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 Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:33 am
The voices grew steadily louder and more vivid until their breathtaking owners appeared above the water's surface. Their scales and glistening bodies gleamed in the setting sun. There were two of them. One had lively red hair with bright sea-green eyes and gentle freckles on her oval face. The other had smooth sun-kissed skin, ocean-blue hair and eyes like pools of fire. They seemed like flowers of the lonely ocean. Jamie was captivated by their beauty. She lowered her hand towards them and they rode the water to meet her at the rail. Their song silenced as they did so. They twirled her white hair between their long fingers and smiled in silence. The red haired siren held her outstretched hand and stroked it gently. Jamie haven't felt this appreciated in a while and she was enjoying the company despite the fact that the two mermaids could be serial killers of the deep seas. She reached into her pocket and gave a delicate silver comb to them. It wasn't worth much and it didn't hold any sentiment, but a small gift was as kind as any other and she needed them to be peaceful. She didn't know much about this world, but from memory of Earthen tales, she was cautious and the crew didn't need a bunch of sirens luring them into danger. The two sea creatures appeared instantly younger and infatuated with the small comb. They took turns to comb through strands of eachother's hair while smiling excitedly up at Jamie. She smiled back at them - professionals of illusions who were, truthfully, only children.
"Go now," Jamie whispered, squeezing the youngsters' hands and waving them goodbye before turning to find a stranger looking at her. She froze, startled. She recollected herself and spoke out clearly.
"Good morning, sir." She inclined her head politely and went on to introduce herself. "I'm Jamie, Prince du Bouvier's mate." She could feel her cheeks glow with pride, but something caught her attention. This man, standing in front of her, was the first person she met who had white or silver hair like hers.
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:28 pm
 Pierre covered himself in the cloak hanging on the cabin door and, once sure he was safe, crossed the threshold to the sunny deck outside.
The ship was longer and grander than most, and had three tiered decks and four masts. With a ship so massive, he knew he wouldn't be able to find her right away. It therefore came as no shock when he ran into James instead on the second tear of the deck. "Where's Jamie," Pierre demanded. "Relax. She's just making friends with some sirens. I've been keeping an eye on her like you said. Just trust me. Now go. You need your rest."
"You just make sure you take care of her," he ordered sternly. James gave a smart salute and, once Pierre had returned to his room, continued his quest to fill his belly.
* * *
Pierre lay down on the bed, sighing deeply. He was exhausted and he feared what would happen when he needed blood. They had fled just as Ravenheart had broken into a tumultuous revolutionary battle and boarded the ship with nothing but a few ancient volumes James had gathered before hand. He rubbed his face with his hands and rolled onto his back, pushing the worry from his mind and allowing the ship to lull him into a dreamless sleep.
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:46 pm
Sir William narrowed his eyes briefly, scrutinizing the young woman. "I'm well aware of who you are," he said calmly. "You have quite a reputation. The young lady who melted a heart of ice and threw an ancient culture into bloody rebellion," he took a long pause, gauging her reaction at the information. He bowed slightly. "I am Sir William Grant MacKenzie. You may call me Sir William for now."
William joined Jamie and looked out over the ocean. He pointed to a young dolphin fighting to keep up with his pod. "You see the young one? He's beautiful and strong. Not when you compare him to the others, but when you see him on his own. He wants nothing more than to take his rightful place in the sea. And you see the young female with the silvery sheen? She swims with him; he already has his eye on her as a prospective mate. They're both keeping pace with each other, encouraging each other to keep up with the pod. But why does the pod not wait, you're wondering?" He turned his hard gaze on her and met her eyes, "They want to know that he is worthy. If he is to take his rightful place, he must earn it. He must not bring them shame or regret. He must earn his place by his deeds." William held her gaze and let the weight of his words sink in. "He must earn his place."
With that, he gave a polite, deep bow and made his way below decks.
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:25 am
Jamie stood on the deck, staring at the sparkling waters for a while. Sir William was right. Little Jamie had to grow up. Her hardships in the orphanage made her ruthless and Pierre made her kind. She had to find a middle ground - the person balancing the two extremes. If she was going to be a honorable queen to the new Ravenheart, she had to earn her place. She was human. Pierre made it clear that the human race was inferior even though he longed for the warm sun and day-lit world. It would be a lot of pressure, but she had to tackle the bull by its horns.
