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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 6, 2017 21:02:24 GMT -5
Lynn reached upward slightly – her hand catching onto Azariah’s. She felt herself being lifted, and then pulled onto a horse. She could feel Azariah’s hand wrapping around her, holding her upward. Lynn was still blinded – her eyes glowing white. Her body bounced from side to side – but she was kept in place by a sturdy hand.
“Not accepted in both of the worlds” a deep voice spoke, two men stood tall. They glanced down and then there was a long deep sigh.
“What do we do Father?”
The priest turned, crossing his arms as he stared down. “The only thing we can…” he waved over to someone. A figure stepped forward and handed him a knife. “We make her blend” the Priest knelt down and held the blade up. In one swift motion – he held a bit of flesh in his fingers, blood dripping downward.
A terrifying scream…
Lynn gasped, she was before the King – being held up by two people as her body was numb and fighting against her. Her white eyes looked forward – but still she felt nothing.
It was then that she felt something in her hands – a cup. She slowly brought it to her lips and drank the entire cup. In an instant her hearing cleared up – her vision came but it was just a blur of colors. Lynn breathed heavily and blinked several times.
Her eyes looked to the elderly man – who was pale and terrible looking. The King. She could hear the conversation – he was talking to Azariah. She lowered herself into a chair and let out a long sigh – a tingly feeling filled every inch of her muscle. It was then that she felt Azariah lift her, she walked with her assistance and fell onto the bed.
“What is her name… and who will take care of her?” The Priest wiped his hands off with a wet linen, it was covered in red.
A man stood next to him, in all crusader armor, he crossed his arms and then let out a deep sigh. “No one will want a child as such… the Crusade will harbor her… If she will live a life of lie – it will be at least in the name of the Crusade, of our King.” He then lifted the child upward.
“Lynnlyss Breveal” the Crusader spoke.
The priest looked to him and then chuckled slightly. “A suiting name”
Lynn sat upward and held her hand to her head. She slowly moved from the bed – her hand reaching outward. Her sword and shield magically moved through the air and attached to her back. She stepped infront of the sleeping elf and she smiled weakly. “Thank you friend… rest for now..” she spoke and stepped from the room.
“Lynn” A voice spoke to her … almost in her mind. Lynn glanced around. “Come to my chambers” it was the King..
Lynn stepped through the corridor until she found the King’s chambers. The two guards saluted to her and opened the doors. Lynn slowly stepped in – her eyes glancing to the resting man.
“The kettle” he pointed.
Lynn stepped to the kettle that was squealing. She poured two glasses and stepped over to him, setting his cup on the side table.
“I want… to personally thank you… for saving Azariah’s life..” He slowly moved upward. Lynn reached forward and helped him. The King coughed roughly, and then swallowed deeply. He picked up his tea and drank it. “You..you are different, you know this” he glanced to her. He pointed to the side of Lynn’s face.
“They cropped you, the humans would do this to the Elfs, and return them – ashamed” he sipped again. “You are the first of your kind… Your mother.. an elf, your father – a human, yes?” he sipped once more.
“I do not know much of my past, or my family..” she spoked softly.
“There is nothing to know – other than you belong exactly where you are…” he stumbled to speak this sentence, in between coughs and such.
“I didn’t believe it… for the longest time. Until I met Azariah..” she spoke softly and sipped on her tea. “I never understood… but now, now I get it..”
“What happened to you in the forest…” he coughed slightly. “It is proof of yourself, and the nature… of your soul” he smiled weakly. “You return hope to me – for the human kind” he sipped once more.
“Do you guys have the arrow tip, which poisoned you?” She questioned, sitting up. “I may know what kind of poison it is, we could.. create an antidote” she spoke and set her cup down.
The King coughed slightly and then let a long drawn out sigh. “I wouldn’t waste the energy. I am fading too swiftly..”
“To not try.. would be an injustice to you” she spoke, her eyebrows pulled together.
The King chuckled “Your concern is much appreciated. I suppose… you are right. I would be… no King if I didn’t, hm?” he pointed over to a wooden box on the table. Lynn stood and walked to the table, opening it. She saw part of the wooden arrow shaft, and the broken arrow tip. It had an engraving on the flint, and a red tiny ribbon like cloth, tied to the shaft. She sucked in a breath and let out a sigh.
“I know this world – it is of a very famous Ranger. This poison is long winded – you have about 2 weeks of true pain, before it ends. Meant as a terrible torture…” she grit her teeth and nodded slowly. “I know where the recipe for the antidote is – and I also know that the flowers necessary are further south… we could save you..” she glanced over to him.
The King shook his head “The travel alone…”
“Let me talk to Azariah…” Lynn spoke and set the arrow down inside the box.
The King sighed “She has a bigger mission here.”
“I have to try… if she found out I knew there was an antidote..”
The King chuckled once more and waved her off. “I will rest…”
Lynn walked out of the room and back to the sleeping quarters, where Azariah rest. “Azariah..” she spoke and approached her, just as she rose. “Your father was shot by a legendary Ranger – Leoric Vale” she crossed her arms. “He has 2 weeks from initial poisoning before… he…” she sighed then. “I know where to get a copy of the recipe, and then the herbs would be in the Plain Hills, down south… but the travel – is extensive. We.. could save him. Perhaps with.. the help of your uh… Dragon Friend?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 6, 2017 22:30:41 GMT -5
Azariah’s eyes opened quickly as Lynn came back into the room. She looked around and sucked in a deep breath. She rubbed her eyes, brushing the sleep away from her vision as she listened to Lynn speak. She rose from the chair and a smile lit upon her face. “Yes, I’m sure he will help.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lynn and embraced her for a moment before she stepped back, a grin on her lips now. “I’m glad to see that you made it through the night, the forest really got to you huh?” She looked away for a moment. “Then, everything must be put on hold, my people are safe here, the king’s men will not make it past the forest walls, only elves can come into the forest without falling ill. If they make it to the gates of the city, they will die.”
