|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2020 0:18:45 GMT -5
Rhys crossed his arms over his chest as he looked out over the city. He sighed as he listened to the woman moving about to dress the princess back in the skimpy silks that the king forced her into. When he was told it was alright to turn around he turned and gave a forced smile. “Of course, yes. Another type of magic would do the mind well. It strengthens it. Shall we return to the library?” He spoke as he walked toward the door without really giving her a choice. He walked down the hallway. His eyes looked around once again to the paintings and statues. It was evident that the king thought highly of himself. Compensation clearly.
He was quiet as he nodded to the guard to open the door and they walked back inside the library. He turned to her and drew in a breath as his eyes looked over her form. It was more revealing than anything she wore in the future. That was one thing that she definitely changed. He gave a weak smile to her as he pulled out the chair to the table that they were sitting at before. He pushed the chair in once she sat and he took his place across from her. Rhys looked to the princess a moment as he made his way through his thoughts. “I want you to know that I...didn’t say anything to impress you or make you happy earlier...” He spoke as he searched her eyes. “I’m going to need your help getting your mother out of that tower. Even if it is merely to escape for now.” He seemed to think deeply then, “I’m going to have to teach you magic to defend yourself...so that if you get into trouble and I am not around...you won’t get hurt...” He bit his lip slightly. “Also. Where is the king’s office?” He asked curiously. “I’ll need to tailor us a way to get in there as well.”
Rhys drew in a breath then, “What do you recommend Ivy? What needs to be done to help you?” He was focused on her, she had his undivided attention. Much more attention than anyone else truly seemed to give her. “Even if the idea sounds crazy, I want to hear it.” He gave a smile then.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 12, 2020 0:36:29 GMT -5
Ivy heard Rhys's words and gave a soft smile at his reassurance. Though that smile waned as he mentioned what they would need to do moving forward. She would do anything to free her mother, but his mention of magic used to defend herself she felt a little more uncomfortable. Magic was something proving to be more difficult than she had originally anticipated, much less being able to use it for practical applications.
"Well, I'll start with the easiest thing you just mentioned. "My father's private study is in the room directly across from his personal chambers. There are no other doors and no windows as it is in an interior room to the palace. My father even had the servant's door sealed up so there was only one way in and out. At least that's what he's told me." She paused to think, as if debating on something. "I could show you where the servant access was. Perhaps it would be better than trying to deal with the guards outside the door?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2020 0:47:25 GMT -5
Rhys watched as she mulled over his words. He thought for a moment and then smirked. “I bet the access isn’t blocked. Or...at least it isn’t blocked enough to keep us out.” He nodded then. “I...” He drew his brows together as he reached up and pulled something out from around his neck. He unclasped a necklace that hung beneath his tunic under his robes. It had been well hidden until he pulled it out. It was a beautiful amulet that was made of silver and gold. Within the center of the swirling silver a tree of life sprawled its branches toward the edges of the circle which was backed by a colorful display. Rhys looked to the amulet a moment, he held it in his palm. It was a magnificent piece of jewelry. But what made it even more valuable was that it was enchanted. He lifted his eyes to look to Ivy a moment. “I want you to have this.” He spoke and gave a soft smile. “This is a very special necklace, and it will go with any outfit, the colors will change in the background if you will it to.” He set the amulet upon the table and the backing behind the tree changed to the color of the wooden table.
Rhys looked to the amulet a long moment before he looked back to Ivy. “You aren’t ready to defend yourself just yet...so this will have to do.” He nodded. “It is a protection amulet, it will shield you from harm. It has done so for me for years, it was my mothers...” His voice trailed off slightly as he said the last bit. He then offered a reassuring smile. “It will help you protect yourself. You will draw from its magic, so long as you will it.” He nodded to her. “If it kept me safe through time travel, I know it can keep you safe here. Hm?” He stood then. “Do you want to show me the servant’s door? Do you have any questions?” He asked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 12, 2020 1:03:37 GMT -5
Ivy knew that offering the amulet, given it's history, was a hard thing for Rhys to do, and she hesitated before picking it up off the table. Running her thumb over the beautiful engraving as she admired the piece she gave him another soft smile. "Thank you, Rhys. Once I do learn to defend myself a bit I'll return it to you. Deal?" She slipped the amulet on over her head and willed the color to change to that of the blue in her current attire. It matched perfectly and it even gave itself a bit of camouflage in a way.
