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 Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:37 am
A very slight smile gave way and slipped across his lips. He strode toward her then, his right hand lifting to rest upon the hilt of that sword. Call it habit, if you wish. He came to a stop a few feet from her, his gaze boring over her features. The smile was gone now and his face once again took on the lifeless look as he studied her intently.
"I have never been afraid of such a thing." he said shortly. He supposed this was going to be rather easy. He would simply ask who wanted her dead so badly, then go kill them. It was his duty, right? Right. "We need to make sure you are completely safe here. In doing this, you must tell me who wants you dead." His tone was a no nonsense sort of tone and his stance matched it.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:51 am
In spite of her fear of him, Lyra couldn't suppress the laughter that crept up and out at his so expectant expression. She laughed with her voice as well as her eyes and the wind carried the sound of it around her. He made it sound so simple, if only life were that way. Seeing his expression, she struggled to regain control over herself. Though it was an effort and one that cost her, she managed to look at him with a straight face, though her eyes still laughed at him silently, sparkling with humor.
"If it were that easy then I wouldn't still be a target. I don't know exactly I'm afraid. that's its a rather large group of people. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to pint out who has the authority even if he was standing right in front of me." she answered honestly, still attempting to contain her laughter.
"I'm sorry, there is really little I can share with you." she whispered, knowing that now she would probably be asked to leave, and she wouldn't be able to blame him. She would resent someone bringing danger to her home too if her home was anything like this one.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:07 pm
His gaze remained steady upon her face, his eyes retaining that lifeless quality. He knew she was afraid of him, he could sense it. But this made him wonder. If she was afraid of him, how might she react to the next guest, due to arrive within just a few short nights? She might not wish to stay after meeting him. On the other hand, perhaps if she did leave, he could track her. If the people that wanted her dead found her, he would then have a better idea of who to go after. With this in mind, he turned from her, striding slowly across the bridge toward the doorway of the north tower.
"What you decide to do from here on is your choice to make. As long as you reside within the walls of this castle, you are protected by my magic." he said. He paused at the doorway, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "If you leave, I cannot promise your fate." With this he stepped through the door and vanished into the darkness of the castle tower.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:11 pm
Lyra glanced only briefly over her shoulder at the castle she was growing rather fond of. She shrugged, not really to sure how to answer Dani's question. Once again she absently played with a few strands of her hair as the wind picked up and blew several strands around and in front of her face. She loved being outside, there was no greater feeling for her. Being outside in the elements fro her represented a type of freedom that she was determined never to have stolen from her again. Though she longed for a friend she was realistic enough to know that she would probably never have such a thing. There just wasn't anyone she could trust and even if she did manage to befriend someone they would only be in danger due to her. That seemed to her like a very poor way to tell someone thank you for being there when you needed them. A part of her was secretly thrilled at having another girl to talk to though. She hadn't stood and simply talked with someone for no reason in...well forever really. It was an odd sensation but one she definitely didn't mind.
"In a way...in a way I live there." she paused and considered her words for a long moment.
"Or I suppose I should say I live there for now. Why do you ask?" she asked, slightly suspicious, she didn't want to bring trouble to her rescuers home if she could prevent it.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:30 pm
Dani shrugged.
"I was hoping to get to explore it." she said, being honest. She suddenly felt at a loss as to what to say next. She hadn't had someone other than Daz to talk to in a long time. She shrugged. It was only then that Dani recalled the remark Lyra had made. "Where do you live other than here?" she asked quietly, wondering if Lyra traveled as she and Daz did.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:38 pm
"Wherever I can stop and sleep for the night that seems to be safe I suppose. I'm not usually in one place for very long." she answered, watching the girl.
She wondered what her savior would do if she let the girl into the castle, not that she was planning too, she wasn't quite that naive but she wondered about his reaction. Allowing herself a small smile, she shrugged one shoulder and brushed her hair out of her face.
"As for exploring it...I haven't even really done that yet, though I've been tempted a time or two. I cannot allow you entrance, sorry..." she broke off, not really sure what to say next.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:48 pm
Dani watched her for a long moment, as if weighing Lyra's response.
"So you're a wanderer then?" she asked. A great idea had struck her at that moment. Lyra could join them. Dani was almost positive Daz wouldn't mind. That way, she'd have another girl to talk to, and Lyra would be safe. "Why don't you come with us. I'm on a journey to see the world. Daz is kind of my bodyguard. He's friends with the wood elves and we stop there from time to time. I'm sure he wouldn't mind you coming along."
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:08 pm
The large wolf sat only fifty yards from them. He was in the shadows and thus had gone unnoticed. He had been watching the entire exchange and decided now to intervene. Lyra wasn't safe while out in the world at the moment. Not even the Dempire would be able to keep her safe. He sighed. After the thousand years of quiet living, the castle grounds had become a sort of gathering spot for the hunted. Now the Haven was going to earn it's name. The wolf shifted from the shadows of the structure, padding silently to Lyra. He lifted his muzzle, prodding her hand gently.
