|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 10, 2019 8:47:51 GMT -5
Elijah smiled brightly as he listened to Selma’s words. “I will be at your side each step of the way, I can promise you that.” He gave a soft squeeze to her hand as he took it once more. He glanced around them and took in a breath. “You know. One of the first spells I remember learning was bringing a dead flower back to life. That may be why I lean so heavily toward the healing magics.” He walked toward the center of the city where a glorious fountain sat with beautiful rose bushes that surrounded it. Elijah led Selma up to one and he gave an almost playful smile as he looked to her. “See this one?” He pointed his finger to a rose that was wilted, it would soon die and fall from the bush. “Watch.”
He turned and released her hand as he crouched down so that he was balanced on the balls of his feet. He reached his fingertips forward to the rose, his breathing became slow and focused. A gentle white glow came to his fingertips and as the glow came the wilting of the rose seemed to begin to reverse. Slowly the rose became smooth and beautiful once again, the petals opened up wide welcoming in the warm rays of the sun. Elijah stood and glanced to Selma a smile upon his lips. “All I want to do when I take the throne is heal those around me. I’ve snuck out of the castle at night many times into the slums of Phesa. I had to wear a cloak to disguise myself, but I’ve healed those with terrible wounds. My mother would turn her nose up at me if she knew what I have done.” He shrugged then, “But then again, everything that she does causes harm to something, somewhere.”
The prince pointed to another rose. “You used to be able to heal things too. Didn’t you?” He asked with a gentle smile. “I want you to try.” He nodded, “Just do what feel natural. Most mages need a spell, very few have will over their magic that does not require spells. The strong mages, like you.” He searched her eyes a long moment. “Just try and see what happens. Hm?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Jul 11, 2019 16:23:48 GMT -5
What Elijah did with the rose brought a sense of awe to Selma as she watched the wilted thing open its petals as the breath of life was returned to it. The brilliant red petals even seemed brighter than the already healthy flowers around it as well. It was in a sense, perfect. She wanted to be able to do the same thing so when he pointed to the next wilting rose she eagerly knelt before the bush to get on eye-level with it, as he had done, and reached up to touch the crumbling petals. She tried to will the flower into miraculous bloom, imagining it perking up and opening for the sun as Elijah's had done, but for a moment nothing seemed to happen.
She furrowed her brow a bit in concentration and after a moment she felt something happen. Like a dam blocking a river opened up and the force of the mana flowed from her to the rose before her. The flower lifted and the petals opened, showing a vibrant color, then just as she smiled at her accomplishment the rose petals darkened then the vines around it began to grow at an alarming rate. Selma withdrew her hand and got back to her feet as the rose bush turned into thorny brambles with wicked looking flowers bringing a blood red color to their dark green vines. It began to grow at such a rate that she grasped Elijah's arm as she was forced to step back, else her legs get caught in the thorns, and even a few others that were standing close by were forced to move away as the plant seemed to reach for them as well.
The sight was frightening as the lovely flowers had turned to something malicious. When the vines finally stopped growing half the courtyard they had been in was covered with thorns and flowers. The citizens around muttered in confusion as hey looked at the scene before them and glanced to the new nobles who had caused the strange event. "I.. I don't think I did it right." Selma finally said sheepishly while partially hiding behind Elijah from the stares and whispers of those around them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 11, 2019 17:04:35 GMT -5
Elijah watched as Selma knelt down before the bush. A soft smile curved up his lips as he watched the rose begin to come back to life. Though as the thorns began to grow his expression flattened and a look of worry overcame him. He wrapped his arm around Selma and took several steps back as he watched the brambles overtake the courtyard. His brows raised as he watched it stop and he bit his lip slightly as he looked to the curious eyes around them. “Well...” He cleared his throat. “You brought it to life, so….um...that’s a start...” He looked to the deep green vines that crawled along the ground with the red thorns that threatened to rip through the skin of whomever it came into contact with. Elijah glanced as he saw an old man looking to them from a storefront. The man didn’t appear bothered by the thorns, in fact he seemed intrigued and as his eyes caught that of Elijah’s he stepped forward.
