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 Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:27 pm
((Hehe. Now I've got the delay. I've had a hectic weekend. And yes, I realize you're out of town now. ^^))
Muris nodded,
"No, they never showed it to me...and yes, it's still in the castle there, more than likely. I suppose we might be able to find a way to get it out."
But she was doubtful in that respect. She and Alcie had been taking a lot of precautionary measures and still had been caught. And Muris was sneakier than just about any of the other Sun Court members. She somehow doubted another could manage to get Alces' body somehow.
"Anyhow, I'll take you to Ursa's. I'm sure she'll have something for your cold or whatever."
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:00 pm
Ardea paused a moment to allow Muris to get a bit ahead of him. The mouse would know the way to where this Ursa was better than he would.
Once he had fallen in behind her, he cleared his throat and continued with his questions: "And so the last time you saw Alces, he was alive? There was never any instance when you caught even the slightest glimpse of a dead body?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:02 am
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:29 pm
After Ardea left the company of Ursa with the things she had given him, the heron Fey decided to wander around outside a bit, just to get a little more sun. Surprising how a little natural light could lift his spirits enough to make him stop scowling for a while.
His sense of smell was not terribly sharp, but Ardea ventured to open one of the packets of herbal tea he had received anyway, to sniff at it and see if he could figure out what was in it. Of course, he could not recognize anything by smell. Diagrams of seedpods or leaves, perhaps, but not scent. The mixture did not smell bad though; Ardea was pleased at least that he would not be gluping down anything that tasted horridly medicinal.
The heron was curious about the honey, though. He had never been one for very sweet things, so naturally he had avoided honey in the past. Finding a nice shaded place to sit for a few moments, Ardea took a seat and set the packets of tea carefully on his lap before twisting the cap off of the small jar of honey.
He could smell nothing from the jar, so he ventured to just dip his finger in and taste it. With a curious frown, he sucked the honey off of the tip of his small finger. Definitely far too sweet to gain a spot among his favorite foods, but it did not taste bad. Ardea hoped Ursa did not expect him to be eating this stuff by the spoonful, though.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:49 pm
Ardea I have been taking Miss Ursa's herbal tea several times daily, and it seems to have had quite the positive effect on my health. It also tastes far better than I expected. I should ask Miss Ursa what herbs are in it when I go see her to report on the effectiveness of the tea and honey. I still do not care much for the honey by itself, but a little bit in the tea is not bad. I have also taken to reading outside more often. Being out in the fresh air is much more relaxing than I thought it would be, as things are fairly peaceful here. Sometimes lately I have been starting to feel that it is almost too quiet. Hopefully I will feel better soon, so that I can go back to Miss Ursa and tell her what she wanted to know about the honey and the tea. It is good to know that I can help her studies. Finally, I am nearly done with the latest volume of history I have been reading. It had been going quite slowly for a while, but it seemed to pick up somewhat. Perhaps because I have been reading outside more. Natural light helps the concentration, or something. I shall have to see if there are any books on that.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:01 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:19 pm
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:20 pm
Ardea woke with a start in a cold sweat. Sitting up and rubbing one eye with the heel of his hand, he forced himself to breathe more slowly so he could begin to calm down. Nightmares usually left some sort of memory, even once he had awakened. But this time, the Heron could recall no dreams. Of course, there was the ever-present stress of his Kithain's disappearance, but even that left those phantom pains. This time, he could remember no reason for having started awake so suddenly.
And another curious abnormality - even now that he was awake, the scholar still felt that something was wrong. He sat perfectly still in his bed for a moment and listened. Nothing, save for the sound of his breathing.
Leaning over to light a candle, Ardea climbed out of bed and walked to the window. Moonlight shone through the glass. Touching his fingertips to the window, the Fey could feel the cool of the night outside. He then turned around, surveying his room. The southern point of his compass rug was at his feet. All his books were precisely where he had left them. Yet the unsettling feeling that something was out of place persisted.
The scribe extinguished the candle, and walked 'north' in his room, towards the door. He could just concentrate on the light behind him and the way it made a shadow before him. Everything was normal and where it belonged, and he should just calm down and get to sleep.
Suddenly, Ardea was overcome by a wave of dizziness. The room seemed to grow brighter around him, causing his shadow on the floor to fade. The unlight candle slipped from the Heron's fingers as he put a hand to his head, trying to get his bearings. It was growing brighter and brighter, and the room seemed to spin slowly around him. Ardea fought to keep his eyes on the compass at his feet; he stood in the center of it, but the rays extending out for the cardinal directions seemed to turn beneath him.
What was going on? The Fey scarcely realized how much he was shaking as he sank to his knees, holding his head in both hands and shutting his eyes to block out the dizzying light. It hurt his eyes, hurt his head, hurt his hands, his whole body. For one moment, Ardea's whole body filled with pain, but just as the shuddering gasp escaped his lips, it was gone. The pain, the light, and the swirling.
