|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 18, 2020 17:40:29 GMT -5
Rania looked to the mercenary as he spoke. She seemed to take in his facial expressions as he spoke of the king’s son. A soft look came over her expression as she drew in a breath. “Love as it were, can cause one to do many things that should not be done…” She couldn’t remember the king asking for help, then again she was quite young when all of this happened. The king had allied with her people for nearly 10 years before he turned on them. Her father trusted King Penn like his own blood. She drew in a breath and shook her head. “If it was a poison…even of the magical nature…” She seemed to be thinking quite deeply. “Magic is not a cure all. A curse or a poison…if my people did not know exactly what was done…ingredients that were used…” She shook her head. “It sounds like a dark magic. The arts of the shadows are not one with my people. Our magic is very pure at heart.” She had a sad smile about her lips. “I’ve not killed a soul in my lifetime.” She gazed to him, her eyes searched his as they continued to ride along. The rays from the sun were gone and darkness had consumed the countryside. “I do not intend to either. It is not how my father would have had it. Perhaps that was the cause of our downfall. We are not aggressive like humans.” She shook her head slightly.
“Even if one were to disagree with King Penn…it cannot be voiced for fear of retaliation. Accusations of working against the king. Conspiring to his demise.” She sighed softly. “I understand that this battle is not one that can be won. I’ve never imagined that. If a war were to break out…what good would it do? Hm? I would lose more of my people…and I only have so few left. For what? Revenge?” She scoffed slightly. “I selfish thing. Even if the king were to be killed his successor would surly use such an act as fuel for a war. It would be a never ending battle back and forth. Time and time again we would fight. So…” She drew in a breath. “I do not wish to change the eyes of the king through force. Nor do I wish my revenge upon him. I can only pray to the gods that one day…perhaps he will see.” The young elf clicked her tongue and pulled onto a small pathway that led away from the main road. She glanced to Dustin as he rustled around in his pack. A smile curved up her lips as he offered her the dried meat. “Yes, thank you. I nearly forgot to eat, hm.” She grasped a piece and chewed upon it as she held more in her hand.
“I hope that after you have traveled with me, perhaps you will see the difference in elves than what is placed within the books.” She glanced to him. “If you have not already come to see a difference here or there. I can promise you that there is much more beneath the surface than one might see. Especially when clouded by the judgement of their king. Or by the greed of a few extra coins for the life of an elf.” Sadness crept into her eyes at the last statement. “Of course magic is something that can be used for evil. Certainly you’ve wizards that have popped up. Those using the old religion to guide their magic. Fueled by hate.” She shook her head. “If any war is to be waged, those with cruelty at heart should be the first that the king should take a look at. Not…the people of Alister.” Rania paused and held her hand to her head, she winced slightly. She felt a pull against her. Her breathing increased and she closed her eyes.
Her father stood before her, old and in chains. His wrists were weighed down by the heavy metal. “Rania…please do not leave me, my girl.” He spoke he reached up, the chains rattled loudly. His cold hand cupped her cheek. “I am the key to unlocking the relic. You need me.”
“Father…” Rania’s voice shook. She pulled him into a tight embrace. “Father I do not know how to free you…I barely escaped the castle alive…I am afraid I cannot return for some time…I…” She stepped back, tears streamed down her cheeks.
The elven king lowered his eyes, “I understand my dear…but…you’ve no choice…when the time is right….” He glanced over his shoulder. “You must. For Alister.” He turned away from her then and disappeared.
This left Rania standing in a dark shadowy room. “Father?” She called, her voice echoed off of the walls.
Rania gasped and lifted her eyes, her eyes glowed a faint white. “Father…” She breathed, tears rolled over her cheeks. She blinked several times and brushed the tears away. “Up…this way.” She spoke as she turned up a steep hill. It was to an old abandoned cabin, far back in the forest. She had stumbled across it on her way. She’d even stayed for a few days to rest up before making her final trip into the kingdom. Rania was silent as she hopped off of her horse. “It’s safe. I’ve been here before.” She spoke as she looked to Dustin. The place looked untouched since the last time she had seen it just a few days prior. The elf pulled the saddle from her horse and hung it over the railing of the small deck. She brushed her hand along the back of the horse and gave a soft smile. “There you are.” Though her smile faded away nearly instantly. “I’ve some dried fruit to spare, if you would like.” She spoke as she carried her pack into the small cabin. It was but one room. A bed, and oven, and a table to eat at with two chairs. It wasn’t much, but it was one of the most comfortable places she’d stayed at in her journey. Rania stepped to the furnace and loaded an old log into it before she snapped her fingers and the flames came to life within it, casting a gentle glow about the interior of the cabin. She sat down at the table and pulled out the small bag of fruit and set it upon the table. She took a long drink from her water skin, her eyes stared into the dancing flames of the small furnace.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 18, 2020 18:33:02 GMT -5
Dustin shook his head slightly as Rania spoke. He had finally figured out what it was that was bothering him about her. It wasn't the constant jabs she made at him but the jabs she made at his people. The King was wrong, and sure in her eyes he could see how she would find him evil. King Penn was just to his own people though and ruled them fairly. Sure things weren't perfect but the majority of people lived happy, full lives. She kept saying how humans didn't understand elves, but it was a two way street. They didn't understand humans either. Every judgement she had was based off of one man's actions. It was sad to see her blinded by the same prejudice she condemned. For now though he left the argument untouched and simply let her have her say.
