Lover

[Nella Fantasia]

Once Samir disappeared into the shop, Eve relaxed back against the stone, watching those passing by. She could hear music not so far off, lights, decorations, and costumes flashing before her eyes. Laughter and singing, yelling and cursing, all mixed together. It was the life of Namor. She remembered it well -- the festivities, begging at a young age to be taken to the celebration so she could dance, sing, and laugh as well. It wasn't until she became older that she was finally able to go if she wanted; and that she did, usually with Roden following behind.

One time in autumn her and Roden painted their faces and dressed up in costumes resembling little monsters. Then they went through Namor's castle, frightening the servants and terrifying some of the guests. Of course they were punished, but they laughed about it and retold the stories for months afterward. How weird it felt for Eve to recall such memories when it felt like another lifetime ago.

Suddenly she heard several crashes of bottles being broken and other numerous items hitting the floor coming from inside the shop. She only smirked. Yes, Samir would get her anything she wanted, no matter how hard he had to fight for it.

Sure enough within a few minutes, Samir came out of the shop, grabbing her shoulder, and giving her a gently push. "I've got it. Let's go."

She complied and walked a few steps before looking over her shoulder at Samir. "Where is he?" All thoughts of childhood and Roden disappeared into the night.

 

[MissCellaFane]

"An abandoned fort ruin to the south." He grinned. "You have interesting acquaintances, Eve. I hope this Newlyn will be easier to persuade than that shopkeeper." Then again, it was more fun for him if he wasn't.

He let Eve lead him through the city as he wasn't all that familiar with that part of the town. Finally they arrived at the outskirts of the town where small cottages and farmhouses dotted the green hills. He began to hear the sound of crickets as the noise from the city dimmed. "He said south." Samir repeated. He pushed his hood off his head as there was no need to hide anymore. No one was around. He let his eyes adjust to the sudden darkness of the countryside. The road stretched into the blackness of the night, but Samir thought he could see a small overgrown path leading into some dense forest off to the left. Could that be where they needed to go? "Do you know the ruin?" He asked Eve, hoping maybe she had come across it when she lived here.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

"You have interesting acquaintances, Eve." Samir grinned. "I hope this Newlyn will be easier to persuade than the shopkeeper."

Eve laughed softly, but she didn't say anything more.

She obviously took the lead, knowing exactly where to go. What sounded funny to her was Samir had said the abandoned fort ruin. When she had lived it hadn't been a ruin. That was at least one major thing that had changed. Eve became more relaxed the further they got from the public. She assumed Samir did as well for he threw back his hood, which only meant he didn't care now who might see him.

"Do you know the ruin?" Samir asked her as she lead them off the main road onto a dirt beaten path.

"Yes, only when I lived here it wasn't a ruin." Eve stepped over a large branch. "Though it was in fact abandoned. The fort was used many years ago before the city of Namor was built. However, when I lived here they used the fort as some sort of armory. I wonder where they put the armory now." She sighed. "Things sure have changed."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir saw the old fort ahead a little further into the forest. It wasn't a large fort, but if it had served as an armory like Eve said, then it really didn't need to be. Four, partially dismantled stone walls surrounded a small courtyard. Two circular keeps stood at the furthest corners, a large wooden door in each of them seeming to be the only entrances into the inner fort.

Samir entered the courtyard cautiously, drawing his sword from it's sheath. There were only two absolutely certain ways that an abandoned building such as this could have attained the rumor of being haunted. Either the building had been abandoned for so many centuries and in such a state of disrepair that no one remembered what went on there and thus people began making up their own stories....most of which had tragic or violent endings. Playing on that, the ghosts of those killed would be rumored to haunt the building to this day. Or, the other option. Something sinister had happened more recently in or around the fort, something terrible and violent and unexplainable, causing the people to assume that supernatural beings or ghosts were responsible. Since Eve remembered a time when the fort was used, Samir was inclined to believe it had become the haunted fort for the latter reason and didn't want to go in unprepared.

Keeping Eve behind him, Samir opened the wooden door to the right keep. It creaked loudly and Samir stepped inside. The stone hallway he found himself in smelled old and musty, like a cave or mine shaft. His footsteps echoed as he and Eve entered. A faint glow was coming from somewhere deeper inside the fort. Since Newlyn was the only one who was supposed to be living here, Samir assumed the glow had been produced by the sorcerer. "Stay close." Samir whispered to Eve as he began making his way towards the dim light.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve couldn't help but smirk, standing behind Samir as he slowly advanced into the abandoned fortress. Sometimes he could be overly protective, as Eve thought, but it more than compensated for her rash actions at times. If she had been alone, she probably would have just stormed the place, knocking on the walls, and calling out for Newlyn. But Eve didn't say a word, allowing Samir to act was the protector.

