|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:49 pm
Akair stepped over the bodies, already thinking a few steps ahead. He would have to wait until morning to move the bodies...There were too many to move in a single night. But that would mean leaving the children in the wilderness for the night as well.
As he pondered how to keep the children safe for the night, he watched the princess inspect her dragon. It was strange...She had started out loudmouthed and obnoxious, but once he made it clear that he could abandon her, she had hardly said a word.
"Devoted to her dragon, I can say that much...But not much in the common sense department..." he muttered under his breath.
After a few moments, he went to inspect the rest of the house. He was surprised to find that many things were left untouched. About the only things out of place was the food...And much of that seemed to be on the table...Empty.
"So they were like me..." he breathed.
He went into his own room, to inspect his safe. Once he passed the threshold, however, he heard a very soft, very faint click.
Akair slowly raised his arms in surrender, feeling the gun now in his back as he did so. "I take it you're the leader?" he asked, attempting to stall the trigger, even for a little bit.
"I was," the man spat, "Until you killed my men. What kind of leader am I, if all my men are dead?"
Akair slowly turned around to face the man, keeping his hands raised. "You can still help them, you know." He said, his voice soothing. "Do not let their deaths be for nothing- The princess is with her dragon, now. You can give me the gun, go into that room, and you can claim one of the dead bodies out there was the leader. Say that you killed him, and simply wanted to do your duty to the crown. But first, you have to give me the gun."
The man looked at Akair, dumbfounded. "This princess..." he breathed. He then turned, leaned as if to sprint into the next room...
...And was shot directly in the back of the head.
The man fell down on the floor, blood gently flowing from his now-split skull. At the window, trembling all over, was Pete, holding the still smoking gun.
Akair walked over to him, and, gently, took the gun away from him. He then held the boy in a silent embrace, before releasing him, telling him to go back to the others.
Pete nodded, and began to walk back to where the others were, with the news that they would have to spend the night in the woods.
Akair walked back into the room where the princess was, saying, "That was the last of them. Now will you be returning home, or...?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:20 am
Aliora flinched at the sound of a bullet being pierced. Her ears were still ringing of the noise when Akair had picked the men one by one with his gun. She was about to dash into the house, but something told her that it wasn’t Akair who had fallen. Not to mention she didn’t want to leave her unconscious, blind dragon by herself.
The young woman breathed deeply as she reached up and ran her fingers along Stardust’s scales.
“Please wake up,” she whispered in hopes that maybe her dragon would hear her. But Stardust didn’t budge or say anything in return.
Aliora bit onto her bottom lip. She sat down at Stardust’s side with her back leaning against the dragon’s broad neck. Aliora’s arms reached down and hugged her knees against her body.
“Hm?”
Akair had returned.
“Oh,” Aliora glanced at Stardust’s talons. “She’s asleep,” she told Akair.
Duh. He can see that. Aliora mentally punched herself.
“She’s going to be unconscious for awhile,” the Princess turned towards Akair.
“Thank you,” she said to him. There was a faint smile on her lips as she looked to Akair.
Aliora lowered her head as she curled up close against her dragon’s warming body. “I think that I can manage now. The children DO need you there with them. And I cannot move Stardust on my own. So you should go,” she said.
“I should be fine,” there was doubt in her voice. Aliora was pretty much alone as Stardust was unconscious. Any creature-any living thing could come and take her off. Again.
“Really, Akair. I can manage,” she tried to assure him.
Aliora breathed deeply as she glanced from the young man. Her eyes looked down.
I can manage…
The young woman’s body began to shiver as the cold of the night began to take its toll on her. She huddled closer, scooting down to Stardust’s wings for more warmth.
Aliora wanted to make a fire. But there were no ‘fire-making’ classes when being a Princess. She rubbed her hands together, breathing into her palms and then crossing her arms.
Another deep sigh escaped from her vocals as she sat close against Stardust. She wanted that feeling of reassurance that her dragon was still there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:02 pm
Akair sighed. She's too prideful to ask for help... He stopped for a moment. Alot like me...
He began to walk around the house, dragging a few of the bodies still inside the house out of it. Once he was finished, he grabbed a few logs from near the fireplace and began to make a fire.
"The children will be staying with Azalaea in the woods tonight," he said aloud. "So there will be room to spare here tonight. Stay or go, it makes no difference to me."
