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 Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:33 pm
The forest was beautiful at this time of year, it was just the start of summer. Keira walked the forest in her soft doeskin boots, she was out finding herbs for poultices and healing teas. She had been found in the forest as a baby and raised by an old woman who made her home in the vast embrace of the woods, since she was a young girl she was trained in the healer's arts now that she was a young woman of twenty-one she was at the end of her training.
She gathered the final herbs and made her way home, when she arrived at the little cottage her grandmother was waiting for her.
"Hello, grandmother" she called as she approached.
"My child... I have to discuss many things with you" she said and turned back into the cottage.
Following, Keira was confused by the old woman's actions she never behaved this way. When she entered the house the old woman as sitting at the ancient table they worked and ate at. She took the herbs from the basket and put them into a basin of water and then she turned to the crone.
"The time has come Keira, you must leave this place..."
"Why?" Keira said, her face in an expression of shock.
"A dark force is rising and the world may need you... you are a special child."
"I'm just a healer who grew up in the woods, grandmother"
"I feel it, and you must also... I found you in the forest for a reason and you were trained for a reason... the fey people left you in my care to teach you an art only mortals can master..."
"Are you saying I'm one of these people?"
"... it may be possible... you are far beautiful than any young woman I have seen... and only the fey possess such beauty."
Keira turned to a mirror to look at herself, she stared into dark leaf green eyes and her skin was pale as new milk and her hair was dark and wavy her nose was straight and narrow with a perfect set of white teeth. Frowning she looked at the woman who had raised her.
"Where will I go?"
"To the nearest village and then from there you must travel to the capitol of Arvice."
"Alone?"
"Yes... you'll find help along the way I'm sure... I have some gold for you to use once you are away from the forest... use it wisely"
Keira nodded,"I don't understand... but I will obey you as I have always done"
The old woman nodded her approval and stood up to get the bag containing the cold coins, "Pack light and leave as soon as you are finished... you haven't much time"
She did as she was asked and soon after she was standing at the forest edge with a small pack on her back, she wore some traveling clothes leather breeches, better boots than she previously was wearing and a cloak over her shoulders with a loose tunic beneath. She hugged the old woman with tears in her eyes, she didn't want to leave home but she knew in her heart to obey the old healer. "Will I ever see you again?"
"I'm 'fraid not my girl... be safe in your travels..."
"I love you...thank you for everything."
"And I you my child... go now. Make haste"
She turned and set off on a fast pace towards the direction the village lay in. Her mind on the old woman's words, a dark force... she needed to make it to the capitol but she wasn't sure why... she turned her thoughts away and continued to tread through the Krath'mere forest, the forest said to protect those it considered its own.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:55 pm
Pressing a limp finger against the fresh mark that rested high on his brow. Turning to gaze into the thick woods, pale blue darting from one tree to another. This was his... prize, that's what he was told at least. Another mark to make him stand out whenever he went into a human village. It truly didn't pay to be able to shape shift when you could only make yourself younger or a massive beast. Sighing to himself.
The clearing sat just off the road, in ear shot should someone pass but well beyond and hidden from the naked eye. The thick vines from the various strangler figs had made a thick wooden wall towards the densest parts of the forest but none of it mattered to his current situation. Tipping the flattened and worn leather coin pouch over his palm. His stomach growling as he stared at the single piece of copper which he'd saved for the last three weeks.
"What good is one piece of copper," the question was for himself.
"Well, what do you expect? We've been out here for almost six months, it's bound to get bad." He answered an unspoken question.
"Things couldn't get worse, besides, if we have to we can just go hunting," waving his hand through the air as though he were talking to someone. Shaking his waist length black hair out, his frail looking fingers dragging through the silken locks.
"Don't start that. You know we can't just waltz into town and take whatever we want," turning his eyes down at some unspoken command. It was correct, he was in find clothing. Better then any peasant could afford, no better then many merchants even. Though, he could blame his other's halves need to be dressed nicely for their lack of funds.