"There are those, who still believe in old ways, and cultivate magics in their homes. They're hidden and tucked away from the cities and villages but they still thrive. A know a woman who lives in one of the covens. She's a lovely individual and I think you would actually like her." He smiled fondly at the memory of the woman but the expression quickly faded.
Dustin caught the sight of her wiping something from her face as she muttered to herself. He wanted to ask but decided against it. If he didn't want her prying into his life he wasn't going to pry into hers. At the sight of the cabin ahead he felt a bit of relief. He could relax a bit easier here and being on the hilltop gave them the advantage if someone did happen to approach. He removed the saddle and tack from his own horse, setting the equipment down on the ground just inside the cabin. "Go on. Find some good grass." He told the horse as he pat him on the neck. He knew the beast wouldn't wander to far and he could whistle for him if need be.
"I'll pass on the berries. The last time I ate dried berries.. well let's just say I had a terrible night." In fact the berries had been drugged and he had woken up stripped of any coins he had. It was the last time he had bothered to eat with a wench in any tavern. A moment of weakness that had cost him a good bit. "So, I appreciate you letting me tag along, but I have to ask. If we get close to Alister, and run across some of your kin, what's preventing them from trying to imprison me or even kill me just simply for being human?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 19, 2020 9:17:43 GMT -5
Rania hadn’t heard his comment about the woman in the coven. Her eyes had been closed and she was sucked away into the world that her father had created to contact her. Her lack of response may have sparked something from the mercenary, but the trouble was she didn’t even realize that she hadn’t responded to a comment that he made. As she sat at the table she lifted a few berries into her mouth and her emerald eyes looked to the man as he spoke. “Mhm must have been a sour batch of berries.” She gave a soft smile to him. “If you gain the courage to try, these are from my home.” She looked back to the fires. “Much different than the berries that grow in the forests in the kingdom.” She fell quiet again until his next question came from his lips.
The elf looked to him, her brows tugged together slightly. Almost as if she had not thought of this case. She pressed her lips together and looked to her small sack of dried berries before she grabbed another and ate it as she seemed to think. She gave a soft smile. “They will not harm you.” She spoke, her voice full of confidence. “You are traveling with me, even if I have paid you some coin.” She gave a bit of a smirk then. Rania’s expression fell once more, her eyes fluttered slightly. Her breathing increased once again as it had on the horse. Though this time she collapsed back and to the side. Her body fell limply from the chair to the wooden floor of the cabin. Runes appeared and glowed lightly upon her cheeks and forehead. Her breaths shook as she was taken into this state.
Malrose stood at a beautiful waterfall that held the glow of magic. It was a waterfall tucked within the city of Muier. She gave a soft smile as she turned to see Rania sitting upon the ground before her. “Sorry dear.” She spoke as she stepped forward. “I grew worried.” She helped her to her feet. “Have you retrieved the crystal?” She questioned as she cupped the girl’s cheek.
Rania drew her brows together, “Yes...but...” She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “My father is alive. I’ve heard him. I could feel his presence. He...contacted me...” She searched Malrose’s eyes. “He said that he is needed to activate the crystal...I...I thought he was dead...” Tears trickled from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
Malrose brushed a tear away with her thumb, a sad smile curved up her lips. “I do believed our King to be dead.” She spoke softly. “Can you reach him?”
Rania shook her head and took a step back. “No. I nearly died if...if it wasn’t for the mercenary.”
“Mercenary?” Malrose questioned, her head tilted slightly.
“There is a human that I am traveling with. He...”
“Rania.” Malrose’s eyes filled with worry. “You must be careful...”
Rania crossed her arms slightly. “They aren’t all horrible like the king.” She replied. “You and I both know this...this mercenary he is not blinded by the hatred of the king.” Her image began to flicker.
Malrose drew in a breath, “You are the only royal blood left. The only direct descendant of Olari. Do not let us fall to your innocent trust of a man...” Malrose disappeared then.
Rania gasped as she sat up. She blinked her eyes several times and gazed about the cabin, tears rolled down her cheeks. She brushed the tears away as her eyes fell upon Dustin. “Apologies...” She let out a long breath as she stood slowly. She looked a bit uncomfortable now. She grasped her chair that had fallen over and placed it back upon its feet before she sat back down at the table. “The few elves that still have magic...there is a special place between the realms that an elf can summon another elf...” She bit her lip slightly. This was an age old secret that the elves had never shared with humans. “That’s...that’s what that was.” She grasped her bag of berries and tied it shut before she stood and walked over to her pack that she’d set upon a small countertop. She was quiet as she buckled the leather strap of her pack. “I see good in you, Dustin.” She spoke then as she turned to him, she leaned her hips against the countertop and crossed her arms over her body. “You have not once threatened me.” She gave a soft smile. “You protected me.” She nodded. “Not many that I know would go through such lengths, when I have just recovered an artifact that you feel will spark war...and it may...”