Azariah paused for a moment, “We will not tell the king of this, even though it is his life that teeters in the balance, he will not approve.” She held her hand to her abdomen as her stomach grumbled. “Food then, yes?” She nodded before she stepped from the room. She moved down into the kitchen. Azariah hummed slightly as she pulled a few things from the cabinet and moved around mixing items together. “Rhys likes my cooking.” She smiled, “The king asks for breakfast every now and then too.” She tossed a few things around as she cooked, she brewed two cups of coffee and slid one across the counter to Lynn. She soon brought a plate to Lynn with Strawberry and Banana French toast with sausage and bacon on the side. “Elven sweet bread.” She gave a smile as she sat down with her own plate across from Lynn.
Azariah poked at her food and munched happily. “I will make up an antidote for you, so that you will not have to go through the illness again…that was very intense…I haven’t witnessed it in a very long time…” She looked away, “I was worried you may not make it, Lynn.” She drew her brows together, “But at the same time, you did not pass out, you are so strong willed. It is astounding.” She finished up her last bite of food just as a knock came from the front door. Azariah stood and stepped away. She opened the door to see Rhys. “Good morning.” She spoke with a warm smile.
Rhys returned the smile, “Good morning, Az. How is Lynn?” She asked, curiously. “Oh it smells good, did you make sweet bread?”
Azariah chuckled, “I made you some too, come on.” She stepped aside. “Lynn has recovered rather well, I am thankful that Winslow is as quick as he is, otherwise I am not sure she would have made it.”
“Ah, yes, that is good.” Rhys spoke, she bit her lip slightly as she walked into the home and stepped into the kitchen. “So you saw the king?” She asked softly.
“Yes, we did.” Azariah made up a plate for Rhys and handed it to her. “He is quite ill, Rhys.” She sipped from her coffee mug. She then looked to Lynn, “I’m going to go pack a few things for the road, Lynn.” She stepped away then.
Rhys looked to Lynn for a moment and rose a brow. She stared at Lynn for a moment, “You….” She stood a small smile on her lips, “You’re…” She was looking to Lynn’s slightly tipped ears.
**
Azariah pulled a pack from the shelf in her back room. She grabbed bags of dried food that were sealed and packed away. She’d prepared several ready packed meals like this for when she’d have to go on missions of the king, to bring messages to other elves, or what have you. Azariah pulled an old dagger from a drawer, she slid the blade from the sheath, it glowed a gentle blue. She looked to the elven inscription in the blade for a long moment before she fastened it to her thigh. Azariah pulled the scroll from her other pack and then slide a rug away, she knelt and pulled her dagger. She inserted the tip into the floor and lifted the floorboard to reveal a safe beneath the floor. Azariah turned the knob and popped it open before she slipped the scroll inside. She locked it back away and slipped the board into place before she replaced the rug.
Azariah then walked back out with her new pack on her back. She looked to Lynn and Rhys for a moment, she could feel a strange tension between the two. “Ready?” She asked Lynn, she looked to her for a moment, she’d noticed her ears. The fairy meant something. What the fairy did with her, she knew it. “Rhys, we have to go, can you keep a good eye on the horses for us?”
“Y-yeah…” Rhys furrowed her brows slightly. “Where are you going, Az?”
“To get an antidote.” Azariah smiled as she walked from the home. She stepped down the stairs and walked toward the gates of the city. “How long have you known that you were part elf?” She smiled at the end, “I should have known.” She chuckled, “The king would kill me for not noticing.” She walked through the tunnel that led to the gates of Nerium. “Though, I for one do not believe that being an elf, or a human makes a difference, you could be a druid, a pixie, a dwarf. Evil resides within the soul, don’t you think?” She asked and looked to Lynn. “It does not matter.” She shook her head then. “Will you ride my dragon friend?” She chuckled as they walked through the gates and into the cold of the world next to the lake. Azariah looked up to the sky, in her mind she thought of the dragon, she called to him, her brows furrowed, her eyes glowed an ember red for a moment, she took in a quick breath and held her hand to her head. The world spun slightly. She took a stumbling step backward.
In the next moment a huge gust of wind knocked her to her back on the ground. She stared up as the dragon landed before her. He let out a playful growl before he reached down and gripped onto the front of her jacket with his incisors. He then flipped her up and onto his back. Azariah landed roughly on him and blinked several times. She held her hand down to Lynn and helped her up as the dragon leaned down. The dragon huffed as he looked to his back at the two. “Alright, Lynn, where to?” She questioned, “Where is the antidote?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 6, 2017 23:03:27 GMT -5
Lynn nodded and followed Azariah into the kitchen. She sat down at the table next to the kitchen. She watched as Azariah moved about – cracking an egg into a bowl, soaking the bread. She had never seen this recipe before. Soon it was sitting before her –and she grinned to the smell. Lynn sipped on her coffee and raised an eyebrow briefly. “So how long have you known Rhys?” she questioned while picking up a slice of her bacon.
Just then Rhys entered the room and smiled “10 years or so, I think amost… 12?” she questioned and sat down at the table. Lynn cut into her sweet bread and dipped it into the thick syrup. She bit into it and then grinned “Oh.. this is good” she nodded and took another bite. She was quiet for the rest of the meal - eating happily.
After Azariah left – Lynn turned her head slightly, glancing to Rhys who noticed her ears. Lynn reached upward and touched her right ear – her fingers moved over the pointed tip. It was short, not longer like Rhys. Lynn hid her gaze and then stood. “They were… cut, previously. It has been a long time since I’ve had to recognize it.” She cleared her throat and then nodded. “Well… I must wash up” she spoke and then left the room.