Returning his fingers to the opposing concentric half-circles that graced his brow. How he hated wandering in the woods. Now he would stand out even more. They would know he was an animal. No, that wasn't entirely true. He was a force of nature, an animal spirit that could take human form. Ah, that's right. They called beings like him demons... in most villages. He grumbled slightly before brushing off the high thread count cotton-silk blend. His legs pulling beneath him.
"We should get going if we're going to make it into town before night fall."
"What? We can't leave anything behind. You know these words are full of thieves." Instantly his hand rose to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"No honor among thieve huh? Then what the hell you gonna say for yourself!"
Nose twitching slightly, seeking out the dim scents of the passengers that would be passing by coming form the town soon. They all stunk of disease.
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:08 pm
Keira felt safe in the woods, she felt as if she was protected and unbeknownst to her she was. In the corner of her eyes she could see figures floating and twirling through the air when she would look there would be nothing. She wasn't afraid of them, it seemed like they were guiding her and whispering her name on the wind's breath. She liked the coolness that the forest had, the sun's warmth was going as the day went on, her mind on her grandmother she wondered why she had left so willingly, I did it because no matter what I would have done as she asked. She told herself.
"Ugh, I'm so stupid... I thought I could make the village by nightfall... I'll have to sleep in the canopy if I'm to rest tonight and leave by sunrise." she spoke to herself, the forest absorbing her voice.
The birds songs slowly stopped as twilight embraced the forest and the ground grew wet with moisture, and the night bugs began their own songs. She loved the sounds in the night, she looked up to find a suitable tree to sleep in and instead she opted to keep walking, she wasn't too tired and although her keen mind new it would be best to go rest she refused that to herself and kept walking if she needed to sleep she'd do so but for now she just wanted to get as far as she could and as close as she could to her destination.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:18 pm
Tipping his head to the side, he was sure he'd heard correctly. Moving from one branch high up in the trees to the next, and he had. There was someone else in the woods. Someone far more oblivious to nature then himself, raising his brow at the fey spirits that the woman seemed to follow without thought. Tricksters is what they were, letting his head tip and fall to the other side. Perhaps she was letting them guide her for a reason.
That was always an option, but there was no knowledgeable being that would let the sprites guide them in the deep wood. Shrugging to himself, it didn't matter either way. His nose scented the air again, she was fey as well. Though she smelled heavily of humans. Again, his nose scented the air. What he would give to have the nose of a dog.
Each lazy step took him to another branch, be it a single foot or ten. His body seeming to blink from place to place. His eyes never leaving the female on the forest floor below. How much longer did she intend to walk? Surely she would rest before midnight. If not then, than when. It didn't make sense at all, a young fey wandering the wood. Shaking the frustrated thoughts aside, so long as she didn't notice him then all would be well.
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:53 pm
Keira kept walking the spirits around her were becoming more visible as the night began to take over. She couldn't believe how beautiful they were, they smiled and circled her she knew they were indeed whispering her name. It felt right to walk with them... trusting them she knew they were taking her in the right direction. She had heard that some led people to their deaths or even into their realm but to her they were friends and she knew it.
They giggled as they flitted in and out of the trees, twirling up and around them. Keira wished she could take the form a sprite as well, she stopped and picked rare herbs as she walked. These would come in handy if she needed to help someone in her travels. She sniffed the spicy leaves and felt the calmness they emanated, these were herbs that granted a good dreamless sleep... a healing sleep. She continued on and noticed the mist was rising, in legends it was dangerous to enter the mist because one could become hopelessly lost in them. The sprites entered ahead of her and she followed, knowing that no harm would come to her once she entered. The forest was part of who she was, it protected her. It was part of her spirit. She felt the change in temperature as she stepped into the thick fog.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:08 pm
Grunting as the woman faded into the mists, "great," he muttered under his breath. He hated the mists, it made his fur stand on end. Three thick white tails seemed to fade in around his waist, fluffing out slightly. "Damned cold mists," another step and he was walking into the mists following the same path the woman had.