“Well, well, what do we have here.” He spoke with a grin as his eyes looked to the silver bracelet upon Selma’s wrist. “From the lands of Phesa it seems.” He used a cane to walk around the two, as if he was inspecting them, though his eyes seemed glued to Selma. “What power you must possess to do such a thing.” He glanced to the brambles as a chuckle came over his old wrinkled lips. His eyes were milky as he looked to the two. “Not many mages have such dark magic.” He stood before Selma, both his hands upon his cane that stood before him. He was hunched forward slightly so that he could look into her eyes. “Such dark magic is very dangerous indeed.”
Elijah’s arm tightened slightly around Selma as if he was protecting her. “She’s learning, that’s all, just learning. King Tudor had her bracelet replaced with one that only draws half the power, so of course there will be hiccups and mistakes. She’s never felt magic in her life.”
The old man looked to the prince curiously. “Why would that be? Aren’t the nobles of Phesa allowed their magic? Unless….” He looked back to Selma. “You aren’t a noble after all.” His voice hummed as he spoke. “Just a simple maiden. If that is the case it makes you two all the more interesting to me. Who are you good fellow?” He questioned as he lifted his chin to look to the prince once again. “Your face, it seems oddly familiar to me. Noble in fact rather royal if I don’t say so myself.” He chuckled, he knew Elijah was the prince. He allowed silence to hang in the air before he shrugged. “Everyone knows your face prince. But this girl, no one knows.” He looked back to Selma with an intrigued stare. “So tell me, what brings you to Rhale. Clearly it isn’t war, otherwise you would have brought soldiers and failed miserably at entering the city. I heard you rode in by the carriage of the king himself.”
Elijah stiffened as the old man spoke. This was exactly what they didn’t need. He let out a breath and shook his head. “I do not need to answer to you.” He spoke in a bit of a gruff tone. “The king brought us here, yes. That is all that you truly need to worry about.”
“Oh is it?” The old man interjected. “Well, I suppose I won’t offer any help with the lady then.” He shrugged. “Good luck with her, if that is her first spell there is no telling what she had locked away just waiting to burst out. Hell, if she has that sort of magic at half power she could destroy that band easily. Don’t you think?” The old man tilted his head slightly. “Such trivial things for a prince to think of, I forget in Phesa this wouldn’t be an issue now would it?”
Elijah grit his teeth slightly. “Look.” He narrowed his brows. “I’m trying to help her. So what is it that you want?” He asked quickly. “Because if wasting my time is what you’re aiming at doing, you’ve done quite enough.”
The old man chuckled as he leaned forward with his cane. “If you want me help, all you have to do is ask young prince.” He grinned. “If she toys with such dark magic too often it could be detrimental to her health...” He shrugged. “But….what does an old man like me know?” He smirked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Jul 11, 2019 17:37:57 GMT -5
Selma gave a hesitant laugh when Elijah tried to offer a comforting word at her attempt at magic. Though when the man from the shop made his way over to the pair her all traces of a smile faded completely from her expression. Dark magic? What was he talking about? She didn't have dark magic. The only time dark spells were ever spoken of was in stories of old used to scare children into behaving. Malicious mages who sought vengeance on the world or sold their souls to shadow beings. Selma wasn't any of those things. She had barely discovered how to use the bit of magic she could muster up.
As the men exchanged words she felt less confident about her situation. The brambles that covered the courtyard were menacing looking and there was no doubt that she had been the one to cause them to spread. "Let's go." She told Elijah as she shook him gently. "I don't want to be out here anymore." Others could hear the exchange and now a small crowd had gathered around them and the last thing Selma wanted was to be caught in a mob at the outrage of Phesa's Prince walking freely through their city.
When the old man mentioned her health she glanced back to the man as another series of memories flashed before her eyes.
She drank a bottle filled with a potion intended to help with her illness, shuddering at the vile taste, but once the small bottle was empty she simply replaced the cork and put the bottle back in a box filled with other viles, some empty and some containing more of the potion. As the magic of the liquid took affect she could feel a drain on her being but sighed. The potions made her weak, as was their intended purpose, to prevent her magic from getting out of control. If she got upset or hurt she simply wouldn't have the energy to lash out on accident. Taking the potion every day made her feel guilty though. Elijah thought she had made them to try and cure her illness, in fact they in a way caused it. It was either this or risk hurting everyone around her if a spell took a dangerous turn until she could find a way to rid herself the malicious mana that flowed through her veins.
