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 Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:30 am
 Alice's eyes felt her eyes widen at the extravagance of the dresses. She was slightly breathless from the heart felt kiss. She pointed to the cream colored dress. "I will match you." She voiced her opinion. She was nervous about meeting the royal family but she swallowed her fears, locking them away deep inside her. She would support Aavard even if it made her uncomfortable. She walked over to Aarvard and the dresses. She felt the silky smoothness of her dress and was surprised. She wasn't used to things being as soft as her skin. She looked up at Aarvard and said, "Come to bed love. We have a long day ahead of us and you need your strength." She pulled him in the direction of the fireplace.
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:15 am
 Aavard's heart filled with longing. Tomorrow, he would leave her and he might never return. This realization made his heart ache. He knew what he had to do. He grasped her hand and brought it tenderly to his lips. "I have to leave. Just for a little while. I'll be back before the sun. I promise." He carried her to her bed and tucked her in gently. Aavard stroked her cheek and then melted away into the night. He shifted as quickly as he could and ran along the cliffs for his cave. The moon was bright and he could feel his strength returning tenfold. Come to bed, love... He head those words over and over in his mind. He wanted to turn around and run to her, but he kept his goal in mind and willed himself to move faster. Not long after, he reached the cave - his enchantments were still in place. His thought flitted suspiciously to Daegal. He entered cautiously and wandered to the very back of the cave. He lifted a slab of rock he had cut from the ground. There, beneath, was a hand-carved wooden box. He opened it. In a bed of satin rested lay a beautiful diamond, sapphire, and pearl ring. He closed the box once more with a snap that echoed around the cave. He slipped it gently into a trouser pocket before setting for the mouth of the cave. There he sat watching the waves crash upon the shore. He sighed and looked up at the moon. "Will you marry me," he whispered. Aavard sighed in frustration. He tried again in a different tone. "Will you marry me Alice?" He shook his head. "Damn..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:54 am
Alice lay in front of the fire place quietly. She understood that Aarvard needed space. Just as well, she had to evaluate her emotions regarding him. Things moved to fast for her liking but she knew that there would never be another. She felt love for him. She felt a little fear at the unknown and she recognized the need for confidence. Everything would change tomorrow. Aarvard tried to protect her as much as he could but he needed to realize that he was in a partnership a relationship where she expected to be treated as his equal. She realized that every time they were together, she knew that she gave herself to him wholly and completely. With that last thought she fell asleep.
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:04 pm
Daegal paced the length of his tower. "And you're sure of this, Kobar?" His crow servant had taken the shape of a pale-faced, brawny youth. "I saw it m'self, sir. I was flying low in the pines near the cliffs and heard it."
"Marriage... Hmm," Daegal frowned to himself. "What of that Alice creature," he asked, suddenly whipping around. "Does she suspect?" The youth shook his head. "Nay, sir. By th' looks of it, she suspects the prince-cousin."
"Good... and the wolf woman's body?" Kobar pointed down. "Th' catacombs, sir. Jus' as you asked." Daegal nodded. "Good. You may go." The youth changed into a raven once more and flew through the tower window and into the night.
Daegal was nervous. He twisted the gold ring around his finger; now that it was safely in his hands again, he was loathe to use it lest he draw attention. Could it be coincidence that he happened to recover the ring the same day Alice first appeared to him... and to Aavard? He ran his gloved hands over the walls of the tower. Floor to ceiling they depicted a prophecy... A shifter and a werewolf would gain power, eventually making Otherworld safe for humans. Unfortunately, humans were the sworn enemy of his people - a people that were said to be the first to appear in Otherworld. No one knew where they were, or that they even existed...
A flames suddenly roared to life in the fireplace. "What news Kobar?"
"Sir, the restriction's jus' been lifted. More people are goin' to be coming to settle. They head out in the morn." Daegal snarled. His Northern Kingdom from the edge of the southern treeline to the northern shores were the only lands left untouched by the masses. Only recently was it being settled and turned into townships. "Very well. Ready my troops. It's time for our people to come out of the shadows and take our rightful place. It is time for Otherworld to know we are not just a myth, and that this world belongs to us. It is time... for war..."