She stepped into the washroom and splashed water onto her face – from a bowl of clear water. Lynn glanced into the mirror – turning her head side to side. She was always embarrassed by her ears – previously they were cut, the top was flat and uneven. Now they were pointed and smooth. What… did that fairy do to her?
Lynn combed her hair slightly and then stepped from the room, meeting up with Azariah just after. Lynn looked to Rhys as Azariah said goodbye – Rhys eyeballed Lynn slightly, and then turned around swiftly. Lynn turned then and followed Azariah out. As they walked – she avoided her gaze as Azariah spoke of her ears as well. Lynn sighed softly and shook her head “I overheard talk.. when I was younger. But I never had much proof. I’ve never had to come to terms with it… until now. So the subject is… sensitive” she smoke and then smiled briefly, as Azariah continued – this was the answer she liked.
Elf. Human. Dwarf. It didn’t matter. What mattered was she wielded a sword and shield for the greater good – for a good soul. Perhaps.. some how… her new life style may make up for the blind sins she performed prior. Maybe then she could sleep at night and forgive herself.
Lynn gasped when the dragon landed – she had almost forgotten how massive he was. She stumbled back when the powerful wind pushed against her. She chuckled when he grabbed Azariah, she almost expected the same reaction for her. However he calmed – and lowered his head for her. Perhaps he could sense her uneasiness. Lynn reached upward and took Azariah’s hand, sliding onto his back behind her.
“I’ll try not to get sick…” she spoke and then situated herself. She squeezed her legs against Azariah’s hips, her hands reached down and found two large scales that she could practically hold onto. “We want to head…” she glanced to the sky. “South West… there is a Crusade sanction in the mountains. I know someone… who owes me a favor. One that can get into the library, and get that antidote recipe.
Suddenly the dragon leaped into the air – wings flapping with enormous power. Lynn let out a slight scream and she gripped Azariah’s waist. “Sweet gods!” she gasped and buried her head into the jacket of Azariah.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 6, 2017 23:21:54 GMT -5
Azariah chuckled as they soared up high into the sky. She gripped onto the back of the dragon’s neck, on the scales that were along his spine to the base of his shoulder blades. The dragon growled playfully as he flapped his wings. They cut through the clouds and soon they were flying above a sea of puffy white clouds. “I hope that the guy who owes you a favor follows through.” She spoke over the wind. “You’re not going to get sick, are you? I don’t think my friend here would approve.” She chuckled. The dragon roared happily as he beat his wings a few times and then coasted through the sky.
They flew for nearly an hour before the dragon began to descend. He lowered, the outpost was visible. The dragon dived downward quickly into the forest, he landed gracefully and tossed the two from his back. He growled and ran a circle around them before he curled up. Azariah chuckled as he watched the creature, she pet his snout. “Thank you, my friend.” She spoke and stared into his ember eyes. “You need a name, hmm?”
“Ezo. I will await your return.” The voice was deep as the dragon spoke within her mind.
Azariah furrowed her brows and stepped back, “Oh…” She spoke staring at him for a long moment, she looked to Lynn, “His name is Ezo.” She turned. “Alright, I will follow you, or should I? Where is this? Is it within the crusader outpost? Will you need to hide your ears?” She spoke quickly, thinking of everything at once.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 6, 2017 23:47:36 GMT -5
As they leveled out Lynn finally relaxed and took in a deep breath. “I admire your trust in your… new friend” she spoke and then let out a uneasy breath. It was soon that they landed, and Lynn happily leaped from his side. She looked to the dragon, who interacted with Lynn. “I could say… even a few months ago – I’d never expect to be standing right here… seeing this” she spoke and then chuckled.
As they stepped from the dragon she nodded. “Ears or not – they will already be aware of who I am, and that I am blacklisted. I will be attacked on sight. Thankfully – we do not have to enter the hold. A bout a mile from the site is the home of a retired Crusader… he occasionally trains them, but lingers near for the benefits.” She chuckled “This old man… owes me much.” She spoke and then waved to her.
They walked for a while – Lynn pointed to the occasional tree that had the crusader emblem etched into it. Until soon they came to a cottage in the woods. There were stacks of chopped wood – neatly stacked against the log home. She stepped to the door and knocked on it. She waited a moment – until it opened. An elderly man with a thick beard, he was tall and broad – like a lumberjack.
“Lynn…my dear, wow. Please… you and your friend… come in” he opened the door wider and the two stepped inside. “Who is….. this?” he questioned – his eye brow raised. “I am quite… curious to know what you are up to these days..” he sat down on a chair, leaving the sofa open for them.
“Vale” she smiled and kissed his cheek. “It is nice to see you”
“I know.. you wouldn’t stop to see an old friend, unless you needed my help. I heard they found out – banishment was kind” he spoke and then let out a long sigh. “But I suppose this was my doing, in the end, hm?” he smiled weakly. “I am thankful that you forgive me…” he spoke and then shifted his body slightly. “So, what are you up to then?”
“I am… restoring peace. Or atleasting trying to” she spoke and glanced to Azariah.
The old man let out a hearty laugh and nodded “A typical mid-life crisis of a Crusader… attempt you may… perhaps you might succeed” he raised his eyebrows. “Finally sticking it to the corrupt king then? Your friend…” he turned his head to Azariah. His old wrinkly hand covered his heart and he bowed his head. “I offer my condolences, for your kind deserves much more. And I have done nothing but watched my whole life…” he then let out a sigh. “So.. how can I help then?”
“The Elven king has been shot by a Wither Arrow, from Leoric” she crossed her leg, leaning back slightly as she watched Vale’s eyes.
