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 Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:22 pm
Before they knew it, they were flying! Her horse had no wings by they were flying? Looking as they seemed to ride a blazing trail up to the city he leg go of one of the poles as he bounced around in the cart. As she looked back James had turned upside down and was now slowly sitting up groaning a bit. "I never knew your horse was a Firemane to begin with." he groaned rubbing his head a little. Looking up at her with slight unsureness he blinked a few times. "A-Are we on solid ground? I'm feeling a bit di-dizzy at the moment." he moaned as his mind was swirling around from the experience.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:28 pm
I laughed and slid off of Astra, reaching over and climbing into the cart next to him, helping steady him.
I found her wandering around the mansion one day when she was a little colt. There's a reason why they're said to be untamable-- they are intelligent creatures, as intelligent as we are. The wrath when you underestimate one because you think of it as an animal is great. I raised her from a colt and made friends with her, and one day she let me ride her. As long as she's taken care of, she will always be my loyal mount. I said with a laugh. So, are you ready to see the castle?
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:44 pm
"I-I see." he said slowly getting out of the cart, but falling out of it instead. Luckily no one was around but he did hear the horse whinny loudly as if Astra was laughing at him. Slowly getting up he dusted himself off and looked around the city. James was amazed at the view. "Wow, this city is nothing like I've ever dreamed of! This is your home!?" he asked looking over to her with wonderlust in his eyes. No doubt the castle would be just as magnificent only better! Looking away shyly for a moment he rubbed his arm gently. "You never cease to impress me Tarana. A Queen, a friend of the Firemane, living in a floating city. It's a little overwhelming really." he said honestly as he took her hand. "I just hope I'm good enough for your family. Sorry if I seem a bit..uhh...well....plain."
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:05 pm
It's okay, my love. I said. And besides, I think you may not be as plain as you think. Magic appears in so many shapes and forms... I think you just might have a form of empathy already, though on an instinctual level. I said, as I gently lead him through the streets, with Astra following along behind as a leisurely pace.
People bustled about, using both common mundane items that James would recognize, to wildly fantastical magical ones that he couldn't make heads or tails of. There were fountains with floating stones and dancing water in tall looping streams, to animals that worked in tandem with humans to weave magic spells.
I took a nice long path through the city; even on a Firemane, one would still need so stretch after sitting down for so long. Eventually we reached the castle gates. It looked like a shining cross between a beautiful palace and a sturdy castle; it was on it's own island and the gap between the city and the castle was better then any moat. There were a pair of guards guarding the gates. I smiled at them and nodded to them, waving my hand; they saw my royal ring, and they both stared, eyes wide, before letting the two of us pass (and Astra) onto the drawbridge.
As we passed through the drawbridge, we found the courtyard eerily empty. There was no one in the courtyard save for the stable boys, who were tending the horses at the stable in a far corner...
That is strange... When I am not suppressing my aura I am a massive metaphysical beacon. I was expecting some kind of greeting... Where is everyone? I said as I looked about, confused...
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:22 pm
"Come to think of it, wouldn't the guards at the gate know who you are without some kind of proof?" he asked as they walked. Though it appeared empty, the castle was just as beautiful and grand in design. As they roamed the main hall it was eerily silent. "It's like this place has been abandoned." he said with concern in his voice. Locking their fingers he kissed her cheek and smiled. "Don't worry my Queen I'm sure there's a good reason for this. Maybe everyone is asleep? Or maybe we'll walk into a room and you'll be bombarded with surprises and hugs." he said trying to encourage the woman. The Firemane seemed to just follow them inside as well. The cart now gone the couple and the magical horse wandered about her castle.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:50 pm
I showed them my royal ring. I said. Only someone worthy enough to rule this land can wear it; I remember my brothers couldn't put on the ring if their lives depended on it... I was the only one able to. Once it's on, It doesn't come off until my dying day, or if I become a tyrant. It's why they were so surprised...
I looked around the deserted main hall. Taking everything in, I noticed that there had been activity here recently... Still fresh food was sitting on tables, chairs had been vacated back in a hurry, (some even fallen over) and the thrones still aglow with the glow of the current ruler's power.
I was expecting a greeting from my familiar at least... I still think I should have taken my darling little cr-- I cut off abruptly as I thought of my familiar. My eyes went wide as I realized what the problem was.
My familiar. I said again. GOSSAMER! I cried. I had that same look in my eyes that I had gotten when James was being attacked by the bounty hunter.