'You should not leave yet.' The thought was whispered into her mind. 'While those that hunt you are still breathing, they will continue to hunt for you. They may stay here, if that is your wish.'
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:20 pm
Luckily for her, this was not the first time that Lyra had seen the wolf. He had shown himself to her a few times before now, though he had never allowed her to touch him. She thought he was a well trained pet or guard dog or something of the like for the man that rescued her but as she heard his voice echo throughout her mind she sighed, feeling rather foolish now that she realized the wolf and the man who rescued her were one and the same. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to the girl.
"I can't leave right now...but he says it's alright if you stay here." she smiled and her eyes lite with the laughter this time, lighting her whole face.
"And if he says it's okay then I guess it's okay...looks like you may get to explore after all." she laughed as she said it, not sure if she trust so easily but with her savior at her side she highly doubted the girl could hurt her...the man had managed to protect her from everything else after all.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:32 pm
Dani watched the wolf with wide eyes. She'd only ever seen a wolf act abnormal once in her life, and that wolf had been under the control of a demon.
"Is he yours?" she asked quietly, thinking of how Daz would have a fit if he could see.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:38 pm
Gemara crept through the grass, listening closely. She had canceled her levitation spell in order to better be able to hide. The grass tickled her cheeks and tugged at her hair. The voices sounded very close now and she stopped. Both speakers were female, one older then the other. The young one spoke with such laughter in her voice the Gemara smiled automatically. "I could like her." she thought. "I really could." Parting the grass with cautious hands, she peeked at the figures before her. Both were her size, maybe a little taller. The nearest one had long black hair and stood as if ready for an attack from any direction. The other was blond, as best as Gemara could tell. Her eyes glowed red? "No," Gemara thought, "that is just a trick of the light.
Acting on impulse, which is something she did far too ofter according to her parents, she stood up and stepped out of the grass. She gasped as a large black wolf materialized out of thin air beside the womwn
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:46 pm
Lyra laughed, she couldn't help it. The sound of her laughter sounded odd even to her own ears. She didn't laugh often, she wondered if it was obvious. Her laughter carried on the wind and only the sound of the stranger had it dying off into silence. She stepped automatically behind the wolf and placed her hand against the soft fur of his back, there were too many people around her now for her comfort. Keeping her eyes on the strange woman she addressed Dani.
"No...he is not mine in any sense of the word. He protects this place...and the people in it." she finished softly, thinking of how much the man had done for her. She would have to ask him his name when they were alone and make sure that she remembered it, for she knew he had told her it at least once if not more so. Sighing, she shook her head at her own faulty memory and looked down at the wolf.
"I don't think he'll hurt you...not if he says it's alright for you to stay....do you want to?" she asked looking up at Dani with a very faint spark of hope in her eyes. She had not felt such an emotion in so long that Lyra had trouble recognizing that small flare of emotion that she felt inside as hope...but she knew that was what it had to be...she couldn't think of anything else it would be and she so longed for a friend. It seemed to her that Dani longed for one as well.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:52 pm
The wolf stood, his hackles bristling as the intruder stepped out. His head lowered, ears back. He'd not sensed her approach as he had been preoccupied. Chiding himself for letting such a thing occur, let out a customary growl. He knew that Lyra was safe as long as she stuck close to him and was glad when she moved to position his body between hers and the others. She caught on fast. He had to shift now though. The wolf form was only so good. The ball of white light spilled from his center and encompassed him. Bones snapped and reformed, muscle twisted and reshaped. After the light had faded, there stood in the wolf's place, the man. He was dressed quite casually this night, with just his cape to top off his outfit of a white silk shirt, dark leather pants and black boots. His eyes, the pale blue that they were, focused on first the blond, then found their way to the other female. Sensing Lyra's discomfort, he gave her a gentle push toward the castle with his left hand. His gaze remained steady upon the intruder.
"Lyra, show Danielle into the Haven." he said softly. "I will inform her companion of her whereabouts shortly and deal with the newcomer."
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:56 pm
Lyra felt nothing but relief at the mans presence and instantly nodded in agreement with his orders.
"Alright...Dani...follow me...we can explore together if you want." she offered hesitantly, hoping the other female would take her up on it.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:00 pm
Gemara mentally kicked herself. There was nothing else to do. She rose gracefully from the grass and took a slow step forward. "Good eve to you" she said in a soft voice. Oddly enough, she wasn't scared, even with the wolf's presence. "Not scared." she thought. "Mortified but not scared." As she could not take her eyes from the wolf, she did not miss the start of the change to human form. Having been raised by a mage, she was familiar with shape-changing. Not expecting this change, her voice trembled slightly. She continued out loud "Please forgive my intrusion. I was enjoying your fields and I heard voices. I was hiding in order to be safe. I mean no harm. It was not my intention to evesdrop. My apologies to you all."
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