|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:41 am
Beyond the busy elven market and protective walls of the Kael'dorei city of Irrilaeth, a faintly treacherous path descends to a mountain valley, balanced delicately against the unshaped stone of the mountain face below the city and the yawning abyss of the cliff. The path is well over a half-mile in length and edgily quiet, the fickle wind gusting along the surface of the rocks often grabbing even the most minor of sounds and scattering them like dust long before any traveler could discern them.
Towards the end of that treacherous path a walkway began to meander away from the mountain face that supported Irrilaeth, diverting itself towards a separate peak. Nestled in between those two locations, the path began to widen quite notably, developing into something of a small valley surrounded on most sides by stark shearing cliffs. The small valley is home to a stunningly appointed garden, as beautiful to the eye as it is to the olfactory and auditory senses, all obviously carefully sheltered from the vicious winds by some sort of magical field. The garden itself runs all the way to the face of the tall, slender elven tower that capped, and terminates, that small valley, the runed and scrolled surface allowing no small amount of ivy to climb the short distance up its surface. The path itself terminates (albeit with several side-paths going through the garden itself) at an enclosed alcove sheltering a set of beautifully ornate double-doors that frame the entrance to the magnificent tower. A faint feeling of foreboding lingers within the archway.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:04 pm
Cinder black.
"No..Not that.."
Take back your words Faust! I demand it!
"I..I take back nothing.."
Well then i'll see to this then..
"My legs..binded! b*****d! BastardbastardBASTA-"
--
Faust shot up, sweat strewn and panting, from the bundled nothing upon him. His eyes flashed white, and almost in a destined swoon, fell to the side of his thin bed spread. Faust rose with his taught arms, only to fall to his side again, panting, paralyzed.
Oh Gods! He's Here! I know it.. I know it!
"No..Your wrong..wrong..wro-" Faust retched, turning to his side to sputter vomit, steaming and cauldron bred, all over the dusty floorboard of the shack. He sat there, letting spittle run down his gaunt face.
Faust then sat up, wiping at his mouth and and eyes.
Just another dream.
Just another nightmare.
---
Faust had chanced upon this shack during his travels, robes wrapped tight against night's cold. In these nights his armor gleamed so dull, so strange and etched into his mind, this aspect.
So strange indeed.
But what of this dream? What of this nightmare that clawed at his brain, like barbs from the splinter plant, latching and tearing at one's flesh?
Faust gripped his skull, as if squeezing his temples would push the answer out. A few more moments of pressure, and he fell back to his bedspread.
Faust returned to his deep slumber, ignoring the pile of dismal barf. He'd smelled far worse in his travels, and he certainly wasn't cleaning this hot mess. It wasn't even his place.
Hell, it was no one's place.
--
The morning sliced ribbons across Faust's face. He slept comfortably a moment longer, then tore awake, beads of sweat returning to his cheeks and neck.
Now he stood, quickly strutting over to the old desk he has used the night before. He sat, quickly scribbling in his chicken-scratch, more minute notes.
More knowledge to be had, remembered.
With this done Faust allowed the sun to bath his naked self. He wasn't emaciated par say, in fact, Faust was tightly muscled, spidery in his lankiness.
His pale skin seemed to groan at this contact, so hidden and useless against the striking gleam of light. Faust stood a moment longer, brushing a hand through his hair, then reached for his robes.
---
A wraith, some would say. Faust moved briskly, brushing at his hood with his gauntleted fingers, meticulous in his garnering, flicking lint away silently.
He was on the move again.
He needed answers.
Elven answers.
With a flick of his wrist his hood whipped over his hair and face, instantly shadowing his features. With a jump in his odd step, Faust continued into the cliffs ahead, book under arm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:57 pm
Cyrillia, brought the hood of her cloak, over her already covered ears in an insecure fashion that suggested maybe she were slightly uncomfortable with her surroundings or at least uneasy. She walked along the marketing path in search of someone to direct her to the Tower she was in search of, but found little luck from the merchants who tried selling her things than answering her questions.