The fire began to flicker into existence, so Akair shut the guard against the opening to prevent sparks from flying out. He then went to an old bookshlef nearby and selected an equally old book from one of the shelves. He walked to an armchair in front of the fireplace and sat down, opening the book and beginning to read.
"Should you decide to stay, I will provide you with a meal in the morning. Mind you, it won't be anywhere near the gourmet food you get in the castle, but it'll be something warm," he said. Provided you don't oversleep too much... he added in his mind.
Then, remembering something from earlier, he closed his book and walked over to Aliora. "I just remebered," he muttered.
He gently took the poultice around the princess' neck and began to unwind it, saying, "The slave I put on your wound usually heals gashes in a matter of hours...But yours didn't look too bad, so it should be healed by now."
He unwrapped the last layer of gauze and wiped a little salve off with his finger gently. "Yup," he said. "All better."
He balled up the gauze and tossed it into the garbage can, saying, "Mind you, there'll probably be a scar, depending on the original wound. Also, try not to scratch it too much. You never know...It might open up again."
Akair knew that wasn't the case, but he had had it happen to him a couple times. So he figured, better safe than sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:08 pm
Every now and then, Aliora had to glance behind to make sure that Stardust was well and safe. But nothing had changed. Stardust remained in her sleeping state. The only movements were her chest moving inwards and outwards as she breathed. And the only sound was her deep breathing that rumbled deep from her vocals.
She raised her hand. “Thanks,” Aliora muttered as her fingers brushed against the now healed wound. The skin that had been wrapped around in the gauze felt spongy and awkward. It was like it wasn’t her skin at all.
A heavy sigh escaped from her vocals as she lowered her hand from the wound.
The young woman then looked to the house. It didn’t look like much. And it clearly wasn’t a castle, but the small house did look quite comfortable. Aliora didn’t know why she thought it looked comfortable, as it clearly wasn’t a castle, but there was just a soft aura that surrounded the house.
“It’s nice,” she said quietly. Her eyes glanced to Akair with a slight smile on her lips. “Did your stumble upon it…or…something?” she asked him with a shrug.
Aliora didn’t understand how anyone would come across the small cabin as it was in the middle of the forest. Lost from anything sociable.
She did one last glimpse at her dragon before stepping forwards. Her lips pursed together and her nostrils flared for just a moment as she walked past the motionless bodies, but other than that she made it okay to the front door.
Her arms crossed as the night air became colder.
“Oh, wow!” she examined as a brightness came to her features. She hurried towards the small fireplace and sat down in front of the dancing flames. Never before had she been so happy to be greeted by a fire.
“Hm?” she cocked her head to the side a bit as she noticed an almost-bare bookshelf. She stood up and walked to the bookcase. Nothing looked interested and most of the books were old and tattered.
“How come the children live with you?” she asked. Clearly they didn’t belong to Akair, as in he wasn’t their Father. “I mean…there is an adoption house in the village. How come they don’t stay there?” she asked, still looking at the titles on the books.
Her eyes got bored and moved to the armchair. She nestled down, curling up as the flames of the fire began to warm her body. She reached down and took the book that Akair had started to read and opened it up.
She flipped through the pages and only read a few words here and there.
“And Azalaea,” she said as she flipped another page. “How did you two meet?” she questioned aloud.
“You know,” she paused and closed the door. “You read some pretty boring books,” she playfully giggled and tossed the book onto the ground.
Aliora stood up and stretched out her limbs. “Aren’t you going to show me around? It’s rude not to show me the house,” she stated bluntly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:40 pm
And here I had hopes that she wasn't all snobby... Akair sighed inwardly.
"Yes, it is. But it's also rude to throw someone else's books on the ground, especially considering how threadbare they are and how very few I have," He bent down and picked up the book before dusting it off a bit, almost reverently. "And even more so considering how very generous I've been these past few hours."
Akair opened up the book again and set it in his lap before settling back down into his chair. "As for the tour, my room should be easy to spot. The only other rooms are the children's rooms, and the bathroom. Amazingly, that's probably the cleanest part of the house...And I almost never have to clean it, myself!" He allowed himself a grin, before returning to his previous mood.
"Speaking of the children, they live with me because they choose to. I let them live here, shelter them, protect them, and in return they help me around the house."