Rania drew in a breath. Did she trust him? Perhaps not. Or...maybe she did. She moved across the cabin to the coat rack where she unclasped her cloak and slipped it from her shoulders. She hung it carefully from the rack. “I...” She paused to think, her fingertips still held onto a piece of her cloak. “I am the last living heir to Alister’s throne...Tovar Faelyn is my father...he is the elf that the king has locked away within the castle.” She couldn’t give a reason as to why she was suddenly opening up and revealing such information to this man. This stranger in fact. She didn’t know much of Dustin. She only truly knew he was a mercenary. The elf looked to him a long quiet moment. “So you do not need to worry about the elves harming you. They will not do anything against my wishes.” Rania spoke as she stepped over to the wood burning stove, she opened the door and placed another log upon the fire.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 19, 2020 14:23:43 GMT -5
Dustin wasn't sure if he trusted Rania's words. If they were meeting other humans with the same amount of distrust then he would certainly be at least bound and imprisoned. He didn't plan on letting that happen and he had his tricks if things did go south for him in a hurry. When Rania's expression changed and her breath quickened Dustin furrowed his brow with confusion. When Rania started to fall to the side he rushed forward out of reflex and caught her just before she landed on the ground. If her head struck the hard floor it might have injured her more. Laying her down flat he felt her neck for a pulse while muttering under his breath. "Damn berries." Luckily she was still living though he wasn't sure how to proceed from here. If she had been poisoned by the berries.. he had no idea how to make an antidote.
Luckily for him she woke suddenly from her feint and seemed perfectly healthy. A bit disoriented but she stood and moved with ease. "Seems like an awfully dangerous thing to me. What if you had been fighting, or running or otherwise preoccupied? You would have simply feinted and died." He didn't like the idea of suddenly being called from his mind and body like that. That's what dreaming was for while you slept soundly.
As Rania described her relationship and status to the elf imprisoned back in Penn's palace he sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. "You're the elven princess?" He nearly groaned at the end of his sentence. "That makes a lot of sense actually." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Well, that explains why you're so desperate to revive your people and why you wanted to go back and free Tovar." He folded his arms across his chest and sighed as he hung his head in thought. "You know.. I've met Tovar. While I lived in the castle. The man's mind is.. it's gone Rania. He yelled, screamed and ranted almost constantly. Most of it you couldn't understand, and when his words did make sense.." He paused. Hesitating before continuing his thought. Reluctant to tell Tovar's daughter of what else Dustin had heard from the elf in chains. "He's not the same man you remember."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 19, 2020 15:55:37 GMT -5
Rania looked to Dustin and shook her head. “It doesn’t quite work like that, the elf upon the other side can sense my safety...it’s difficult to explain.” She gave a soft smile. “I don’t...generally faint...I’m afraid I must just be exhausted from the excitement of this adventure.” She let out a laugh then before she stood from the fireplace.
The young elf bit her lip slightly as he spoke the word princess. She didn’t prefer it. In fact she avoided the word all together. “I’d rather not be called a princess.” She gave a bit of a smirk to him and shook her head. “But yes...I am technically the princess of Alister, if we must put a….name to it.” She fell quiet as he spoke his next words. Her eyes focused in on him carefully. Rania drew her brows together and looked away slightly after a moment. To hear that her father was so damaged. She could only imagine how horrible the King must have treated him. Even without her knowledge she imagined it was her father that told King Penn that he could not heal the King’s son of the poison. Rania was silent for a few minutes, her eyes looked to the dancing flames within the fireplace.
Rania stood after a moment she drew in a breath. “I imagine you are telling the truth.” She spoke, her emerald eyes played over him. Seeming to try to peer into his soul to determine if he was in fact speaking the truth. “It’s sad that a servant boy would be exposed to such torture.” She spoke carefully it seemed. “My father, I knew he was there because I heard him. I could feel his presence.” She spoke after a moment of thought. The elf shifted slightly and moved back to the table where she sat across from Dustin. “He has spoken to me as well that he has some form of a key to the artifact...and without him I will fail to unlock it.” She pressed her lips together in a line. “If he has gone mad, I cannot imagine the reason for him to speak such words. He has retained enough of his sanity to contact me. So perhaps he is not as far gone as you believe.” She seemed to struggle with the thought. “I believed him to be dead, in all honesty. My guardian, she also believed him to be dead. My own mother I saw killed by the knights of Penn before my eyes...”
The elf had pain in her eyes as she spoke. It was a difficult situation. “Though, the words he speaks could be just ramblings of a mad man. He’s been locked up for so long that perhaps in his mind he is the only key to the artifact.” She seemed to think deeply once again. “I can only imagine the years of torture that he has endured...the heavy chains about his wrists and ankles...” Her lip quivered slightly. “How he has endured such treatment for so long is beyond my understanding. But...he is the strongest man that I’ve ever known...brave...” She gave a weak laugh. “Then again I was just a child when everything happened. My memories must fade and twist into the ideas that I want them to be. Isn’t that what our mind does to us over the years?” She had a pained smile upon her lips as she looked to Dustin. “I am at an impasse, I know that it is suicide to return to the castle. One trip within the castle walls was dangerous enough, but now surely your king has increased the guards. Surely they are looking for a young woman in a cloak and a dashing young man.” She gave a light chuckle then. It was her way of trying to deal with the gravity of the situation. “It will be months before the king forgets about my intrusion, if he chooses to forget at all. If he realizes what has been taken, I imagine he is likely to not remember at all.”