She sighed quietly and stopped near an alleyway entrance, she planted her back against the wall and rested a moment. Since getting into town she had been pushed, shoved, and even almost stepped on, it was slightly bewildering to go out without an escort like she normally would have on any other given day. It seemed almost foolish of her to change tradition all of the sudden but thought better than to allow her mind to think deeper into the whole mess. "I mustn't get discouraged..." she told herself softly, taking a calming breath. She allowed her eyes to scan the area and allowed her ears to take the sounds of the rushing marketplace, the needless rambling, the endless chattering, rumors, and other such natures that seem to carry its way around the large place.
Slowly, she pushed herself away from the wall and began her way towards yet another merchants shop, hoping or maybe even praying that they'd be more helpful than the last batch. "Excuse me?" she asked trying to squeeze through the crowds however found that they weren't listening and that she couldn't get through them. She frowned, "Pardon me?" she spoke again. No one heard her, the crowd roared with laughter as the merchant was telling them a story, however Cyrillia couldn't make it out even with her excellent hearing. Her frowned deepened and she began towards the next shop in hopes of finding someone to help her find the Tower she was looking for, feeling slightly helpless.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:35 pm
 Aerith moves down the dark hallway with familiar ease, knowing that after this long with the Kae'drynn she could probably maneuver through the entire tower with her eyes closed. Through the years she had become so comfortable here, and so close to her mistress. This had indeed become her second home. The tower was much more spacious inside than it looked from beyond the walls. As quiet footfalls melted into the soft padding of the hall rug, the young elven archer reflected upon the last few days. After the little incident in the kitchen the day of their arrival, things had calmed down and smoothed out.. as she knew they would.. with the two newest wards. Their awkward and amusing antics were proving of high entertainment value to the Kae'drynn, which was always a good thing. As their teacher's right hand, Aerith had the privilege of being privy to the Lady's muses and commentary about the younglings. In fact, she realised, Aerith has had a lot of the Kae'drynn's attention lately. The spontaneous revelation sparked the girl's curiosity. It could only mean that the Kae'drynn's usual.. company.. was for some reason unable to make an appearance. Idly she wondered what it was that could possibly have kept her mistress's mysterious companion away for so long. Reaching the door to Heron's room, Aerith pauses long enough to push such distractions from her mind before knocking lightly upon the door.
"Heron?" she inquires softly, "Are you awake yet?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:47 pm
 The young elf moaned and tossed into consciousness, much like a puddle that had been disturbed by a fallen leaf. His blue hair was quite the mess, as were his wrinkled nightwear. It doesn't take his mind long to register that he should have been awake awhile ago. He rolls out of bed in an attempt to get to his wardrobe, only to fall flat on his face due to his legs being tangle in his bed sheets. "OOF! Just a moment, I was doing some early morning studies and lost track of the time. I'll be ready in a few grrk!"Heron's excuse had been cut short by the wardrobe door smashing into his nose. He was distracted and looking in the direction of his chamber door. He throws his hands to his face, his eyes tearing up. He curses into his hands, "Why?!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:59 pm
From the other side of the door, Aerith caught sounds of movement.. followed by crashing.. with a few choice curses tossed in. Even though there was no one in the hallway to witness her reaction, she instinctively ducked her head to hide the suddenly appearing smile. As the senior ward and the Kae'drynn's favoured apprentice, Aerith liked to keep herself as professional as possible. Normally this would be achieved simply through well practiced habit but, since the arrival of the newbies, her composure was under constant threat. The dastardly duo seemed only relatively gifted in the arts of the Song, but more than adept with finding new ways to bring trouble to themselves. The girl was quiet, naive, and unnaturally happy on a daily basis. The boy had a particular gift in causing damage to his person and anything that might have the misfortune to be around him at the time. As such, Aerith found it difficult to convince her mind that they were so close to her own age.