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:38 pm
Aavard sighed in frustration. She had asked him to be her mate; he didn't want to accept - not only because of what he was, but because it was too fast. He had thought that at the time as well, and now here he was planning to propose. "Well, if she insists on forever, we're going to do it the proper way," he grumbled to himself. He stretched out, looking up at the starry sky. He feared she would reject his offer. He feared the front lines of the war. He feared for her life. Once he had his nerves under control, he bathed in a spring, lingering as long as he could make excuse for, and dressed in his royal outfit. The ball would be at sunset, but the formalities would begin early. He shaved with his engraved, silver blade, tucked the ring in his coat pocket, slipped on his white silk gloves, and made his way back to the cabin. He found Alice in a deep sleep. He bent and kissed her gently; she smiled a little. Aavard found himself too anxious to sleep. He sank into a chair at the table and waited for the sun to rise. His hair was immaculate, his face closely shaved, his clothes pristine. He was almost unrecognizable to his own eyes. He sighed, wondering what her reaction would be when she saw his appearance and - he groaned - his royal manner and speech during the festivities later that morning.
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:49 pm
Alice awoke slowly, stretching her muscles. She felt around for Aavard but he wasn't next to her. She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her. Alice reached out with her thoughts and said Good morning....are you ready for today? She herself felt apprehensive but would swallow her fear and stand proud in front of the kingdom. She wished that she could follow Aarvard into battle but she had promised him that she would stay where she would be safe and that was in the castle. She sent prayers up to the Gods to protect him and keep him safe.
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 11:43 am
"Not really," he answered awkwardly, "I guess we'd better get you ready and... you know..." He cleared his throat. "As acting prince I'll have to be there for all the formalities before hand. And the bad news is... well, there will be quite a few meetings to attend and... To put it bluntly, you'll be left in my Uncle's care. He won't let anything bad happen and he'll show you around and introduce you to everyone. I'll rejoin you later in the day." He crossed the room and handed her the dress, shoes, jewels, and other items. "I'll wait for my uncle outside." She nodded. As soon as he had closed the door behind him, he saw his Uncle coming down the lane, dressed regally, his crown adding to his commanding presence. "Fine day for it, isn't it Aavard?" He reached the stairs. "Not really. I wish it were darker." His Uncle laughed. "Oh, come now. You knew you would have to come home and go to war eventually. Or are you aprehensive because of a certain young lady," he asked with a knowing wink. Aavard sighed. "I see you've cleaned up to fit your station. You look so like your father right now," he continued, "I almost thought I was looking into his face again. You have that same impish grin he did when we were children. I could never forget it." "I had better go check on Alice," he said quietly, swallowing hard at the painful compliment. He turned and went inside.
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:39 pm
Alice changed her clothes into the silk dress that emphasized her pale skin. It slid over her skin and settled in the right areas. Light as a feather, the dress swirled around her ankles. Digging into her chest, she found two combs that were pale white pearls that gleamed. She bound her hair in a braid then secured it with the combs. Whirling around she saw Aavard staring at her with love and lust in his eyes. She saw him swallow convulsely. Alice felt herself doing the same thing. She walked over to him and grabbed ahold of his hand. She took a deep breath and spoke "Let's do this." with more confidence than she felt.
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:49 pm
The three made their way deep into the woods, finally reaching the large tree that stood as the marker. "King Alden Devereaux, Prince Aavard Deveraux, and Lady Alistriona McKinnon," his uncle announced. The barrier opened. They followed the path of flower petals that led through the streets to Daegal's castle. Tonight, he would be crowned king and Aavard would be announced as the next king of the Eastern Territory... Aavard supressed a shudder. The palace loomed before them in the sunlight. They were greeted inside by a short, round man with a moustache who was obviously frantic. "No, that vase needs to be moved two feet to the left! The left! The... Son of a - LEFT!" He turned to them as the vase crashed down the stairs. "Names?" "What for," Aavard asked, his eyes still on the cluster of inept workers around the vase fragments. "So I can announce you," came the exasperated reply. His eyes still on the scene below, he handed the invitation to the man. "Alden, Ardvard, Alistriona... All "a" names?" "Aavard." "What?" Aavard turned around to face him, "AY-Vard. Not Ardvard. Aavard. There are two a's before the "v". Nothing else. Aavard." The man nodded and opened the door for them. "King Alden and Prince AY-Vard Deveraux," he said, stressing the first syllable of Aavards name, "Of the Eastern Kingdom, and Lady Alistriona McKinnon." He bowed low as the trio swept past them. "This is where we part ways," he told Alice quitely, taking her hand gently in his gloved one. "I'm needed for a conference on the war. Will you be alright with Uncle Alden?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:11 pm
Alice took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes I will be fine." she glanced at him, her eyes full of love for Aarvard. She let her hand slip out of his and moved toward Alden. Se felt out of place in this world where manners and rule dictate. She put aside her rising emotions and focused on her surroundings. She watched everything happening and filed it away for future reference. She looked at Alden and murmured, "Shall we?" She didn't glance back, knowing that Aarvard had his duties to attend to but she briefly touched his mind. You do know that i love you right? Cause anyone else would be insane to put up with this. Laughter and love poured across their bond so he would know that she wasn't afraid and that she would handle anything for him. She just wished that she could follow him into war. It galled her to sit aside while her loved one went off to war. Following Alden, she noted the various entrances but what caught her eye was the natural wild beauty of the palace.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:31 pm
King Alden steered her around the massive room, pointing out various nobles and explaining their political opinions. On the surface, he was happily chatting. Beneath, he was observing intently how everyone reacted to Alice and how Alice fit in. She seemed a little uncomfortable, but she was doing a great job of concealing this.