"I think the best option would be to try the servant door during the night. We've already been gone a lot today and I don't want the King getting suspicious." She told him. "Besides, there's something else I want to show you later. They only come out at night and so that will be the best time." She gave him a knowing smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2020 11:27:50 GMT -5
Rhys watched as she took the amulet into her hand. He returned the smile as he stood idly across the table from her. “No need. It’s yours. It protected me for something that I needed to do. I needed to make it here. Now you need it more than I do.” He gave a weak smile then before he sat back down across from her as she spoke of when it was better to approach the servant’s passageway into the king’s office. “Hm...” He nodded then. “You’re right.” He smiled back to her then. “Well. That leaves us with some time then. Doesn’t it?” He gave another smile as he leaned back in his chair to fish his book out from his robes.
He set it upon the table and looked to her a moment. “What sort of….element do you feel connected to?” He asked with a curious smile. “This can be very important for learning magic. If you draw from one of the elements more easily….then that is where we shall begin with your defense.” He nodded. “So...is it fire?” He snapped his fingers and a flame appeared on his fingertips. He grinned and snuffed it out before he grasped a vase that sat on the end of the table. “Water?” He raised a brow as he flicked his fingers and water gently sprayed upon the flowers. “I won’t do any earth magic in here.” He chuckled. “Wood could be interesting.” He spoke with a raised brow. “Having the ability to manipulate plants to your will.” He held his hand out and the leaves of the flower shuddered slightly. “Hm...I’ve seen a mage manipulate the roots of a tree to save herself...I’ve never been good at wood magic though.” He then shrugged slightly, “Then you have lightning, that can be a very powerful element. A lot of mages have a hard time controlling it though, unless it is truly your calling.”
Rhys tilted his head slightly as he looked to her. “Metal magic.” He shrugged slightly. “Boring.” He smirked, “Besides you’d have to make sure you had metal with you and well...we are surrounded by stone….so...” He then watched her and a smile lit his face. “Perhaps Vox. The ability to us your voice as defense.” He leaned forward and rest his chin in his palm. “Now that may be it.” He spoke with a smile. “We can try them all, see which one calls to you...I can’t perform Vox magic though, it’s pretty rare...so if you have the ability to do it...that may be your element.” He leaned back in his chair then as he watched her. “Do any of those sound interesting to you Ivy?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 12, 2020 11:43:09 GMT -5
The choices that he presented her, along with the reasoning behind each of them, made Ivy pause. She was still getting used to having a choice instead of simply being told to master everything. She had to remember that magic was different than her other studies. It was something she used not simply information she retained. "Well.. I.." She thought long and hard on what element she felt drawn to. Vox, or voice, was definitely not it. She didn't have much of a voice and didn't really see herself being tied to such a power. "Isn't there some sort of affinity test?" She finally asked. "Unless there's something silly like light magic." She doubted it. Light wasn't an element it just was.. well light. No substance or any sort of anything to it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2020 12:01:26 GMT -5
Rhys watched her as she seemed to think over what he had offered her. A smile curved up his lips as he awaited her answer. Then when she asked about a test he grinned. “Of course there is a test.” He nodded. “Light and dark magic yes.” He raised a brow. “However the elements tie into this. Your element will be your foundation.” He spoke as he stood. “Shall we find out what element is drawn to you?” He asked as he stood and grabbed a piece of chalk. He once again began to draw upon the floors of the library. He was precise in his movements as he made each line of the rune. He stepped back a few times before he stepped back in to complete a line here and there. Then when he was finished he turned to look to the princess. “Alright.” He smiled. “Come on.” He stepped into the circle. “I’ll show you.” He spoke a few lines of the spell, his eyes began to glow and then the rune upon the floor began to glow. His hair lifted slightly as power seemed to float around him. Little sparks of lightning fluttered around his body. His feet lifted from the floor slightly and then after a moment the power disappeared and he lowered to the floor once again.