Rania shifted slightly in the seat as she gazed to Dustin. “But, if I cannot bring Alister back. If I cannot restore magic to my people.” She shook her head and looked away. “Then I must return, and I must free my father. If what he claims is true, then no matter how deep within the caverns of Alister I venture...no matter how many days and nights I spend trying to solve the mystery. If he speaks the truth I will never restore Alister alone. The dragons will not return. The fairies will not flutter about the city. Magic will be lost forever...unless I right this...my people will no longer exist...just as they no longer exist now...few and far between elves are captured by brutes and slain for their ears for gold coins….but our numbers dwindle...” She stared into the flames of the fire still. “What little magic we have keeps us going. It fuels hope in our veins. But...surely the king will find us one day. Surely...” Her voice was soft, her eyes were glassy as she held back tears.
The elf sucked in a deep breath and stood. “I’m certain I’ve rambled on too much.” She spoke as she brushed a few tears from her cheeks. It was evident the amount of pressure that the elves of Alister had placed on this young elf, their princess. She had to succeed. There was no other choice for her. “Did...my father ever speak to you?” She asked as she looked to him, she’d felt him hold back words before. Or perhaps she imagined it. “Did he ever speak of Alister? Of anything that you could make sense of…?” Rania looked to him with hopeful eyes. “I know you were young...but there must be something that you remember...”
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 20, 2020 18:42:26 GMT -5
If the elves never restored their magic then humans would never have to worry about a war. Though that prospect was rather enticing he had a feeling the gods would not be pleased with humanity simply exterminating another race. Dustin wasn't the type to pray or worship but he never doubted the gods and their power. She wanted to retrieve the elven king so her people could flourish. It was a noble idea but one that could very well end in her death. It wasn't until she asked if the old King has spoken to him was he pulled from his own thoughts.
Did he want to tell her the truth? It was dangerous, and risked exposing the truth about him. He had been so careful to give her little to no details about him or his identity. Then again if there were any living being he could trust not to tell King Penn his secrets it was Rania. "I remember every conversation I held with Tovar." Dustin admitted in a soft voice after a long pause. He gave a sigh and made his way over to sit down in a chair a short distance away from Rania and looked to the flickering flames within the hearth that Rania had started up when they first arrived. His stare was far off though as his mind wandered old memories. Memories that no matter how hard he tried he could never forget.
"He told me stories of Alister, of dragons, and magic. He is the only one who knew what I truly am. I couldn't tell my father.. no that would have been meant more killing and I wasn't going to be responsible for that." He scratched the side of his face, feeling the stubble that had grown into a small beard upon his chin and cheeks. "Tovar would rant, rave and yell at anyone who walked by. Even when I would go visit him in his cell. My father didn't want me anywhere near him, but I always found a way to sit in front of the chained man and hear his stories. Even through the pain of his wounds he would smile and sometimes laugh."
Dustin's honey colored eyes shifted from the hearth to fall upon Rania once more then quickly diverted back to the fire. "I haven't seen or spoken with Tovar since I was a young boy, barely strong enough to lift and iron sword, but I can imagine he hasn't changed much. At least I hope he hasn't. He lived through so much and still managed to grin at the guards as they teased him. So, maybe there is hope for you.. IF you could free him." His gaze turned back to her, settling on her expression. "It would take a miracle to get back into there and carry him out."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 20, 2020 19:39:43 GMT -5
Rania drew in a breath as Dustin admitted that he remembered every word that her father had once spoken to him. Quite the memory. Though she chose not to make the snide remark for fear that he would not speak his mind. She watched as he sighed and came to sit closer to her. His gaze seemed so far away, as if he had entered another world. She had thought that she was the only one to day dream like that. A soft smile curved up her lips as he spoke of the stories that her father would speak. A curious look came to her eyes. “He’s always had the best of stories.” She commented before he continued. He was the only one to know who Dustin truly was? She drew her brows together then. Her smile wasn’t really as enchanted now as she listened to him.
He couldn’t tell his father? But he was a servant boy. Most servant’s did not know their father. She watched him closely now her head tilted to one side slightly. Then he said it again, his father did not want him anywhere near Tovar. Confusion was evident in her expression for only a moment before she allowed her expression to relax once again. He seemed almost nervous. As if he wasn’t supposed to speak of such information. Rania drew in a breath as her eyes followed his to the fireplace. “He has the strongest will that I have ever seen.” She gave a weak smile. “At least...that is what I remember of him.” It was clear how much she loved her father, even though she had only known him for a short while in her lifetime.
Rania’s eyes settled in on Dustin for a long moment as if she were fighting with herself. Should she ask? She bit her lip slightly and looked away. It was another moment before she looked back to him, “You said your father did not wish for you to speak to him….” She began the sentence. She straightened slightly. “My knowledge of servants within the castle walls may be limited...but from what I understand servants do not normally know their family...and you as a mercenary now...” She shook her head slightly. “My apologies for any accusations, but what would a servant boy be doing within the dungeon of the castle? Why did the guards not stop you? What is it about you that you are so compelled to hide?” She asked the questions came out in a smooth stream. “I understand that you may not trust me. I have no argument with that, I do hope that you may grow to trust me in our travels...but just exactly who are you Dustin?” She had her suspicions. Was he of nobility? He didn’t look it. But that didn’t always mean that he was not. She’d met some questionable humans, and others that appeared to be of the higher blood only to discover that they were bandits and had stolen the clothing. “You seem awfully uncomfortable telling me that you spoke with my father. What is it that frightens you?” She asked. She was not aggressive. She looked worried, confused even. The smirk that she had given to him quiet often was nowhere to be found.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 20, 2020 20:40:51 GMT -5
Dustin made a sound between that of a chuckle and scoff at her knowledge of human relationships and status. "Not all servants are that unfortunate. Some simply have to send their children to work as well to be able to feed the entire family. An unfortunate thing, but normally fueled by poor choices on the parents' behalf." He shook his head a bit in disappointment. "It makes me uncomfortable because no one knows that. Not since I left that life behind." He sighed and folded his arms across his check once more. "I used to be someone who's name mattered in the world, but I gave that up and now I'm just a hired sword. Someone who collects payment from the misdeeds of others and hardly stays in one place long enough to make an impression on those who live there."
