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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 22, 2022 20:45:30 GMT -5
The thrill of the moment. The thunder of hooves against the soft broken dirt of the arena as two armored knights upon their noble steed race toward one another. Lance in hand, shield in the other. The arena was a place for those to show their vigor and to break that of others. The crash of the lance against a shield. The sound of the wood as it shattered against the shield of an opposing knight. It all echoed above that of the enthusiastic crowd. This was a time for celebration. This was a time to embrace the history of the kingdom and the dawn of a new era. The thunder of hooves filled the arena once again as the two knights lowered their lances. Another explosive sound as the lances made contact. Then the crunch of armor as a knight fell from horseback. The crowd roared in excitement. But to be thrown from the horse – that wasn’t the end. No. The knight stood and grasped at a sword from a rack that was placed upon the field. He rushed toward the other knight. Their armor gleamed beneath the heat of the sun. The swords clashed together as they began a dance of skill. Swing by swing. Block by block. The two moved around within the dirt. Droplets of blood and sweat from one another stirred into the soft ground beneath them. One of the knights dipped his shoulder forward to avoid a blow, his foot slammed against the knee of his opponent. A sickening crunch could be heard. That sweet sound of victory as the other knight toppled to the arena floor writhing in pain. It wasn’t honor that got one through these fights. No. It was skill and the ability to do what needed to be done. The knight, now victorious, lifted his armor clad hands up to accept the praise of the crowd. He gazed about the stands a long moment before he climbed upon his steed that was brought to him by his squire. The knight wore darkened armor – it wasn’t the same gleaming set that others wore. His armor looked as though it had been forgotten in the forge. Burned into a deep ebony color. His eyes gazed through the slats of his helmet to look upon the royalty that attended the event. The King and Queen. Those that were within the council. But most importantly – the princess. Her ocean eyes stared down to the knight that rode his horse to the edge of the arena. He lifted his visor to reveal his chiseled features. Princess Rhaenerys Velaryon of Kingdom Luviel “Your victor, Sir Lucan Brax of Riversend.” A man called from the other side of the stands. The crowd roared. The man watched the princess, a victorious smile upon his lips. “Princess.” He bowed his head. “Might I request your favor for the tournament?” He asked. The princess stood from her chair. She wore a gorgeous blue and black dress – the colors of the kingdom. The kingdom of Luviel. It was the strongest kingdom upon the continent of Orlaie. The other kingdoms bent a knee to Luviel. None dared to challenge their army. The princess held a smile upon her lips as she turned and grasped a garland of white roses that held blue ribbons that draped from the ring. She lifted it and fixed it over the end of the lance as the knight held it forward toward her. “Good luck, Sir Brax.” She spoke as she returned to her seat. Her ocean hues turned then to the end of the arena where another knight sat upon his horse that pranced about. She knew the armor anywhere. The blue and black cape that draped over a single shoulder. The plume of blue feathers upon the helmet. “Prince Isaac Velaryon.” The announcement was made. The crowd roared for their prince. The cheers were so loud that they drowned out the sound of the other knight’s name. But to the crowd the other knight did not matter. It was their prince whom mattered. Prince Isaac was the princess’ older brother and heir to the throne. Her ocean hues watched as the prince rode forward with speed, the strike of his lance upon the opposing knight swiftly threw the man to his back within the soft dirt. The crowd roared once again. It was to be expected of the prince to be skilled in battle. He was to be the king one day. The prince paraded around the arena with his broken lance held high for the cheers. He rode over before the royalty and lifted his visor, a grin upon his lips. “Sister.” He spoke as his equally ocean eyes gazed to her. He chuckled as he held his broken lance forward. “Favor for your brother?” He questioned as he watched her. “Dear brother, my favor has already been asked.” The princess replied, a playful smile upon her lips. “Oh? Has it? That mangey knight from Riversend? You gave him your favor?” The prince scoffed. His eyes moved to a young woman that sat next to his sister. A woman with fiery hair. “Lady Ruby. Would you bestow your favor upon your prince?” He asked with a flash of a smile. As the woman placed her favor over the lance Isaac glanced to his sister. “I’ll defeat your knight, sister.” He smirked before he rode off with a laugh. This was a day of celebration. The fall harvest. It was to be filled with joy, with ale, and the like. Jousting. Swordplay. Lavish balls. It was a week long festival to celebrate the coming winter. To celebrate the kingdom and those that swore fealty to the kingdom. This was the lasts day of the festival. The final hurrah so to speak. The day wore on and eventually as her brother promised he was faced against the knight from Riversend. The princess watched with a bit of a smirk upon her lips as the knight hit her brother with a harsh blow. She watched as the two rushed toward one another two…three times. On the third pass it was the prince that was knocked from his saddle. The prince drew a sword and called upon Sir Brax to finish the contest in a battle of skill. “Do you think he will win?” The woman next to the princess questioned as the two began to clash swords. “My brother is as fine of a swordsman as he is a jouster. It is hard to say.” The princess replied simply her eyes fixed upon the field. She watched as the two sliced at one another, her lips parted slightly. Did she want her brother to lose? It would be a first. The prince never lost. He spent hours to perfect his skills. She stood as her brother’s sword was knocked from his hand. The prince scrambled back and kicked into the chest of Sir Brax. It became a brawl on the ground. The two knights rolled around in the dirt. Though it was the prince whom had a dagger upon his thigh… The glint of the steel as he lifted his hand with the dagger grasped within his fingers. The princess gripped the railing as she watched the blade drive into the knight. Blood splattered upon the dirt. Her brother was ruthless. She grit her teeth. Senseless death. That was what this tournament was to her. The princess turned and left the stands swiftly as the crowd roared with excitement. Medics rushed the field to assist the knight and possibly save him. But with a slice like that, the princess didn’t have much faith. She caught the eyes of her brother as she climbed into the carriage to return to the castle. The city was full. Buildings upon buildings. It was flourishing. Many left other kingdoms to come to Luviel. It had been years since a war had broken out upon the continent. Though just as the seasons change – wars must come. That evening the princess stood in a beautiful gown of blue with a tight corset. She danced upon the floor of marble. Laughter came over her lips as the man spoke to her. Many adored the princess. She was kind. She was forgiving. Unlike her brother. But she was not heir to the throne. So perhaps that was why she was not hardened. As the evening drew on there was a rumble in the distance. The princess turned her eyes as she saw flames erupt in the distance. The wall of the city. People within the crowd turned upon the nobles that they danced with and sliced into their abdomen, their throats. Blood splashed upon the floors. Arrows flew through the air. Before the princess knew what was happening she felt an armored arm wrap around her. She was shielded from incoming arrows as she was shuffled from the ballroom floor. Screams filled the air. Many yelled. Orders from the knights echoed through the castle. More explosions. “Rhae!” A voice called. Her brother Isaac. He