But once Eve heard the old familiar voice call out, "Who's there? State it quickly or I swear I'll send a horde of mangy critters to gnaw on your flesh!" she knew it was all right.

With her smirk still visible, she moved past Samir and entered into the doorway where a stream of light fell from. Standing there with a wand in his hand, outstretched like a sword, was Newlyn. He had begun to bald on the top of his head, but surprisingly his beard was thick and full, with a string of beads braided into it several inches from his chin. A few paint marks streaked his face and a small monkey sat perfectly still on his shoulder.

When Eve entered into the room, the monkey shrieked and Newlyn started swinging his wand. "I'm not bluffing!"

Eve laughed. "Oh trust me, I know you're not."

Newlyn continued to hold out his wand as though it could slice her in half with an imaginary blade. He cocked his eyebrow in thought. "And you are?"

"Dear, Newlyn, I'm quite hurt that you don't remember me."

With that he stood up a bit straight, dropping the wand to his side, squinting in her direction. Finally after a few moments, he threw up his arms, causing the monkey to drop to the floor with a tiny bump. "May the gods help us all, it's Eve!"

Another laugh from her throat. "In the flesh."

The monkey quickly scampered back up to his spot as Newlyn moved forward, not noticing the fall of his friend. "I can't believe you came back! But...how?"

"I have my ways."

"Of course. I always figured one of you would be coming back sooner or later. I presume the master is...dead?"

Eve shrugged. "I haven't seen him in many years."

"Odd," Newlyn muttered as he brought his finger to his lips, tapping them lightly. "Odd indeed." Then he snapped back as though just now realizing Eve was in the room. "So what brings you here?"

"Well," Eve stated slowly as she reached into her pouch and brandished the vile of poison. "I need a little favor."

"I see. I see." His dark eyes narrowed in on the bottle. "What kind of favor? And what do I get in return?"

Eve held the bottle up so she could see it, staring at it as she moved it between her fingers. "I have a dilemma, you see. I need this poison to kill someone. But alas, it's too strong. It would kill them within minutes. I need its potent to be lessened so it might take weeks for...said person to finally die." She turned her deep blue eyes up at him. "And I know you know what to do."

"I might. I might...for a price."

"Is it gold you want?"

"Maybe..."

"Then what? I don't remember you being this greedy before."

Newlyn's eyes looked passed Eve to Samir as though he just now saw the vampire looming over the necromancer's form. "So, who is your unfortunate victim?"

"Hmm...Someone you know."

"I see. I see." He continued to stare at Samir before glancing back at the vile in Eve's hand. He didn't mention any more about the "victim". "Let me see it."

Eve handed it over. Once Newlyn had it in his grasp, he held it up to his eye, close enough that Eve didn't know how he was even seeing anything besides numerous blurs. But he must have known what he was looking at, and she didn't question. Even the monkey decided to move from his comfort zone and step a little down onto his master's arm to observe the liquid.

"Aha!" Newlyn exclaimed, turning around to run to a table. It contained all necessary sorcerer stuff, of course, includes books, bottles like her own, numerous herbs and animal parts. He walked straight over to a book and began flipping through the pages with his free hand, skimming down the words.

Eve took a step closer, watching him intently. But, like her own spell book, his was created for his eyes, and his eyes alone. Although she might be able to see some of the smudges, she couldn't make out any of the words or symbols.

Suddenly he closed his book, looking back at the vile. Then he gathered some random supplies and laid them all out onto the table. His monkey friend suddenly began to shriek, jumping up and down several times as though he was excited. Perhaps he had seen Newlyn's magic enough to think it was some kind of show. How appropriate.

Eve studied him intently, her arms folded across her chest. When he looked like he was ready, he made sure to purposely stand in front of her so she couldn't see what he was doing. She grinned. She could understand that.

Several minutes went by, and all Eve could hear was the screaming from the monkey, several whispered from Newlyn, a bubble, a popping noise, and some other noises she'd rather not know about. Finally, he turned around, holding out the same vile of poison only with a green tint to it. He looked proud.

"And it's done," Newlyn said.

Eve took the bottle, feeling excitement beginning to bubble in her stomach once more. It really worked, which meant, so far, everything was going according to plan! She couldn't have hoped for anything better. Well...than for the actual full plan to succeed.

Newlyn bowed his head. "No payment required."

"That's nice of you," Eve said quietly, placing the vile back into her pouch for safe keeping. "Though I have no idea what your change of heart was."