A smirk pulled at the corners of his lips. "Didn't the elves know that King Penn is short one prince in that palace of his?" He sighed again and placed his hands on his knees before pushing himself up from his seat. "I'll go get us some more firewood. We're a little short on our stack." He didn't give Rania a chance to respond before striding out the door and closing it behind him. He needed a minute to himself. He hadn't admitted his own background, even if indirectly, to anyone since leaving the palace behind him. He wasn't a prince, not anymore. He was a mercenary and he was good at his job. After he was done escorting this princess back to her own people he would go back to his mercenary work and one day he would die at the hand of a thief or murderer. When he was old and his reflexes had slowed.
Shaking his head to himself he walked off into the trees to locate some dry branches and logs rather than bother with the already cut pieces stacked against the side of the house.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 21, 2020 10:52:21 GMT -5
Rania’s gaze watched Dustin as he seemed to be either amused or annoyed with her reaction. Her expression stayed true to her confusion in this moment as she watched him. Certainly she understood that servants could be children of the lower class. But it still didn’t answer her question about how a servant boy ended up in the dungeons. How he could bypass the guards. It also didn’t answer her question about why his father would care so much...and why would anyone within the kingdom know that Tovar was being held within the castle walls. She would have imagined that to be a big secret of the king, especially when not even her people knew of her father’s existence beyond the destruction of Alister. Then he said something else more peculiar. His name used to matter? A servant? No matter the stature of a servant the name of a servant did not matter. She knew that much was correct.
The young elf had drawn her brows together as she watched him. Questions bubbled up within her, but she did not interject. Then there was a smirk from Dustin, it was almost unsettling in a way. He spoke of the prince that King Penn is missing. Before she could wrap her head around his last set of words he’d stood and exited the cabin to gather firewood. Rania sat in silence, she stared to the chair that Dustin had sat in just moments before. Had he just admitted that he was in fact the Prince? She glanced to the door after a long moment. If he was the prince...he did not share his father’s hate for elves...that was evident. Or, he was very good at hiding his distain for her.
It didn’t take long for Rania to realize that he hadn’t simply gone to the pile of wood on the front porch of the cabin. She stood and pulled her cloak from the rack and clasped it as she stepped outside. The night air was chilly, winter was fast approaching. A bit of her breath could be seen in the air as she stepped upon the porch, her boots clicked upon the old wood of the cabin’s porch. She glanced to Dustin’s horse that grazed. At least he hadn’t run off on his horse...she had a pit in her stomach though. What if this was all a trap. What if he knew all along that she was the heir to Alister? If he had planned to find out her plan and he planned to sabotage it for his father. Rania closed her eyes for a moment as she turned and stepped back into the cabin. She hung her cloak and she moved to sit before the fireplace. She pulled a small stick from the kindling and allowed it to singe slightly before she began to draw a symbol upon the ground. It was a simple drawing of the elven star which held 7 points. She carefully drew it and then she placed a circle around it. She placed her hand over the star and her eyes began to glow as she uttered a few words in elvish below her breath. Rania’s eyes began to glow, her breath shuddered, she spoke the words again...the same runes appeared upon her cheeks and crawled up her arms with a beautiful light blue glow. Once more she spoke the words. With this her eyes closed and she fell into a deep meditation, her hands both rest upon the elven star that she’d drawn upon the floor.
**
Rania stood within a dark room. The sound of water dripping in the corner upon the cold stone floor echoed in the silence. The air was heavy with sorrow and the scent of blood. “Father...” Her voice was a whisper.
From the shadows a sound of chains rattling filled the room. Her father stepped forward. His bare chest held deep lashes across it, his face was bruised and swollen. He looked exhausted, beaten down. “Rania...my dear...” He fell to his knees.
Rania rushed forward and cupped his cheek. “Father.” She breathed, her voice shaken. She gazed into his eyes. “I will save you.” She searched his eyes.
Tovar looked to her with a weak smile. “It may be to late for that...the king...he knows that the crystal has been stolen. He will not allow me to be freed...” He searched her eyes, blood leaked from his nose.
The young elf had tears in her eyes that looked to him. “No father...I...I will. He can’t do this to you any longer...” She brushed away the blood from his nose as she fought back the urge to cry. “I need you to help me bring Alister back.”
“You do not need me child...not to bring Alister back. You need the part of me that is the key to the relic.” Tovar spoke, his voice full of sadness. His eyes glanced about in the shadows.
“Father...I can’t do this alone...” She whispered.
Tovar then grinned to her, “You’re in good company.” He replied. “Can you not feel it? Or is it just I that felt the aura of the human you travel with?” He reached forward and pulled his daughter into an embrace. “It is an aura that I recognize from so long ago. The young Prince Leo.” He held her there. “He is a mystery all on his own, my girl...” He choked slightly. “I will make preparations...” He sat back and gazed into her eyes. “You must do this for me. You must listen my girl. Alister depends upon it.” He vanished then.