With trembling hands, he felt around on the floor for the dropped candle. Something to hold onto, at least. The brilliant light had ruined his nightvision for the moment, and so Ardea could see very little. Yet as he straightened, he became aware of a rustling sound right beside his ears. Giving up on finding the candle on the floor, he instead reached his shaking fingers up to find twin ruffs of feathers upon his shoulders.
This was just a surprise, not a scare, fortunately. The Heron reached up to touch the wings upon his head, and found that they were larger. When he had recovered himself enough, he stood, and found that he felt larger as well. So he had grown. Ardea laughed softly with relief, deeply thankful that this was overwith.
The Fey bent down to pick up his candle, and relit it before going to sit in his desk chair. Peering down at his hands, he sighed heavily and laughed a bit again, then combed his fingers through his long hair.
"Aah, I think I will need about an hour to calm down after that. I hope I will be able to get some sleep tonight...."
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:31 pm
Though his illness was now little more than a memory, Ardea still made an effort to spend some time outside each day. Somehow, since his emergence from his quarters, the out-of-doors called to him a bit more, and, as he was not willing to make himself sick again, the Heron Fey took to reading out in the sun for a few hours during the day.
He had also started to gain an appreciation for walks outside, venturing to wander about the castle grounds with increasing frequency now that his strength was returning to him. And today, in a particular stroke of boldness, Ardea had decided to venture into the forest just outside of Castellum Argentus.
And, of course, the peaceful quiet of the surroundings had drawn the Sun Court scribe deeper into the woods until he lost track of time. One moment, he had just finished lunch and was just stepping out for a bit of wandering, and the next, the shadows of the trees were lengthening around him, and it was beginning to grow darker. Ardea was by no means lost, however; as soon as he realized how late it was getting, he turned around and began to head back the way he had come.
There was another in the forest that day... Feles had taken to heart the Majestrix's warning of the forest... and the strangeness happening out there. Most times, 'odd' happenings would be at night, so he felt no fear in going out during the day, his staff guiding the way for him as the cat stretched his legs and tried to work the limp out of his leg. It had been months since his injury... however, he still found that walking on his own was not a likelihood.
Perhaps the 'workout' would help. He had been poking around, gathering information and samples as best he could. There were strange markings, prints and broken foliage... but nothing that he could confidently attribute to something other than normal wildlife. "Damnit," he murmured, standing up once more from where he'd been crouched to inspect a cracked sapling. "There has to be something here." That was when he heard the sound of something moving nearby and his ears pricked straight up. He curled alongside the tree, suddenly grateful that he wasn't very large. The bulk of the tree itself would provide himi shelter, at least for the time being. If it was that damned archer again, he'd kill the man where he stood.
Ardea paused a moment to stretch and peer skyward, trying to judge how much time he had left before it would be truly dark out. The feathers adorning his shoulders bristled slightly as the Fey thought he picked up maybe the faintest of sounds with his delicately pointed ears, but he dismissed it after a moment as just his imagination. Not that Ardea dismissed outright the possibility of dangerous things in the forest - he just did not feel like worrying about any such thing with so little a reason as having thought he heard something.
Of course, as Ardea started walking again, he was paying a bit more attention to the sounds around him. But he dearly hoped he would remain undisturbed. It had been such a nice walk so far.
It wasn't the archer... this one wasn't one that Feles remembered from his brief stint at the Sun Court. That was a good thing, in his eyes, but he had no intention of winding up a captive again. Still, this one didn't look like he could fight any better than Feles himself.
Which was to say: Not at all.
"You're a bit far from home," he murmured, his voice coming out with a slight growl to the words. Feles stayed where he was, however, half crouched with the long quarterstaff in hand. If needed, he COULD beat someone upside the head long enough to get away.
Ah, so there really had been something there.... Ardea turned towards the voice, one hand straying for the dagger at his side, though he hoped he would not have to use it. Nothing like a fight to ruin the wonderful quiet of a day.
Still, the Heron did not think he had yet encountered a Fey of the Moon Court before. From what he had read, it would be just like one of them to slink through the underbrush like this fellow apparently had. But in spite of the strong bias against them Ardea had gained through reading Sun Court histories, and the nervousness he felt encountering one alone at sunset, the scribe could not help but be a bit intrigued.
"You, as well, I would guess," he replied as coolly as possible. Surely, the other must be frightened of me to some degree as well, if he is still hiding, Ardea assured himself silently.
"Yours don't usually stray out this far," Feles said, noting that this one didn't seem to be armed with anything more than a knife. Not too much danger. Perhaps this was literally one that just wandered too far. From what he'd seen, the Sun Court tended towards either being fighters... or those who couldn't figure out which end of a sword was the business end. Then again, he wasn't much better.