rushed forward and grasped the princess from the knight. “What is happening?” He questioned the man whom choked on his own blood, two arrows stuck from his back. Two arrows that would have easily pierced into the princess. “Fuck…” Isaac gazed to his sister. “Come on.” He grasped her hand and rushed her through the hallways and down a set of spiral stone stairs. “I saw the first explosion. This was planned. They knew that would be a distraction.” He came to a gate and unlocked it with the wave of his hand. “Isaac…what of mother and father?” The princess questioned, tears in her eyes. “Right now all that matters is that we survive.” Isaac nodded to her as they rushed through the old tunnels beneath the castle. Explosions caused dirt to fall from the ceiling above them. Their heels clicked swiftly over the stone passage until they came to the end. Flames could be seen through the gates. The city…it was in shambles. The roar of a dragon overhead. “Is that…?” The princess questioned, fear in her voice. “Damnit.” Isaac grit his teeth. “Come on. We have to go.” He gazed out as a blast of fire came from the mouth of a dragon and ripped several buildings to shreds. He opened the gate and rushed forward with his sister held close. Protect your sister at all costs, Isaac. No matter what the case. You understand? The king had spoken these words or similar to the prince many times as he grew up. There was something about Rhaenerys that his father never told him. But he would be damned if he didn’t keep her safe. Another explosion shoved the two heirs against the side of a building. “Rhae are you alright?” Isaac questioned. The princess gazed to him with confused eyes – her ears were ringing violently. Behind her brother she saw a cloaked figure that rushed forward. “Brother!” She cried – though her voice was muffled. Isaac turned and caught the arm of the man that aimed to bring an axe down upon him. He elbowed him and then ripped the axe from the man’s hands and sliced into his chest. Blood splattered across the prince’s pristine tunic. He grasped his sister. “Come on!” He called to her as they rushed through the streets. He led her along the back alleys and down to the docks. The prince rushed across the wooden docks as screams were heard from behind. He pulled her onto a small sailboat and he quickly began to loose it from the docks. “Get down!” He called as an arrow flew through the air toward them. “Get below the deck, Rhae.” He ordered as he rushed about. Rhaenerys grasped a rope, her ocean hues watched her brother. “You need my help.” She pulled the sail taut. An arrow sliced through the air and clipped her shoulder. The princess grit her teeth as she gazed to the wound that began to bleed. She moved about and readied the ship with her brother. They pulled away from the docks swiftly as dark storm clouds brewed overhead. The wind was a welcomed friend in this moment. The princess finished tying one of the last ropes and she turned around. “Who…is attacking our city?” She questioned. Her eyes fell upon her brother then. “Isaac…” She rushed forward. Isaac gripped upon the wheel of the sailboat. He had three arrows that stuck from his back, another in his leg. He grit his teeth as blood bubbled from his lips. “I have to get you to safety sister.” He spoke as he swallowed the metallic liquid within his mouth. “Isaac…” Rhaenerys grasped him as he stumbled. Tears welled in her eyes as she fell to the deck with her brother in her arms. Her ocean hues gazed to the burning city. “No…” She breathed. She gripped onto him and gazed down to him. “You can’t leave me brother.” She pleaded as his breaths grew ragged. But she knew better. She knew his wounds were fatal. She looked to the lost city once again just as a flaming ball shot toward the sail boat. The princess let out a cry just before the collision. The heat of fire surrounded her as she lost grip of her brother. Then the icy chill of the waters. She kicked as hard as she could. The princess fought against the current of the waters. She choked against water that forced into her lungs. Darkness. Silence. It wasn’t until the warmth of the sun the next morning that the princess woke. She lay upon a white sandy shore upon a piece of wood from her ship. Her dress was tattered and worse for wear. Her hair that was once done beautifully was a mess about her head. Her tiara was gone with the current. She choked and coughed as she rolled to her side. She gazed about the empty beach as her body shuddered. There was only the single piece of her sail boat that she’d washed to shore with. How had she survived? Was she dead? She slowly pushed herself to her feet. She had a deep gash upon her thigh that oozed blood with each step. An injury from the explosion no doubt. She ripped a piece of her dress and tied it tightly around the wound. The princess stumbled and gazed about to the thick of the forest before her. A world she’d never seen. She slipped into the forest and leaned against a palm tree – her breaths ragged. She slipped to the forest floor as the welcome coolness from the shadows embraced her. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she remembered her last moments with her brother. The sight of Luviel as she float at sea. The shear destruction. Her breaths quaked. She shut her eyes then as she tried to make sense of everything. Nothing made sense. Nothing at all… |
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Post by Raven on Aug 23, 2022 20:43:13 GMT -5
Melisandre Eldengrove
 Three hundred years past detailed a land of the Fae, where the world was woven with its thick magic. Delicate fuana and fawna decorated the lands in colorful boutiques of display, their essense weeping their pure power of the world of Fae. There was once a woman who tended to them, caring for the broken and hunted. Her efforts drove back many forces who sought to consume the great magical forests of their magic, and so she was gifted with their strength. Not just the power of her own magic, but that of the raw Fae Magic, that no other could dream of. A powerful and limitless magic that drew upon the essense of life. She became known as The Witch of the Grove. Those who came into the Forest of Kiev would be tempted. Should they succumb - she would terrorize the abusers, until the forest became such a fear that no Kingdom, nor man would enter. During this time was the reckoning of the Fae, where humanity would draw on them for their magic, or kill them for spite. Their dusts, wings and magicks became a source of trade, and temporary power. Though many of mages were certain that the Witch of the Grove had some artifact, which gave her her strength. None knew of the truth - the gift the Fae offered her as their loyal protector. What would come out of jealousy and hatred would be the largest war to come. The War of Ancients, where all that was Ancient would be snuffed away. A result of a great attack lead by neighboring Kingdoms lead to half of the Forest burning away. In hopes to retain the Tree of Life within the center - the Witch of the Grove sacrificed her humanity and broke the Forest from the lands. Resulting in a catastrophic event - earth quake, and tidal waves, as the land broke away from the continent and pushed into the great sea... The Forest of Kiev became the Island of Kiev, and a great barrier formed around it. Not a soul would touch her beaches without the approval of the Witch. Ships would come and the people who touched the island's barrier would disintegrate in an instant. Mages stood from afar and cast their magic upon the dome, and soon they gave away. No power could stand the might of the Forest, and being within - the Witch of the Grove, who protected it. Soon it became a lost thought, but never forgotten. The tale of The Fae Forest of Kiev and their loyal protector - Melisandre Eldengrove, the Witch of the Grove, were written in the scrolls. Songs of the devilish and hateful Witch were sung. Some of awe, some of warning, some of curiosity. What did the Tree of Life hold, coveted away by the Witch of the Grove. *********** There was a fluttering through the trees, small wings beating faster than even a hummingbird. A little creature of all green landed upon a huge tree, whose sheer size was greater than any known