When the vision ended she felt a tremendous sense of guilt wash over her and prayed that Elijah hadn't shared the memory with her. He technically wasn't in it so it wasn't one they shared. "Let's go back to the palace." She told him in a pleading tone.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 21, 2019 14:30:10 GMT -5
“Come on, Selma.” Elijah wrapped his arm around her shoulders and ushered her forward. His eyes stayed on the old man for a moment. “I think you’ve scared her enough with your words sir.” He watched him as they walked away. He noticed the gaze in Selma’s eyes as he guided her through the people, her silence. Though Elijah didn’t prod at her, he could only imagine what it was like. So many things were changing at such a rapid rate. The tone in her voice said as much. She was uncomfortable. The prince nodded, “I’ll take you back, I’m sorry.” He apologized his voice soft as he led her through the curious citizens. He glanced over his shoulder as the old man conjured magic and the menacing brambles receded back until there was no sign of the dark arts that Selma used.
The prince led Selma to the castle in silence he paused briefly and turned as he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. Lord Tudor was walking down the hall. “The dark arts.” He spoke as he came to their sides. Elijah didn’t speak, his grip around Selma seemed to tightened in a protective manner, his brows tucked together. “Selma was a very powerful mage in her past life.” He glanced to her a smirk upon his lips. “Much as I was, we both were gifted with powers that were unimaginable to those around us. Hm, dear?” He gazed into her eyes a moment. “Do not think that word will not travel quickly through my city, especially with a display like that.” He crossed his arms as he looked to Selma. “And you’re not even functioning at full capacity. Incredible to think that, isn’t it?”
“I think that’s enough.” Elijah spoke up his eyes watched the lord. “It is enough to go from a servant to a noble, but to throw magic in...and dark magic at that.” He shook his head. “Give us some time.” He nodded. “We aren’t going to do anything until we receive word from Phesa. We have to wait, it is their move. Isn’t it?” He waited to watch the lord nod before he entered the room with Selma.
Elijah released her and closed the door before he let out a long breath. “Perhaps I shouldn’t be the one to train you, hm?” He looked to her with worried eyes. “My magic is not the least bit dark. I’ve had trouble even when I try to conjure a spell that even strays from that of the white magics. It is both a gift and a curse.” He shrugged slightly. “Do you remember any more?” He asked. “Did using your magic spark any memories?”
**
The king stood in the throne room guards lined up before him the queen at his side. “We will scour the streets for my son. He has been taken, I know my boy and I know Elijah would not have run like some have claimed. Look in every home, turn everything in this city upside down until you find him.” He ordered.
“My king!” A knight came rushing into the room, a scroll in his hands. “This was just dropped by dove, your highness.” He fell to his knees before the king.
The king took the scroll and his thumb ran over the seal. “Rhale...” He spoke and clicked his tongue before he broke the wax seal and unraveled the paper. His eyes looked over the words and his brows raised. Slowly a lock of disgust came over him and he threw the scroll to the ground, his ears became red with anger.
The queen stepped forward and lifted the scroll, her expression contorted as well. “Well, if you wanted to start a war, now is the time.” She spoke as she pressed her lips together. “I say kill them all.” She looked to the king and raised a brow. “Rhale is a stain on the map anyway. No one will miss it. Besides think of all the land we will gain.”
“The king of Rhale will kill Elijah.” The king spoke and shook his head. “We will not have an heir. That will cause more trouble than bargaining a better deal of his safe return...”
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Jul 21, 2019 15:33:37 GMT -5
Selma was glad that they Elijah agreed to take her back to the castle. She couldn't bear the suspicious looks and whispers that were all around her. She felt as if they knew what she had done and what she was hiding, though her more rational mind told her that it was impossible. Since they didn't wander far from the castle it didn't take them long to return. Even though they were away from the eyes and ears of the people in town she did not release her hold on Elijah's tunic. Then as she heard Tudor's voice form down the hall she tensed even more.