Akair sighed. "Truth be told, with so many of them the work goes by quick. So I have to find other ways to keep them entertained. SO I teach them how to do things...Like make a tent in the woods, or make their own compass..."
Akair sighed again. "A few of the younger ones still have a bit of a ways to go, but the two oldest ones are practically wilderness survivors themselves. Can't count the number of times Lucy's tried to make her own home out there...And the little ones look up to her so much they can't help but follow what she says!"
Akair looked at the princess before continuing, "As for how I came across this house...Well, contrary to popular belief I got it from my parents. Both dead, by the way, so don't ask how they're doing. But don't tell the kids...They think that they're alive somewhere, living the rest of their years in peace...A simple half-truth, but still." He shrugged. "After all these years they've somehow invented the story that I've built the house myself. None of them have actually asked me about it though,"
Akair snapped back into reality.
"And as for the third question, Azalaea and I..."
Akair cracked open his book again and began to read. "I'd rather not discuss it. I've shared enough of my life as it is."
Akair read a few lines out of the book for what seemed the millionth time, then gently placed it back on the shelves.
"You can have Lucy's room for the night, it's about the only one with a bed big enough for you...Or you can find some sheets and sleep next to your dragon. Whatever suits you. Though the ground might be more comfy than the beds," He said playfully.
He then began dragging some of the bodies out of the house to the back. Once he had dragged most of them out, he returned to the front of the house to find Azalaea sitting, waiting for him.
"I told you to watch the children!" He said angrily.
"I did. I watched them set up camp for themselves, find more firewood, and even make some cots out of the softer plants," Azalaea said. "Besides, I knew you would need help with the bodies."
Akair sighed. "Well, you're right on that count. But the second you're done I want you back with the children, watching over them. I don't trust these woods tonight."
Azalaea hummed deep in her throat. "I know, I know. You want to be alone with the princess..."
Akair waved his hand at her before walking around to the back of the house. "You know I wouldn't do anything like that. She's, what? Eighteen? Nineteen? Way too young for me. And you know as well as I do that I'm not letting anyone else get that close to me...Not again."
"I know how you feel, Akair." Azalaea hummed as she dug the earth. "I miss her as well. Remember, I'm the one who was affected most by her death." As she dug the earth in a rough rectangle, Akair laid the bodies in each grave before Azalaea filled it back up and packed the earth.
Akair sighed. "I know, Azalaea. But please, let's not talk about her now. Not while there's guests here."
Azalaea nodded and plodded back to the forest, trailing her tail lightly on Akair's cheek. Akair breathed in deeply, then walked back into the house. "Good night," he said aloud to no one in particular.
Done for the day, Akair headed to his room at the back of the house. With the body gone, all that was left was a small pool of blood near the door. He stepped over it and sat down on the side of his bed, wondering what could possibly happen to trump this huge event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:51 pm
Aliora peeked over the arm of the chair that she was slumped back into. “But you haven’t shared anything about yourself,” she said quietly as her eyes looked to Akair. She watched him leave to the front of the house. A heavy sigh escaped from her vocals as she pulled away from the gaze.
The young woman stood up and lighted herself a candle. She then walked to the room that Akair had suggested that she should reside him. It wasn’t that hard to find which room belonged to Lucy.
The room was almost bare except for a twin-sized bed and a small dresser towards the back. Nothing special stood out. There were a few broken, old toys scattered about the dusty flooring and a few scribbled pictures hanging on the walls. Aliora took a step deeper into the room to see that the child had thrown a few garments on the floor. A soft laughter escaped from her vocals, remembering how she would throw her gowns on the floor to decide which to wear.
“Oh, wow!” Aliora blurted out as she noticed a crate beside the window. On top of the wooden crate were a few rocks with painted silly faces. “I remember making rock friends,” she said softly as she settled on a small stool in front of the children’s artwork.
She giggled as she reached across a blank rock. Aliora’s fingers lightly grabbed a paintbrush and began to paint a face on the rock’s smooth surface.
[You seem to be enjoying yourself.] A familiar voice said.
Aliora raised her head to see Stardust’s warming serpent eyes gazing down at her. “Stardust!” the young maiden’s lips bloomed into a bright smile. The Dragon nodded her head as she lowered herself onto the earth beside the window.
[Bored, are we?]