I turned and ran towards a door along one wall, opening it hurriedly before darting down the steps. It was the path to the dungeons.
Down one set of stairs, along another. The dungeons were surprisingly well kept, with bars that gleamed like new and well maintained bricks and mortar. Deeper and deeper into the belly of the castle I went, until I burst into a massive room three times larger then the grand throne room. Within it had been build a gigantic cage; made of gold and steel, inscribed with dwarfen runes, arcane sigels, and shamanic symbols.
Connected to this cage were shackles. Large, massive shackles currently attached to a very, very, very large bird, which was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. It was the size of a large house with a wingspan that was, even in this massive room, the feathers were still brushing up and curling against the walls. It's plumage was a pure snowy white save for the tips of it's feathers which was as black as a starless night, and a patch of black on it's chest. It's beak was long and the edges were jagged... it looked like it could peck right through someone. It's tail feathers were tipped with black as well, save for the last two feathers which looked like two long black peacock plumes with a silver ring.
The cage had been busted open by the massive creature, and the shackles were barely containing it as it strained to get free, it's kawwing booming like thunder in the cavernous room.
And it was here that everyone was. Everyone, from a pair of older looking humans bearing the garb of royalty, to even the younger mages, were throwing spells at the massive bird. It was covered in the glow of magic that tried to keep it down and bind it back into the great cage, yet it continued to struggle. It was so big that with a careless sweep of a wing it could knock out a wall and destroy the castle with ease... They had been obviously trying to contain the massive bird.
I just stood in the doorway, staring in shock as I looked upon the massive bird. I looked like I was about to burst into tears... the massive bird was furious, I knew in my heart, but he was also completely terrified as well...
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 6:41 pm
James was confused but he followed after her anyway. So she had been chosen to rule because of a ring? Familiar? James really had no clue what she was talking about. Suddenly she took off running, with a gasp he ran after her. Deeper and deeper she ran down into the depths of the castle. Until she got to a large room. James appeared a bit afterwards and immediately his eyes grew wide with shock at the giant bird. That was her familiar? Everyone in the castle was here trying to contain it. Glancing over to look at Tarana he caught the hint of sadness in her eyes. "What's..going on?" he asked with concern taking her hand once again.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:14 pm
A f-familiar is an animal bonded to a m-mage's heart, mind and soul with a deep b-bond of love. They act as an a-amplifier, but also as a f-friend; they feel everything the mage f-feels, and v-visa versa. If everyone else around a mage fails them, they can a-always depend on their familiar... I started to shake. How was I not aware of this?! My sadness was starting to turn to anger. How did they cut my treasured familiar away from me!? I hissed.
I turned and looked to James, looking him right in the eye. No matter what happens to me, stay safe. I'm the only one who can calm him.
I then turned and rand down the steps, my hair whipping about behind me as I darted and weaved through the other mages and their spell weaving's.
The two older mages, dressed royally, in the center were weaving the biggest spells. I recognized them as I darted, ducked and weaved; my parents! They were still alive? No matter! They were caging my bird.
I threw out my arms and bowled into them both, knocking them both off of their feet. This jolten them enough to inteerupt the spells they were casting. I fell forward as well, but I hit the ground, rolled over them, before jumping straight up.
Pulling out my large clawed hands from my monster form I landed on Gossamer's beak, where I abruptly slashed at the shackle on his beak, before darting up his head, past a big beady blue eye, and I slid down his neck, slashing off the shackle on his neck.KKA-AWWWWWW! Gossamer thundered. With his beak, and neck free, and the suppressing spells of my parents gone, that was all it took for him to start breaking his other shackles.
I rolled down his back until I reached the base of his wings, and I slashed them free too. He started flapping them hard as he yanked his talons free.
I stood on his back, and I put my hands together as I started to chant. He continued kawwing and thundering, and now people were screaming and fleeing towards the door where James was... all of the suppressing spells were lost.
~~~
As James looked on he saw trails of white light start to form around the feral familiar and his love. It gathered and collected where she stood on his back, before she and the bird seemed to... fade out. The bird gave a surprise caw as it suddenly dropped through the floor, taking Tarana with it.
Everything was quiet.
People stopped to look at where the bird had been, and the two royal mages both were just sitting there where they had been knocked over in shock...