She watched the dolphins a little longer and headed for Pierre's cabin. She wasn't sure where exactly it would be, but she found him easily - much like how he found her in the forest back then. The silver bracelet, now harmless, served as a psychological connection between them. It was safer for the both of them. She wanted to ask him to turn her tonight, but realised he needed her to be able to roam about during the day until he could do so himself.
He was sleeping soundly on his side, the bracelet glinting in the faint light. She made her way, quietly stumbling, to the side of his bed and krept into his broad, cold back, but she couldn't fall asleep. Her mind raced from one idea to another on how she could earn her place. Pierre picked her for a reason. There must be something admirable that Jamie herself was not aware of yet. It was not about serving him anymore. She was not anyone's slave. She has to serve her People now - the line of new imortals that could channel both human and vampiric characteristics. Once she had imortal blood running through her veins, she could take her place by her Prince's side. Until then, she has to prove herself to be considered worthy enough to join the coven, let alone be a royal figure. The first thing she could think of is the painful vampire innitiation. She has to undergo everything she has to and succeed without any excuses and exceptions. Respect goes a long way. She had to start training. And on that note, she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:11 pm
Pierre felt the slight weight of someone in his bed. A small someone. He smiled to himself as Jamie's slow breathing and steady heartbeat revealed that she had finally drifted off to sleep. He rolled over and stroked her hair gently. Soon they would reach the land of Argyll and he would plead with the ancients to change him into a mortal. He would claim his rightful throne and lift the curse on Rhodesa. Once he was sure that the kingdom was flourishing and at peace, he would use the ancient ways to become immortal once more and with him, Jamie. They would rule hundreds of years. Thousands, perhaps. And when they grew weary, they would conceive an heir, raise him to be wise and just, and pass on their secrets of immortality.
He nodded contentedly. Yes, he thought to himself, everything would work out.
Pierre pulled Jamie close to his chest and held her there, humming a song he wrote for her on the piano under disguise what seemed like another lifetime ago. If only she knew just how much he cared for her now. If only she knew that he would do anything for her, if only she asked. The heartbeat that once irritated him so and made him bitterly angry now acted as his lullaby, and soon he too was asleep.
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Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:30 am
 
"The mast!" Some old woman shrieked in fear, her voice muffled by the battering rain.
"Lord James get down from there!" A smooth voice ordered urgently.
"Pierre!" Jamie wasn't too sure of what was going on, but James was in trouble. She jumped out of bed and rushed outside in her white nightgown. The door slammed shut behind her due to a gush of wind that made her hair flutter violently around her face. Those close to her glanced at her with fear, but relaxed once they recognized who she is. The mast was ablaze and James was slowly falling towards the deck. Everything happened in slow motion. Somebody flashed passed her and leaped gracefully, catching the unharmed James in mid air and landing safely on the other side. She ran towards her brother and threw her arms around him - the previous awkwardness she felt for him was now completely dissolved.
The mast came crashing down, sending swirls of flames and a splutter of ignited wood into the chilly night hair. The rain attacked her face as she smiled up at James in relief and released him, turning to watch the crew scatter around to fix what was broken and save what they could.
"He must earn his place," Sir William's words echoed in her mind and she ran to the ship's railing.
"Milady, please get away from the edge!" a young voice called, but Jamie was adamant.
The ocean roared underneath the ship and suddenly it seemed so small and fragile. Jamie closed her eyes and turned her face towards the heavens, allowing the rain to trickle down her colorless being. She concentrated, remembering everything she had once read in the books Pierre brought to her back at Ravenheart. Her hair started to flutter as if a wind met her from the front instead of crashing all over. She held her hands out in front of her, performing a combination of foreign hand gestures. It was heavy, but she managed to form a sphere of water above the raging ocean. Her eyes shot open and she spun on her toes, thrusting the levitating water onto the fire. The water ate the flames and rolled into and off of the ship after it's purpose was complete. Jamie collapsed as if she was a puppet whose strings were snipped. Small lines of blood leaked from her eyes.
***
"You have to earn your place," the voice belonged to Sir William, but the face before her was Pierre's. His loving gaze was absent. Instead, he glowered down at her as when they have first met. She didn't feel amused as she did at the beginning. She felt a stabbing pain sear through her chest. Her blood felt cold and her muscles weak. She could only watch as she tumbled to the ground - an unidentifiable black surface. Pierre has disappeared. In his place now stood her classmates from Earth.
