|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:37 pm
As Ko'Vrotan exited the Arena, he walked up to Tamuril, indicating that they should keep walking. After they had gone what he judged to be a safe distance, he began to speak.
"I must say, I'm rather surprised, though I probably shouldn't be, to see you here. You have all but disappeared, giving up your rank and position without an official resignation. Please, enlighten me..."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:55 pm
Taking the walk in silence, she gathered and organized her thoughts and waited for him to speak first. Already, the different ideas of how the conversation could go were running through her head.
Looking over to the head of the guard, she listened to him and was almost suppressed. He had noticed, she hadn't expected that as an archer, what she did would be recognized. With a light breath, she commented, "I cannot have kept my position. I do not respect your king, I will not follow nor recognize his authority." Well, that was diplomatic, but it was probably no surprise. "I came here to see you because I wanted to make sure you were doing alright, I was worried for a while."
Moving on the conversation quickly, she continued, "And I wanted to say I'll be one less threat to his life. I am leaving, as long as I am here and alive, his life is endangered. With my close friend having feelings for him and other factors, I just can stay here." It was common knowledge that the king and Ko'Vrotan were friends, and she didn't want her hot blooded hatred to cause him any grief nor did she want to harm Callasta anymore.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:28 am
Ko'Vrotan took it all in, the surprise never showing in his features. And then he spoke.
"I commend your honesty and integrity. It takes a lot of strength to make the decisions that you have. And a lot more courage to tell me what you have.
"I beg your patience. Your feelings for the King are no longer of any importance. That is not a slight against you, but you must not leave just yet.
"Now, if you would be so kind as to explain a few other things for me: Your friend, I'm assuming you are speaking of your, up until this point inseparable companion, Callista, has feelings for the King. As his friend, it is of great interest to me to understand the extent of those feelings. However, due to events that will come to pass shortly, it really is none of my business as the Head of the Guard. Also, for curiosity's sake, where did you plan on going?"
As he says this, Ko'Vrotan looks Tamuril directly in the eyes, piercing her with his violet orbs. With a more jovial and personal attitude, he says,
"I am deeply touched by your concern for me, but I will be fine. Well, I would be fine if I could get a decent sparring partner to challenge me. Of course, one of the only ones I can think of has decided to leave, so I guess I must look elsewhere."
He cocks his eyebrow at Tamuril, arms folded with his right arm bent at the elbow that his chin might rest in his hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:18 pm
Waiting, she was very curious and a tad worried about what his responce might be. She blinked her blueish-purple eyes, the only outward sign of surprise. Having no expectations besides little, anything was a surprise. She was delighted, though tried to hide behind elven reserve. The hot-blooded elf might not always be known for it when she was angry, but she did know it.
He asked her not to leave yet, and there she was, rooted in place as she listened to the rest of what he said. She was puzzled about his cryptic response but tried to answer as best she could, "Yes, I mean Callista, I know she really had true feelings." There was a great deal of doubt in her mind that her friend noticed that she wasn't there. Nothing came to her attention that her red-headed friend had been looking for her or questioning her absences.
"I was planning on going to the other side of the island, it is far enough away from everything I won't be a threat. What do you mean about events to come?" What did she not know? Well, a lot but she wanted to know.
There was a smile when he said he was doing well, though she was sorry there were no worthy challengers, "I can imagine how it would be hard to find people, most of the island's fighters are archers and guards, and we don't get the positions because of our renowned fighting skills." Her eyes didn't leave his as she awaited his answers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:53 pm
“Yes, it truly can be hard to find people, but I know of one archer who could fill the roll quite well. I ask you as a friend, would help me regain my strength and my expertise with the blade?”
Knowing she would try to answer immediately he put his hands in front of him to forestall her.
“Please, hear me out before you answer. I know that your loyalties no longer lie with the King. But how do you feel about the Princess? Think on that. I truly cannot tell you more in that regard. The winds of change are blowing, and many things will get strewn about and shifted. Be patient. Strong people are needed to help safely anchor the others. You are a strong person Tamuril.”