His ears twitching from moment to moment, listening to her light foot steps and the nearly silent crunch of leaves as she stepped. Defiantly not a human, even part human. So, if she was full blooded, why did she reek of them? Nodding his head quickly, it would work. His body began to pulse, ever so slight at first before he began to shrink. As his steps drew closer to the woman, no longer was the tall man with long dark hair trailing her.
In his place was a boy who looked no older then ten with short cropped raven's wing black hair, sharp azure eyes and no markings to make him stand out. The only thing that marked him as anything other then a human were the three furry gray tails draped about his hips. "Excuse me," he called.
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:18 pm
Keira turned when a voice called her, following her was a young boy... who clearly wasn't human. She looked him in the eyes, her leaf green eyes glowing slightly, she wasn't aware of that fact only that a child had called out to her.
"Yes?" She asked as she stopped to acknowledge him.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:21 pm
Wind blew from all over in the white city; a young woman with a slim build leaned her head to the side and cracked her neck. Her hair waved in multiple directions the blonde lighting up in the golden sun and the brown adding texture to the strands. Unfurling her wings she took to the sky, off the floating city to the edge.
The air always freed her mind as she soared, she looked down to the vast land mass of the earth and she rose and then dived her wings taut as she held them back. The speed was exhilarating, her heart hammered as she neared the green field.
When she neared the ground she spread her wings, slowed, and landed lightly. If anyone wondered how her people could fly with such speed without wearing anything to cover their eyes it was because as a different species they were born with a clear second lid that allowed them to fly at high speeds and allowing them to see as well as keep their eyes moist.
Tyvara flapped her wings a few times before folding them; she came down to the land to wait for the traders. It was her turn to barter with the humans; she dropped the bag of goods and looked up at her home. It was beautiful, dome shaped on the bottom with a flat surface on top that carried their constructs of homes and spires. It was always warm on her home above the clouds with the sun heating the city. It was unknown how the city was constructed or how it remained floating after centuries but no one really cared as long as it stayed afloat.
After a few hours Tyvara felt a change in the air, the feathers in her wings ruffled and the tiny hairs on her neck rose. She was unsure what caused the sense of dread, looking up at Velniel she noticed a large shadow drifting closer to the city. With the shadow looming close Vera knew something was wrong, opening her wings she launched off the ground in a fast rise to the city. In front of her eyes she saw the darkness touch the city and the city cracked where it touched. “Noo!” She screamed, flapping her wings harder.
As she neared she dodged large white rubble, twisting in the air she could hear the screams of her people as they tried to escape. He saw as they were engulfed and the life drained from them. Their lifeless forms plummeting to the ground far below, she roared in rage barely dodging the chunks of the city.
“Vara! GO! FLY!”
Tyvara glanced and saw her older brother flying towards her, “Rayiel!!”
“GO! You must!” He yelled, “FLY YOU FOOL! You must wa-“
Vara screamed as the shadow swallowed her brother cutting off his voice, in front of his eyes she watched as her brother’s wings went limp and he dropped Vara dived after him. Just before she reached him a boulder struck her wing, a sharp edge clipping the tip off, it sent her veering off track. She spiralled out of control and tried to regain control of her flight but her wings wouldn’t cooperate. Everything was lost, her life, her home and her only remaining family. She closed his eyes and tried not to feel anything, the city was gone.
Velniel was destroyed.
When Tyvara opened her eyes all she saw before her was blue and then she hit....