"Jamie," they moaned in unison. They seemed to be in better condition that she last saw them. "Where are you? We need you! Help us!"
"No!" Jamie gasped as they were snatched by sheet-white hands that slowly pulled them away from her. Their fair skin easily bruised under the harsh grips of bulky, faceless men. A hand rested on her shoulder. It was the man Pierre had saved her from.
"You are a liability," he whispered into her neck. She shivered, but couldn't get away from him. "You are a liability to him, even my wife knew that."
"Silly, little human girl. Do you think you're worthy of such a man? Do you think you are worthy of such a title?"
"Earn your place," it was Sir William again.
Jamie shook her head and closed her eyes, but they didn't disappear.
"He should have been mine!" Rem's voice resembled that of a monster shrieking before its attack.
"No!" Jamie stood, angered at her imagination. Even though she knew well that Rem and her mate was dead, and that the Pierre she saw before was not the Pierre she knew and loved, she felt that she had to break their power over her in order to wake from this dream. She ran towards them with lightning speed and they dissolved after she dragged her arm through their waists.
Now she saw herself from outside her body. Jamie was standing there, clothed in darkness that contrasted her ghostly pale skin and white hair. Her eyes glowed red and she smiled into the breeze of ashes.
Jamie's body shook uncontrollably and her forehead burned with a fever. Her eyelids slowly lifted as she escaped from the dream and her body became still.
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Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:22 am
 
His heart skipped a beat and time seemed to slow as the second mast fell with a crash, plunging the top deck and cabins momentarily underwater. The ship had been severed. The crew and passengers scattered for life boats. With relief, he saw Jamie being pulled aboard one of the long boats with half a dozen others.
His relief quickly faded and rooted him to the spot where he knelt on the splintered deck. The ship was severed, Pierre on the other half. "Vampires are drained of life and power in water," Pierre told him bitterly. "That's why these herbs are necessary when I need to come in contact with it. It neutralizes the purifying effect of water. If I didn't have them, I would... well, I wouldn't like to think about it."
Numb, James was seized by the scruff of his coat and dragged a longboat with the last of the survivors. He hung over the side as the rowed against the storm, all the while watching the wreck of the ship growing smaller and smaller as they headed for a large stretch of land on the distant horizon.
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Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:01 am
Take it easy, Jamie. You're alive.
"Where's Pierre?" She shot up straight, sending her body in a momentarily state of shock. She crashed back down in the girl's arms, but her eyes wouldn't settle. They pleaded for help and darted from one head to another before taking refuge in the bright purple eyes beside her. They were striking, yet beautiful and they somehow calmed her.
"Please make sure he's all right," she asked the maiden, then drifted into a much-needed sleep.
***
Jamie's eyes slowly opened to the overcast sky with patches of midnight blue. Her gut relaxed in relief. It's dark. Pierre is safe. I hope... She lowered her gaze to find that she has been placed on a horse with gigantic fur-covered hooves. It was led by the girl that took care of her on the boat.
"Thank you," she whispered softly.
They were being led into a small village. It couldn't have been very far from where they have washed out, because Jamie could still hear the waves roaring and crashing against the rocks. She sat up straight and regained her posture. The village was build with stones and wood - dark from the moisture in the air. There were children whom she have never seen before, prancing around them and singing ceremoniously. A redhead approached Jamie and hooked a white strand of hair with her index finger, frowning at it questioningly. Looking ahead, she saw it. At first it seemed like a figure holding lamps above her head, but as they approached the difference between her imaginings and reality was immense. The woman was beautifully built and not much taller than Jamie herself. She had long, flowing hair that shone pearly white in the moonlight. Jamie couldn't help but gape at the sight. It sent shivers down her spine. At her side stood a man, tall and muscled, whose hair framed his face in a golden glow. It was as if their hair absorbed the rays of light and reflected it in their own radiance.
Upon closer inspection, these creatures were dressed formally - as were everyone around them that did not get washed ashore. This made Jamie cringe with shame, but she maintained a steady composure and held her head high. At least she could tell the people apart by this fact.