He used the staff to push himself to his feet, keeping his weight off of the leg with the old injury. Leaning against the tree, he kept the staff planted in front of him still, both hands wrapped around it.
"I guess I just got lost in thought, and before I knew it, ended up here," Ardea said with a light shrug; he was still not quite used to the way the feathers on his shoulders rustled at the movement.
The Heron glanced quickly at the Moon Court Fey's legs, and the way he appeared to try to keep his weight off of one leg. Ardea also took note of the length of the staff, though, and made a mental note to keep out of its range. He did not want any violence, but then he was also not about to turn his back so he could run. It would definitely be best to keep his eyes on this one.
Feles let his gaze rake over Ardea, nodding softly at the declaration. "You're not like some of the others," he murmured, one brow lifted. "You're not a fighter." Normally, he would have been smirking in glee at having such an easy target. However, it wasn't long after that particular thought that his mind provided the proverbial 'pot and kettle' comment. NEITHER of them had any business being out this far.
"Do your books always bring you out nearly to the Moon Court?" he asked, curiosity taking over. Perhaps this one knew something of the information Majestrix Nox had charged him to find.
The Heron glanced around a moment, murmuring, "Did I really come out so far?" before his gaze returned to the other Fey. Then he responded to the Cat, "No, not usually. I have just been taking longer and longer walks, and happened to find myself here today."
This one did not seem to want to cause Ardea trouble, but he dearly hoped that there were not other Moon Court Fey lurking about in the bushes or something. After a moment, though, he ventured to ask, "Are you also a scholar then?"
This one was a scholar as well? Feles blinked then, nodding softly as he watched Ardea carefully. It seemed harmless enough... but what if he wasn't alone? "These woods are dangerous," he murmured, slitted eyes staying locked to the heron. "Before the sun goes down, I recommend that you be back in your castle. I intend to be."
If he was truly a scholar... well, that would remain to be seen.
Fingering a lock of hair thoughtfully, Ardea nodded and replied, "I know, I planned on returning before nightfall. So I should not linger here much longer." He was a touch disapointed about this, though the feeling likely did not carry through very clearly in his tone.
There was a deep curiousity that was gradually replacing the aprehension in Ardea's mind. Not that Ardea had completely dismissed the possibility of scholars existing in the Moon Court, but he had still not quite expected to find anyone but a fighter roaming about. So long as the two were able to maintain a diplomatic distance between them, the Heron thought he might not mind asking the Moon Court Fey a few questions. Just... about his work, and what he studied.
Feles, however, saw no point in subtlety... nor did he see any particular reason to not go after what he wanted so desperately to find out. "How is your King upon his return?" he asked softly, making sure to keep his voice steady and his gaze on the sky. He didn't seem to wish any harm upon the King...
Nor would he. Not until he found out what had been required for this changed appearance he'd heard about, anyway. "I've heard he's been missing for quite some time. It must be a relief to your Court to have him back."
"Truth be told, I have not yet met with him myself," Ardea admitted; there did not seem to be any reason to hide this fact. After a moment, he added, "I am sure he is well, and glad to be back among us. We are all pleased that he has finally returned."
The scribe smiled to himself and murmured, "I am quite eager to hear and record whatever tales His Majesty may have to tell."
Smiling, Feles nodded. "I'm certain your tales will serve him well. Perhaps I could hear them when you're finished writing? I believe nothing should go unrecorded, and am trying to make certain that we have a full record of events, just in case something like the curse happens again." Feles scowled faintly then, tightening his hold on the staff in his hands. "The curse depleted both courts... it's a wonder that any of us survived."
Ardea considered a moment, then nodded a little. "I will see what I can do. I must agree, incomplete records are frustrating." The spread and preservation of knowledge was important, but the Heron figured it best not to commit to share everything with the Moon Court, necessarily. Still, a bit of exchange of information could not hurt.
"I suppose we have our Kithain to thank, that we are now free of the curse and able to start again," the scribe sighed, going on. "Still, it is a bit lonely to read past accounts of banquets and festivals and other times when the whole castle was bustling with life and activity."
"Yes," Feles answered, hoping his fur didn't fluff out too much at the mention of Kithain. "The human descendants were our saviours, I suppose." Forget the fact that he hated his own meddling Kithain... best not to mention that. The Sun Court seemed to cherish theirs.
Feles had to admit though... the other scholar was correct in one thing at least. He nodded, the pale pink eyes growing somber. "I remember some of the older days... before the curse. I can't say my time then was much enjoyable, nor did I get to partake of any festivities. Still, reading about what happened when I was locked away brings back a bit of fondness, and I wish I could have been allowed to enjoy it."