“It’s simple.” He spoke and gave her a nod. “Now. You try.” He motioned for her to step into the rune. “I’ll guide you. Just repeat after me.” He smiled as he stood before her. He began to speak the line again. It was simple, only three words to reveal a mage’s element.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 12, 2020 12:26:02 GMT -5
For as frightening as magic was to Ivy it was also rather remarkable. The ease at which he commanded the forces and seemed to draw on his own element with ease. It was a little intimidating actually, but after he had drawn his runes, showed her how it worked and had her step into the circle herself she tried to push her fears out of her mind. Taking a deep breath she focused on Rhys as he spoke the words and she repeated them perfectly.
At first nothing seemed to happen, but then the runes along her arms started to glow once more. They traveled further up, across her shoulders, down her chest and even up her neck slightly before they finally stopped. There was no pain this time as they spread and Ivy seemed more amazed with the display than anything as the silvery lines etched their way into her skin. Once they were complete there was a flash of light which made Ivy cover her eyes for a moment.
When she opened them again she was looking at a ghostly image of herself that stared back at her. The image smiled softly and then turned to face Rhys as she tilted her head with curiosity. The image was a projection of Ivy's very soul. Her very essence and gave her element away as living magic. The type that spoke directly with the spirits around her, alive or dead.
The image didn't last long of course, and quickly faded back into Ivy's body as the spell ended. The light faded and so did Ivy's runes along her arms. "What in the god's name?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2020 12:53:32 GMT -5
Rhys gave a nod and a smile. “You’ll be okay, I promise.” He spoke, “I’m right here if anything goes wrong.” He watched as the runes began to glow. The runes over her skin etched over her body, much like the runes of her future self, though the silvery appearance was beautiful. Rhys took a step back as the projection appeared, his jaw loosened. He stared into the ghostly eyes of the projection as it stared to him with curiosity. Spirit magic. Living magic. Whatever one wanted to call it. It was so incredibly rare that he’d nearly forgotten that it existed.
He stood with an expression of awe as everything faded away. He looked to Ivy and then gave a reassuring smile. “That, is your element, Ivy.” He drew in a long breath. “Come here.” He led her back to the table where he sat down with his book and he flipped through the pages. “I didn’t even mention this magic because...well...” He lifted his eyes to look to her. “It is so rare...I’ve not met anyone who has an affinity to it...not even your father can control spirit magic...” He pushed the book toward her as he found the page that detailed everything about her magic.
“You are connected to everyone around you. Their souls to be precise. Be it dead or alive, you cane speak directly to their spirit.” Rhys watched her curiously a moment. “That may be why we were attacked in the Void...there are plenty of angry spirits there, lost...for centuries...and when you appeared your soul was the only soul that has reached out to them...and some will find that infuriating. Especially because you do not have a grasp on your magic quite yet...” Rhys ran his fingertips along the stubble that had formed on his jaw. “It’s interesting...you could defend yourself quite easily with this magic. You can bend the will of others by speaking to their spirit...” He smirked as he watched her. Though the more he thought about it...the more the future made sense. She had complete control over him in the future. This explained it...a mage that had a good grasp on living magic...well...that mage was practically untraceable and untouchable. This was a dangerous discovery. He was teaching her the very magic that she used in the future...
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 18, 2020 16:10:22 GMT -5
Ivy followed Rhys back to the table. When he mentioned the type of magic and the fact that not even Magnus could control the type she naturally resonated with. She read over the page while Rhys continued to talk and tried to absorb what he was telling her. "So, I can manipulate people through their spirit?" She asked and furrowed her brow. "That sounds.. interesting." She continued to glance over the pages of the book for a moment longer and then sat down in her chair once more.
"How would I even do something like that? It sounds like that would be really advanced and I can't even do any basic spells yet." She brushed some hair out of her face. "I was hoping for something easy, like water or earth."
"I see the library was cleaned up." The voice of the King said behind them which made Ivy jump slightly before she rose from her chair to greet the King.
"Yes, father." Ivy replied without missing a beat. "I will ensure that it does not reach the state it was in earlier again."