Aliora shook her head. “It’s good to try something different,” she said as she dipped her brush into another color. If Aliora were caught painting a rock at the castle her parents would have a fit. But it was good to get away from the castle. Aliora would admit to that.
“And where were you? What happened, Stardust?” Aliora asked as she raised her head for a brief moment to look at her Dragon.
Stardust didn’t hesitate to answer to her companion.
[I’ve been hearing things, Aliora. Words that haven’t been spoken of for hundreds of years. I had to answer to the callings,] she said.
“You could have said something.”
[Yes. But you were busy. I didn’t think that you would be kidnapped. I apologize for not being there when needed.] Stardust lowered her head.
Aliora raised her head and looked to the female Dragon. Her lips curved into a warming smile. “It’s alright. I understand,” she reassured her friend.
Stardust returned the smile as she nestled close to the window. Aliora was happy that she had awoken. She lowered her head as she painted another stroke on the rock.
“How did you know that I was enjoying myself?” she asked, blinking up to Stardust for a moment.
[The way you laughed.]
The smile on Aliora’s lips widened. It was true. Aliora rarely laughed at the castle, as she had to be strong for her parents and those who looked to her for a future. Aliora would take over the kingdom sometime. She had no time to laugh and be free, but when she was away from the castle grounds was when the real Aliora could shine.
[Who is he?]
Aliora paused for a moment. “Who?” Aliora questioned as she looked behind her. Akair wasn’t spying on her. Not that he would do that. He didn’t seem like that type.
[That man…]
Aliora blinked to Stardust with a confused expression. “What man? No one is here besides me,” she told her Dragon. Stardust stared at Aliora with a dumbfound look on her face.
“There isn’t! Akair is…well, I don’t know. Quite frankly I don’t care where he is,” Aliora grumbled as she looked back down her painted rock.
[So that’s his name?]
“Yes! His name is Akair. He’s the one who helped me find you.”
[Is he handsome?]
“Stardust!” Aliora stared shockingly at her Dragon.
[Is that a yes?]
“Enough! Ugh! He’s like three times my age or something! I’m not having this conversation anymore,” Aliora told her. She slammed her paintbrush and rock on the crate and crossed her arms.
“Dragons,” she muttered under her breath as she looked away from Stardust. Stardust chuckled with a grin sprawled on her lips.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Aliora asked in hopes of changing subjects.
[Trying to get rid of me to get back to your boyfriend?]
“That’s it! Conversation over!” Aliora stood up and marched out of the room. Behind her she could hear Stardust chuckling. Her eyes peered down to see that there were a few paint blotches on her hands.
Aliora groaned as she looked around. She had forgotten which way the bathroom was. “Akair?” she peeked into his bedroom door, as she was right near his door. She stepped a bit into his room to see him sitting on the edge of his bed. “Where’s the bathroom? I uh…made a mess,” she chuckled a bit as she raised her painted hands.
Outside of the house, Stardust kept still and quiet to pay attention to any irregular sounds. She feared of the Princess’s welfare as word had gotten out…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:33 pm
Akair looked up from his thoughts to see Aliora holding up her hands. He sighed and forced a smile, saying, "Turn around, walk away from this room..." He paused for a moment, just to mess with her, "...And it's the first door on the left."
He placed his hands on his knees and got up after her, walking past her into the main foyer once again.
He looked around the room, staring at all that was in it.
A roaring fire, the happy couple sitting in the slightly large loveseat, she on his lap, and he with his arms wrapped tightly around her, not wanting to let go. Both were laughing, neither wanting any more than for the moment to last forever.
The dragon sat on the floor near the fire, staring at the two. She was filled with pride and love for her partner and friend, that she'd found someone to spend the rest of her life with.
The children was not their own, but treated as if it was. It was sound asleep in its room, completely content with its life.
The darkness was outside, waiting with the cold; but it would not get in. Could not get in. Their love was hottoer and brighter than any fire, and that kept it at bay.
But just as soon as these sweet memories appeared in Akair's mind, they were replaced with ones darker...
The windows were shattered, glass everywhere. The fire was gone, a cold wind blew through the house. The blood covered everything...Even his hands, the hands that couldn't do a thing. The hands that pounded the earth until they were numb and cracked and his own blood began to pour out of them as well.
Meanwhile, the baby cried softly; its head was catching a slight draft.