Best not to mention that Ardea had not seen his own Kithain in quite some time. He did not want to think about the phantom pain left behind.
But at the mention of the old days before the curse.... The Heron closed his eyes a moment, smiling sadly. "I was allowed to do little but study and read before I was trapped, but I suppose in retrospect, it prepared well me to pick up where my father left off, in spite of all the time that has passed. So, if nothing else, at least we will still be able to remember the past."
"I don't wish to remember the past..." Feles whispered, his tail curling around himself lightly as he glanced away. "Four brick walls and a caretaker that I only saw twice a day to feed me. No thank you." The cat scowled softly, fingers digging into his arms where they were crossed. "At least now, I'm needed around there... and left to my own devices instead of being subjected to my parents any longer."
Seeing that he had hit a sore spot with the other scholar, Ardea decided to change the subject; one quick glance at the rapidly-darkening sky told him that he should not be speaking of anything but departing now, though.
"I suppose it would be best if I left very soon, since I have a bit of a walk back to my castle," he said with a sigh. Then, after a moment, the Heron added, "Perhaps... we can meet again sometime?"
While Feles' mind told him that meeting with the Sun Court was wrong, this one couldn't cause him any true damage. Hesitantly, he responded with a nod, his hand tightening on the staff at his side as he pushed himself away from the tree to stand on his own. "We will need to take precautions," he murmured, glancing from one castle to the other. "I daresay our kin wouldn't appreciate our meetings much. But there is much our kinds don't know of each other... and in times like these, it's what you don't know that will kill you. The forest is growing dangerous, and we need to be on our guard."
Pale eyes flicked back to Ardea for a moment. "When we return, I'll bring what I can. If you find out anything about these creatures in the forest, please advise me of it? A week's time should be enough for us to at least have some idea of what's happening."
Ardea nodded slowly in agreement. "These problems in the forest would be a common enemy between us, it seems, so there is no reason we should not work together to figure it out. I shall see what I can find in a week."
He then took a step towards the other Fey, and asked, "May I have your name, scholar of the Moon Court?" Though he could not fully rid himself of waryness, Ardea did find it calming to know that he and the Cat had some common ground. The Heron held out his open hand. "My name is Ardea."
The cat watched him in apprehension for a moment before apparently coming to the same conclusion the other scholar had. If the two of them had a bit of a truce... albeit shaky... it would benefit them both. "Feles," he answered, finally reaching out with one pale, clawed hand and clasping Ardea's.
There was, however, one thing he had to make clear to the other man. "I was captured by your Court not long ago... the injury I have no will stay with me for the rest of my life... it was given to me by one of yours. If you value whatever this tentative agreement is that we've come to, you will not mention me to the one called Laniger."
Ah, so that was the explanation behind Feles' need for the staff. The Heron peered into the other scholar's eyes and nodded. "I do not believe I have met this Laniger, but if I encounter him, I know nothing."
Once they had shaken hands, Ardea stepped back and started to turn to go. "It has been nice meeting you, Feles," he said, smiling a little. "I shall see you in a week, somewhere around here? Perhaps a bit earlier in the evening, too, so we are not quite so pressed for time?"
"I shall come in the morning," he promised, nodding once and turning back towards the dark castle that loomed on the other side of the forest. "Watch your back in the trees... and get back to your castle as quickly as you can." As if following his own advice, Feles started off, at a slower pace than the Heron, but not slow enough to be considered a hinderance.
He would speak of this to no one... his own hide depended upon that.
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:51 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:37 pm
Ardea My goodness, have recent days ever been eventful. His Majesty Cervus gathered us all to see him since his return from his Ascension. He looks most amazing, with even broader horns and powerful legs like a stag. I will have to see if I can arrange a meeting with him sometime, to get what details of his quest he wishes to relate, and record them for future generations. King Cervus also discussed the appearance of strange and dangerous creatures in the forest, and advised us to be cautious. He charged me with the task of researching what I could about them; a fellow named Aesculus is to aid me in this. I shall have to make a point of meeting him, if we are to work together. During this meeting, however, magic came and overtook two of the members of our court. It reverted them back to childhood. I have not yet had a chance to see either of them since then, but I suppose I should make an effort to see them, too. Goodness, it was a fearful spell. The phantom pain left behind by Kuyalu's absence seemed to resonate with it in some way, though the spell never actually touched me. It came from the direction of the Moon Court's castle, but King Cervus thought it possible that the magic may have touched some of the other court as well. Speaking of the Moon Court, I ventured a bit far from Argentus several days ago. Quite foolishly, I suppose, in light of the mention of twisted creatures in the forest. But while I was out, I came across a Fey from the Moon Court. A pale Fey named Feles. We actually met and parted without any conflict. We had a rather pleasant chat, in fact. He apparently tends to the same sorts of tasks I do. We spoke a bit about the curse, and Feles inquired about the king's recent journey. We also decided it best to exchange information regarding the creatures in the forest, since they appear to be a danger to the Moon Court as well. We parted with an agreement to meet again in one week. With the ever-present danger in the forest, however, and the King's order not to venture forth alone, I wonder how I will accomplish this meeting. Convening with one of the Moon Court is not likely to be something smiled upon by my fellows, and a part of me also fears breaking Feles' trust by coming with another of my court. I suppose I have not actually asked any of my own comrades what they would think of a meeting with a Fey of the Moon Court, but I do not necessarily wish to stir up trouble by doing so. On the other hand, this is a method of research, which is also following the orders of the King. I suppose then this Aesculus fellow would be the first one to ask to accompany me, then? I will have to speak with him, and see what he thinks of the meeting. In truth, there really should be no reason not to accompany me. We plan on fighting a common enemy with knowledge; there should be no need to specify Sun or Moon. My promise to Feles did not specify that I had to come alone, so there should be no problems with bringing another, so long as the other does not have problems with Feles. Damn these politics, getting in the way of studies!