There was Sir William up front, and James, and the lady who played the violin, but Pierre was still out of sight. This worried her and her masked uneasiness started to subtly reflect in the steed's behavior.
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Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:00 am
Sir William had heard enough. From his investigations aboard the ship, he knew the minstrel Trinity to be a spy. He couldn't let her go any further. He drew from inside his cloak a dagger. Swiftly, he swiped it across her neck and plunged it into her heart. When he removed the knife from her breast bone, she fell to the ground, dead. In an orderly fashion, two men came and to take her body to the cemetery along the mountain road. He stepped onto a raised platform and called for everyone's attention.
"I know that some of you may be confused. Do not fear. You have reached your intended destination of Argyll. I am Sir William Grant MacKenzie. I will act as your liaison. You will rest here in this village until you are all back on your feet. Then I will take your leaders and those who have business here on Argyll to the capitol. The rest of you will remain here in this village. When your ship is ready to sail, anyone wishing to make their home here may stay behind. We will sort you out. In the mean time, please restrict your movements to the village and surrounding area. Anyone who moves beyond the boundary will do so under risk of execution. There is a curfew for all you non-natives. When the bell tolls, you must remain indoors until the next time the bell tolls. Those who do not will, again, do so under risk of execution. You have been warned."
He stepped down from the platform and drew the young man, James River, aside. "Your dear prince is being pulled ashore as we speak. He'll need to recover. You and your young ward - what's her name?"
"Jamie."
"Jamie. You and young Jamie can stay with me at the Rose Inn. Tomorrow, I will take the three of you and the leaders amongst you - and whatever footmen or valet they require - to the capitol. It shouldn't be more than a two day trip there, and two days back. There, you may present your case. The Rose Inn is down that way," he pointed to a narrow cobbled lane lined with flickering lanterns between rows of shops with interesting displays, "Take the first left, then a right once you reach the fountain. It will be the second building on the left. You will be set in the large royal suite under the name of MacLeod. You will both wait for me there. I will come with Pierre."
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Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:05 am
"You are a reflection on me. Today, I am opening the Carnival of the Dead. I'm going to kill and consume a human in front of you and all of Ravenheart. You will not flinch, you will not vomit, you will not look away or display any other signs of weakness..."
She will not flinch or place her shock on display. Besides, despite the uneasiness she felt towards Sir William, he probably had his reasons for doing what he did. As long as she had Pierre, Jamie and the Prince's subjects would be safe.
Regaining control of the horse, she steered it in the direction Sir William motioned. The royal suite of the Rose Inn was lavishly decorated. It reminded her of the palace back home, but instead of having nearly everything be black and white, the suite was adored with rich colors such as vibrant purples, calming blues, fiery reds and gold. Maids met them after a few moments since their entrance and handed them fresh clothes. After changing into the clean dress, Jamie met with James in the main room to wait for Sir William and Pierre.
A few months earlier you would have scolded yourself, Jamie, for feeling something so strong for another person, she thought to herself. You wouldn't have allowed any attachment at all.
He changed me and it's a change that I welcome with an open heart. We both started out cold, but we bring out the best in one another. That's why we'll make such a good team. I'll admit that I am a fool. This royalty business is bothersome, but it's a burden I'm willing to carry for him. No, with him. Soon, I won't be a liability to anyone anymore. With Pierre by my side, I'll become powerful in strength and status. He will no longer need to worry about my safety. I will be able to be independent as I've always been - with the slight difference of having someone to love and to cherish. Ha! Who would have guessed a pheasant orphan would have such good luck and a bright future?
Jamie bit her lip. They were waiting for quite a while and she couldn't stop pacing nervously up and down an end of the room. The door creaked. It rendered her full attention and she practically flew to open it for them.