~~~
I clung to Gossamer's back as he fell through rock and stone, before we both hit open air. Both the gigantic crow and I tumbled through the atmosphere before I lifted the spell I had cast. It was then he finally spread his wings and flared them, and cool wind graced under his wings for the first time in ages.
The bird steadied his glide for a long moment, before turning a big blue eye to me. I reached out and put my hand on his beak.
I'm sorry. I'm back. I love you, I will never leave you ever again. Open yourself up to me Gossamer, share with me your pain. I pleaded.
He blinked, and kawwed. I inched forward across his back and wrapped my arms gently around his thick neck. All his loneliness, all his pain hit me like a tidal wave as he felt my own as well.
There, in the sky, we both wept for each other, both in sorrow and in joy.
~~~
Slowly, people came out of their shock. Finally, a guard in royal mage armor noticed James.
"Hey! What are you doing here?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:38 pm
James watched as Tarana rushed the beast, a bit shocked that she suddenly grew the powerful claws she had when she was a cursed beast. She could still become that?! As people were running past him he was walking down the stairs slowly until he stood at the base of the stairs watching. Concern on his face his eyes widened when she suddenly broke through the floor with her familiar. "Tarana!!" he cried out but just as he was about to run after her his arm was suddenly grabbed. "Hey! What are you doing here?" the guard stated angrily. James stared up at him shocked and surprised. Fear in his own eyes he wasn't sure what to say. Here he was far away from people who knew him, his wife had tumbled out of the castle with a giant bird leaving James to fend for himself. "I-I-" he studdered staring into the glaring eyes of the guard as he suddenly began to summon a spell to punish the boy. Suddenly Astra burst into the room and head butted the guard standing protectively in front of James. Once again James was confused, he didn't know the Firemane, he hadn't formed a bond with it like Tarana had. So why..was she protecting him?
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:55 pm
Astra whinned, the the surprised guard linked down at the very large puncture hole in his shoulder. Her long sharp horn was now covered in blood as her fiery tail whipped back and forth and her white mane flared. She stomped her golden hooves.
Just then, the two royals got to their feet and dusted each other off. The blinked at the sight of the angry Firemane, the wounded guard, and the scared young man.
They both approached.
What is going on here? The older man asked; he was obviously the king, and he wore a golden crown with a similar pattern to the one Tarana wore. He was old and tall, with a thick white beard. His voluminous royal robes hid a wiry body. Looking James over, he held up a hand. Our guards are a little over protective... we will not hurt you... just see if you can't get the Firemane to stand down, son. Now, who are you? How did you get into the castle?
The Queen looked just as old as he, but she was shorter and even with her wrinkles she looked rather cute for her age. Her white hair was bundled up into a bun pinned back with jade hairsticks. She wore a similar circlet as Tarana.
Yes dearie... What brings a young mundane man like you out to our castle? And what of you know of what just happened? It is not often my husband or I are interrupted in our spells... yet whoever it was managed to interrupt us both at the same time.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:09 pm
Noticing how crazy her horse was getting James softly grabbed the reins that still hung from her face and held them tightly. With another hand he began to softly stroke her face. Though she was on fire, oddly she was not hot to the touch. "Shhh...relax Astra." he softly cooed to Tarana's horse. "I thank you for protecting me, that was a noble gesture." to his surprise the horse seemed to calm a little but still seemed edgy. Then her parents walked up to him. Staring up at them he swallowed. Even though they looked powerful, they both showed kindness in their eyes. Taking a deep breath James began to explain everything to them. From the first time his mother had brought home the roses, to being forced into become a beastly woman's husband, to finding out more about Tarana, to helping her heal her rosebushes, to eventually explaining about her curse being lifted and her bringing him here. James wasn't sure what was going to happen but her parents seemed suddenly interested after his tale was finished. "Tarana then pushed people out of the way and fell through the floor with that great bird! I..hope she's not dead." he said staring at the giant hole with concern. "I would die if she died. I don't think I could picture my life without her." he said not realizing he was talking to Royalty and her parents!
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:34 pm
((Technically she had the bird and her phase through the rock... she didn't cut a straight hole in it, but okay, I can go with that)) Both royals listened intently, though they both now had a sparkle in their eyes. The Queen's eyes were big as she put her hand over her mouth, and the King had a big grin on his face.
Tarana? Tarana is back? No wonder Gossamer got so out of his mind angry and worried! The King exclaimed. A familiar and their mage is never meant to be away from each other for long! He's been wild and feral since we sent her away, and he's been freaking out even more since last night. I hope she calms him down. It would be nice to see that crow outside of a cage for once.