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:13 pm
(( ** reserved for meeting with Aesculus ** ))
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:15 pm
Still not precisely sure he wanted to share word of his meeting with Feles for any reason, Ardea paced back and forth along the north-south points of his compass rug. Curse these conflicts of loyalty. He could not disobey his king by venturing forth from the castle alone, yet the Heron was also unwilling to risk Feles's apparent trust in him. The knowledge to be gained was far too profitable, for both of them, really.
In truth, Ardea had been stewing over the problem for several days now. A solution did not seem likely to just appear before him, though. Things were rarely that easy. With a sigh, the Fey plopped down in his desk chair and began to leaf idly through his spell book. It was all the fault of these silly books, really. If Ardea was not required by profession to tend to them, he might have had more chances to find a friend in his own court somehow. Or at least someone he could trust enough to accompany him deep into neutral forest territory.
So perhaps these same silly books would have some sort of solution. Some sort of spell....
Well, he had gone far enough in his spellbook that the next page was blank. With a heavy sigh, Ardea flipped it shut. Perhaps he could use some spells to defend himself if attacked, but no amount of magic kept one from being alone. That was a feeling with which Ardea was far too familiar.
Familiar.
How could he have forgotten? Magic-users had one single way of keeping themselves company through magic. It would be an animal companion, but still, it would mean he was not alone. Ardea recalled from the foggy depths of his early childhood - before the curse - that his father had left the process for acquiring a familiar written somewhere in one of his books.
The Heron had to remind his heart not to hurt because he was remembering the location of a spell, not his father specifically, but after a few minutes of wracking his brains and shuffling papers and books about, Ardea swept off to the library in search of a specific magic book.
Summoning a companion would be far simpler and quicker than taking the trouble to socialize, anyway.
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:58 am
Summoning a familiar turned out to be more involved than Ardea originally anticipated, although not by much. He reassured himself that the time and cost would only be required of him once, and that he really did require an extra set of eyes and ears. Overall, this could not hurt, and so he went on with things.
As per the instructions for the procedure, Ardea rolled up his rug to one side to get it out of the way, and sketched out the markings for the spell on his floor in chalk. There was a circle in which he was supposed to sit and meditate, another circle to hold the burner he had purchased along with the necessary incense to draw... whatever his familiar would be into the room.
The Heron continued to fret about the room, opening windows just so and moving things around. It was not necessarily all part of the spell so much as nerves - all the description and such before the spell itself described companionship and bonding that Ardea was not confident he could properly carry out. Still, he calmed himself somewhat with the confidence that his magic would be flawless enough that the rest would take care of itself.
When all was prepared, Ardea strode back over to his desk to grab the parchment with the spell itself on it, scanning over the lines written in slightly-shimmering ink to ensure that he had memorized it to the letter. Well, of course he had, but it was still a good idea to make sure for something as important as this.
The Heron then walked back to the circle in the center of the floor, and began to cast the spell. A few words, then light the incense, then sit crosslegged in the very middle of the circle. The combination of herbs required for casting was quite potent, and Ardea quickly decided that he was thankful he had to keep his eyes closed for the duration of the magic. One full day.
As the smoke from the incense made Ardea dearly wish he could sneeze, he chanted over and over the words of the spell. One hundred repeitions, and then he would have to wait for a creature to respond. Fortunately, as the magic went on, Ardea could feel the material world, with its thick herbal smoke, fading away from around him, making it far easier to concentrate on the spell he was weaving.
Suddenly, the Fey became distinctly aware of all the living things around the castle. Small creatures, most of them, like mice and toads and the like. Now he just had to wait for the right one, and call to it. Ardea did not think he was quite satisfied with any of the animals he now felt, though. Should he have put more thought into this before he started?