Finally, they reached a cluster of nobles from the Eastern Kingdom. They beckoned King Alden as they conversed animatedly, seeming very agitated. As they drew closer, the conversation became clearer. "...overrun with those - those things. Our front lines are being pushed back and this kingdom is giving aid against us! It's an outrage!" Alden quieted them. "All will be well. My nephew will soon take his place on the front lines."
"That's suicide," a bearded man exclaimed, "He'll won't last a month!" Alden could feel Alice's hand tighten on his arm. "Quite the opposite. He has been made a part of the direct royal line - he has become a Guardian like myself, my sons, and our ancestors before us." Relief and fear flooded their faces.
"And as I hear it from my son, he is the one..." Downright terror marred their calm demeanor. "White wings," one of them asked. Alden nodded, "White wings."
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:13 am
Alice glanced at King Alden, wondering why they feared Aarvard's Wings. She never tried to communicate with anybody than Aarvard telepathically but she figured that it was necessary. Tell me what i need to know. Why do they fear him? She noticed that Alden barely skipped a beat. The only sign he gave a sharp exhalation. She took in their scent of fear and her wolf responded with a quick shudder. She masked her reaction and continued to watch the nobles body language. She had the wierd feeling that they were planning something. The further she distanced herself from her emotions, the easier it was to realize that she was the wolf in the herd of sheep. She could handle that feeling and it made her confident. "Excuse me" Alice interrupted the nobles conversation, "Why do you believe that Aarvard wouldn't last a month on the front lines?" (I apologize this is Alice's royal form)
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 5:15 pm
A man with red hair that Alden introduced as Bartimaeus spoke. "My dear lady, haven't you heard? This kingdom of the Northern Territory - the man they are crowning king tonight - they're all aiding the vampires. They've combined their armies to wipe out the humans and are outnumbering our troops a thousand to one. Tonight will be a bloodbath, and your prince will be right in the middle of it..."
"Now, now. Don't scare the poor child. Although it was a very bold move," he agreed, jumping into the conversation, "Gods know it frightened everyone. No one knew the ancient ones still existed, and now here they are - en masse, ready to kill anyone and anything that crosses them." There was a murmer of agreement from the group.
Trumpets sounded and, on the other side of the room, walked a procession of nobles and royalty - ready to take their seats at a high table on a raised platform. Everyone immediately gathered around the many circular tables. They looked to the head table. Daegal stood in the center, his chair grand and elaborate. The next to elaborate chairs on either side of him were taken by Aavard on his left (to the right of the room from where Alice stood) and a dark, muscled noble to the other side. He sat; everyone followed suit. The first meal had begun.
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:08 am
Alice's mind whirled with the possibility that despite Aarvard's Wings, he might actually be injured. Enough she told herself, you must be strong for him and for his people. She walked beside Alden as Daegel sat at the head of the table and signaled everybody to eat. As she quietly ate, she wondered what the ancient ones were. She'd ask Alden when they were able to get a private moment.
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:52 pm
Aavard hardly touched his food; he was in a heated arguement with Daegal. "You cannot honestly think that the vampires are doing the right thing? They're monsters!" Daegal sipped his wine coolly. "Monsters or not, they are destroying the humans that taint our world." "But they want the doors open!" "To feed." "What about the pro-humans? What about my Kingdom? We want to close the door!" Daegal slammed his goblet on the table, making a few nobles jump. "But the vast majority of the territories want to keep the door open and let more humans in! No matter how many people want to shut the door, it won't be enough!" By now, a large portion of the hall was staring. "If we can manage to close the door, if we can swing the majority vote, will you cease your aid?" Daegal laughed mockingly. "If you can get them to seal the doors, I'll do one better. I'll turn my troops on them." Aavard sighed. He was going to have a lot of work to do.
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