He had known that her magic was different and had simply let them discover that for themselves? She felt her trust in the man who had once been her father wane. What a cruel joke to play on someone. Was this a game to him? Had he lived long enough to forget the ramifications of the tricks he played on others? Either way she had no interest in talking with him and neither did Elijah apparently as he kept Tudor at bay and they continued on their way to their chambers.
Once they were alone Selma hand covered the thin silver bracelet on her arm and twisted it slightly. She wasn't sure she wanted to learn more magic at this point, and if he wasn't going to be the one to teach her then she was outright terrified of what she would be capable of. For all her wishes of being able to help others it seemed her destiny had something else in mind. "I.." She hesitated. "I remember why I was sick back then." She said in a small and quiet voice as she felt the guilt wash over her once more. "I took potions to keep myself ill so I didn't hurt anyone by accident. I didn't tell you because I knew you would protest and not want me to take them. At the time it was the only solution though." She grit her teeth. "You should just have the bracelet put back on me. I'd rather live my life as a slave then hurt those around me."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 21, 2019 16:03:20 GMT -5
Elijah turned to Selma as she spoke, concern filtered over his features as she revealed the truth. Though he was silent as she spoke, he let her get through all of her words as his breath seemed to catch within his chest. He bit his lower lip and shook his head. “You...wouldn’t do that...” He let out an uneasy chuckle. “You’d never hurt a fly, Selma.” He stepped forward passed her and paced slightly as the words sank in. He racked his mind for the memories that he didn’t have, he wanted more of his past to come to him yet...it wasn’t something that could be beckoned.
“If I knew, what if I could have helped?” He asked then his eyes watched her carefully. “What if...I can help you now...you’re not a slave, Selma.” He stepped forward and took her hands into his. He ran his thumb over the backs of her small hands as he gazed into her eyes. “What if that is the answer to all of this?” He asked softly. “You can control it...it will just take time, practice...I’ll help you with each step...” He didn’t release her for a long moment as silence crept into the room. “If we give up on this, the people of Phesa will forever be enslaved...we may as well have not cast the spell, hm? It was you who came up with the spell to bring our souls to another time...if you didn’t believe in yourself then...why would you have done such a thing?” He finally released her hands. “Perhaps the bracelets may help. What if we don’t fully remove the bracelet...or...we come up with something so that you can have control over how much it may draw from you...a mechanism...” He paced again slightly. “There has to be something we can do, Selma. Giving up is not an option, my father will be knocking down the walls of Rhale looking for me...if we can’t get ourselves together then what chance do we have?” The prince sighed heavily then as he sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve dreamed of freeing the people of Phesa and the allies of Phesa since I was a little boy. I was beaten for even voicing the idea to my mother. Many times she tried to beat the idea out of me and yet here I am...she couldn’t beat it out of me if she tried.” He let out a soft chuckle. “I won’t give up on you Selma.” He gazed to her a moment. “If anything, you shouldn’t give up on yourself.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Jul 21, 2019 20:04:56 GMT -5
Selma still felt extremely guilty for lying to Elijah, even if it was centuries ago, and as he continued to try and support her even though she was potentially dangerous to even be around. "I don't want to give up on the people of Phesa." She told him. "I don't know I just wish I remembered more than bits or pieces. We're walking blindly into this under the pretenses that we have an inkling of an idea that we know what we're doing." She was still clearly upset as she sat next to Elijah on the bed. Silence fell over them again before she remembered something that Maurine had said earlier. "Wait, Maurine said that she studied all my transcripts and learned everything that I had left behind. What if there's something in those transcripts that could help? I think I was studying a way to try and deal with the dark magic before we died. We could pick up where we left off and surely magical understanding has come a long way since back then. Or.." she thought back to the old man in the square that had approached them after she had made a mess with the brambles "maybe we should ask for help."
Turning to face him as she sat on the bed she reached up, hesitating slightly, and ran her hand along his arm. "I know you wont give on me. You're to stubborn for that." A smile touched her expression. "Maybe there is a way for me to control this. In the past I tried to suppress it not control it. If there's a way to do that then I want to find it." She was still terrified of her new found power, but she wouldn't give up as long as he didn't.
|
|