Well, best to concentrate and keep going. Ardea knew he would not have to go through this again if he botched it the first time. It was beneath him to fail. How would he explain the sharp smell of this incense if he had nothing to show for it?
The animals were far easier to feel when the Heron concentrated on them. He scrutinized each that passed by, though he found he was ruling creatures out more on his own instinct than for any discernable flaw. This mouse was not sick, it just... would not do somehow. Same with that bird, or the lizard hiding over there.
A good long while must have passed while Ardea watched the creatures. The selection of creatures eventually began to change, and the Fey figured that the sun was setting. Bats came out. Bats....
There was one close to the window. It felt different. Stood out in Ardea's mind. It seemed to come closer before the Fey even thought to call it. It must have even ventured to come inside, too, because Ardea became dimly aware of the sound of echolocation squeaks in the air around him.
He would make a fine servant and companion.
Ardea could now move to the next part of the spell, that would bind this creature to him and grant it powers as his familiar. As he chanted the words, the bat was drawn closer and closer. The bat had no will of its own right now, so it was easy to bind it to himself with magic. As the Heron did so, he could hear the bat's sharp chirps of echolocation more and more easily. He could tell it was flying around him, somewhat surprised but not frightened.
It would still be essentially useless as just an animal, though. Ardea silenced his mind for a moment to prepare the final part of the spell, to grant the bat more strength and a sharper mind, to be a familiar. And a name, the creatures needed a name.
Ardea found himself unprepared for the ultimate result of this. The bat's chirps started sounding like words to him, now that they were bonded together. Surprised, he let the magic go perhaps a bit too quickly upon the spell's completion, and slumped to the floor, feeling drained of energy.
The sun was rising outside, telling Ardea that he had spent a lot more time than he had originally thought. He knew it would take a full day, but it truly had not felt so long in his mind. All the incense had burned out, and the markings on his floor had started to fade. The smoke left a residual scent to the room which was, fortunately, not nearly as strong as the Fey had feared.
Maybe in an hour or two he would feel like standing up again. For now, Ardea decided he was quite content to remain sprawled across the hardwood of his bedroom floor. The bat, who still required a name, seemed to be in a similarly exhausted state from where it was flopped out on the floor about an arm's length away.
"Master?" the creature asked after a few moments.
The Heron figured he would have to get used to the faintly unsettling sensation of talking to a bat. He had wanted a companion, right? "You can call me Ardea," he replied. "And you.... Your name will be Ink. Do you like that?" Seemed an appropriate name for a bat.
"Ink? Um... Thank you, Master. Ardea. May I sleep now?"
Ardea could sense that the bat seemed to be just as weirded out by all this so far as he was. Which made it a little better in a way, he supposed. "Go ahead. No need to ask for permission. I was thinking of doing the same myself...." He trailed off as his eyes fell closed and he slipped away for some much-needed rest.
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Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 8:24 am
Ardea awoke on his bedroom floor, the last of the chalk markings he had made for his summoning spell smeared across his clothing. He sat up slowly, still feeling weary from the intense use of magic, and brushed his fingers through his hair a little.
Outside, it was light, but the Heron had no recollection of what time of day it was. When he could bring himself to stand after a few moments, he walked stiffly over to his window, and worked on getting a kink out of his shoulder as he peered out.
"Master...?"
The feathers on Ardea's shoulders stood erect for a moment as the scribe peered around them, and at the bat on his floor that was just starting to wake up. Right, Ink could talk....
"How do you feel?" he asked as he walked over to kneel beside his familiar.
"Alive, I suppose?" Ink replied, flipping over onto all fours.
"A good way to put it" Ardea said with a shrug, observing that the scent of the incense still seemed to linger quite strongly in his feathers and hair.
He held his hand out for Ink to climb onto, wondering if that would be the best way to pick up the bat. "I need some fresh air, though. I wonder how the garden looks now, and if anyone would tell us what time it is...."
Ink climbed carefully onto Ardea's palm, and the scribe shuffled tiredly down to the castle garden.
Rosa was sitting out in the courtyard by the fountain. She was enjoying the fresh air as well as the smell of the flowers around her. Dipping her fingers into the cool water she smiles then sighs. Glancing up she shook her head "I was foolish to think about coming out here. No one would be around this early in the morning." her hair that was normally up fell around her face. With a small laugh she pushed her bangs from her face.
She mostly came outside in hopes all the bad feeling she felt would be lifted away from her. Brushing her hands lightly over her dark red velvet dress she sat back just looking up at the sky. Why even in a beautiful place such as the court yard she felt on edge.
Ardea rose a hand to his mouth to conseal a yawn, and Ink took the opportunity to jump from the Fey's hand to his shoulder, and then to crawl into his hair. Ignoring the bit of tugging from the creature, the Heron figured it was as good a place as any. He stood still a moment until Ink had stopped moving, and then he pushed open the wooden door that lead out to the garden.