"Good, good." He stated with a nod as he looked at his daughter then shifted his gaze over to Rhys. "How does her lesson fair?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 18, 2020 16:52:39 GMT -5
Rhys looked to her with a soft smile upon her lips. “Yes, you can make anyone do as you please...” He looked to the book and watched as she read over the pages a bit more before she finally took her seat across from him. He drew in a breath when she questioned how exactly she would be able to pull off such a feat. “Ah yes, well, it’s simple really.” He smirked. “Now that it is unlocked you should feel it. Can you feel it? You just have to imagine what you want.” He smiled then. “So long as you can project that upon your target. It is an incredible magic to have. Even more powerful than earth or water. You don’t need to have material to perform it.” He gave a soft smile. Though his smile faded slightly as he heard the king and he quickly slipped the book out of sight and opened another book that he had on the table that was about magic.
Rhys stood quickly and bowed deeply to the king before he stood and looked to the two. “Ah yes my king. Her lesson is going quite well. She is very eager to learn. I believe that she will make a wonderful mage.” Rhys gave a smile. “One of the strongest around I imagine, with her determination.” He took in a breath as he anticipated the king speaking again. He began to wonder just why the king was there. He could only hope that his answer was sufficient.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 18, 2020 17:22:00 GMT -5
The King seemed pleased with Rhys's answer and nodded his approval before turning back to Ivy. "Well, you'll be happy to know I have invited several guests to the palace for a ball tomorrow evening. You are to dance and mingle with every Lord that asks for your hand, understood?"
Ivy gave the King a slightly curious look but nodded, it wasn't anything too unusual. "May I ask the occasion?" She asked.
"We're going to look for you a husband. It's about high time you were married and secured the future of this Kingdom by forging a powerful alliance." The King seemed rather pleased with himself at this announcement and even gave her a smug smile as if he were gloating.
"A.. a husband? Father I thought.." She started but the King cut her off.
"I don't want to hear any protests." He said with a raised hand. "The guests have already been invited and you will be making your decision on a suitor before the next full moon."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 18, 2020 18:05:39 GMT -5
Rhys watched the king as he broke the news to the princess. His brows rose slightly. A ball? So suddenly. What of the rule that no one could touch her? He drew his brows together but quickly checked himself and returned his expression to his humble warm smile. He felt as though he had been thrown into the center of an argument as he listened to the princess question the king. His jaw tightened slightly when the king raised his hand. So much as a flinch in the wrong direction. He pressed his lips together.
There wasn’t much that he could do or say. The king had his pawns lined up and he was in check. The mage bit his lower lip slightly as he tried to think of a way out of the situation for the princess. He began to wonder what exactly she had been questioning. Then again, it seemed that the king only wanted to parade her around as a trophy. “I shall teach the princess a few embellishments in her magic that would make for a splendid show for the ball if you would like, my king.” He spoke up, hoping to draw some of the fire away from the princess.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Apr 18, 2020 18:57:59 GMT -5
"Embellishments?" The King questioned with a look of interest. "I would very much like to see such things." He said with a smile and then looked back to Ivy. "Do not disappoint me, daughter." He warned and then turned to leave the library once more.
When he was gone Ivy clinched her fists and her arms shook slightly as her anger started to get the better of her. "How dare he command such things of me." She said in a voice barely above a whisper. "I want to know how to change the King's actions. Make it where he doesn't treat me like a trinket or object to be traded when he finds it profitable." Turning back to face Rhys she gave him a pleading look. "The man is sitting on my family's throne when it should be my mother making such decisions."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 18, 2020 19:32:29 GMT -5
Rhys gave a smile to the king, “Of course. You will be quite amused.” He chuckled slightly, carrying on the banter until the man left the room. To which the mage let out a heavy breath. His eyes looked to the princess whom turned to him and begged him to teach her these new magics. “Ivy.” He spoke as he stepped forward, he placed a hand upon her shoulder. He searched her eyes a moment. “That is first on my list.” He gave a smile then. Perhaps this was the turning point, the reason that the king went down in history of a caring king. Perhaps Ivy was behind it. He wondered just what caused her to turn into the horrible person that she was in the future.
Rhys drew his brows together, “Will you enter the void?” He asked cautiously. “I can show you there...it will be easier for you to fully use your magic. A safe space. We will go into a different...form of void...something like a safe room.” He searched her eyes carefully. “I know that the last time that we entered the void it was uncomfortable...but...you will gain better understanding of your magic there. You have limitless magic in the void...we will not stray from our entry point. Not one bit. Just being in the void will allow you to fully tap into your magic.” Rhys searched her eyes. “I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”
|
|