Vale let out a deep sigh and nodded. “So the recipe to the antidote, I see. Yes… I can retrieve this” he nodded. “I believe I have some of the herbs here, but you will have to go to th-“
“Plain foot hills, for the Peacebloom” she finished his sentence.
“So smart” he smiled and then slowly stood. “I better not waste any time – he probably does not have much time, after the travel..” he spoke and pulled his cloak from a hanger. “Feel free to stay here… I will be back swiftly.” He spoke and then walked out of the small home.
Lynn stood and walked into the center of the room, glancing to a picture. “Vale… was like a father to me. He took me in when I was young..” she smirked. “I was abandoned as a child, he… he thought that the Crusaders would be the only real choice. The only way he knew he could protect me. Secrets are second nature to those in the Crusade, so to lie or cover up the truth was almost expected. They really don’t care, they don’t expect many to live past a year of enlistment.. truthfully” she let out a sigh.
“This is why he owes me one” she grinned. “While he thought to protect me – he set me up for failure as well… and he knows that… Women cannot be in the crusade. But hey… what else did I have to lose? A woman and half elf?” she chuckled and shook her head. “I remember… I remember him talking to his wife about it, when I was young. She found out and….” She bit her lip slightly. “She… went to go say something and…lets just say.. Vale had to do something he rather not.”
Lynn came over and sat down across from Azariah and let out a sigh. “So then… what about you, Parents? I see you are of Royal blood line but the King is not your father…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 0:17:39 GMT -5
Azariah chuckled slightly as Lynn mentioned her dragon. “In the past the dragons have protected my kind, so it is an easy thing, to trust in a beast that most humans would have run screaming from.” She gave a smile, she had emphasized the word most.
She looked to the trees with the emblems etched into them, she felt uneasy being this close to a Crusader stronghold. She knew if she was seen, she’d be captured on sight by the Crusaders. She was a pretty bounty. One that no one would want to pass up. She was silent as they approached the home, she glanced around, looking to the hillside. Looking for any threats. She watched the old man as he looked to her, she felt slightly uncomfortable. Then when he bowed to her she bowed her head back, his apology was sincere, she could hear it in his voice, see it in his expression.
Azariah watched as they spoke back and forth. Then once the old man was gone, Lynn spoke a bit of her past. Azariah looked away slightly when Lynn asked of her past. Her past was a touchy subject. She took in a slow breath. “The king is my father’s brother.” She responded. “My father was killed by a crusader, a man with a cold heart. It was in the beginning, when the threats were small. Our king sent out a group of warriors to help defend another group of elves…my father was brought back on a stretcher.” She paused for a moment. “I remember rushing to the edge of the city with my mother, for the return of the warriors. 20 left, only 7 returned. Most we left, however, they brought my father’s body back, he was the son of the king. It was before his brother moved into the throne. His brother was one of the men to carry him back. Jonas, that is the king’s first name. Jonas watched my father die. He was helpless. A crusader sliced his sword through him…”
Azariah stood and stepped to the window, her eyes glassy. “When they brought my father back, when I saw him on that stretcher, my mother pulled me into her arms, she held me. We both sobbed…I thought that was the worst thing that could happen, I was so young.” She paused for a long moment, she played with the beautiful necklace, her mother’s necklace. “I was wrong. The worst had been yet to come.” She looked to Lynn. “The Crusaders came to my city, in the night, our men tried to defend as they raided the homes. They took our food. They took our horses, our weapons. They took anything. They raped women…” Her voice caught slightly, “It is hard for me to see anything of them as good, all I have ever seen from them is a nightmare of terror and pain that they spread…” A few tears rolled down her cheeks. “My mother shoved me into a closet when they came, she gave me my father’s dagger, she told me to be quiet and not to come out. I watched…I watched as they tortured her, she fought them. She tried to use her magic, but they’d brought the crystal with them, that was the night that we lost everything….I watched as a Crusader murdered her, as he shoved his dagger into her skull through her temple…”
Azariah trembled slightly as she thought of it, it had been so many years since then. Yet, she still had nightmares of it. “We lost everything. The king’s men left us be after that, for a good 10 years until he decided he wanted more. He has always wanted more. So, that is when Jonas decided that I would be the one to hunt down the crystal, find out more about it. Learn everything I could. That is when I discovered the scroll that the king had stolen.” Azariah brushed the tears away and shook her head. “My childhood was taken from me when I was 8…” She muttered. “I only wish the Crusaders knew the pain that they inflicted…the Crusaders I have seen…they…they are all monsters, much worse than any elf I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen anything more evil…” She whispered. “The worse part was when they found me in the closet as they ransacked the home…”
Azariah shuddered as she thought of it. “I remember they opened the door. I came at the man with my father’s dagger. I sliced his cheek and he only chuckled as he gripped around my throat. I was beaten to the edge of death…Jonas didn’t think I would make it through. The healer’s magic wasn’t even strong enough to mend the amount of broken bones. It was as though I’d been thrown off of a cliff…I can’t remember much of it…I just remember his face as he chuckled at me…as he choked the life from me…The rest is a blur…” She fell silent then, she’d pulled her father’s dagger, the dagger with the beautiful elvish inscriptions on it. She ran her fingertip along the wording. “I know you didn’t commit those things…I know there are good Crusaders…but…the ones that come after the elves…the ones that purely enjoy it…” She shook her head and fell silent.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 0:46:56 GMT -5
Lynn listened to her speak – watching as she stood up, hiding her swollen eyes. She looked down slightly… Crusaders. She sat down, defeated for a moment. Though the story she told was much like other raids. Lynn took in a deep breath – she wanted Azariah to stop. To keep the story to herself. It was a painful stab, even though she didn’t mean it.