tree to mankind. This forest was thick and bright. The greens were of all varieties of color, each vibrant with a sort of life no other forest could muster. Vines circled about trees and held large leaves. From these vines and bushes grew bright flowers, trumpets of pink and yellow, which seem to even sparkle in their own glimmer of magic. The creature lifted upward and buzzed to another tree, where the tiny green hands of the small pixie rest on the thick layered bark of the tree. Glowing hues peered to a human - who stumbled into the forest. The small creature gasped slightly, her fingers covered her small lips as she peered to the woman who fell to her knees. In an instant the critter buzzed over, no taller than a 6 inches tall, she landed on the ground next to this woman. "Hello?" her voice was high pitched but soft. The Pixie stepped forward to the woman and held a hand forward, touching just a finger to the shoulder of the woman. A wave of warm magic left the Pixie and flowed into the woman, the sheer power of her Pixie Dust soothed the woman upon her will. The little woman had green hair, with leaves weaved into her hair. Atop her side bun was several glowing bobbles, pinned neatly in her fixture. She wore a single leaf about her chest, and a skirt of green leaves. Her crystal colored wings shimmered of every color as it caught the light that shone through the canopy above. "Are you okay?" The Pixie fluttered upward and hover around the woman's face. She circled around swiftly in the air and then glanced up to the trees. She opened her small mouth and a singing voice emit from her throat. It was a gentle tune that sung a melody, as pure as can be. The melody wafted through the trees and a breeze kicked up into the leaves. As if responding. Hooves beat from afar and within moments a figure emerge from the trees. It was a centaur, nearly 9 feet tall. His horse body was green and riddled with vines and leaves, his body was chiseled with green runes carving up his powerful being. His head was fierce but had a sort of gentle nature to it, his carved horns like a ram curled behind his tall ears. He tilted his head and stopped before the woman, his studious eyes peering to the Pixie. "Little Clara, what have you stumbled upon?" his voice was deep but warm, a sort of accent to it that was nearly royal. "Im so glad you came, Byron... look - her eyes suffer" the little green pixie fluttered above the woman. "Indeed... she reeks of death..." The Centaur crossed his arms. "How did she get in?" he questioned curiously. "I-I do not know, but Melisandre would not have allowed it, if it not for good cause, right?" the Pixie fluttered. "Hmm... I suppose you are right" The Centaur leaned down and peered to the woman. "Rest... you will speak to the Lady of the Grove soon enough.." he held his hand outward and a green mist emit from his palm. It hovered over the woman, and soon she would fall asleep to his will. With ease Byron lifted the woman and carried her in his arms, his hooves leading the Pixie deeper into the Grove, toward the giant tree which rest in its center. They traversed through the forest until they came upon a village. In the center was the huge Tree of Life, and around it were several large trees with many acorn shaped tree houses resting on the sides of the trees. Just before the Tree stood a woman. She was moderate height with soft frail porcelian skin. She had platinum blonde hair that fell about her shoulders, just over her simple green cloak. In the cloak were etchings of the very tree she stood before. She had her hands just under her chin as she was meditating, or praying perhaps. Though she woke from her trance and turned towards the Centaur and Pixie. "My friends" she spoke as she stepped forward and peered to the woman in their arms. Her eyes were glowing green, that of the forest about them. She nodded and Byron placed the woman gently on the ground. She peered over to the tree where from the roots grew a creature. It was a wolf of pure green, made of thick lively bramble and leafy fur. It moved over and stepped over the woman - it opened his mouth and a blue mist came from its gaping jaws. The woman would rise. "Give her space.. she has been on a long journey..." Melisandre clasped her hands before her waist and she waited. "I am Melisandre Eldengrove, and you have come upon the Forest of Kiev... though unlike any other. You seek help... and so I am here to do such. Tell me, what is your name?" she spoke calmly to the woman, green hues awaiting the woman's rise. |
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 25, 2022 12:25:00 GMT -5
Rhaenerys blinked slowly as she sat on the cool forest floor, her eyes gazed to the beautiful fauna of the forest. It was magical in a way. Mystical even. The bright colors of the flowers, the lush green of the leaves and stems. She drew in a slow breath as her leg ached. Her hand pressed against the wound that soaked blood through the dirty material of her dress that she’d tied around it.
Hello
It was a strange high pitched voice. Something that the princess didn’t expect. Her head turned and her ocean hues fell upon the small creature. She gazed to the tiny fingertips that pressed against her cool shoulder. Her breaths quaked as she stared to this mythical creature before her. Was she dreaming? Was this all a horrible dream? No. It felt so real. But…was it a dream?
The vision of the dragon raining fire upon the Kingdom of Luviel filtered through her mind once again. A dragon. A creature that was so rarely seen upon the continent…so rare that most thought them to be extinct after the massive hunt of dragons nearly a century ago. Many attempted to control them. To make them into a creature that could become a weapon of war. But Dragons did no such thing. They were as old as this world and just as wise. They followed their own terms and did as they pleased. For a dragon to attack Luviel…there was more to the story than the princess could even fathom at this point.
Are you okay?
The voice broke Rhaenerys from her thoughts. Her eyes gazed to the creature before her. What a question. Was she okay? She brushed a fresh tear from her cheek as it rolled down to her chin. She didn’t respond to the small pixie. How could she? What was she to say? She’d lost everything. Everything that she knew was gone. The fires flashed before her mind. Her brother’s fingertips upon her arm, the warmth of his blood as it soaked the front of her dress. Her eyes lowered and gazed to the stains that appeared black against the dark blue fine material of her dress. Her breath caught in her chest as she ran a fingertip along the stained fabric.
The pixie began to sing then. A tune that caused the princess to once again lift her eyes. She pressed her lips together as she held back a sob. As the leaves kicked up around them the chocolate haired woman gazed about curiously. A leaf landed within her lap and she lifted it.
It all felt so real.
The hoof beats caught her attention next. Another mythical creature. How hard had she hit her head? What drug was within her drink at the ball? Perhaps this all really was a manifestation of her dreams. One could only hope at this point. She gazed over the runes that were riddled over his body – her eyes filled with curiosity. Runes that she did not recognize. Even with all the time she’d spent within the libraries or within study sessions with her own personal tutor at the castle. She was well studied. She knew many things, but these runes she did not. His deep voice seemed to reverberate through the air around her. His strange accent – she couldn’t tie it to anything she knew. The two beings spoke back and forth to one another.
Melisandre
It was a unique name that she’d only heard once before. A name she knew from an age old book. One that was tattered and torn. One that spoke of a great divide centuries ago. The Witch of the Grove. The stories had always captivated her, even as a child. Even as her older brother Isaac attempted to scare the young princess as they played within the forests of the kingdom. She saw the stories as something different. Something more. She read of the great war known as the War of the Ancients. A time when dragons were heavily hunted and sought to turn into weapons of war.