“Now, I again ask you as a friend, please stay nearby for a little while longer. Help me train, help me get through this. This is hard for me. I am not complaining, but it would help me more than you know to have you here.”
He stood there, anxiously anticipating her response, though barely showing it outwardly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:41 pm
Normally, the hot-blooded elf was able to control her outward responses very well. However, her shock at being asked to help him showed in her widened eyes. She, an archer, was being asked to train with the best their Kingdome had. The role of an archer, as she had always been taught, was the lowest and she supposed to be the weakest. A guard could order her about, after all and a guard was lower than the Head guard. The role she had was one she had always assumed was where she needed to be.
How in the world, then, was she considered worthy enough to spar with the head guard, the man she admired so? After being passed up for the position as head archer, even being thrown to the back of the lines in the battle never being in the fray of the combat, she had begun to assume she was weaker then Callista and even more so from her fellow elves. Ko'vortan's request caused her to question her role in the elven hierarchy and jarred her lower view of self worth as a fighter.
He was correct and as she attempted to answer, and digest her thoughts, he stalled her by continuing to speak. The question of how she felt about the princess brought her blood up to simmering again, she didn't like her either and she was going to darn well explain why.
Of course, before that could be addressed he flattered her by calling her strong. The elven woman had hard time restraining a blush at the words and the compliment she believed.
"I'll stay," She said without hesitation, he had asked her to stay and for him, she would. "As an archer, I'll confess, I always thought I was so far below you. I am ranked at the bottom, to be considered worthy as a sparring partner is an honor." Maybe, just maybe, other honors were also not so far out of her reach.
The Princess she dealt with now, anger stirring, "I don't like her either, and she stood by her brother and did not condemn his actions. He offered up our people, his subjects, like we were his slaves. How no one else was angered by his callously offering his people to strangers who could use them as just that, slaves, its unthinkable! We are not the jewels in his treasury, to use and trade at his pleasure!" Tossing her hands up dramatically, she quickly reigned herself in and put them down as she calmed herself.
Looking apologetic for her display, but not the feelings behind them, she adds, "It was always my duty to protect the people of this island and I took it to heart, how can I protect them from a mad king or his sister of that matter, who allowed such an atrocity to happen? Who knows what horrible fate our people would have had to suffer under those pirates, outlaws of the sea? You should have seen how those men looked at me and the other women, just imagining what they'd do to the ones that were forced by the King's over reach of power is enough to make me hate the man." It was awful, really, and she knew how most outsiders treated elves, like they were lower or pretty things to use and look at. No, she couldn't stand for it and to support the man or the sister that supported him, it was too much to stomach, her poor people.
"I thank you for your compliment; it means a lot coming from you." The gears were shifted and she addressed the fact that he called her strong, it was still amazing and just the memory brought a small blush to escape and lightly brush her cheeks before fading away. "I will be here to help you." She couldn't leave knowing he needed her help, but she had to caution, "The king's life is still endanger with me around, I can't stand the man for what he did and I still wish to punish him for it, he went too far." It was Ko'vortan's job to protect the king, he had to know her anger, rightous in her mind, had not been sated yet and it was still potent. This passionate elf was true to her feelings and held them close as her drive and strength.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:12 pm
Tamuril's assessment of her standing as an archer shocked Ko'Vrotan. Did all archers feel this way? Did they all believe that they were the lowest of the low? he thought. The implications of that were staggering. He knew the answers to those questions, and knew that he had some work to do. Nobody in my guard, be they of whatever rank, will think of themselves thus any longer, he vowed to himself.
Tamuril's opinion of the King, as well as Aiyana, stung Ko'Vrotan deeply. They were his friends, and it pained him that someone like Tamuril couldn't see the scope of things. He hoped that one day he'd be able to show her the truth of things, and that maybe she wouldn't hate them as she does. He was certain that friendship between them was an impossible thing, but maybe he could soften her anger towards them.