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:30 pm
"Your name," his eyes seemed to dim as he spoke. Folding his fingers together behind his back, wrinkling the blended fabric of his clothing. Taking several more steps, coming to a halt just before her. His face showed no change as he stared at her, inspecting her. After a moment he tipped his head to the side, a single brow rising. "The fey, the sprites, they are tricksters. You follow them without worry," darting to the side. Finding the shimmering form of a single sprite. "Hmm, you are fey as well. It is passable that you are possibly one of them." ---000--- Brushing her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder, reaching across quickly and peeling the should pad from her shoulder. Hissing as she stretched, damned beasts were more of a problem then she wanted to deal with. Reaching out, the hard pop making her wince. "General," a young man pushed open the heavy metal door at her back. The hinges screaming as the weight was pivoted. "What," she bit out. "We have... a prisoner." "Put her there," waving her hand to the empty bed. "But-," he was cut off by a single wave. "Now," when he left she peeled off the next piece of armor and check again. No real damage, sometimes she hated being human. Fingers danced over bruises. Paying little mind to the guards that drug the winged woman in, dropping her on her stomach on the cot. "Throw that blue sheet over her, I don't want to see her." "Yes." Time passed slowly, pulling the soft red fabric of an open around her shoulders. Knotting a sash to keep it closed. Turning at the sounds of waking, shaking her head. Reaching for the matching red silk pants. "Get up," throwing the cover back. Staring down with pale green eyes.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:41 pm
"My name is Keira, and I am not of the fey... I'm a human... And I trust them they have always aided my grandmother and I" She answered the odd child. He was a curious being, she wasn't afraid of him but she was wary. The fey spoke to her mind and warned her, she allowed them to speak to her in that way and she understood they wanted her away from him but she chose not to. She wanted to know exactly what he was and for that she needed to converse with him. She didn't ask him any questions but waited for him to speak more, her mind on the fact that they were in the fey territory... the mist was when certain parts of the fey world touched with the mortal world and she wondered if the more powerful fey were watching her. She looked around herself but if they were there she couldn't tell, only the sprites were just barely visible to her. She turned her gaze back on the child and smiled at him.
***
Tyvara looked up at a woman before her before looking at her wing, the tip had been severed on one side and she knew that she'd never fly again. She didn't remember anything about herself... just her name. She looked around the room and noted that it was a medical room of some sort, possibly an office.
"...Wh... where am I?" She asked.
She winced when she tried to sit up... looking at one of her arms she noticed it was dark with a bruise, she must have landed on water for her to have a bruise that went down half her body... her leg had the same bruise. She gently touched the tender skin and looked back at the woman who was watching her.
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:57 pm
"Keira," he tested the name. Rolling it about his tongue slowly, "tell me then. If you are human why do you smell of fey blood?" A light came to his eyes, his face seeming older as he narrowed his eyes. "I know you stayed with a human, even if I can't smell it in these mists I could while you wandered the forest." He vanished, when he spoke again, his voice came from behind her. "You're skin is pale as well, very fair skin. If you are not fey..." "What are you?" The light in his eyes seemed to blaze, the formerly dispassionate face alight with curiosity. The smooth grace before fading under what seemed to be a childish exuberance. ---000--- "You are a prisoner," the words left her lips quickly. Wincing slightly when her muscles tensed in response to move. Her right arm shaking slightly as she took a step back. "If you want to know the truth, you could consider me one as well." Each step taking seemed to echo, walking across the room. Only turning to lean against the hard dull metal wall, sliding down to sit next to a pile of battered armor and a tarnished sword. Lifting her arm slowly to rest it in her lap, "I don't know where they found you but from the looks of it, you're from that city we took a little over seven hours ago, right?" Turning her head away, taking a deep breath. Adjusting herself, trying to lessen the sore muscles in her back. "Does it really matter where you are though?" Lifting the arm that didn't hurt, her finger waving towards a window. "We're pretty high up, you can look down though that window. The small circle of the glass didn't open.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 1:17 pm
Keira watched him, her eyes glowing brighter as she turned to face him, "Perhaps you smell the sprites because... I am a simple girl from the forest... I lived with my grandmother and I learned the healer's art" She stared back into his eyes, unflinching she had no idea why she wasn't as scared as she should be. Only that she spoke to this being as an equal, she didn't defer to him. She wasn't sure why he questioned her and she tried to answer as honestly as she could... what did he mean he smelled fey blood within her... she was human... wasn't she? She watched him, keeping her feet in the same spot as she turned to face him completely. *** "What city?" She asked the other woman,"I don't... recall anything."
She looked at her bruised body and tried to remember something prior to her descent. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't think of what had happened. Her city was destroyed that much was obvious from the woman's words but she couldn't recall it. She clenched her jaw as the frustration was setting in, why couldn't she remember what had happened to her... what was going on?