“At one time… I considered myself proud to be a Crusader. I fought with what I thought was dignity and glory. I was wrapped up in the struggle, of being a woman. I felt this… sense of joy for every victory and every hard fight – that I was able to shine above the men. I rose in the ranks swiftly. It was when I… became an Officer and gained my own battalion… I was commanded to lay siege to a town that harbored a large collection of rebelists. The men… they… did the same thing. Out of pure joy and fun, shredding apart every inch of humanity, and tainting it with their greed. I did nothing to stop them. I was no better than them at that point. But I was too wrapped up in continuing my march through the ranks… I put it past me. I cannot count.. how many times I led a troop of Crusaders into an innocent town. For the king…” she sighed.
“I am sorry… truthfully” she whispered and then glanced out the window… the stronghold could be seen in the distance. “There is no excuse for them and their actions, I will never try to muster one. I can only hope we can put an end to the madness. That is the truth… You lead the way to the good in the world, and I follow in hopes for my own redemption. This may be greedy… but it is the best I have.” She crossed her arms.
It was then that the door opened, the old man stepped inside. “Ladies..” he bowed his head. He took his cloak off and set it down. “Here it is..” he handed the scroll to Lynn. Lynn took it, unrolling it for a moment… then she rolled it back up.
“You best leave…” he spoke and then smiled slightly. “This may.. be the last time we see each other” he spoke and then held Lynn’s hand. “When they found out… I was put on trial… I am to be executed for my actions… I voted for this. You were given a light punishment, so that I take the brute..” he leaned down and kissed her knuckles.
“Vale..” she whispered. “You… you can come with us… escape..” her eyes filled with panic, swelling up instantly.
“My dearest… I cannot. If I escape – they will find you. This.. this is the end for me. Punishment for my deeds…” he smiled weakly and then wrapped his arms around her. “You still have a long life to live… you will make me proud, I know.” He stepped back and placed a hand upon her cheek. “I will be waiting for you… when you are done” he smiled and then turned to Azariah. He bowed before her and then nodded. “Now go on… I hate this kind of thing..” he shook his head.
Lynn stared to him for a long moment, her eyes filling up.
“Look.. You’ve been a son to me this long, be a man and toughen up. Don’t get all girly and sappy on me” he chuckled and then stepped over to his desk. He opened a small wooden box and lifted a necklace from it. It had the crusader cross on the end of it. He stepped over and handed it to her. “You don’t have to wear it… but this has passed down in the family for a long time… You are all I have left. You may not.. be a crusader now, but you will be. Stay in touch with your past, let it carve your future. Never let go of the truth, what it really means to be…my daughter.” He then let out a long sigh. “I told you… I hate this” he spoke and then nodded.
“Vale…” Lynn muttered and then took the necklace.
“Go… the soldiers are coming soon. You better not be here for that..” he nodded. “Go, please.” He spoke and then sat down on his couch.
Lynn turned to Azariah and then nodded, waving her forward. Lynn turned as she approached the door, glancing to him.. one last time. Vale did not look to her – he only stared out the window. His eyes were glassy, a single tear fell into his beard. Lynn closed the door behind her and then looked toward the woods – she could hear hooves. “Quickly” she spoke, and ran off into the woods, away from the path.
Lynn turned as they came to a crest of the hill, hiding next to a tree. She watched three men step from the horse and walk to the door. They opened the door and stepped inside. A moment later Vale walked out – his hands bound behind his back. Lynn felt her throat close up – a sob caught in the middle. She fought it and then turned – she suddenly burst into a run. She ran – jumping over logs and weaving through the trees. It felt good to run. This feeling within her. She wanted to kill something. Hurt someone. Do something… she finally came to the dragon and stopped.
She had regained herself, though she was still on edge. “Lets go… South to the foothills… about… an hour by wings..” she glanced to the dragon, and then waited to mount.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 1:05:56 GMT -5
Azariah sat quietly she listened to Lynn speak of when she became an officer, who she’d led her battalion into innocent cities. She shook her head slightly, “If you would have said anything, it wouldn’t have stopped them, they may have killed you for even asking for them not to perform the actions that they did.” She then looked to the door as it opened. As Vale explained that his last few moments were coming, that he was to die for the lies rather than Lynn she watched the sadness wash over Lynn’s expression. She felt the pain. She knew how it must feel to have a loved one taken away.
She was silent as they left the home. She waited with Lynn atop the hill, she watched as they led Vale from the home. She glanced to Lynn as she bolted. Azariah looked back to the Crusaders. She watched as they took Vale toward the city. She took in a slow breath and drew her bow. Torture would follow, once they got him behind the walls. It wouldn’t be a slow death. She pulled back the arrow, seating it into place, she aimed in. “Sleep well.” She whispered as she released the arrow. It sliced through the air and cut through his tunic, stabbing through his heart. She stood for a moment watching as the Crusaders ducked down in fear before she turned and sprinted off after Lynn through the woods.
She’d saved Vale the pain of punishment. She’d saved him from the weeks of torture that he might have endured once they had him behind the walls. Azariah slipped her bow onto her back as she leaped over a few fallen logs. She came to a stop at Lynn’s side where she gave a nod just before Ezo lifted her up onto his back. He brushed his snout against Lynn then before he tossed her onto his back as well. It was then that he beat his wings down and they were off, up into the air once more.
Azariah gripped on tightly as they shot into the sky and soared up above the clouds once more. She leaned in against the back of Ezo’s neck as she looked around at the puffy clouds and the landscape below through the breaks in the clouds. She was quiet as they flew focused on the mission at hand. She knew not to speak of Vale to Lynn. She knew the pain that Lynn must be feeling. For Azariah it was better to not bring it up. She knew not to. After the death of her parents Jonas became her guardian. He was much like a father to her, though he did serve well as her uncle as well.