"Tamuril," he said, "You do not know how much I appreciate your honesty and forthrightness. Though you may be harsh sometimes, it is refreshing to know that with you I always get the truth. It grates on me to hear the lies and the backbiting of the nobility day after day."
"I know how you feel about the King, and now I know how you feel about the Princess. I would ask you to not be so condemning of her. You cannot know the position she was placed in, and the undercurrents involved in what took place. Trust me that she would never do what you hate her brother for doing."
"I will explain to you in full detail the happenings of that day, but at a later time. For now, think on this: as the head of the King's military, and his closest advisor and friend, was it no also my duty to the people of this land to stop the King's proclamation from ever coming to fruition? Yet did you see me take any open action against him? Why then do you not condemn me? Am I not as guilty as she?"
"I am deeply grateful for your acceptance of my offer. You are not as low on the totem pole as you believe. I trust you to reign in your hatred for the King and the Princess while we train."
"I really must be going now - I have some paperwork I must attend to, but may I expect your company for dinner tomorrow evening? I can meet you here, outside the barracks?"
Ko'Vrotan waited expectantly for her answer, not quite sure how she was going to take all that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:31 pm
Tamuril had spoken her mind, that temper of hers spouting off. Having pulled herself back into reserve, some elf she was half the time. She waited to see what he had to say about it. It was too bold to say of the king, she had begun to worry. However, he said what she hadn't expected.
Blinking lightly, she couldn't help but smile and tell him, "You can count on me for that, I've always been one to speak my mind." Honest and harsh criticisms are part of why her parents had always admonish her. It was a weight lifted to hear that he actually wasn't put off by her behavior. If he wanted honesty, she was certainly the one to talk with. Though she never thought how hard his job must be, dealing with the royals and nobles so much.
He may say that, and honestly, she wanted to believe him, but couldn't bring herself to trust the Princess. She allowed this after all, chose her own people over her life! They may have been ready to sacrifice themselves for her, but slavery and involuntarily being forced away from the island wasn't what any of them had in mind.
Looking ahead, she heard him out, glancing back when he asked why she didn't condemn him. That thought never crossed her mind. The only answer she could give right away was, "Any open sign of discord would leave us looking weak." It was one of the reasons she hadn't attacked the king right there, she didn't want her home to look even weaker then the King. She thought about, and couldn't bring herself to even remotely blame Ko'vortan for what happened.
Did she really want to know about the intrigue of the court? Not really, she didn't think it would change anything, her vice grip on what she thought was right is hard to lose. Regardless, she'd hear him out.
He was asking a lot of her, to hold her hatred for his King and Princess. All she could do was promise, "I'll go out of my way to avoid them, and I'll not draw a weapon." If either tried to speak with her, then all bets were off. She was burning to speak her mind, getting her frustration out in a fight might also help.
She was completely thrown off when he asked her to dinner, her cheeks turning a light dusting darker a moment before she pulled her composer in completely. Still, smiling she told him, "I'll be here." It was so exciting, thinking she'd be eating with the man she had admired for so long. It was one more reason not to harass his King or Princess.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:13 pm
The next day, Ko'Vrotan appeared near the barracks in fine clothes. Not too fine, for he did not wish to make Tamuril uncomfortable, but nice enough that she would know he had made an effort to look good for her. He was early, just as he had wanted to be. He kept out of open sight, but didn't hide. He wanted to watch as she walked up, and he did not want to surprise her. He glanced around nervously, though anybody watching would have thought he was just surveying his surroundings as usual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:10 am
Tamuril spent the night polishing up her weapons to put them back into their best shape. Even with the activity that usually calmed her, she was still a excited and a bit giddy about the day's events and the next day. Part of her wanted to find her red-headed friend, but she knew that would be a mistake. Not only was she probably not to happy that she had pretty much abandoned her duties as an archer, but there was always the chance the awful king might be there. So, to spare what could turn into an argument, she stayed alone with her thoughts.