Once outside, the scribe knitted his fingers together and stretched his arms out in front of himself, rotating his shoulders a little to help get rid of the last of the cramping that he had gotten from falling asleep on the floor. He took several more steps out into the garden before he noticed another Fey.
.... Curses, he was so unfamiliar with so many of them, and of course now he would have trouble recalling names. Oh well, there was always the chance she would not see him, and if she did, Ardea supposed it would not kill him to interact a little.
Rosa had been to busy just looking up at the sky to hear the wooden door open. She was humming to herself also, so that to was distracting her. Sniffing the air she wrinkles up her nose as she looked around. What had a strange smell that didn't belong in the court yard.
Tilting her head as she spotted the other fey walking into the courtyard. He wasn't someone she knew, and he didn't look like anyone she knew that might have grown. Sitting up she pushed her hair over her shoulder, she wasn't really sure how to go about this.
She curse herself for hiding away for so long, she use to be so good at greeting her fellow fey. But now she was slightly unsure of herself. Pushing the bad thoughts aside she smiles alittle waving to him "You just going to stand there? You welcome to sit with me if you like." she laughs alittle then looked back at the water.
As he was addressed, Ardea tensed like a child caught with one hand in the cookie jar. Then he quickly plastered a more diplomatic expression across his features, and approached the woman.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but I think I shall stand a while," he told her as he stopped nearby. Ardea watched her for a minute, then glanced off at the trees around them. "What time is it now, by the way?" the Heron then asked, hoping he did not sound too confused. "I have been lost in magic and books, and managed to completely lose track of the time."
For now, Ink decided to remain hidden in Ardea's hair. He could easily cling on in the back, and listen of course, while easily staying under one of his master's head wings.
Rosa simply nodded then relaxed once more, her fingers moving though the water slowly. Looking up as the young man spoke to her once more she gave a soft smile "Early morning, the sun has yet to fully rise into the sky." glancing up at the sky she pauses before looking looking back at him "As far as time, forgive me but I do not know. I've been out here for alittle awhile." with a small nod she watches him for a moment "Forgive me again, but I can't seem to recall who you might be."
She nods her head alittle as she didn't want to stand at this point. She was enjoying the peace around her too much to stand. "May I get your name sir? Or is a lady not allowed it?" she laughs alittle. Even after locking herself away for a long time she knew how to keep a conversation and be nice in her own way.
The Heron nodded slowly as he peered up at the clouds, and the pink tones of sunlight that were stretching across them. Well, even if he did not prefer to be up quite this early, he was still an early riser. And the magic had not thrown off his schedule of regular sleep by much.
"My name is Ardea," the Fey said with a bow that looked slightly stiff. Since she thankfully had required an introduction from him, Ardea figured it would not be unacceptable to ask, "May I know your name as well, my lady?"
Rosa smiles then standing only because she knew it was the proper thing to do she curties as she speaks softly "Rosa, and its a pleasure to meet you Ardea." standing gracefully back up she brushes her dress off then looks up at him "Why haven't I seen you around the castle, if you don't mind me asking?"
She folded her hands in front of her going back to being very lady like. This was a change from being all alone. It also gave her a chance to work up the courage to venture out of her room in hopes of finding those she knew.
Ardea frowned and was quiet for a moment before telling her quietly, "I spent much time until just recently hidden away in my quarters. I wish to say no more on it, aside from that it grew to make me ill, and so I decided I should venture out again."
He sighed a little, his shoulder feathers rustling again, and forced a faint smile. "I am out and about more now, though. Work to do for His Majesty, and such."
Rosa nods then gives him a small smiles "It seems we have something in common then. I to have kept myself locked away within my chambers. It wasn't until the king called us together that I venture out." falling quiet she thinks about that night then shakes her head banishing the memories for now.
Looking back up she nods "Yes work for the king. I should find my sister and discuss things over with her. I'm not being a good countess it seems. I haven't been in contact with many anymore." giving a small sigh she tilts her head to the side "Its a nice day to venture out though, its very peaceful. It might do us both good that many are not here. I for one am not sure it I can face my friends as of yet."
"I left not long before that, but I still feel as though I should have done so sooner, considering all that has happened." Ardea, too, chose not to think about the odd night when they were summoned by King Cervus.
"Today does seem like a nice day, though, so perhaps I could stand to do some reading in the out of doors," he continued, crossing his arms. 'Venturing out' would be saved for a few days hence, when he would go out to meet with Feles in the woods again. "As for meeting other folk, perhaps a bit of conversation would be nice."