She looked up at the woman and stated another question, "What do you mean... a prisoner? Where are we?"
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 1:26 pm
He shook his head, his face slowly drawing back into a calm collected expression. There was no point in hiding what he was from her, she either didn't care about what he was or it didn't bother her. Just as before, he began to glow slightly. His limbs stretching and his body rising in height to stand over her. The mark on his brow returning. "You, smell of fey blood. The sprites have no scent of blood, they are nothing more then spirits given form by the wood they thrive in." Stretching his fingers out, "you aren't... afraid?" ---000--- "The flying city," she spoke impassively. It appeared that, if not from the fall, then from something they'd decided to give her. "It's fine if you don't remember, you will in time." Grunting as she forced herself up again, walking slowly towards the door. "I mean, a prisoner. You were captured," tugging on the heavy metal door it whined loudly as it opened. Stepping out but not far, "bring some food and pain killers for two."
"General, we have been ordered that you are not to receive pain killers."
"Fine, then just bring them for her." Hissing painfully as she turned to step back in. Lifting her arm to rub her shoulder, looking across the room. "Be happy you're in worse shape then me." The words were full of venom as she spoke, "damn it!" Dropping back against the wall, "what do you remember?"
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 1:44 pm
Keira stared up at him and smiled," Afraid? No, I'm not... I know your kind from the stories my grandmother told" She stared at the markings on his skin and then at his human form, he was taller than any mortal man. She was sure he could make himself change to the size of an average human male. She simply examined him, taking note of the tight muscles beneath his skin and the strong jaw of his face. He was handsome for a spirit of the woods... for a being of nature. She let those thoughts fade and looked back into his eyes.
***
"Velniel" Tyvara whispered the city's name, "I don't remember much of anything... I just remember Velniel and my name..."
The door opened and a man handed Tyvara two pills and left, she stared at them and then looked at the woman, "Here... I don't want to take these"
She held her had out to the woman with the two painkillers in them, "I won't take them... I'll say I took them."
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Knight of Disorder Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 2:05 pm
"You are," he paused as though he was thinking over the words, "strange." Leaning down closer, pressing his nose close to her cheek. Even at this close distance in the mists he could only catch the barest hint of her scent. Standing back to his full height. "Where are you headed?" Turning and walking without waiting for an answer, "the sprites were leading you this way were they not?" A single tail uncurled from his waist and hung in the air behind him even when his torso had faded behind the wall. "You'd do your best to follow." How he wished to know where this woman came from, she was interesting if nothing else. The thought came to the front, that he would accompany her for some time. Perhaps prove that she was the average human, as she seemed to think of herself, to himself. ---000--- "That's not much, I don't know the name. If you remember it though, probably family." Not turning or moving to take the pills held out, "don't," was all she said. Ignoring the constant pain which had yet to die down. "They'll know, the pills are strong. If they don't put you to sleep then you'll slur everything. Take the pills and leave me be."
Grunting as she took hold of the breast plate that sat near her, as the siren in the halls wailed. "We're nearing the next target," her face was drawn tight. Her lips were set in a scowl, the expression didn't even give to the pain that she was feeling. "I'll be back," forgoing the heavy shoulder plates she wasn't even she would be able to strap on.
The door opened and two men stood there, "General, it is time. This will be the last stop for today. Then you may rest," eyeing the woman. "Do you need," he stopped when the hand he was reaching out was slapped away.
"Don't touch me, follow orders and get out." Pushing him roughly back through the door. Turning to stare at the man left in the room, "if you hurt her. I'll remove your head." When she turned to look at the woman, "if I make it back you'll tell me your name," her face was empty and eyes dull. Then, as though it were something as easy as breathing she left.---000--- The man leaned down, "please do think badly of her. It isn't her will that makes her do the things she does." He was a short man, thin, nearly too thin for the thick clothing he wore. The long coat make of leather bore the crest of the emperor. "You must understand, she is his daughter and must do as he commands." Shuffling closer, "my name is Edward. It is nice to meet you, and I'm sure General Brunhilde would be happy to have a companion. Though please do not call her that, her name... is Maria."
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