Ezo swooped about, he flew down toward a beautiful green valley. With a thrust of his wings they were on the ground. Azariah jumped from his back and chuckled as he bumped her in her back with his snout. She stumbled slightly, she looked to him and smiled. “Don’t push me over.” She pushed back at him playfully.
Ezo’s head snapped to the side, he snarled deeply. Azariah turned her eyes to where he was looking. “Lynn…” She spoke as she looked to the platoon of soldiers, they carried the king’s banners. “Where are these flowers? We need to get out of here. We can’t fight off that whole platoon, there must be at least 100 of them.”
Ezo crouched down, making himself as small as possible as he watched the platoon in the distance, his breath from his nostrils filled with smoke, he was primed and ready to attack. Azariah had her bow pulled with an arrow loaded in the notch. She glanced to Lynn, her eyes nervous.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 1:18:31 GMT -5
Lynn gasped when Ezo threw her ontop of his back. She gripped onto his scales and he lifted into the air. For the moment she let the skies swarm her – the great blue beyond, the clouds that seem to continue forever. This was a view she had never seen, nor could imagine. To be on the same level as the clouds. For a while in her life she almost imagined the clouds as imaginative – nonexistent. A painting. No one could touch them, no one could prove they were really there. But now… the mist about her face, the cool atmosphere – this was a land undiscovered.
She glanced down as they came to the rolling hills of green. They landed and she slipped from his side, her eyes squinting as she looked into the distance. The collection of men – a Crusade group. “Lazarus is on full offense. I cannot imagine much defense about him… he is cocky” she spoke and then nodded. “We will move swiftly then… We are looking for a flower with white petals, and a yellow center. They will be in a large collection, they’re practically a weed” she spoke and then pointed a group out. “Like so” she reached down and plucked it. “We want the full stem, as much root as you can get. A few handfuls and we should be set…” she spoke and opened a leather sack… the one given to her by Vale. It had a collection of dried herbs bundled together.
Lynn pulled several bundles, when she glanced up to a see a pigeon flying overhead. “Az!” she shouted and pointed. The pigeon fell from the sky and Lynn ran over to it. She plucked the scroll from it’s leg and unrolled it.
“Lazarus. Reporting in – We have witnessed a Black Dragon come from the skies, two bodies riding it. The subjects have not attacked, but appear to be preparing a camp. Please advise – Lt.Mavrick”
“Mavrick…” she grit her teeth. “He plays hard ball. Regardless of the response – he is going to send someone to track us. We better leave…” she spoke and then stepped over to Ezo. Just then a volley of arrows came flying through the air. Ezo lifted his huge wing and blocked them – he let out a roar as one managed to penetrate his scale. “Lets go!!!” she shouted and drew her shield. She held it up and blocked a few arrows as she held it infront of Azariah, leading her to Ezo.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 1:32:36 GMT -5
Azariah kept her bow drawn. As soon as Lynn pointed out the pigeon she shot it down. She watched the group of Crusaders and moments later the storm of arrows that flew toward them. Azariah rushed to Ezo whom grabbed a hold of both of them and tossed them to his back before he took off. He flew toward the group of soldiers and with that a huge ball of fire shot from his jaws, a deep roar came from him as it singed across the valley. He snarled as he then looped away and shot up into the clouds. Azariah gripped on tightly her eyes shut, she could feel her heart race within her chest. She felt as though Ezo was flying faster than ever as he beat his wings. She stared to the arrow that pierced into his shoulder just in front of her seating position on his back. She could see his blood leaking from the wound down his scales as they flew through the skies. It was a few hours later that Ezo landed roughly. He limped, his front left leg was wounded from the arrow in his joint.
Azariah jumped down from him. “Come here, my friend.” She reached up. “This isn’t going to feel very good.” She warned him as she reached up. “Okay, here we go.” She pulled the arrow from his scales. He growled and jumped back from her, landing on the frozen lake. It cracked beneath him from his weight. Ezo whimpered as he slinked back forward and lay down, his leg was limp. Azariah pulled a few herbs from her pack on her back and poured a pouch onto his shoulder. “This should help, Ezo.” She spoke and brushed the side of his jaw gently. “Rest my friend.” She spoke before she turned. “Okay.” She looked to Lynn, she searched her eyes for a moment. “Jonas.” She spoke and then stepped toward the gates which the elves opened for her. She rushed through the city and up the stairs into the royal chambers.
King Jonas was sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea when they stepped into his room. “Ahh, Azariah.” He gave a gentle smile. He stood and stepped to her with the use of his staff. He embraced her and kissed her cheek.
Azariah looked to Lynn. “What do we need to do now?” She asked, “We have the antidote…” She looked back to Jonas. “We will save you. You’re not dying on me, you’re all I have left.”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 1:45:52 GMT -5
Lynn watched as the plains were set aflame – half of the entire battalion was roasted – the other half scrambling. Lynn slipped her shield away and they continued into the sky. Her eyes glanced to the arrow sticking out of Ezo’s side, and then to Azariah, who buried her head forward.
They landed much sooner than the original flight.. Lynn slipped from the side and watched as Azariah tended to his wound. “Thank you, Ezo” she bowed her head and then followed Azariah inside. As they came to Jonah – she smiled briefly, before making her way to the kettle. She dropped a few herbs into his tea, letting it steep. She then placed several different herbs together into a bowl and began to mash it down with a grinder. Soon it became a sticky paste, that smelled very odd.