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Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:21 pm
 The Paladin Maugis was sitting crossed legged suspended in mid air with light emanating from his eyes, he usually found himself in this position when troubled but he could not quite place the source of his problem. Was it the fact that the ship harbored deadly vampires that did not look kindly upon his kind and could barge through his cabin door any second? No no that's not it he thought reluctantly, situations like that he was accustomed to, a problem he would chose over this. "Ah!" he suddenly remembered the storm! How did I forget? he was fighting the storm, even though light was his specialty he was powerful in all elements, but something was wrong and the storm was winning, the boat was thrown about like a twig in a raging torrent. Then suddenly... *Snap* He looked down at his leg and saw it bent at an awkward angle, "What the...?" and moments later his entire body snapped in half, he stared in horror. This isn't happening he thought...Maugis jerked awake suddenly, of course it was just a dream, but the ship did nearly go under, and the storm was too strong for him to fight. He remembered following the medics who carried the injured Captain to a small town, insisting that he could walk on his own and that he stayed with the Captain. " I know our contract states that you only require protection for the duration of the voyage but the least I can do after the unfortunate turn of events is make sure you and your men are safe for tonight " he insisted when the Captain tried to pay him earlier. They were after all staying in a town occupied with immortals and night was nearly upon them. "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:03 pm
Pierre lay in the slippery mass of pebbles worn smooth by the centuries of salty waves. The water rose up over his legs and then withdrew back into the collective of the ocean. He began to count the ebb and flow of the waves, struggling to keep conscious, struggling to remember where he was and what had happened to him. Slowly, the memories came flooding back.
He heard the commotion on deck, but he couldn't move. Horrified, he realized that he'd lost use of his limbs. Someone must have drugged his drink... Without warning, the cabin's walls splintered and he was thrown into the raging water. In an instant, the agony ripped through him. His vision grew dark and his thoughts came hazy and dim, as if through a thick filter. He tried to call out for Jamie, but the current was pulling him under the surface, spinning him into its depths. He succumbed to the blackness with a cry of despair.
Pierre abruptly returned to the present, aware that he was being dragged from the wreckage of the ship by his arms; wooden boards clattered against each other as they fell off of him. He tried to stand up and regain some sort of dignity, but a blow struck him on the side of the face - not enough to do damage, but enough to get his attention. "Quit fighting. Stay still," someone hissed at him. Curiously, he found himself obeying.
He was hoisted up onto the back of a large animal, leaning forward; he could tell it was an animal by the way it felt under him and by the fact that it gave an uneasy snort. The noise sounded familiar, but his thoughts were still to muddled to even attempt a guess at what the beast might be, and his vision was still completely dark. The animal began walking at a trot, jarring him right to his bone. He clenched his jaw to keep from crying out. He didn't want to do anything that have the man force him back to his feet. He was exhausted and grateful for what little rest it provided.
All too soon, they came to a stop. Pierre was once again seized by the arms. "Come on now. Easy does it... find your feet," the man said with a strange accent. Pierre felt smooth, hard ground beneath his soft soled boots. He struggled to support his weight as the man let go of him, but he was too weak and the world kept spinning wildly out of control. He wondered how the man could manage to stand. He lurched forward and was caught around the waist, hard. The breath was knocked out of him. "Looks like I'll have to help."
Pierre's arm was thrown over the man's shoulders and the man seized Pierre by his middle. He was all but dragged forward through one set of doors, up a flight of stairs (this proved very difficult and took a great deal of time), and down a short hall to another door (which Pierre was propped against while the man fiddled with a metal latch, so he knew it had to be a door).
The door flung open and Pierre fell forward onto the floor. He lay there, still somewhat delirious and disoriented, trying to make sense of all the noise. A young female, shouting something. Small hands on him, shaking him. Strong, soft hands - not belonging to his rescuer - turning him over gently. Heavy footsteps of the man who was his rescuer. Lots of movement and talking that overlapped. He groaned. Everything immediately fell silent. Pierre was relieved. Then, "Pierre," a young man's voice, smooth as silk, "It's James. Do you understand me? Can you say something?"
"Go away," Pierre commanded with a rough, dry voice. "You're noisy." It sounded childish even to his own ears, but he didn't care. He felt slow and heavy and sleepy and stupid. Gathering all the strength he could manage, he rolled over on to his stomach, shielding his face from view. The man cursed loudly. Pierre couldn't tell if he was irritated, insulted, or worried. Maybe all three, he thought. "He's delirious. We need a healer. The ship's captain - he knows some medicine and might be able to help us. Will you get him?"
"Yeah. I'll go fetch Sir MacKenzie and the cap'n." The heavy footsteps retreated. "Pierre? Want us to help you on to the bed?"
"I'm fine here, thanks," he said, his words slurring. His clothes were still heavy with water and he began to shiver.