Rest…you will speak to the Lady of the Grove soon enough…
Her ocean hues gazed to the Centaur before her as the mist swept toward her. She inhaled almost involuntarily as the mist swirled about her and filtered into her nostrils. Her eyes fluttered as she coughed slightly. She fought against it – but her body succumbed to the spell only after a minute or so. She had a look of confusion on her face as she tried to stay conscious. Though her body fell slack and she relaxed to her side on the soft floor of the forest – her breaths quivered.
**
Golden rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy of the forest. Laughter filtered through the humid air among the foliage of the forest floor. A young princess raced through the forest in a beautiful yellow dress. She held the front of it up, a matching yellow bow was tied into her carefully crafted hair. She raced about quickly, a smile upon her lips all the while.
“Ah ha! I’ve got you!” A voice came just before Rhaenerys was blocked by a wooden sword. “I captured the Princess of Luviel!” The boy with dark hair spoke as he watched her a grin upon his lips.
“You’ll never capture me. Not while my brother is king.” The young princess spoke as she took a few steps back.
From behind a tree the young Isaac rushed forward with his own wooden sword. “Back bandit!” He called with a grin. “You shall leave my sister be!” They entered into a clatter of wooden swords which of course ended in the defeat of the other boy – a boy that had grown to become an officer in the castle guard. The boy lay upon his back as the prince held his sword aimed at his throat, the boy’s sword had been knocked several feet away.
Rhaenerys grasped the sword and then stepped over. “Mav.” She spoke as she held her hand forward to him as her brother stepped away. She pulled him to his feet and then giggled. “You always let Isaac win.” She smirked as she handed the sword back to him. She glanced to her brother whom was scaling up a nearby tree.
“I don’t let him win.” Mavrick argued with a sigh as he took his wooden sword back. His eyes widened. “Isaac!” He called as the branch beneath the young prince’s foot gave away with a crack and he plummeted toward the forest floor.
“Brother!” Rhaenerys rushed forward as her brother slammed against the forest floor. A sickening crunch sounded as he hit the ground. She skidded to his side as he lay unconscious before her. “Brother!” She shook him slightly. Tears began to well in her eyes. “Mav do something!” She cried. “Do something!”
The young boy’s breath shook as he stared to the two heirs to the throne. He hesitated a moment. “Yes, princess. I….I’ll get help!” He called before he turned and rushed through the forest away from the two.
Rhaenerys sobbed as she shook her brother again. “Wake up Isaac.” She hugged him.
Next she knew – she woke in a bed in the castle infirmary. “We have to protect your sister, Isaac.” She heard her father’s voice. “This little stunt could have hurt her.”
“Father…I….I didn’t mean to…” The prince could be heard.
Rhaenerys blinked a few times, her muscles were tired. Exhausted even. “Father?” She called, her voice small.
Silence followed. The king came into her view. “Rhae.” He knelt next to the bed and brushed her hair from her face, a smile upon his lips. He had deep brown hair just as she did, a fine beard upon his face. “Sweet girl.” He kissed her forehead. “How do you feel?” He questioned.
“I’m really tired…is Isaac okay?” She replied softly.
“I’m okay, Rhae.” Isaac came to the other side of the bed. Not a scratch on him. He gave a smile as he looked to her then the king.
The king looked to the young prince and then his eyes fell upon the princess. “Rest, you’ve had a long day, Rhaenerys.” He cupped her cheek a moment before he stood. “Isaac.” He called as he walked from the side of the bed.
The prince drew in a breath, “I’ll bring you back something. Okay?” He said before he rushed off to his father.
Magic was something that ran in the blood of the Velaryon family. Something that had followed them for generations. Such magics afforded her ancestors to perform magnificent feats. Such as saving the life of her brother when he’d fallen from the tree. But no such magic school existed to aid them in their magic. Magic itself was a misunderstood gift.
**
The princess shivered within her sleep as the Centaur carried her through the forest. She tensed a few times as the dream played out. Her eyes even fluttered as her body fought against the mist that had put her to sleep. When she was placed upon the forest floor before the Lady of the Grove the princess lay completely still. Her brows were furrowed as if in deep thought. As the green wolf emit the blue mist the princess’ breaths became rapid. Her hands balled into fists as her muscles contracted.
It took several minutes for Rhaenerys to wake. When she did she gasped as the pain that racked her body all came crashing back. She groaned in pain – the first sound she’d truly made since she arrived at the island. Her ocean hues opened and she gazed into the canopy of the forest – to the huge trunk of the tree. It was larger than anything that she could imagine. She scrambled to her feet and stumbled. The princess fell to her knees as she winced in pain. Blood trickled down her thigh from the deep gash in her leg. She gazed to the two creatures that she remembered just before she’d fallen into her dreams. The flash of the horrible scene of the city burning to the ground caused her breath to catch in her chest. She gazed to the wolf, her heart pounded within her chest.
Give her space…she has been on a long journey…
Her eyes moved to the woman before her. She had a non-threatening stance. Her ocean hues fell upon the woman. She spoke the name of the Witch of the Grove. Then she spoke something else. The Forest of Kiev. Rhaenerys stared to the woman her lips parted slightly. The Forest of Kiev was like a myth to her. The stories that she’d read of it. Of the woman who protected it. How the forest was severed from the land centuries ago. She was offering help to the princess. Why? This must have been a dream. The princess didn’t push herself to her feet as she lowered her eyes to look to her injured leg, she trembled. Her skin had paled from the blood loss.
The Lady of the Grove asked her name. The princess lifted her eyes back to the woman. “I am…” Her voice broken she closed her eyes a moment as she focused her thoughts. “Princess Rhaenerys Velaryon of Kingdom Luviel.” An introduction that was once easy to speak. Now – it felt broken. Distant. Her ocean hues looked to the woman – her eyes glassy with tears. She begged in her mind for this to be a dream. For everything to be a horrible nightmare. She wanted to wake in her feather bed within the castle. She wanted to hug her brother and look over the city…but she feared that, that would never happen again…
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Post by Raven on Aug 26, 2022 20:44:41 GMT -5
Melisandre peered to the woman who remained on the ground, unable to stand it seemed. Her hues peered over the wound upon her leg, the ragged dressing which was soaked in crimson red. It had been so long since she had seen another human, and blood even at that. Memories of the wars came to her, the many who were wrangled by the battles. The blood soaked bandages that seem riddled over every body she came upon, dead upon the forest floor. The vines then would cover the bodies and pull them into the earth, who’s energy would rest within the roots.
“Time’s have changed since I last even saw the world, the Kingdom of Luviel means little to me. In the Grove – you are just another human… here, you are not Princess Rhaenery’s Velaryon. You are Rhaenery’s The Broken” she waved to Byron who stepped forward with a weary hoof. He leaned down with a powerful arm and helped her stand. “We shall mend you, Rhaenery’s The Broken” she turned and lead her towards the huge tree.