“Alright…” she stepped over. “Lets get you laying down, I need to pack this into the wound” she spoke and led him to the bed. He laid down and he uncovered his shoulder. Lynn unraveled the wrap and stared to the pierced skin. It was black and almost charred looking – the poison was very visible. Lynn pulled out her knife and then looked to the King. “This is going to hurt… but it will save your life..” she spoke and then nodded. She glanced to Azariah, and then to Rhys who was lingering in the corner of the room. She brought the knife to his wound – digging out the crust and puss, until it was fresh. Red blood leaked from the site. She then poured water into the wound, wiping away the remainder bits. She then gathered a bit of the mush in her hands and rolled it slightly. She held it over his wound and squeezed as hard as she could.
A runny green liquid slipped from the herbs, she continued to do this until it began to flood his wound, dripping out slightly. She then packed the wound with some of the crushed herbs, and then she wrapped it back up. “The herbs must be fresh, grind it up like the recipe and fill the wound, then pack. He needs this twice a day, for 3 days.” She spoke and then taped the wrap down.
“It is going to sting at first, but you should feel relieve by the end of the night” She spoke and then pat his shoulder. “You will be fit as a fiddle before you know it” she grinned. She then stood and cleaned out the bowl, rising it out. She sectioned out the herbs, into doses, to prepare for the next person.
“Well… if you don’t mind, I think I am going to get some rest…” she nodded, leaving the room to the others. She made her way to the bath house – where they drew up a hot bath. Lynn undressed and climbed into the hot sudsy water. It had been ages since she had a long hot bath, something she cherished quite much. There were times where she would go to the brothel with the men – just to slip away and use the “hot tub” with the women. She would come out joking how she had her way with the women, when in reality they all sat in the tub and just gossiped. This she payed over 20 coins, 20 coins of absolutely worth it.
“The small things” she muttered to herself, chuckling as the memory played over her.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 2:05:54 GMT -5
Azariah watched as Lynn put together the antidote. She sat down in a chair and winced as she watched Lynn dig out the wound. It made her feel sick to her stomach as she listened to the king groan. She looked away and tried to fight away the sounds of his pain. After all was said and done, she watched as Lynn slipped from the room. “Rest.” She placed her hand on Jonas’ good shoulder and gave a nod. She stepped from the room, followed by Rhys. She looked to her and gave a gentle smile. “We are lucky that Lynn knew where to find the antidote.” She spoke.
“Incredibly lucky.” Rhys smiled she opened the door to Azariah’s home. “You look exhausted, Az.” She spoke and searched her eyes. She touched her cheek. “I’ll draw you a bath, you can relax?” She gave a gentle smile.
“I’m okay, Rhys, really.” Azariah spoke softly and turned away.
Rhys stepped forward and grasped her hand gently. “Az, I’m worried about you.” She spoke and searched her eyes. “You’re very on edge, distant…”
“Rhys, I’m okay.” Azariah insisted. She turned and walked up the stairs toward her room, she needed a good night’s rest. She hadn’t had a bed to sleep in, in several nights. She hadn’t had a full night of rest in weeks.
Rhys followed her and sighed as she stepped into her room. “Can I get you anything at all?” She asked softly. “Let me help you, Az.”
Azariah turned and Rhys was just inches away, she could smell the sweetness on her breath, she’d had a drink or two. Maybe this was why she was being rather pushy. Rhys placed her hand on Azariah’s hip and leaned in. Azariah turned her head away and took a step back into the wall. She furrowed her brows. “Rhys.” She slipped away from her and escaped from the room. She ran through the home and out onto the streets where she rushed through the city and escaped into the spas of the city. She stepped inside, her breathing was quick. The humid air filled her lungs nearly suffocating her. She shut her eyes for a moment and sighed heavily. She didn’t have time for this. She’d been with Rhys in the past, once. The once was a mistake…
Azariah leaned against the cedar wall and slid to the floor with her eyes shut. She rubbed her face as her mind rushed about the events. She eventually slipped into a light sleep as she sat there, the warmth of the bathhouse lulled her into the slumber. Her body was exhausted from not getting a good night of rest in so long. Her body wanted everything just to relax.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 2:36:52 GMT -5
Lynn sunk into her bath and closed her eyes - letting her muscles relax into the warmth. After a while she climbed out and dried off. She stepped over to a table and dipped her hand into a small bowl of oil. She then began to apply it to her skin. She then pulled her pants and tunic on. She stepped from the room, entering the main bath room, that had several doors to specific tubs. She started to walk forward when something caught her eye - she did a double take until she noticed that it was Azariah.
"Uh...." she stepped over to Azariah and poked her shoulder. "What are you doing here?" she questioned. She stepped back and poured a glass of water. She sipped on it and then squeezed her brows shut. "Lets go find a room.." she spoke and helped Azariah up. She snapped her fingers and her suit of armor clung to her body and snapped into place. She led Azariah back into the main building. They passed their original room - which a gentle sob could be heard, and then the sound of guzzling.
"What happened?" she questioned as she opened the first available door. She led Azariah in and shut the door behind them. "Take the bed, I'll sleep on the recliner" she sat down in the chair and leaned back slightly. "So then - our next goal is to get the artifact... what does it do? What should I be ready for?" she questioned, following it up with a deep yawn. Lynn leaned back in the seat and stretched her arms out above her, placing them behind her head.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 11:18:40 GMT -5
Azariah was startled awake, she opened her eyes and took in a quick bit of air. She felt slightly dizzy from being in the heat. “Oh…um…” She looked around the bathhouse. “I just needed a minute…” Azariah sleepily allowed Lynn to help her up. She followed her and rubbed her eyes as they made their way back. She bit her lip slightly to the sound of sniffling that came from her bedroom and then the sound of the guzzling of liquid.
