjoyed the attention. But whatever it was, it was good to have someone chase off the most annoying of nuisances.

"Shall we go, my lady?" Sami asked her, grabbing a gently hold of her elbow. "This place is much too crowded."

"I agree. Though there probably won't be a spare spot anywhere on the ground where at least a few of this wretched vermin haven't occupied." She blew out a soft breath of air, causing a few strands of her hair to fly up and then gently float back down in front of her face.

"Perhaps we'd be better off locating a dark alley to stay, don't you agree?" Eve asked as she began to walk, trying to zig zag her way around the crowds of civilians.

 

[StarSplitter87]

Shaula sat upon a stone bench which over looked the elegant garden fountains, a small reservoir of beauty and elegance to be sure. The fountain consisted of three terraces, topped by a flowing bubble of water which sputtered now and again from a sudden increase or decrease in the pluming flow. Each terrace were lined all around by water spouts in the form of long necked swans, pouring out the water from their mouths and tossing it down to the lower terrace in a white froth. The water eventually made it's way down to the crystal clear, white and oval pool, rippling gently from the fountain's turbulence, until they reached the edges of the circlet and bounced away playfully, disappearing slowly as more ripples came to replace them.

About the oval circlet, and evenly placed, where three white stone pots, mounted to the edge of the pool, in the forms of a lion roaring with a thick bed of purple lilies atop his back, a snake which held upon his head an over sized grown of forgetmenots and pink impatiens, and a great stallion, or at least the top half of him anyway, his mane adorned with blood red and white as snow orchids.

All of this beauty was surrounded by the lover's knot bush maze, strewn with twisted turns and more fabulous vistas of potted flora. And to the left of Shaula were the patches of trees and flowerbeds, leaving only small brick paths left to walk on, which led back to the palace. The garden was truly a place of solitude and peace, Shaula remembered, as she absentmindedly listened to the trickling of the fountain, and it was nice to be away from all the squabbling of the palace and the ignorant knaves of her magical shop. Sighing, she closed her eyes and listened as a finch began a mating call.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir was relieved when Eve agreed with him. A dark alley. Yes. That will do nicely. Not only would it hide them from prying eyes, but the sun wouldn't be as intense. Nodding his consent, he followed behind her closely, not wanting to lose track of her. He'd never seen so many people in one place! Then again, he'd never been to a city this large. At least, he didn't think so. Questions about his past tended to spring up in his mind from time to time. He knew he'd had a life before becoming a vampire, but he couldn't remember it. At times it bothered him and he had to shake it off. This was his life now. And once he and Eve completed their mission, his life would be even better. That's all that mattered. Whoever he'd been in his old life was dead and gone.

Finally they reached a small alcove between two buildings, out of the way of the traffic. As he stepped into the shade, it bathed him in its coolness and he felt as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Much better. He glanced around, memorizing his surroundings. He could see the castle from here. He turned towards it, taking in the sight. So that was where the king was. Eve's half-brother. He glanced at Eve, loose strands of her light blond hair swirling gently about her face in the slight breeze flowing between the buildings. He caught a glimpse of one of the scars on her face. She'd never told him what had happened to her, and he would never ask. They were both scarred in different ways, and it only strengthened their bond. But still, looking at her now, it was hard to believe a woman such as this could have such filth for a father. A king who not only stooped to adultery to satisfy his own selfish desires, but who wouldn't own up to his own mistake when confronted with the product of that affair.....Eve.

He grunted, folding his arms across his chest and wondering if Eve's half-brother, King Jadir, was any different from his father. It didn't matter, of course. But it was still something to think about.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Once they reached an alley brimming with shade, Eve leaned against one of the stone walls and closed her eyes. She knew coming back here was going to bring about memories she'd rather forget, but she hadn't realized the strength of unwanted emotions that came along with it. The last time she had been here she was a mere child. Now she was practically an old woman.

Eve couldn't help but grin at that. She opened her eyes and glanced over at Samir.

"Quiet for now, but I wouldn't mind sleeping in a nice room," Eve said as she stretched out her arms over her head. "Maybe even one of the darling castle rooms." She let out a slight chuckle. "Or perhaps we could get rid of one of these inhabitants and take over their precious shelter."

If there was one way to get rid of those haunting memories it was to force pain on others; those that deserved it all too much, of course.