She looked back up just in time to see the twinkle in Newlyn's eye. "Oh, you've already given me enough. It was nice to see you again, Eve."

Eve grinned. "I'm sure it was." She turned to leave, walking to the door, but stopped when she heard his voice once more.

"And make sure to give my regards to your brother." Again that twinkle, only now it was mischief in his voice.

Eve looked back one more time. "Oh, I will." And then her and Samir were gone.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir had seen some bizarre things in his life. But he had to admit, this sorcerer with his beaded beard, his seemingly random and almost comical display of sorcery, and of course the extremely annoying monkey, was one of the most bizarre things Samir had ever come across. He had watched in fascination, not entirely sure that this sorcerer knew exactly what he was doing. But when Samir glanced at Eve, her expression was one of anticipation and so he made no comment. She, apparently, had full confidence in this odd man.

When he finally turned around and handed the poison back to Eve, Samir was relieved. This place was unnerving. And it made him itch too. He scratched the back of his neck absentmindedly. Eve turned to leave and he made to follow when Newlyn spoke again. "And make sure to give my regards to your brother."

"Oh, I will." Eve answered with a sinister smile. Samir's heart leapt. So he knew! Somehow, the funny little man knew! But, interestingly enough, Samir didn't think it would be a problem. A man who lived in a "haunted" fort with only a shrieking monkey for company probably wouldn't get taken very seriously by normal people.

As Samir held the door open so Eve could step outside into the courtyard again, he asked, "So? Where to now, My Lady?"

 

[Kitangel]

((um... did I get a reply for Gina? I can't find one...))

 

[Nella Fantasia]

((I don't think so, but no one has posted for the king and queen in a really long time. We're just waiting on MD))

 

[LightofHeaven]

((he posted a bunch in PoK, but not in here. ))

 

[StarSplitter87]

((We need to do a joint post.....or a time skip.))

 

[Kitangel]

((I just did a time skip, though. MD, get over here!!))

 

[CJF]

Trista sighed deeply, and bit her lower lip in impatience. She'd been lying awake in bed for over three hours, and her family still had not gone to bed. He would be arriving any moment, and she knew she couldn't leave with her siblings awake. They wouldn't think highly of her sneaking out at night, and with a human at that.

A few moments later she heard a faint 'plunk' as a small rock hit her window. Trista smiled and lept from under the covers, and ran to the window. He was just about to throw another, when she opened the window, and pressed her finger to her lips.

"Shh!" she whispered. "They will hear you!"

He motioned for her to come down. She turned and started at the bottom of her bedroom door, and saw the golden hue disappear. They were all gone to bed. She smiled and silently began to crawl out of her window. Not quite accustomed to sneaking out at night, she was a bit wobbly as she tried to climb down two stories, just to reach the main floor's rooftop. Unfortuantely for her, she slipped and began to roll down the slanted wood. She heard him gasp, and tried to grab onto the ledge as she rolled over it, but wasn't quick enough. She landed with a 'thud' right ontop of him.

She gasped and quickly moved.

"Brennan, are you alright?"

He grunted and slowly sat up. "Aside from the fact that I shall no longer have the use of my left kidney, I'm prefectly fine. And here I thought elves were supposed to be graceful creatures..."

Trista grinned, and stood. He stood and brushed himself off. "You know," he said, his voice dripping with mischief, "for an elf, you're a bit heavy."

Trista gasped and chuckled. "Just for that I think I'll go back inside."

Brennan smiled. "You couldn't even climb down safely, what makes you think you could climb up?"

Trista laughed and pretended to be offended. "I could have broken my neck falling from way up there, and it all would have been so I could spend time with you. And yet you laugh." She turned away and walked towards the house. "Fine. See if I risk my life to see you again."

A moment later, his hand grasped hers and pulled her as he began to run towards the surrounding woods. She smiled and willingly ran with him, towards the spot they went to every day. As they ran, he looked over at her and smiled, his eyes alight with life. She smiled in return, her heart flooding with happiness.

Trista awoke quickly, and looked around. It was dark, but she could still see. She remembered where she was, and layed back down. Another dream. Why couldn't she just let it go? Brennan was gone. Dreaming about him ever night was not going to bring him back, and it only filled her heart with more pain. She sighed and decided she'd been away from home long enough. She stood, intending to head straight home, only to realize she didn't have her cloak. It was still at the castle. With a frustrated sigh, she began to slowly make her way out of the wilderness and back into the village.

 

[StarSplitter87]

((Apparntly MD is too lazy to even post a post of his on here, so he sent it to me.))