"The Kae'drynn has an errand she wishes you to run, Heron," Aerith tells him through the wooden barrier, "It will require you to go into town, so dress appropriately for the market."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:13 pm
Heron calls back to her with the thumb and forefinger of his right hand pinching the bridge of his nose, "Consider it done, I'll be ready in no time."After taking a moment to make sure he hadn't done any lasting damage to his face, and stop the bleeding, Heron dresses in clothes that are easy to maneuver in. He throws a cloak over his shoulders and steps outside into the hallway to meet with his senior. "What does Kae'dryn wish me to obtain?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:27 pm
Luckily for Aerith, Heron was not quiet in his movements and she had a bit of warning before he opened the door. Stepping back and schooling her features, she raises an eyebrow faintly with his sudden inquiry. "All right then, I suppose a simple 'good morning' was too much to ask for," she comments, her tone slightly flat. Glancing down to her side, she pulls out a narrow strip of parchment. "The Kae'drynn has prepared a list of items needed from the marketplace. She would like you to fetch them for her. You'll be going alone," she informs him, offering to him the note and a small velveteen pouch. "You'll find enough coin in there to purchase everything she's requested. She has based the amount off of what she believes to be reasonable, so it may be wise to barter when you can. You are not to return until the entire order has been filled. Any questions?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:35 pm
Heron realizes a little too late how rude he was upon exiting his chambers. He breathed an internal sigh of relief when he was merely given a curt reply. He takes the note and the pouch, taking a moment to feel the weight of the pouch. He still doesn't feel entirely safe in the town, expecting pick-pockets he wants to know how much he was walking out with beforehand. He asks a single question, "Is there anything else I should know of before I leave." His father had made asking that question habitual, instilling in him that there is almost always something else that is being left out; either knowingly or by lapse of memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:53 pm
Aerith pauses in her reply, giving his question full consideration. "No, that should be all," comes the relatively prompt answer. "As always when you are out and about on an errand for the Kae'drynn, you should consider yourself the eyes and ears of the tower. Should you find anything that could possibly be of interest to our mistress, you are to look into it as much as time permits before reporting back to us."Turning away from him, she begins her journey back down the hall. "Take care and be back in time to begin preparations for supper."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:07 am
As she leaves, Heron finds his eyes traveling southward. He shakes his head to remove the desire to stare at Aerith's departure, remembering that the Kae'dryn was always watching. Heron makes the long trip up the path from the tower to the town. It was now that he suddenly felt quite alone. He rarely ever went anywhere without his twin, and now he was starting to miss her. He knew the feeling was ridiculous, but at the same time he couldn't help it. They have practically been attached to each other since birth. He hopes she stays out of trouble while he's away for the next few hours. Then he hopes he can stay out of trouble without her for the next few hours. Heron pulls the hood on his cloak over his head as he enters into town. It doesn't take him long to complete the list, and with some coin left to spare. His father is quite the barterer, and it would seem it has passed onto his son at least. As Heron leaves his final stop, he bumps into a young lady in a travelers cloak ( Cyrillia ). He had seen her wandering around earlier, she looked about as lost as a hare in a snowstorm. He quickly juggles the parchments to keep them from falling. "Whoa! Pardon me Miss, I didn't see you there. Are you alright?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:21 pm
 Never mistake tears for sadness...Eva blinked once then rose to folllow Ky and the ever-surprising heretic. Laughing at Ky's shouted apology, she found her way easily in their wake. That is, until the other two guards started making trouble. Or rather, the knight they were fighting was making trouble and their bodies as they flew back from his assualt just got in her way. She managed half a muffled curse before tumbling to the ground. Rolling to her feet, she pushed aside one patron, then stumbled through the door. There must have been others but Eva's attention was focused on two riders currently waving their spears in her direction. They were far enough away that Eva went ahead and ran for her own mount. Her fingers were closing around her bow just as she felt the sharp point of a spear pressing into the back of her neck. Eva froze, her free hand hanging close to her belt knife. At the spear holder's command, she released her bow. The pressure on the spear point lessened a little after that at which point Eva threw her dagger at the rider, grabbed her bow and quiver, and ran. There was no way she had managed even a shallow cut. She could barely fight with the thing much less throw accurately, but it bought her time. She put her back to the wall, her fingers drawing the string back, two more arrows laced between her middle and index finger. "One." She loosed the arrow, aiming for the rider's leg. The horse veered off as the soldier nearly fell off altogether. "Two." Right shoulder; a spear fell from suddenly limp fingers. "Three." Stuck in the muscle between shoulder and throat. Drawing three more arrows from her quiver, she focused on the few mounted soldiers, leaving those on foot to Ky and Asmyrra. Her mount stood by her, ready to mount. Loosing two arrows in succession, Eva threw herself onto the horse's back, than tried to find an opening. Fight through and run, no killing unless necessary.Did the witch even realize that the Cathedral would never be so lenient? "Hyah!" Her mount lunged forward as Eva dug her heels in and tried to hold on as well as she could with her bow still in hand and the arrow nocked. ...that will only bring you grief.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:51 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:25 am
A string of curses so wild and flagrant that simply putting them into broken English would most likely cause paper to burn and stomachs to begin filling with butterflies, filled the valley ahead, birds chirping to startled glances, then flitting off into the sunset.