Rania reached forward and fell into a shadowy darkness.
She let out a cry as her eyes opened. She drew in a quick breath as the flames within the fireplace swirled about. Her heart raced within her chest. Prince Leo. The words rang in her mind. Her father knew. He knew it just from the aura of the man. How? She brushed away her drawing of the elven star and stood. What did he mean by preparations? What was her father going to ask of her? The young elf sat heavily upon the couch as she stared once again into the flames, completely oblivious to if Dustin had returned to the cabin or not...
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 26, 2020 14:39:24 GMT -5
As Dustin walked through the trees around the cabin he cursed, groaned, and kicked rocks that dared to be in his path. What was he thinking? Telling someone his true identity? Even if it was an elf instead of one of his father's own subjects. There were consequences for his actions. There always was and he was sure this would come back to bite him in the arse sooner rather than later. He could ditch the elf. Head back to the human villages and just lay low for a while until he thought that things had calmed down. Then again he wasn't sure just how bad things would be. Surely King Penn would put out rewards and man hunts for those who dared to invade his palace and steal from him.
He sighed which sent out a puff of fog from his breath. The cold was starting to have a bite to it from the incoming winter weather. It would be a while before he would have to worry about him getting him too cold, but it was something he needed to keep in mind as they continued traveling. "I guess.. I'll just have to live with the fact that she knows.." He muttered to himself then turned to head back towards the cabin.
As he stepped forward he heard a branch snap somewhere behind the trees off to his right. He froze in his tracks and his eyes immediately began to scan the forest around him. He couldn't see anything and his ears couldn't pick up any other signs of movement. They were out in the middle of no where and there were plenty of animals in the area, but the way the hairs on the back of his neck prickled told him that it wasn't simply a deer or other fauna that had gotten a little to close.
Just as he turned to head back towards the cabin once more he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. When he turned his head he saw the hulking form of a wolf leaping towards him with its jaws wide open. Dustin side stepped and reached out to grab a fist full of fur on the beast's neck and used its own momentum to throw it to the other side of himself and smashed it into the side of tree. A chorus of howls erupted from all around him and he cursed under his breath as he took off at a sprint. If he could get back to the cabin he would be alright.
As he came to the clearing where the cabin sat three wolves skid to a stop directly in front of him in a half circle and cutting off his route. Desperate to not be eaten Dustin inhaled sharply and when he exhaled a plume of fire erupted from his mouth. The wolves, startled by the sudden appearance of fire, yelped and jumped back from the man. This gave Dustin just enough of a window to break for the cabin door. He slammed the door open as he rushed inside and then slammed it behind him as another wolf lunged towards him once more.
Finally safe he leaned against the door, breathing hard as his heart pounded in his chest, and couldn't help but chuckle. "Remind me never to go out without my sword again." He said rhetorically.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 26, 2020 15:08:49 GMT -5
Rania’s nerves settled as she sat upon the couch, she had her eyes closed as she listened to the gentle crackling of the fireplace. She shifted slightly after several minutes and glanced to the door, she’d heard something. The young elf stood and walked to the window, her arms hugged to her body as she gazed out into the silvery moonlight of the evening. It had been quite awhile for Dustin to be gone. Perhaps he had left his horse and run...he had divulged a rather deep secret to her, and for what? She heard it then the crisp sound of the howl of wolves in the distance. Rania’s eyes glanced to the table where they had sat, Dustin’s sword lay upon the table. He’d left it. She grit her teeth slightly as she looked back out the window just as three wolves came into view.
Rania went to move, to aid Dustin just as a plume of fire burst forward from his lips. She glanced back to the table. He didn’t have his wine skin on him and he had stated that he had used the last bit of his alcohol the last time that he’d done such a trick. The elf’s brows drew together. What secrets did this man have to hide from her? She turned, her arms crossed as Dustin burst through the door, her emerald eyes gazed to him a long moment. “I could remind you but I doubt you would listen.” She spoke, her voice a bit harsh.
The elf stepped to him and stood directly in front of him, just inches from him, her arms still crossed over her body, she gazed up into his eyes. Her brows were tugged together as she drew in a deep breath. “You...” She spoke, it seemed she had to think how to word her sentence correctly. “Prince Leo of Kingdom Penn.” She didn’t move, she was uncomfortably close to him, though her eyes did not look malicious. She almost looked amused. “How many secrets do you believe that you can keep?” She asked after a painful silence. “I understand why you didn’t want your father to discover who you truly are.” She spoke as she stared to him still. “How interesting that you perform a trick that you so clearly stated you needed your wine skin for. Yet. Your wine skin sits upon the table, empty. Much like I believe it was empty the last time that you burned the bandit alive.” She still didn’t budge from her position. Rania reached forward, her fingertips grasped his chin gingerly, she gazed deeply into his eyes, as if she was trying to look into his very soul.