Byron’s hands were tough and large, but his grip was gentle as he helped Rhaenery’s forward to approach the tree’s thick bark. The circumference of the tree was beyond measure, it was hard to visibly see the entire tree this close. Though as one would peer upward – it would climb for what seem like miles. Thick vines larger than one’s arm circled about and weaved around the trunk of the tree. From the vines were bright leaves which glowed. It started as a pink shimmer and would shift to purple, and then into red and back to pink, a sort of shifting color that pulsed with breath.
Melisandre stopped before the tree. The vines curved around a portrait that was 12 feet tall. It was a centaur that had huge broad antlers upon his head, the carving was detailed in the bark of the tree, carving into its meaty flesh. Meliandra held a hand upward and peered to the tree, slowly from the heights a single leaf fluttered down slowly. It landed on her palm and she turned around to Melisandre. “Once the realm was gifted with several Trees of Life, who connected the realms of magic together into a single plane. Of which magic seeps from her roots. They crawl across the surface of the world, and dive deep into her core. Four at first, Teldrasil, Veldrasil, Illdrasil, and Feldrasil” she peered to the tree over her shoulder. “The last that remains is Feldrasil, who you stand before now. The last hope of magic, and the Fae bound to it” she stepped forward.
“Who you see carved here is the God who bestowed us the seeds of such a gift. His name is Velen, the father of the Fae and God of the Forest…from the mother tree of all realms – Yggrasil. This leaf will bring you life, but you will succumb to the Emerald Dream. A slumber which will take you to his realm, where you will likely meet him, Velen. I cannot accompany you, this is your journey… but you will not be alone. Clove will go with you” she smiled and waved a hand to the small Pixie.
“Oh, me?” Clove questioned and fluttered over with a squeaky voice. “Um, okay. Yeah, I can do that” she twirled slightly.
“She is a young Pix, but it is time she enter the dream, too” She smirked and nodded. Melisandre stepped forward then and held the leaf to Rhaenery’s. “Your other option is I cast you from this forest, back into the sea, but you might not like that fate… you have been brought here upon Fate’s wish, and your spirit is resilient, it called to the Grove in a plea for help, mercy. Not your doing, but within… that magic which stirs within.” She nodded. “Simply chew the leaf and allow the magic within it to flow. I will be here when you wake” she stepped back then.
Melisandre rose her hands upward and a set of vines began to form from the earth. It created a platform for her to lay on, a smaller platform next to her for the Pixie. Clove fluttered over and landed upon the small platform. “I’ll be with you too… don’t you worry.” She smiled and a small leaf fluttered from the tree to the Pixie. Clove held it in her hand and waited to follow suit behind Rhaenery’s. She would bring the leaf to her lips and give it a small nibble, and within seconds – she gave a yawn and fell swiftly asleep…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 27, 2022 19:36:09 GMT -5
The princess gazed to the woman. This woman that was a myth. A fairytale to scare the children into staying out of the forests of the kingdom. The Kingdom of Luviel means little to me.
Little? The greatest kingdom. The strongest kingdom. It meant nothing here.
This must be a nightmare. But, Luviel was gone. The fiery scene and the feeling of her brother’s blood that soaked into the front of her dressed filled her mind once again. Luviel was no more. It mattered not that she was a princess of a destroyed kingdom. Did it?
You are Rhaenerys the Broken.
Her crystal hues gazed to the woman her breath caught in her chest. As the centaur stepped forward she gazed up to the powerful being. His arm grasped onto her, his touch like the warmth of the sun on a crisp fall day. Rhaenerys grit her teeth as she was aided to her feet. A whimper came over her lips as she took a shaken step forward. She gazed up to the centaur and then to the massive tree before them.
She was dreaming. She had to be dreaming.
Rhaenerys leaned into the aid of the centaur as she watched the Witch of the Grove. The Lady of the Grove. She watched her call to this massive tree it seemed. Though her eyes settled in on the huge painting that seemed to be weaved into the very bark of the tree. She gazed up to the single leaf that fluttered down from the massive canopy that the tree created several hundred feet above them. The woman began to speak of the past...of other trees such as this. Trees that were not mentioned within the books that she read within the castle library. Were they destroyed so long ago that humanity had forgotten? The Lady of the Grove continued to speak of the God of the forest. Her eyes moved to the carved out painting once again. She knew very little of Fae. Even less of their Gods.
The princess gazed to the woman, her breaths shook, her skin pale. The tree would bring her life? But she must enter the Emerald Dream. She’d never heard of such a thing. She glanced to the small pixie that came forward at the call of Melisandre. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked back to this woman. She stared to the leaf as the Lady of Grove spoke of her other option. She felt a pit form in her stomach. The other option would be her death. She would not survive the sea. She would likely not even survive into the evening in the condition she was in. Even if she stayed upon land.
That magic that stirs within.
Rhaenerys looked back to the woman as she drew in a shaken breath. Magic? Did she have magic? She took the leaf and turned it over in her fingertips. It was silky and soft. Her heart pounded within her chest. Was this all a dream? Perhaps once she chewed this leaf she would wake...perhaps it was the exit to his horrible nightmare. She would hug her brother...her mother and father...she would tell them of the horrible dream...and soon it would become just a nightmare of her past.
The gentle words of the pixie caused a soft smile to curve up the princess’ lips. She gazed to the Lady of the Grove then as she limped forward and sat on the edge of the bed of vines that she’d created. She stared to the leaf and then she gazed to the carving. “Okay...” She whispered before she pulled her legs up on the bed. She chewed upon the leaf, nibble by nibble until her eyes grew heavy. Her breaths increased as she fought against it. A gentle white glow came to her eyes just moments before body finally gave in to the magic of the leaf. She collapsed back onto her back. The princess’ body tensed though, her hands balled into fists, she gasped for air. It wasn’t nearly as gentle to her as it had been the pixie. It took several minutes of this pained state before her body fell completely limp. Blood trickled from her makeshift bandage onto the vines and dripped to the floor of the forest like that of a leaky faucet.
**
An icy cold surrounded Rhanerys. A numb feeling. She opened her eyes to the darkness and blinked slowly. “You’re awake.” The voice of Clove spoke as the pixie fluttered into the air before her, the glowing green eyes of the pixie and the slight green glow to her skin cast light within the darkness around them. “We should get moving.” She held her tiny hand forward with a soft smile.
The princess placed a finger within the palm of the pixie and she stood slowly. She gazed down to her leg that didn’t have a scratch upon it. In fact – she wore a different set of clothing here. She wore leather boots that reached up to her knees, tight black pants, belts about her hips, a black corset over a deep blue tunic. Commoner clothing truly. She blinked a few times and brushed her chestnut hair from her eyes. “Where are we?” She questioned softly.
“The Emerald Dream.” Clove replied, “You’re very lucky that Melisandre let you onto the island. You’re the first in a very long time.” She spoke as she fluttered forward.