Oh dearie, thank you! Said the queen happily. You helped our daughter lift that blasted curse! I so look forward to seeing how she had grown with her magic and alchemy! And this glorious Firemane! Is it hers?
Astra snorted and stomped her hooves, but relaxed some thanks to James's comforting. She was still giving the guard the eye, who was now limping away towards some healers dressed in white to get his shoulder patched up.
~~~
I closed my eyes and gently curled my legs around Gossamer's wings. He had shrunk some, until he was about the size of a horse. I sat comfortably on his back and gently but firmly held on with my thighs
How long has it been? I asked.
{It feels like forever.} Said Gossamer in his crow talk. {I thought you were a dream after a while. A wonderful, terrible dream that never went away. Wonderful because I still loved you, terrible because I thought I'd never see or talk to you ever again. And then I felt it; I felt the pain and the agony. I knew you were alive and out there... and they tried to keep me from you.}
They will never do so again. I said, stroking the area between his eyes. He made a happy bubbly purr in his throat as he gently touched a wingtip to a cloud.
{Who was that with you?}
A man I had fallen in love with. He helped me lift the curse.
{Well, I shall have to give him a chance then... you know how I normally react to your suitors.}
Ha! No trying to peck at his eyes. That's not nice.
{But it's funny!} Kawwed the crow.
Funny when it's an a** trying to woo me for status, yes. Ha! But not him... please don't hurt him.
{... I will only do so if he hurts you. If you love him, I will respect that.}
Thank you my friend.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:47 pm
((I'm sorry Okami. ^^; Just ignore the hole thing. You know how I botch information sometimes. xP )) James let out a relieved sigh as her parents seemed so happy to have their daughter back. "Yes this is her friend actually. Astra here was the one who rode us to your wonderful Kingdom." he said with respect to her parents and Astra. Still stroking the Firemane's face he smiled softly to her. Why she was being so protective and friendly James hadn't a clue but he was grateful. Looking back to her parents he blushed at her mother's thanks. "I uhh..didn't do much really but love her. Of course I've just found out that she's a Queen so I'm kind of still dealing with the shock." he said shyly. "Your wonderful Tarana is so mysterious. I love her because of that. I'm afraid our love is deep even when she was a beast I could see the purity and kindness in her heart. It was strange but anyway, will she be alright? Gossamer? Is that the name of that giant bird I saw Tarana shift through the floor with?" he asked. James looked to be a man with so many questions, and he technically was.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:04 pm
The Queen smiled. Do not worry. Our daughter is a more skilled spellcaster then both of us combined. Possibly the most skilled in the kingdom! It would take more then a fall to kill her.
The King nodded. Indeed, that was Gossamer. He loved Tarana very much, but we worried for his safety when she was sent away. We thought keeping him here would be better for the both of them... turns out we were wrong.
I remember when she first got Gossamer... Crows were said to be bad luck. And yet, out of all of the animals that offered to be her familiar, she picked that tiny little bundle of white fuzz. We weren't even quite sure what it was at first when she bounced in, carrying him like a precious treasure! They were practically inseparable since. At least until we sent her away... The Queen looked sad. We didn't realize that he sees her as his only family. White crows tend to be ostracized from the rest of their murders. He had been offered by his mother so he would have someone to love him and accept him. He was hit harder by the lonliness then most familiars. He threw himself into his studies before going near fully feral. Then he started to grow... we tried to kep him safe down here, but occasionally he would brake out. When he went berserk this time we lost all hope of Tarana coming back to us.
The King looked to Astra with a smile. I am glad to see that she still keeps good company.
Astra whinnied and flared her mane a little bit, possibly in an attempt to impress the king.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:41 pm
He touched his heart as deep concern filled his eyes. Gossimer's story sounded so sad. "So pretty much Gossimer is an outcast by the other crows because of his feathers?" he asked sadly. Compassion in his heart and eyes he would treat Tarana's familiar with love and care just as much as he did with her. Same went for Astra. "I don't mean to pry, but why did you cast her out? I never really got the full story actually." James asked still stroking Astra, not realizing he was softly petting her fiery mane. Though nothing was burning him so James hadn't noticed, nor did Astra seem to complain. Still his mind went to his wife, would Tarana and her familiar return soon?
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