The music changed, and Jadir suddenly glanced down, his head swinging towards the willow wherein he knew Kaira sat playing. A cloud passed over his eyes, a momentary shadow of doubt, perhaps a brief foresight f what was to come.In later ages, when the land will be divided and all manner of wickedness walk free, such suspicion would be the custom and even the necessity; but this was Union, the Realm of Truth, and he being its King, he held faith. And the doubt faded from his face as though brushed away by the breeze, and he turned his steps towards the willow.

Kaira continued to play, absorbed in her playing and wondering if her King heard the notes she played, for she played them for him.

 

[LightofHeaven]

(( time skip wouldnt work right now. nd, um, I think MD meant t do a joint post.))

 

[Nella Fantasia]

As Samir held the door open so Eve could step outside into the courtyard again, he asked, "So? Where to now, My Lady?"

Eve fingered the vile of poison in her pouch as she stepped passed Samir into the night air. "To the King and Queen's celebration, of course! It wouldn't be kind of us to visit Namor without at least paying some respects for their anniversary."

She swerved around to face him, her hair flowing before her in the wind. "Besides Roden might be wanting this bottle." She paused to look up into the sky as though in thought. "But I'm not too sure if I'm keen on you going."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir frowned, remembering his last appearance at said party. It wasn't a very pleasant one and he had to admit he wasn't too keen to go back either. However, with the memory of his encounter with the elf, his mind wandered back to the dream he'd had earlier. Of Tessa. If her name even was Tessa. He wondered if she was possibly still at the party. And if so, if she would even talk to him after he scared her off by revealing to her that he was a vampire. He mentally shook himself. Get ahold of yourself! No sense worrying about some elven maiden from your past. Your future is what's important.

His mind came back to the present and he looked at Eve, shrugging and grinning mischievously. "I think I know why." He chuckled. "Though I would still like to accompany you. Perhaps to the castle gate? I'll go no further than that."

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve looked back over at Samir. She shrugged. "If you insist." She didn't feel like arguing with him anymore that night. Though if she saw an elf...well, she was going to just stop there.

"Let's go then."

When they reached the front of the castle arch, Eve stopped to observe the decorations newly placed and the crowds of people going in and out. It hadn't lost its beauty from the darkness of the night; in fact, it shown more brightly than ever. Oh, how she hated seeing this place all alight and glorified!

She turned around to face Samir. "Wait here. Don't leave. If something happens and I'm not back in twenty minutes...you know what to do." And with that she moved to the side, going around the castle to the spot where she had slipped in before.

 

[CJF]

Trista would have taken longer to get to the gate, had she not gotten a bit cold. She didn't feel well at all, and just wanted to back home in her own bed. She walked quickly towards the castle and sighed with relief when she saw the castle gate not far away. She felt awkward going into the castle at night to get the cloak she'd left, but she wasn't about to leave without it. It was getting too cold. Or was it that she felt cold inside, making her cold outside? It didn't matter. She walked quickly towards the gate, anxious to leave the heartache of the castle and all that had happened there.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir watched Eve slip into the castle grounds. His hood was back over his head again, his whole body a shadow. He slipped out of the light streaming from the castle's courtyard torches and into the darkness next to the gate. He folded his arms across his chest, crossed his right foot over his left and let his broad shoulders lean back against the wall. Nothing to do but wait now, and pray Eve didn't get herself seen.

Movement to his left caught his attention and for a moment his heart stopped. It was the elven maiden. His mind raced with questions. Should he make his presence known? Should he ask her if she was Tessa? Did it really matter if she was? He was no longer her Brennan. Did he really need to know?

He watched as she rubbed her arms absentmindedly, obviously cold. She was heading right for him, but didn't see him for he was too carefully hidden. His heart hammered in his chest. Now was his chance! She had reached the gate! Speak, man! But his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth, part of him thinking he really didn't want to know. Knowing would only cause her heartache and would cause him to wonder about his life before becoming a vampire.

Before he could think anymore, just as she was passing through the gate, Samir spoke. "Tessa." It was a single solitary word and it wasn't shouted, only spoken. But it was the test. If she answered to it, he would know.

 

[CJF]

Trista had been lost in her own thoughts, and unaware that she was being watched. She didn't expect anyone to speak to her as she passed the gate, nor did she expect it to be her nickname that was spoken. "Tessa."

Trista froze where she was. Only one person ever called her Tessa. Her heart pounded in her chest, and tears sprung to her eyes. The voice-his voice-had come from the shadows. She could barely see the outline of a figure. Maybe, just maybe..."B-Brennan?" she asked, desperation in her voice. She wondering of she were really awake or still dreaming.