She followed Lynn into the room and looked away when she asked what happened. “It’s…nothing…” She spoke, her voice soft. “Just…it’s my fault…” She scratched her head slightly and then collapsed back against the bed. She didn’t even take her shoes off. Azariah stared at the ceiling. She sighed heavily, relieved when Lynn asked about the artifact. “Artifacts, actually. There are 7. We will need everything we can get to succeed in taking down King Lazarus. My powers are very minimal without and help…every elf in this village has just barely a pinch of magic left in our being. It wears me out to use it, it takes so much of my energy to even light a fire. When I had the crystal from the black knight, it was incredible, I felt whole. It reminded me of my childhood.” Azariah paused for a moment. “I…really hope we can pull this off.” She sat up slowly and looked to Lynn. She then fumbled with her hands slightly, “I should go talk to Rhys…I…wasn’t very nice…” She slipped from the bed.
Azariah left the room and came to the door in the hallway, she could hear the soft sobs of Rhys behind the door. She stood there for a moment, listening, thinking. She leaned against the doorway slightly before she gave a gentle knock. She heard movement within the room and then the door pulled back. She found herself looking into the swollen eyes of Rhys, her mascara ran down her cheeks. “Rhys…” She spoke softly and stepped inside the room. She carefully slipped the bottle of wine from Rhys’ hand. “You can’t do this to yourself.” She brushed a few tears away from Rhys’ face.
Rhys sniffled and pulled back, she snatched the bottle from Azariah. “Why did you come in here then?” She took another swig of the wine. “Just leave me alone, Az.”
Azariah stepped forward and placed her hand on Rhys’ back over her shoulder blades. “You’re going to make yourself sick.” She pulled the bottle away again. “I’m sorry, Rhys.” She searched her eyes and pulled her into an embrace. “I…you know that we can’t…”
Rhys sobbed into the nape of her neck, her body shaking. She leaned heavily against Azariah. “I love you, Az.” She whispered, her voice trembling.
Azariah was quiet, she shut her eyes and hummed lightly. She hummed a tune that was soothing. She didn’t speak. She moved and lay on the bed with Rhys, holding her as she sobbed. She continued the lullaby until Rhys was unconscious. Azariah brushed Rhys’ hair from her face and looked her over for a long moment before she slipped from her arms. She tucked Rhys into the bed and paced slightly. She’d loved Rhys at one time. But, they grew apart. What she wanted and what Rhys wanted was different. Rhys didn’t want her going out on the missions and grand adventures. Azariah yearned for it, to change the world, to end the war.
Azariah slipped from the room and walked down the hallway to the last bedroom of the home. She stepped inside and unbuttoned her jacket. She slipped the thick red cloth from her shoulders to reveal a black tank top beneath her clothing. She hung her jacket over the post of the bed before she pulled off her boots as she sat on the edge of the bed. She then pulled her pants and set her weapons next to the bed on the night stand. Azariah climbed beneath the covers and let out a long slow sigh. She allowed her eyes to shut and soon enough she was in the world of dreams.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 7, 2017 13:37:17 GMT -5
Lynn sat upward when Azariah left the room. She slowly stood and made her way to the door, her eyes watching Az as she entered the other room. Lynn slowly moved to the door frame and pressed her back against the wall, her head turned to the side as she eavesdropped. She lowered her gaze as she heard 3 soft choked words slip from Rhys’s mouth. Lynn gasped slightly and then turned – a man stood in the hallway, grinning.
“Even the women in full battle gear who likely slaughter on the field – like a little drama, hm?” he spoke and then pointed down the hallway. “You must be Lynn, your name has traveled fast in this small place. Might I offer a drink to you?” he spoke, holding his hand outward to the hallway. Lynn glanced into the room slightly, and then nodded – following the elf down the hallway.
“We owe you much, after all you did save our King” he smiled and glanced to her. He was very tall, and muscular, he had short bronze colored hair, and a trimmed beard. “I am Rovan, I am to fill my fathers foot steps – and join the New Council for the King. We were worried – that we would have to train Azariah to be the Queen, meanwhile having a brand new staff. We lost... a lot” he spoke as he exited the building and led Lynn to a quiet bar.
Lynn and Rovan took a seat a the bar, the tender poured to meads and set them infront of the two. Lynn lifted the ale and took a long gulp. “Oh... this is good” Lynn smiled “Lots of flavor, the barrel – i’ve never tasted that woodsy taste before” she grinned then.
“Elder-Oak, pretty secluded to these areas. It gives it that burnt cherry taste” he spoke and took a gulp as well.,, he smiled and then held his ale up. “This is to you, Lady Lynn – “ he grinned and then took another gulp.
They stayed up for a few hours – both drank a few ales. Talking about almost everything... war stories, funny stories about hanging around men all day. Humans in general. Rovan glanced out the window and then smiled “It seems we have spent a good deal hidden away... I hope you remember me when you return” he smiled and held his hand out. “I mean nothing by these gestures – just kindness.” He then led her back to the other building. “Now then – keep your ears to yourself, my lady.” He bowed his head and lead her to her door. “Good night”
“Good night” Lynn smiled and then entered her room – falling to her bed with little effort.
Morning came swiftly – she rose as she heard movement outside her bedroom. She stretched and stepped over to a bucket of water. She flushed her face and combed her hair. She thought back a moment – to drinking with Rovan. She smiled slightly and then let out a long sigh. As much as the Crusaders were corrupt – they knew how to live. Long nights laughing and causing a ruckus.
Lynn walked to the Kings room – she leaned against the door frame – looking inside to Azariah who tended to the King.. Lynn slowly stepped into the room – her sword and shield on her back. She crossed her arms and waited for her. “So... do we go by horse, or should we take your air-steed?” she spoke. Her eyes glanced past her, looking to the King. He was already looking better, this was good. “Horses would be quiet, but we could be tracked easily, and it would take longer. Your flying steed would be faster, but perhaps draw some attention? What are your thoughts?”
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