“I have not hidden anything from you.” She spoke, her voice soft. “But even my father spoke of your aura. I was blinded by your lies.” She tilted her head slightly. “But I can see it, buried deep beneath the false pretenses that you hold.” She dropped her hand from his chin and finally took a step back from him. “The wolves this time of year tend to get rather aggressive.” She commented. “We are close to the kingdom boarder. The desolate lands of Alister has caused the creatures of the forests to grow hungry over the years since its destruction.” She looked to him again. “Do you have any other tricks, Dustin? Or shall I call you Leo?” She questioned. “I could teach you how to harness your gift.” She didn’t break eye contact with him. “There is nothing wrong with the gift that you have been given.” She added to the end as she held her hand before her. She looked to her palm and tilted her head slightly as her eyes began to glow. A small flame flickered to life floating just above the palm of her hand. “Fire is quite a strong magic, but it is only as strong as you allow you mind to be.” She closed her hand and with that the flame disappeared. “Perhaps, in time I may show you Alister...” She paused a moment, “And perhaps you may help to change our world. You are the heir to the throne after all, aren’t you?” Rania questioned then as she stood before him, her eyes gazed up to him, there was about two feet between them this time. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why did you choose to tell me?” She asked finally, the question that had been burning just behind her lips. “I am most likely the most profound enemy of your father and yet...you tell me that you are the prince...in a very round about way.” She raised her brows slightly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 26, 2020 15:45:08 GMT -5
As soon as Dustin saw the accusing look in Rania's eyes, with her arms across her chest as she approached him, trapping him against the door, his smile faded. He had himself pressed up against the door. For the first time he felt rather intimidated by anyone looking at him like that. It showed in the way his face paled when she uttered his birth name and he clenched his jaw. He should have kept his mouth shut. Just like he had done the past decade or so. Now he had an elf woman cornering him and he could feel her eyes trying to unravel him. When she grabbed his chin he would have pulled away if he hadn't already completely pressed himself against the door.
"I can keep as many secrets as it takes to keep me out of the palace." He replied. "And I don't need training. I don't have magic. At least not in the way you use it." He explained and edged his way around Rania to get himself out of the corner she had trapped him in. "I don't know anything about auras or your father, and the only reason I told you anything is because.." by the end of his sentence his voice had started to raise, but he caught himself and how passionate he was getting on the subject. He put his hands on his hips and sighed as he looked down at the ground. Mulling over the next words before he spoke them. "I'm the reason my father raided the elves. He was looking for a reason to save me. I didn't want him to. I begged and pleaded as I lay sick and dying in my bed that he just leave you people alone. Maybe I told you so that way I could finally get that guilt off my chest, but honestly.. I think it just made it worse."
He threw up his hands and walked to the table to sit down. Suddenly feeling more tired than he expected. "My.. abilities come from dragon's blood. I spent a year being force fed to drink a creature's blood that was trapped in the bowels of the palace. I tried to get them to stop. Tried to get down to the dungeons to free it." He pointed to the scar on his face. "One time the creature nearly took my eye out. Once my body was healed and I was strong enough to run I escaped through those very tunnels we went in through. I refused to be the reason my father did more harm to the world around us."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 26, 2020 18:44:52 GMT -5
Rania watched him, unmoving as he began to speak. “You clearly have some magic.” She spoke as he edged his way away from her, she didn’t move to block him, she merely stood with a bit of a defeated expression. She’d seen him create fire, and yet he still claimed he didn’t have magic. Rania stood she winced slightly as his voice rose, clearly his raised voice hurt her ears which were quite a bit more sensitive than human hearing. She shifted slightly as she watched him, her brows tugged together. She could see that he was thinking of the right thing to say. Or perhaps how to word such things. The next words were like daggers within the air. Her jaw loosened, her brows raised slightly. Her breath caught in her chest.
The elf stood frozen as Dustin moved to sit at the table. Her eyes now stared to the wall across the room. He began to speak more. As if the information he had dropped upon her wasn’t enough, there was more. Rania turned her head to look to him as he spoke of his abilities. The dragon that was trapped and kept within the castle. Her breath shuddered slightly. The pain that the king caused, it ran deep within the kingdom. Everything that the king touched seemed to poison. She stared to the scar upon his face, she’d noticed it before, but merely believed it to be from a scuffle that he had been in when he was younger. Though it had been a scuffle with a dragon. Most likely the dragon that had bonded with her father.
By the end of his explanation the young elf had a softened look. She loosened her arms and drew in a breath. “Your father will stop at nothing until he gains what he wants. He is no better than that of a poison that was cultivated for years and poured into the well of a city. Slowly everything around him will die just as he has killed the lands of Alister have died.” She stepped forward and sat across from Dustin her eyes upon him. She drew in a breath as her emerald eyes looked over the scar upon his face. “You do not have to step foot back in the castle, Dustin.” She spoke, her voice had softened. She lifted a hand and paused a moment.
“Allow me.” She spoke, she reached across the table and grasped his hand. Her touch was gentle, just as it had been when she grasped his chin. She drew in a breath, her eyes began to glow with a white light, her breathing slowed as she focused. She could feel the power within him. She closed her eyes as elvish words came over her lips. Rania’s grip upon him loosened even more, her head lulled forward slightly. If he focused with her...he might have been able to see the vision…
The young Rania stood within the beautiful city of Alister. Her giggle seemed to carry through the air as she ran up to a beautiful black dragon that had amber eyes. The Dragon lay upon a grassy knoll. Warm breath exhaled through his nostrils causing the young elf’s hair to tassel as she stood before him. “Daddy can be fly on Aroth?” She question as she turned her head.