Akair swiftly turned and walked back into his room, issuing a quick "Good night" to Aliora as he passed by the bathroom.
He closed the door to his room, took off his shirt and shoes, and climbed into bed.
The space next to him on the matress seemed to scream with emptiness as he tried to lull himself to sleep.
((Very dark post...And revealing about his past life! ^w^ Can't wait to give out more little glimpses...Oh, and if you want we can time-skip to morning after your post if you want to 3nodding ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:12 pm
“Akair!” a little girl nearly screamed out. She hurried to the man’s door and knocked hard against the wooden frame.
“That woman…she left!”
“She left without breakfast? How rude,” another retorted with a snort. She crossed her arms across her chest. “That’s not right. Not right at all,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“But she left a note. Want me to read it?” the child outside of Akair’s room said. “Akair!” she pounded on the door once more. “Wake up!” she cried out.
“Just read the note, Emily!” a girl snapped out.
Emily flinched a bit. She breathed, nodding her head as she read the note aloud:
Dear Akair,
You’re such a generous man. As promised, I will return the favor the next time you visit the town. There will even be a little extra for the children.
I didn’t want to be a burden anymore so I decided to leave. I’m sorry for leaving unnoticed, but you were sleeping and I didn’t want to wake you up.
I thank you for helping me find, Stardust. She sends regards.
Hopefully we’ll meet again. Take care of yourself, the children, and Azalea.
Aliora.
“You mean she’s Princess Aliora? No way!” Emily’s lips curved into a bright smile. “Did you hear that Akair? She wants to see us! Maybe she has a really, really, REALLY big surprise for us all!” she giggled.
Some of the other children smiled with hope and excitement.
“Can I keep this letter, Akair? Please? I promise not to ruin it or anything,” Emily begged as she looked down at the neatly cursive print.
“Princess Aliora,” she sighed dreamily.
Somewhere miles away…
“Do YOU know where we’re going?” Aliora complained. “Because this isn’t the way home,” she said.
“How would YOU know? You were kidnapped at night. Any way would look like the right way,” Stardust chuckled.
“You’re blind!”
Stardust’s laughter grew.
Aliora found herself laughing along with her companion. She walked beside the Dragon. They had found a clearing and were now passing through the meadow. The grass here grew high, nearly touching Aliora’s knees.
“But seriously,” the woman glanced to her Dragon. “Where are we going?” Aliora asked.
“You’ll see. Have patience.”
Aliora sighed and unwillingly nodded her head. She followed Stardust towards the woodlands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:33 pm
Akair sat up groggily in his bed. "Huwha..? A note...?"
He rubbed his eyes as Emily read the note aloud, then asked if she could keep it. He opened his door and poked his head out. "Sure, yeah. Keep the note. Lemme get some more rest though, last night was rough..."
He yawned as he got back into bed, wrapping himself in the covers and trying to settle down with the small children scampering off to do their chores. They knew better- Akair wanted to sleep, let him sleep for a bit. Azalaea would wake him up anyway.
Azalaea scratched on the door gently and said in a singsong tone, "Knock knock, sunshine...Time to get uup...If you don't I'll break the door down."
Akair knew she meant it. "Alright, Im up I'm up," he said, not moving from his bed.
"I don't hear feet moving," Azalaea said in the same tone.
"Agh! Alright, fine," Akair said, almost jumping out of bed. He didn't feel like replacing the door again...Three times in one month was enough. He got up and put his clothes on, then opened the door to look at Azalaea.
"We're going after them, aren't we?" he asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, we are. While I trust the dragon somewhat, I'm not so sure the little princess will let her dragon lead her home," Azalaea said with a grin.
Akair sighed. "Well then, let's go..."
He walked out the front door, grabbing his cloak and pulling it tight around his shoulders. "You all hold down the fort here," he said. "And remember, Emily's in charge not because she's oldest, but because she's smartest and strongest."
"Yes, Akair..." all the children said in chorus.
"Are you going to see Princess Aliora?" Emily asked softly,
At this, the children sprang into [what Akair refers to as] question mode.Akair gave a sheepish smile and closed the door behind him, leaving a quickly dying roar behind.
"So," Akair said aloud. "Which way do we go?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:08 pm
Aliora breathed heavily. She unwillingly followed her Dragon to some destination that still remained a mystery. “Don’t you think I have a right to know where we’re going? I am Princess. And you’re my Dragon. We have to communicate,” Aliora said.