Faust had forgotten something.
His fist cracked against the rock wall nearest himself, his robes whipping about him like spirits heckling a naive treasure seeker. A moment later Faust irked a strange noise, holding his fist as his face turned red. Punching rock faces wasn't helping his cause.
Another moment of clutching his broken hand, Faust continued making the strange guttural growl as he turned back toward the path once walked, and continued reverse henceforth.
His knuckles throbbed the entire way back.
---
The market smelled of rye, or something less bitter. Barley? wheat fresh cut from the kaiser blade? The aroma filled Faust's nostrils as he sat outside the market walls, one gauntlet to his side. His hand had turned an ugly dark purple, and his fore-knuckle was mangled to the left, bunched around by swelling and tense muscle.
Faust bit down on a wooden stick he had fastened for himself.
One..Two..
"URRRRRHHHHhhhhHHHhhhh..."
Faust groaned, his eyes widening as he snapped his knuckle back into place, lava pulsing into his hand, blood rushing to his sinuses. Not one to be so used to pain, one could give him the benefit of the doubt.
At least Faust did it himself.
Slowly Faust cradled his hand with wrap, strange linen from his knapsack, his book held astray to his side.
Faust sat and meandered on these tasks, until finally he stood, hooded and lonesome.
Book to his side and eyes skyward, Faust began into the market.
---
Eyes. Oily and grease filled, slick in their ways, rolling off his back like some coating, some cocoon of consciousness.
Faust hated being stared at.
When it seemed like too many stared from their stands, too many stopped their vending to peek, Faust whipped around, a devil's grin only seen in the shadow of his hood, at the purveying crowd.
None took double takes as the world seemed to come back into itself.
Faust sighed, walking in his own wake through the hum-drum of crowd.
He needed to return to the inn..
Yes the inn.
Hopefully what was rightfully his was not gone, and if it were..
Well..
He would simply have to hunt down whoever took it.
---
A few moments of wandering, and the sound of laughter, joyful praise even, came from not too afar. Faust sniffed at the air, recoiled, then sighed.
He had to walk through the stench to get to the inn..
Faust shirked his hood farther over his face, pushing aggressively back and forth through the growing crowd.
Laughing..
So much laughing!
Faust gritted his teeth, book crept to his side as he lowered his head farther, now the appearance of a reaper, clutched over his dates and times for business.
"Pardon me?"
Faust shot his head up in raving confusion, his hood flopping off. His face revealed, he gave no notice.
That voice..
"Hello? Who said that?" Faust was almost whispering, eye cocked and strange.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:57 pm
[sorry bout not replying sooner >.< I totally didn't see the post, thank you Minai-chan for helping me out there ^^']
Cyrillia quickly tried regaining her own balance as she, like the parchments, were on the brink of falling. She took hold of one of the poles that were near by, probably there with a pair to hold up a light blanket above a merchants shop to keep the sun from burning into the items he or she sold.
After a moment, she pushed herself straight and fixed her hood, seeing as it had gone slightly crooked from the bump. She fixed her green eyes on him and smiled, bowing her head, "Yes. I am uninjured." she brought her eyes back up to him, a hint of her smile fading as a frown began to form. "I do apologize. It was I who stood in the way after all. I do hope you can forgive me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