Rhaenerys gazed around to the darkness. Suddenly the world around them filled with the heat of flames. She lifted her arms to shield herself as the world morphed and turned into the city streets of Luviel. Rhaenerys let out a cry as an explosion sounded near them. She staggered and turned her eyes to the sky as a dragon flew overhead. She froze.
“Come on. We have to keep moving. Do not let your past destroy you.” Clove tugged the princess forward. “Come on, come on.” She tugged and tugged.
Rhaenerys lowered her eyes to the pixie as tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked up to the castle upon the hill in the distance. Fire surrounded them. Bodies surrounded them. She whimpered as she rushed forward with the pixie swiftly through the carnage. They ran and ran through the streets. More explosions. The roar of the black dragon overhead. Suddenly it all disappeared and the princess let out a cry as she slammed harshly into the ground. She lay upon her stomach, her breaths heaved. Her fingers curled into the lush grass beneath her.
“Rhaenerys.” The pixie sat next to her. She watched as the woman sobbed. A sad look came over the pixie’s expression. She waved her hand and a sparkling dust came from her palm and wrapped around the princess. “Breathe.” She spoke as she watched her closely.
Rhaenerys squeezed her eyes shut. The pain. The loss of everything she knew. Of her family most of all. But the pain of the loss of her brother was the worst. She was broken. The Lady of the Grove was right about that. She was as broken as they came. Without everything she knew and loved, she was lost. “Are you just going to lay there? Or are you going to get up and try again?” A familiar voice. The princess lifted her eyes to see her brother as he crouched before her, a smile upon his lips as always. “You never give up sister. I know that about you. Why are you giving in so easily?” He held his hand forward. The princess pushed her her knees she stared to him with parted lips. A chuckle came from Isaac as he watched her. “Come on, Rhae.” He offered his hand forward.
She shifted to move but the pixie placed a hand upon her shoulder. “That isn’t who you think it is.” Clove spoke her green hues watched the man.
Rhaenerys glanced to the pixie. She then looked back to her brother whom laughed. “Who are you going to believe, sister? Your brother? Or some creature that you’ve dreamed up?” He smirked. “Come on, lets go home.” There was a moment of hesitation before the princess rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the man. He chuckled as he looked to the pixie with glowing red eyes. “That was far too easy.” He grinned before darkness surrounded the princess once again.
Clove rushed forward. “No!” She cried as she grasped at the shadows. She fluttered around. “No...no...no...wait...” She flew around. “Rhaenerys!” She cried as she flew swiftly through the dream. She dodged trees from left and right as she made her way through the thick of the forest. It was her first time in the dream. But she knew better than to trust the creations within the dream, she’d been taught this. The princess? She didn’t know better and she was grieving. She was an easy target for the demons within the dream. An easy target to rip to shreds.
**
Rhaenerys gasped as she fell from the grasp of the man that had once looked like her brother. He stood before her now with curved black horns on his head, red glowing eyes and ashen skin. She scrambled back from him. “Isaac?” She asked her voice full of fear.
“Your brother?” The demon asked. “He’s dead. Along with your kingdom, princess.” He grinned wickedly.
She swallowed hard as tears welled in her eyes. She got to her feet and looked about the darkness around her. “Where is Clove?” She questioned quickly.
“Somewhere. But she isn’t here.” He reached forward and grasped onto her swiftly. The princess writhed within his grip as he held her jaw with a strength she never knew. He tilted his head to the side and a growl came from his lips. “Don’t worry, your death won’t be quick.” He chuckled darkly as darkness swirled around her head.
The princess fought against him. She let out a cry that echoed through the darkness. Her eyes glowed white and a burst of magic came from her. This caused the demon to stumble back several steps. She fell to her knees when he’d released her. The princess looked around as the shadows seemed to rush away from her – the glow still in her eyes. The demon writhed in pain on the ground several feet from her. She jumped to her feet and rushed through the forest then. “Clove!” She cried as she sprinted along.
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Post by Raven on Aug 28, 2022 10:12:39 GMT -5
Clove flew swiftly, her tiny wings batting as swiftly as possible. She dove between the trees and twisted about. She shut her eyes and squeezed them – “Take me to the grove” she whispered through her breathy voice. “Take me to the grove” she called out, her high pitched voice squeaking above. She opened her eyes and the world changed around her in an instant, upon her wish.
In the center of the forest rest a large lake. To which in the middle of this lake – a platform rest. And infront of this lake was an even larger tree, bigger than Feldrasil herself. The huge thick roots crawled into the lake, as the lake glowed a misty white and blue, the waters were glowing with power. Clove fluttered towards the lake, to peer to a being on the center platform.
Clove fluttered around – there was a single man praying. “Hello?” she questioned with a breathy voice. The man stood slowly and turned around, he was tall with long pointed ears. He had long white hair which was half pulled back, he wore robes that had vines weaved within, and his shoulder armor was that of thick bark.
“Little Pixie, why are you dreaming?” he questioned, his arms before his waist.
“I – well, I was supposed to lead my companion here, but she has been taken by a demon” she shook her head.
“This is a dream, Pixie. Your powers are as limited as your own mind… have you tried calling to her?” he questioned.
“Uh – no” she shook her head. She turned around then, embarrassed he might watch her. She buzzed in the air and shut her eyes once more.
Rhaenerys – if you can hear me…. Just hang on – I’m coming to get you
Clove then held her hand upward and she pulled power from around her. The lake began to glow brightly to her, this was a surprise. She felt an extreme swell of power and it made her gasp. This was a trick of the Pixie kind, they could draw upon life sources around them, and this grove was bountiful. She created a portal. It was a swirling mass of green smog, it glowed brightly and moved with speed. Clove buzzed into it and appeared before Rhaenerys.
She gasped as she watched the demon grip the woman, but something happened. A burst of light emit from the woman, burning the demon immediately. “Rhaenerys!!” Clove called out, though her eyes played upon the demon who crisped up flames. “You’re okay!” she rushed around. “Come on – we have to get to the Grove – and – don’t go running off with strangers again” she peered back to the demon one last time, who now remain in a pile of ashes.
The little green Pix held her hand up once more and a portal appeared once again. It swirled with her magic and she glanced back to Rhaenerys. “Come on” she waited a moment and then zipped through the portal. It was like walking through a door – seamless. She stood back on the platform, where the man stood before. She waited and peered to Rhaenerys.
“Ah…” The man turned, his hands still clasped before him. “Velen spoke of your arrival, he said that he dreamed within the dream. A lost Mage of the Moon, dimly lit” he smirked and he sighed softly. “That just means it is all too true…”
“What – do you mean? Mage of the Moon?” Clove landed on the ground, giving her small wings a break.