((Cella and Star just let me know when your characters are going out to the gardens. I can have Eve sit here and rant and rave for days on end, so no need to rush ))

 

[MissCellaFane]

((Roden isn't doing much, so he's ready whenever Kaira is finished with breakfast. So I'm good whenever Star is. ))

He watched her stretch, her hands delicately reaching towards the sky. Samir couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face at her words. He reached up and pushed his hood back ever so slightly so she could see his face and meet his gaze properly, careful not to expose his skin too much. He liked the way she thought. "Soon enough, my lady." He said, his deep voice echoing a bit off the walls surrounding them. He took a step towards her and looked over her head to the castle walls, nodding in that direction. "Soon enough, we will be in the dining hall of that castle and you will be seated in the king's chair, your rightful place, feasting on his food and drinking his wine." He looked down at her and met her gaze, his black eyes determined. "I'll see to it."

 

[CJF]

((Oooo! Cella! He's so creepy!!! And WW, Eve is just...haunting...I love it!))

Trista sighed and looked around the glorious dinning hall. She actually took care to notice how grand in truly was. It reminded her of when she used to live with her own kind, almost fourty years prior. Of course elven architecture differed greatly from human, but it was enough to bring back memories of decades passed. She took a deep breath to try and calm the sudden wave of emotions that fell over her.

Her heartbeat suddenly quickened. She blinked and cleared her throat, unsure as to why she felt the way she did. She grabbed the goblet of wine that had been poured for her, and took a sip. Its taste was bitter, and she hated it, but she'd been told it helped an upset stomach and helped to calm anxious nerves. After a moment she realized the statement was false. Her heartbeat continued to race, causing her face to flush. What was getting into her? 'Tristessa Alary! Calm yourself this instant! You're going to cause a scene...' she thought to herself.

She looked around the room to make sure no one had noticed her, and no one had. She turned her body slightly away from the center of the room and took a few deep breaths. It finally seemed to help. After a few short moments, she felt calm enough to turn back around, but something still lingered in the back of her mind. She now wished she'd brought some type of weapon; a sword or, at least a knife with her. She bit her lower lip momentarily before distracting herself by actually eating some of the food before her. She hardly tasted any of it.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

He watched her stretch, her hands delicately reaching towards the sky. Samir couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face at her words. He reached up and pushed his hood back ever so slightly so she could see his face and meet his gaze properly, careful not to expose his skin too much. He liked the way she thought. "Soon enough, my lady." He said, his deep voice echoing a bit off the walls surrounding them. He took a step towards her and looked over her head to the castle walls, nodding in that direction. "Soon enough, we will be in the dining hall of that castle and you will be seated in the king's chair, your rightful place, feasting on his food and drinking his wine." He looked down at her and met her gaze, his black eyes determined. "I'll see to it."

"Oh, I have no doubts. None whatsoever," Eve said. "And of course, it won't just be me. All of our brethren." Absentmindedly, she raised a finger to the side of her neck, caressing the mark. That dreaded mark which damned her for all eternity in the eyes of those around her. She was shunned for it, hated for it. And they all would pay for it.

Eve moved her finger up to her chin in a thoughtful pose. "Perhaps I will even destroy the castle and rebuild it. Oh, but why stop there! Let's rebuild everything! I want to make sure that everything marking the memories of those who oppose us is gone."

Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she stared at Samir. She had a tendency to ramble. But that was okay. Who better than with him?

"You know, Samir, I often envy you." Pausing for a moment, Eve moved back against the wall, slowly sliding down until she was seated on the ground. "You have no memories of your past, therefore they can't haunt you. I imagine you might sleep well at night." She grinned slightly, looking up at him. "Don't you?"

 

[MissCellaFane]

"You know, Samir, I often envy you." He narrowed his eyes at her statement, but didn't say anything, waiting for her to go on.

Samir remained standing as Eve sank to the ground, her back against one wall. With a quick glance around to ensure there was no unwanted company, he then sat down, resting his back against the opposite wall so he could face her. He kept his knees bent, his legs slightly spread in a casual position, his arms folded across his chest.

She finally spoke again, "You have no memories of your past, therefore they can't haunt you. I imagine you sleep well at night." She met his gaze and an impish grin spread across her face. "Don't you?"

Samir blinked and said seriously, "When I've had a full meal, yes." He waited for that statement to fully sink in and then grinned back, bearing his large, white, canine teeth. He then sobered. "But you mustn't envy me, my lady. I am a vampire, considered by most as the vilest, most evil creature that walks this earth. Forever hated and hunted in equal measure." He looked away, distracted by a passing cart in the road nearby. When it had passed, he met her gaze again. "And you mustn't change that when you are queen. I have lost respect for my kind. They wouldn't hesitate to kill even you, my lady, to satisfy their hunger, regardless of the fact that you freed them. So they are one species that must stay controlled. Unfortunately, that means condemning myself as well."

He shrugged, giving the impression that it didn't bother him in the slightest. And in truth, it bothered him very little. Even though he still thirsted for blood, and needed it to survive, he found he lived for more than the thrill of the hunt. When he met Eve, his life had purpose. He was not truly one of them anymore.