Ardea turned his gaze back to Rosa and asked after a moment, "Who is your sister, by the way?" He thought through the rather limited list of fellow Sun Court members he knew, wondering if he had met the countess's sibbling yet.
Rosa looked over the courtyard thinking of her sister as Ardea asked her about Filix. She hadn't seen her sister other then the gathering, she didn't speak to her either while the gathering was going on. Looking up she seem to be thinking things over before she spoke "Filix, she my older sister. Like me she is also a Countess, although the last time I saw her I believe I wanted to be a Countess more then she did." with a small shake of her head she sigh.
Waving her hand in the air she laughs "But that is a topic I do not wish to dwell in. It is a sore spot for me." pushing her hand carefully through her hair she smiles to him "So what is your title Ardea? From the way you talk about spell, magic, and books. I would gather you are a scholar or something along those lines."
"I am the scribe of the Sun Court," he declared, though inside he was dearly hoping she did not think poorly of his pursuits. If she and her sister both were noble women of the court, then she probably easily had numerous other, loftier things she could be doing than chatting with the court papermonkey.
Shifting his weight to the other foot, Ardea brushed his fingers through his hair. He suddenly felt rather insufficient, and, on top of that, lacked ideas with regards to prolonging the conversation.
Ink squirmed a little in Ardea's hair as the Heron played with it nervously, and after a moment, the bat ventured to go ahead and peek his nose out from under the Fey's wing ear. Maybe he could see who his master was talking to?
Rosa smiles then nods "A scribe, a worthy position. You help the king as I help my queen. I think I have learned one thing from my dear sister as well as my friends. It doesn't matter the position your have in the end we all are equal if we wish to keep this kingdom from falling." with a nod she takes a seat back on the edge of the fountain. Running her fingers though the water again she looks back up to speak to Ardea again but she seem to fall silent.
Her eyes fell upon the small nose that was peeking out from Ardea's wing ear. Tilting her head she stood "What is that?" she pointed toward the wing ear. She took a small step toward Ardea only because she was slightly curious.
Ardea smiled faintly in response, a bit unsure of what to say. Because that model did still account for positions, did it not...?
His musings on social structure were cut short as Rosa stepped closer to him. Instinctively, he started to step back, but forced himself to stop. "Oh, the bat?" the Fey asked, having nearly forgotten about the small creature. "His name is Ink. I just summoned him yesterday, to be my familiar. I figured I would need a companion if ever I need to venture into the woods, since His Majesty instructed us not to go alone."
Having been discovered, the bat crept down onto his master's shoulder and peered more carefully at Rosa with round, curious eyes.
Rosa took a step back herself when the bat fully appeared. She wasn't one to go near creature that weren't in her eyes beautiful. Looking down at the small creature she smiles alittle "Yes he would make a good companion when traveling in the woods."
She then did something that wasn't something she would normally do. Holding her hand out toward the bat she smiles "Its also a pleasure to meet you Ink." with a smile she nods to Ardea "You must be a powerful scribe, and for that I am glad I have met you." looking back at Ink she watches the bat, her hair fell around her face hiding it alittle.
"Powerful?" The Heron laughed a little and shook his head. "Even if I knew how to weild blades, I likely could never lift one. I know spells, but I have seen no battle, so I know not if I could cast them to protect this castle if necessary. I have no majestic beasts or fearsome spirits under my command."
Ink turned his head away from Rosa to glance at his master.
Ardea rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers, closing his eyes as he laughed again like nothing was funny. When he opened his eyes again, the Heron only glanced at Rosa for a fraction of a second before turning his gaze away.
"I apologize for the outburst, my lady. I must be more weary from spellcasting than I thought. I should return to my room and rest."
Rosa nods then smiles "Its alright Ardea, trust me I have had many outburst myself, and I have also seen many. But you are right, you need rest. So do not let me be the one to stop you from it." taking a step back she curties "Maybe sometimes soon we will cross path again." standing up again she looks at the fountain then back at Ardea "So I will bid you a good day for now."
Figuring he had made enough of a fool of himself, Ardea bowed to the countess. "My apologies once again," he murmured. "Good day."
The Fey turned and headed back to the door, sighing. Well, that had been going well until he started to get nervous. ... Which was, admittedly, just about right away. Maybe he should just stay in the library or his room and avoid converation.
As Ardea walked back to the doorway, Ink fluttered from his shoulder halfway back to Rosa, as though to say goodbye. Then he returned to cling in the scribe's hair as he let himself back into the castle.
Rosa smiles waving slightly to the bat before she turned to look back at the water. It seem to be going well. Sighing she shook her head taking a seat on the edge once more "I always seem to mess up." pushing her hair from her face she just watched the water as she thought things over.
After a few minutes she stood brushing her dress off before she walked back towards the castle. She wasn't going to lock herself away, she made herself promise she wouldn't. She was however going to think about today.
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