“Those were his words… but I can feel it. A swelling of white light within her, the aura of the Grove shifted the moment she entered…” he cleared his throat. “I should introduce myself, I am Erakanus, the Endless Dreamer. I had dreamt a thousand years ago and became lost, and since I have devoted myself as a follower of Velen…”
“Where is Velen? I figured… he would be here?” Clove questioned, her giant eyes peering upward to the man.
“Velen has not been seen, I have called upon him but even his spirit seems missing. He is not dreaming…” Erakanus lowered his gaze to the Pixie.
“A black dragon soared over the grove just a few days ago, a terrible omen. I am here to defend the tree… I am sorry, I am sure you entered the dream to speak to him… but I am afraid I do not know where he is, or what happened.” He sighed softly, in a defeated manner.
“Melisandre will not like the sound of this…We should go, too long in the dream and you end up becoming an Endless Dreamer, like Erakanus here…” the Pixie sighed softly and turned to Rhaenerys, she buzzed into the air and met the woman face to face and blew a gentle powder from her palm to her. Which would wake her.
***
When they rose – Clove gripped her head slightly and peered to Melisandre, who was faced towards the tree. There was no one else around them, the others had left.
“How did it go?” she questioned, though her brows pulled together. “The beaches where you found Rhaenerys has a fleet of ships waiting. It seems she is wanted…” she crossed her arms. “Perhaps in this land… you are a Princess” she smirked and then shook her head. “Tell me what you learned, and then we shall dispatch this militia..”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 28, 2022 11:02:57 GMT -5
The voice of the pixie came to her in her mind. The princess stopped where she stood, her eyes stared to the ashes of the demon. Her breaths heaved. The glow settled from her eyes. As Clove called her name Rhaenerys turned and gazed to her. “I….” She stared to the pile of ashes that still steamed. “I didn’t realize...” She followed the pixie through the portal. Her eyes fell upon the man with tipped ears. She swallowed as she looked over his robes and the vines that sprawled about. Mage of the Moon. His words caused the princess to furrow her brows. What was he speaking of?
The princess listened to the two as they went back and forth. Her brows raised suddenly. “A black dragon?” She questioned. Visions of her fallen city flashed before her eyes. “I wonder...if it is the same dragon that I saw in Luviel...” She pressed her lips together in thought. “Why would he be missing?” She questioned and glanced to Clove whom seemed to be worried. “Clove…?” She questioned as the pixie flew before her. She glanced to Erakanus a moment before the powder was blown into her face. With a sharp inhale the world around her faded away an she found herself floating in darkness once again.
**
Rhaenerys sat up swiftly, she held a hand to her head as she squeezed her eyes shut, a grimace of pain upon her face. The voice of the Lady of the Grove caused her to open her eyes. She took in a few quick breaths as she listened to the woman. A fleet of ships? A pit formed in her stomach and it churned violently.
“Melisandre!” Clove fluttered over to her. “It is terrible...” Her voice was full of worry. “We saw the Endless Dreamer – Erakanus...Velen is missing...he has not heard from him...there...there was a Black Dragon in the grove...” She spoke rapidly, her voice breathy as she tried to sort her thoughts.
The princess rose from where she lay upon the vines. She gazed about and up to the great tree. “The black dragon destroyed Luviel.” She spoke, her voice soft. Her crystal hues turned to look to the Lady of the Grove. “The elf within the dream...he said that Velen called me something...the Mage of the Moon, dimly lit...does that mean anything to you? I’ve not read it in any texts...” She bit her lip slightly and then gazed down to her leg. Dried blood ran over her skin. But the pain was gone. Even the gash in her shoulder was gone as she inspected it. She loosened the ripped material of her dress from her thigh and gazed to the unharmed flesh.
Clove landed on the ground and huffed slightly. “What do we do without Velen?” She asked her voice full of worry.
Rhaenerys scooped the small pixie up into the palm of her hand. “We find him.” She replied as she glanced to Melisandre. “Just like anyone whom is lost.”
Clove gazed to the princess and a gentle smile turned up the corners of her lips. She looked to the Lady of the Grove then as she sat comfortably within the hand of the princess. “How many ships?” She asked softly.
The princess seemed to think for a moment, “I cannot imagine that these ships are from Luviel. The city was in ruins the last I saw it. The black dragon soared above the city and blasted the buildings with its flames. Did the ships have sails of Red?” She questioned then. “With a golden bird as the crest?” Her eyes settled in on Melisandre. “I saw several ships with that sigil...just before...” She looked away and pressed her lips together.
Clove watched the princess. The inner turmoil. She then looked to Melisandre, “The demons of the grove knew how broken she is...” She whispered softly, her green hues looked back to the princess before she fluttered and landed upon a ledge near the two. “I think...this is all tied together, Melisandre.” She spoke and then glanced to the princess whom crossed her arms over her chest.
“If it is me that they want...and that gets them to leave...I will go to them...” The princess spoke. “I do not want them to destroy your island merely because they search for me.” Her voice softened at the end as she thought of her destroyed home. She didn’t realize just how important it was to be called a Mage of the Moon. Her magic would encompass both light and dark. She could wield the shadows and bend the light. She would become a force to be reckoned with if she accepted her magic that lay deep within her. Centuries ago there was only one other mage that had been titled Mage of the Moon. This mage fought in the War of the Ancients and put an end to the horrible demons that the humans had called forth from the pits of hell. Without this mage the world would likely be overrun by demons...and all the trees of life would have been destroyed.
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Post by Raven on Aug 28, 2022 11:29:36 GMT -5
Melisandre’s lips pressed together “Missing?” she bit her lower lip, her brows scrunched with worry. “Erakanus is his loyal acolyte, if he says Velen is gone… then it is true.” She felt a swell in her chest. A familiar feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time – fear. “Everything is too connected, nothing is coincidence” she sighed defeatedly. “Without Velen, then the Mother of trees is at risk. Feldrassil is nothing without the mother tree, as their roots intertwine between realms. If the Dream is lost, then this world is too.” She grit her teeth.
Then as the Princess spoke – the Mage of the Moon. “Yes, the Mage of the Moon, is also the Daughter of Lune, the Goddess of Balance. She is the moon, and the energy that ties all things together. One Priestess is chosen, gifted with her power, who would bring Balance to chaos… if this is you – then that is the only explanation as to how you truthfully entered this sanctuary. I.. do not determine who comes and goes, this power that protects this world is stronger than anything I could produce. You were allowed through – because the Gods allowed it. Something much bigger at play is happening than we even think…” she peered to Clove, who questioned what they would do without Velen.
The response of Rhaenerys made the witch smile. “There are 8 ships, though, truthfully, unless they have their Dragon – none can pierce the veil… I cannot allow you to launch yourself to your death. We have just learned that you’re the keystone to the future of the world. With Velen gone, this mysterious dragon causing chaos, and you are Moon Incarnate? You are too valuable… if we do this, we do it together” she held her hand forward and from the vines of the earth – a horn was crafted. She lifted it to her lips and blew into it – not a deep sound emit though. No, it was a fluttering tune of crystal like tune, relaxing to the ear.