Tovar stepped forward and chuckled lightly. “Well that all depends, you have to ask him yourself, Rania.” He knelt down next to his daughter. “Go on.” He grinned to her as he wrapped an arm around her and gave her a gentle hug.
The young elf giggled and leaned against her father. “Aroth….” She hummed, her eyes looked to the beast once again whom was focused in on her. She began to speak in a different language, the language of dragons. Her words were quite careful, she would pause and look to her father as if asking if she was speaking the language correctly, to which he would grin and nod to her. Soon enough the dragon stood from where he lay, he towered over the two and let out a groan that reverberated through their bodies. The dragon then leaned down and quickly, and carefully, gripped a bit of Rania’s clothing into his teeth and he lifted her and placed her upon his back. He looked to Tovar whom smiled to the dragon and gave a nod. The dragon seemed to chuckle then as he took off with speed into the sky. Rania held on tightly and giggled as they soared high into the skies.
Rania drew in a quick breath as she withdrew her hand, a soft sad smile upon her lips. She’d nearly forgotten this memory. “Do you want to end the suffering that your father causes?” She asked then, her voice soft. She searched his eyes then. “You’re the rightful heir...you could change things Dustin...” She drew in a breath. It was just as she was to change everything for Alister and her people. Such a heavy burden to carry. She looked away then as she let out a soft sigh. “I shouldn’t ask such things of you. It is enough that I am tasked with the burden of Alister. You should not be troubled with such a task.” She shook her head. “Please, accept my apology. I will not speak it again. I understand how painful such things can be...” She stood and walked across the room to which she sat upon the couch before the fire. Her eyes moved to the flames once again as she reached and removed her boots from her feet. She pulled her legs up upon the couch and hugged her knees to her chest. It was clear in her expression that the memory that she had brought forth just from tapping into his aura had drummed up old feelings. Old pains that she had tucked away long ago when she was a child.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nyte on Oct 27, 2020 10:09:06 GMT -5
Rania calling his father a poison didn't help his current mood. He knew what his father was. He was a man hellbent on providing for his people in all the wrong ways. He wanted human civilization to prosper and flourish but at what cost? Dustin had always thought the price was too steep for the added comfort his people received. It was part of the reason he became a mercenary and bounty hunter. To punish those that bettered themselves and their own through the misery of those around them.
When Raina reached out to grasp his hand his initial reaction was to pull away from her touch. He obviously wasn't used to someone touching him at all and their current conversation didn't help lighten that mood any. When he felt the slight pull of the vision she created he tensed but let the images slowly overtake his mind. Why he did such a foolish thing he'll never know, but when he saw the hulking figure of the dragon that the young Rania asked for a ride from he felt his age old guilt return. The beast he had known to live in chains, growling and snapping at any who dared to get close enough had shimmering scales and a graceful motion to its movements. It was now a shadow of its former glory and that was because of him. Because he hadn't been strong enough to stop his father in the first place.
As the vision faded a frown pulled the corners of Dustin's lip down. "Painful or not.. no one would follow the coward prince who ran. I heard what my people said when I first escaped. That I was ungrateful and selfish for abandoning my mother and father. I have younger sisters. One of them will take the throne when my father eventually passes." He shook his head. "No, going back wouldn't help anything." He paused a long moment as he seemed to think over his options. "But.. I can help you free your father and his dragon if it still lives. I have no idea if my father allowed the beast to live or not after I left. He likes his trophies though.. so there's a good chance."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 29, 2020 12:16:39 GMT -5
Rania gazed back to the mercenary as he spoke. His words were correct, she could only imagine the backlash that the people would provide if he were to claim the throne. She drew in a breath and gave a nod, “You had to do what you felt was right.” She replied and gave a weak smile. The elf leaned back a bit more against the couch, she felt horrible for even bringing up the topic to him. Showing him the memory. She could only imagine the guilt that flooded through him. “Apologies.” She spoke and her eyes moved back to the flames. Though, Dustin brought something else up then.
The elf brought her eyes to him once again, her brows furrowed slightly. “How?” She questioned. She stood slowly, her hands fumbled slightly. If she could free her father, Alister would be saved. She could tap into the power of the artifact with her father and the magic would be restored to her people. A bit of light showed in her eyes, hope. “I...” She shook her head slightly. “I couldn’t ask that of you.” She sat across from him at the table again. “I’m surprised that you even entered the castle with me to begin with. It’s as if you have a death wish.” She gave a slight chuckle. Rania shifted in her seat as she thought of it. “The only way that I can truly restore Alister is with my father. He is the key to the artifact, without him I cannot withdraw the magic from the crystal and save my people...”
Rania drew in a long breath, “I...” Her jaw tightened slightly as she thought carefully of her words. “I will protect you...I will take you to Alister with my father and I...if Aroth is still alive he can fly us there, we will arrive in Alister in just a few hours, it will not take weeks.” Rania lowered her eyes from the mercenary. “I...truly apologize for stirring up old demons, Dustin.” She gazed to him a long moment. “But how would we get back into the castle? Surely they will have guards posted everywhere by this point...and...” She paused a moment thinking. “If the king knows that I will need my father to unlock the crystal...well...he might be nearly impossible to free...” The elf closed her eyes a moment and let out a breath. The weight of the situation was truly drawing upon her. She wasn’t quite sure what to do anymore. Her life since childhood had led to this moment. She had to bring Alister back to life, she had to bring magic back to her people. If she failed...all would be lost.
|
|