Once again Stardust chuckled. She smiled brightly to her two-legged friend.
“Sunning-Rocks.”
Stardust looked away. The smile faded and all Aliora could see was the serious nature.
“Why there?” the young woman asked. “Isn’t that where you usually go for meetings or something?” she blinked away from Stardust and looked ahead.
The other part of the forest looked so far away.
Stardust nodded her head. “I’ve been hearing things, Aliora. And I need to respond. You’re summoned as well.”
Aliora blinked. “I…I’ve been summoned?” she was quite stunned. Stardust dipped her head, nodding.
A few minutes went by in silence. Aliora was still in shock that the Dragon Elders wanted her to appear before a hearing. It was unnatural. They’d always just asked for Stardust or Bijou. Alone. Never with Aliora. Apart of her-a small part, and whatever that part might be, was excited. But Aliora knew this was business. And that’s what scared her the most.
“What’s it about?” Aliora looked to Stardust with bright, curious eyes. Stardust said nothing. In fact, Stardust had stopped walking. Her eyes stared ahead as if she saw something that Aliora could not.
“Stardust?”
Stardust could feel it. The heavy rhythm of horses’ hooves beating against the ground. The sound was loud and drawing closer.
A growl rumbled deep within Stardust’s vocals. “Get on my back,” she ordered.
“Is someone coming? Maybe we can ask for directions,” Aliora said.
“Aliora!” Stardust snapped. Aliora flinched and did as told. Stardust lowered her body onto the earth and the young girl climbed onto her back.
Aliora did like to fly, but at the same time she didn’t.
The loud, yelling voices of the men drew closer. They waved their weapons above them as they rode closer to the Princess and her Dragon.
“Stardust? What’s happening?” Aliora nearly squawked.
Stardust said nothing. She opened her talons and released a loud cry. And that’s when Aliora knew it…
A battle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:17 pm
Akair stirred from his light nap on Azalaea's back- some yelling and a loud roar pushed his alertness through the roof.
"It's begun!" Azalaea said quickly, and began to gallop towards the sound of the noise.
"Ah! Well, ah, I think I'll get off here," Akair said, and quickly sprang off of Azalaea's back. The dragon hardly noticed, and loosed a savage roar as she drew nearer to the mob.
Akair sighed and dusted himself off, muttering to himself. "Might as well see who's being attacked today..." he said. He looked to his left, and in the distance saw the would-be attackers. "Huh, some familiar faces in there...And some repeat offenders, too..."
Akair turned his head to see who was being attacked, and froze. It was Aliora.
He inhaled sharply and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Does this girl even know the meaning of the word 'safe'?"
He quickly pulled out one of his revolvers from his belt and took aim at the lead attacker. He aimed, aimed, and...
...Shot the horse in the leg, sending the man flipping to the ground.
The group stopped, looking around for the one that attacked their leader. Akair quickly scrambled up the nearest tree, hoping not to be seen.
It was about then that Azalaea hit the group from the side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:05 pm
Aliora gasped quietly as the horse was thrown forwards from a far-distance attack. She quickly glimpsed around but saw nothing except for the woodlands. The men had stopped galloping towards the young Princess and her dragon. They too scanned the area but got the same results—nothing.
“Witchcraft!” one yelled out in rugged voice. Aliora turned towards him quickly. She didn’t think that any witches resided in the forest. Her eyes glanced briefly at the wounded horse as it tried to stand up. It’s cries pierced through Aliora’s ears and all she wanted to do was to help the poor creature.
“Come on! Enough waiting!”
The men stalked towards Aliora and Stardust. Soft grows escaped from Stardust’s vocals and she snorted as the men drew closer.
“Star—“
Aliora was astonished to see Azalaea attack the men without being noticed. It was all a blur to her and happened so quickly. A series of hollers and cries escaped from the men and their horses. A few were able to get away and hide in the forest.
“Azalaea! What are you doing here?” Aliora departed from Stardust’s back once the men had cowered off. A bright smile on her face as she looked up at the familiar dragon. “I didn’t think that you’d…” she paused, taking a brief moment to look off into the woodlands. “Akair,” she sighed and rolled her eyes. A quiet chuckle escaped from her vocals as she looked back at the dragon.
“What about the children? You didn’t leave them at the house by themselves, did you?” she asked.