The morning came, and she went about polishing herself. A warrior through and through, she knew very little about how to truly make herself presentable to anything but a military inspection. Still, she made an effort, putting her long mocha brown hair into a more elegant ponytail and giving her bangs a soft curl that it grudgingly held in place. A simple barrette adorned her hair with the feathering she'd put on her finest arrows. It wasn't ostentatious, she hoped, but it was about the best she had.
Out of any sort of armor, she almost felt exposed, armor was part of her very being but hardly something she considered dining clothing for anything but a military function. Soft leather of the deep brown and well woven cotten of deep green colorings was the finest she had, and the only really suitable thing in her sparse closet. She wasn't hard pressed or lacking for comfort of food and shelter, but also wasn't wealthy either. Still, she had tried and put the effort out there. One thing she didn't change, there was nothing covering her face, the 'war paint' as she teased the normal elven women for wearing, not that she said it out loud, was just not for her.
With a deep breath, she raised her indigo-violet eyes up to see the barracks come into view. Arriving ten minutes early, she just hoped she hadn't kept him waiting too long. As she got closer, she didn't see him immediately, but her sharp eyes did find him before she got too close. A smile instantly bloomed and she made her way over, nervous herself but the reserved elven nature did help to hide that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:11 pm
"Tamuril, you look lovely this evening," Ko'Vrotan said. He wanted to say more, but was fearful of putting his foot in his mouth. He was stunned at how elegant and beautiful she looked, and he knew that his appearance paled in comparison. One of the best things was that she still looked strong and aware and in charge. He was actually relieved that she'd stepped down from her post as an archer, because now he was free to pursue a normal relationship with her.
"Shall we go to dinner?" Holding out his arm for her to hook hers into, he smiled his most winning, yet sincere, smile at her. He was so looking forward to this, and hoped that tonight would be a good one. Her smile had already warmed his heart, and lit up her whole face. She looks like an angel he thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:34 pm
The comment brought a ting of pink to the tanned elf's cheeks, and she smiled at him taking the compliment, "Thank you." She couldn't believe this moment was here. Every inspection, every time the king was out, she had slowly started to pay more attention to him. Watching as a low guard, a moment like this belonged only in her dreams. Hooking her arm with his offered one, she says, "You look very handsome, Ko'Vortan."
On a battle-field, she was ready for anything, even fitting the beast was not shocking to her, it was life. Relationships, now there was something she had never encountered. Just like on a battle-field, though, she'd follow Ko'Vortan, her trust and faith in him was unwavering, even with that biting question about why she didn't blame him for the awful choices of the king. Those questions, just like the one about why she was on the basilisk instead of down on the front lines, would be held. The memories of that hot day, screams and terror of it all, had no place here and they were banished without another thought. How lucky and happy she was were her only thoughts.
For now, she was very much looking forward to a nice dinner with, in her unbiased opinion, the finest elf on the whole island. She'd say the whole world, but to her, their island was her whole world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:01 pm
Ko'Vrotan and Tamuril engaged in idle chatter as they walked the mile or so to the beach front restaurant. As they neared it, the sun setting behind the restuarant, it seemed to glow and sparkle. Millions of tiny crystals, artistically hung and arranged around the outdoor eating area provided a sort of privacy screen for those within, while at the same time giving off an amazing light display for any onlookers. This place was as much a piece of art as it was a fine eating establishment.
As they light from the crystals created patterns on Tamuril's face, Ko'Vrotan marveled again at her beauty. The light both obscured and enhanced her features, shrouding her in exotic mystery. Turning towards her, he saw a bright gleam from her indigo-violet eyes that left him speechless for a moment. He quickly recovered, and said,
"Isn't the design beautiful? I have always marveled at the painstaking detail that must have been put into this. They serve the most exquisite seafood here, and I do hope you enjoy it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