Fae began to gather, hoof beats, wing flapping, slithering, and all sorts of sound began to emit from the forests. “Clove, lead the way to the beaches” she spoke as they gathered themselves. As they left the center of the Sanctuary and entered the forest – the Fae marched behind. Flying Faeries, Pixies in the hundreds, the half human half snake species known as the Naga, each holding their tridents in hand, the Harpie women – half bird, half woman and keepers of the Wind, flying between the trees. All mythological creatures gathered, some of pure energy – water elementals and such, and of course the bountiful army of strength; centaurs. The forest was thick with the creatures, who wielded their weapons and followed behind.
“Sails of red – with a golden bird” Melisandre spoke as her boots crunched over the packed sand. They stood just behind the glowing purple barrier, it was slightly see through. Enough for them to see the ships, and for the ships to see the thick army of creatures that stood before them. Waiting for whom would take the first action.
“The last Mage of the Moon, I knew personally. Her name was Lilian Tevare. She brought the end of the War of the Ancients, and peace to the lands. A sweet woman, like yourself” she smirked “but she was powerful, and ruthless. I do not know how her magic worked, but she said it was effortless. She could pull on Light and Darkness, and it responded to her, as easily as breathing. She said she could feel it in her chest, and when called onto it – it was as if it sparked between her fingertips, it breathed like life does, and all she had to do was will it” she peered her eyes over. “Tell me, if power was limitless – how would you dispatch this group of ships?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 28, 2022 13:13:12 GMT -5
The princess watched the witch as she spoke. She could see the worry in her expression. The worry caused the knot to tighten within her stomach. The Goddess of Balance. It was strange to be coined as such a thing. Rhaenerys had always been in the shadow of her older brother. She’d followed him and learned from his mistakes. He kept her safe. What would she do now? Now she had to lead her own future without the guidance of her older brother. The Gods allowed her to enter this place? This beautiful mythical island...a strange thought.
Rhaenerys gave a slight nod as Melisandre spoke that she couldn’t just throw herself to the mercy of the enemy. She was too important. She bit her lip slightly. “Then I will help you stop them. Somehow.” She drew in a deep breath. As the Lady of the Grove called upon the horn she watched with curious eyes. Melisandre was a mystery to her – unlike anyone that the princess had ever met. The tune caused a slight smile to curve up her lips. It calmed her. She gazed around as the creatures gathered.
Clove lifted into the air, “We will stop them. Don’t you worry, Melisandre.” She swooped about within the air and then flew forward through the forest.
The princess gazed to the all likes of mythological creatures as they moved along. Things she’d ready about in fairytale books. Things that she never thought actually existed in this world. These things rest before her now. As they came to the shore Rhaenerys gazed to the eight ships that float within the sea. The red banner with the golden bird. She didn’t know where they came from. Were they controlling the dragon? Where was this black dragon that brought destruction to her kingdom? She drew in a shaken breath – would they destroy this island? The creatures that lived peacefully upon it?
Her eyes turned to Melisandre as she spoke of Lilian Tevare. The name – she’d read of it somewhere. Long ago. She couldn’t quite remember the text. She pressed her lips together as she looked back over the fleet that sat before them. A cannon released a mighty boom and a ball flew forward from it only to be destroyed by the barrier.
Tell me, if power was limitless – how would you dispatch this group of ships?
The words of the Lady of the Grove brought the princess’ crystal hues to the woman. She bit her lip slightly as she gazed back out. “Effortless...” Her brows furrowed as she tried to relax herself. She let out a breath slowly.
A wispy blue image appeared before her. A beautiful elf with long tasseled hair. “Allow the magic to flow through you, just as you allow the air into your lungs.” It was Lilian Tevare. Her spirit. “You’ve harnessed the magic before, Rhaenerys. You are more than capable of accepting it. Remember? When you saved your brother.” She reached a hand forward and placed it upon the sternum of the princess. The glowing hand of the spirit pulsed with power. “Melisandre will be your guide. She will protect you, just as she protected me.” Lilian gazed to Melisandre and gave a gentle sweet smile to her. “Breathe in, princess.” Her eyes turned back to the princess. “You must allow the magic to flow through you.”
Rhaenerys stared to the spirit of Lilian. Her breaths began to quake as the blue color of the spirit began to meld into her body. Her eyes took on a beautiful blue glow. The princess’ head leaned back slightly as Lilian showed her how to use the magic. A guide to allow the power to flow freely into her body. The glow within the princess’ eyes grew brighter as the seconds passed.
“Is this what Erakanus spoke of? Is this...the magic?” Clove questioned as she fluttered about. A whimper came from the princes as the magic within her flowed. “Will she be okay?” The pixie questioned with worry.
The skies began to swarm with dark clouds that blotted out the warmth of the sunlight from above. The waves within the ocean began to grow larger and thrash against the soft white sands of the beach. The sails of the boats were quickly tied away as anchors were dropped into the ocean floor. The princess’ glowing hues focused upon the eight ships now. From the depths of the ocean black shadowy tendrils wrapped around one of the ships and sucked it into the thrashing waves. A cone formed and swept away two of the other ships. Rhaenerys was breathing quite rapidly now. A wave crashed over several of the other ships and broke them violently into pieces. One ship remained.
Lightening from the skies above crackled down to meet the deck of the ship. Fires erupted as many of the sailors leaped from the decks. Rhaenerys waved her hand before her and shadows sliced into the ship. As the last ship was destroyed the princess fell to her hands and knees. The spirit stepped from her body and gazed to Melisandre. “She will be exhausted. But now she knows what power she holds within.” Lilian spoke with a bit of a smirk upon her lips. “I’ve been waiting for quite a long time for the next Mage of the Moon. Now I can finally rest.” She placed a hand upon Melisandre’s shoulder and then a kiss upon her cheek before she disappeared as quickly as she’d appeared.
“Princess?” Clove rest upon the ground before the woman. Rhaenerys collapsed and rolled onto her back as her eyes continued to glow the bright blue color. “Rhaenerys?” Clove lifted into the air and hovered over the woman as her chest rose and fell rapidly. “Can you hear me?” She reached forward and touched her cheek. The pixie bit her lip slightly before she blew from her palm and a dust flew forward. A calming dust. The breaths of the princess slowed significantly. Her eyes fluttered as she glow began to fade away just before her eyes slipped shut. “Rhaenerys?” Clove tapped her cheek before she landed upon her chest. The pixie looked up to Melisandre. “Do you think that they wanted her….because of her magic?” She questioned. “This magic...if placed in the wrong hands...it could caused quite a bit of destruction….” The pixie spoke and shook her head. Bodies of the sailors washed upon the shore of the island. A few still alive for the army of the forest to dispatch.
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