Aliora opened her arms and hugged Azalaea’s broad leg. “It’s good to see you again,” she whispered quietly.
A quiet grumble came from Stardust.
“Oh!” Aliora jumped a bit. “Stardust this is Azalaea, she belongs to that man I told you about. And Azalaea this is Stardust, my dragon.”
Stardust dipped her head down a bit and Aliora returned beside her dragon. Aliora’s eyes looked to the dragon ahead of them. It did feel good to see Azalaea again. To see a familiar face warmed the Princess’s heart. She would even admit that she missed Akair’s cockiness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:23 pm
Azalaea dipped her head in greeting to Stardust right as Akair walked out of the forest. "Azalaea!" he shouted. "What are you doing fraternizing with the enemy?"
He had his gun raised, but quickly swung it to the left and shot a weapon out of an oncoming attacker's hand. The man paled and ran away, not daring to look back.
Akair followed the remaining people until they were out of sight (which was a far ways for him, even in the forest). He then lowered his gun and gave a sigh. "Always getting yourself into trouble, eh princess?" he asked sarcastically. A small smile bloomed on his face as he said, "You know, in some cultures they would hunt you down and kill you for leaving like you did." He gave her a small wink, then turned to Azalaea.
"Alright, now that we've found her and given her a good lecturing, let's go home."
Azalaea turned to him slowly, refusing to meet his gaze as she said: "We cannot go back, Akair. You and I have been summoned."
Akair froze. He remembered all to well Azalaea going to the meetings before. And who went with her. "I thought you had to go alone since then."
Azalaea sighed, trying to find the right words. "It was discussed, and we wanted to wait before bringing you in her stead. We feared you were...Unstable after what happened."
Akair looked at her, jaw dropped slightly. He chuckled a bit to himself before saying in a low voice, "And you really think I'm stable now, when going there would mean reopening all those wounds that I've tried so hard to mend?" His voice reached near hysterics, he didn't notice Aliora standing near him anymore. "Even now, you expect me to simply forget what happened? To be satisfied with what happened, to not still be mad? I lost a part of my soul that day, Azalaea!"
Azalaea looked at the ground as she said calmly, "So did I."
Akair breathed deeply, trying to regain control of himself. "I'm sorry, Azalaea. I forgot how hard it was for you, as well."
Azalaea nudged him. "Do not worry, I know my bond was barely what you had. But we do not think you are ready; we need you to be ready."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:11 pm
Aliora didn’t say anything. She didn’t even stare at Akair as he had once again rescued her. She didn’t thank him at all. She just scowled softly to herself as she turned to Stardust. She reached up and brushed her fingertips against her companion’s side. The idea of Akair following them to Sunning Rocks wasn’t all that inviting. She didn’t even want to stare at Akair anymore let alone start a conversation.
Akair’s sarcasm had finally settled down on Aliora and now she was ignoring him. Besides, anything that she said he would retort and lecture to her.
“Ready?” Aliora glanced up to Stardust. The two exchanged looks for a brief moment until Stardust nodded her head.
She could tell that something was bothering Aliora.
“I am ready when you are,” the Princess’s dragon-friend replied softly with a reassuring grin.
“Good. The sooner we leave, the better.”
Aliora glared to Akair with a roll of the eyes before climbing up onto Stardust’s back. She nestled at the bottom of Stardust’s neck, holding onto the broad sides.
Stardust opened her beautiful talons and flapped them for a moment before hovering off the ground. She stayed like this until she was comfortable with the feeling of Aliora at the base of her neck. Once satisfied, Stardust took off to the sky. For such a great beast, she had quite grace and flew with such agility.
The Princess didn’t even glance down to Akair as Stardust flew off towards Sunning Rocks. Aliora tried to think of why the council would summon her.
It probably wasn’t anything good..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Familiar Conversationalist
|
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:13 am
Akair sighed. "Looks like there's no helping it," he muttered. He climbed onto Azalaea's back, not feeling very excited about what had to happen next. Azalaea's muscles bunched up underneath him, and soon they were flying through the air, heading along just behind Aliora and Stardust.
Akair knew better than to try to talk to Aliora, especially flying this fast. So he decided to get himself some sleep, wrapping his arms as much as he could around Azalaea's neck and letting the soft beating of her wings lull him to sleep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