[OOC - Kim K J Riku has a rare chance to be online. His character will come for W0LFKING's and the ship's captain. Then we can all start roleplaying together.]
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:07 am
Sir William marched back to the inn, the captain in tow. Another man, who he supposed to be the captain's guard, insisted upon coming with him. The man made him uneasy, for some reason. He could feel something about him that made him on edge. Death was what he sensed. Death of his kind, and perhaps many others.
Sir William decided to keep a close eye on the young man, and bring him to Mannix and Tanek in the capitol. If anyone would know who the young stranger was, Mannix would.
Finally, they reached the inn. He led them up a flight of stairs and to an ornate, red door. Without waiting for invitation, he opened it. Pierre was lying face-down on the floor, his clothes soaked and leaving pools of water around him. He turned to the captain, "Fix him."
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Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:59 am
The Paladin The scene before Maugis' eyes was not a familiar one. One of the native immortals had come earlier to fetch the captain's help in "aiding a sick vampire" - This sounded suspicious because he, perhaps more than anyone, knew vampires to be resilient creatures and it is not often that they became sick without fowl-play involved. The captain did know some medicine though and only someone with long standing knowledge of him could know that, but he had insisted to go along with the captain nevertheless, noting that the vampire seemed to pay him attention without directly looking at him. Now, before Maugis the vampire prince was lying on the floor, still soaking wet, with a small human female tending to him with towels and an older male pacing about in the room. He knew who they were as they were all on the Moondancer, the female was Jamie - the future queen, and the older male was James - a family friend as he understood it. The prince might have seen him before in the meeting cabin but the others should not know who he was. The captain kneeled on the floor forcing herbs - that will neutralize the purifying effect of water on vampires - down the prince's throat. "I don't know if it will work... He might have swallowed some water", the captain looked worryingly at the others as the prince was groaning grumpily. Maugis looked around and then started heating the temperature of the room, careful not to draw the attention of the others. Soon the temperature reached just about unbearable and the water on prince Jean started to disappear, realizing that the temperature might be excessively hot he toned it down a bit just as the prince started stirring. "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 5:43 pm
Pierre was aware that his surroundings were quite warm. He opened his eyes and tried to take it all in. Eventually, his vision cleared. There were people surrounding him.
"Give him space," said a voice to his left. The captain. He struggled to sit up and someone assisted him. He turned and saw James. James refused to meet his eyes and backed off. Curious, he directed his attention to Jamie. When she offered no explanation, Pierre sighed in frustration. "Alright then. Thanks for the help, Captain." He stood and a man with white hair rushed to his side. Pierre observed him suspiciously. "You. You're from here." He nodded. "You'll take us to the cure." The man did not ask what he meant, but nodded again. "Now."
James began to object, but fell silent and resumed his study of the floor just as suddenly as he had spoken.
"Anyone else have a problem with that? I can't wait for the sun to come up and burn me to ashes. We go now."
"Seems reasonable," said the captain, turning to the white-haired gentleman. "Lead on. But be careful," he added to Pierre, "You don't want to overexert yourself. You're still healing."
"I can heal and travel at the same time," he countered. With that, he led the way out of the room, the others (somewhat hesitantly) following after.
* * *
The moon was bright and the night was clear, despite the earlier storm. Pierre felt oddly unsettled, and yet completely at home at the same time. Casually, he slipped his hand into Jamie's. He felt her squeeze his hand in reassurance, and that bolstered his confidence to continue.
"Things are going to change," he whispered to her after a while, "I'll be mortal again. It's been so long since I've had a heartbeat. I wonder what you'll think of me then." Realizing this was simply a narrative, she remained silent.
He knew that once he was human, even his personality would change. Being a vampire made you harder, more cold. He was a lot different now, he reflected, than when he was prince of Rhodesa. He frowned to himself and stole a glance at Jamie - pale and small in the moonlight, like a flower made of glass. So fragile... for a moment, he was sure that she was a dream. He was sure that if he reached out and touched her, she would shatter into a thousand pieces and be lost.
With difficulty, he tore his gaze away and concentrated on the steady beating of her heart, matching his steps with it like a midnight march.
Eventually, the road turned from stone to dirt and turned into the treeline. After a brief pause where they saddled horses that waited for them, they continued on toward the capitol.
[OOC - Sorry for rushing through the room scene. I wanted to move it along a bit.]
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