Haven of Darkrai

[DW Paladin]

Haven of Darkrai

Evening, guests. This is my home, the mansion of my family. The estate itself sits on 17 acres of land, not far from the nearby town. The land supports several of the animals you would expect of a country villa... horses, cows, sheep.

I live here with my fiance Elenora Darkrai, who helps me tend the animals and host an annual jamboree. We would love you to join us sometime.

The smithy you say? Oh, you mean why is it in shambles...

Elenora and I are just remodeling... so pay no mind to it... or the demon behind you. *Schlink! Wipes blood from blade* Yes, you just enjoy your time here.

OK'd by Ziven

 

[LadyIridal]

It was all so perfect--like a fairytale in the many books children read. It's beyond perfect, Elenora thought with a serene smile upon her faded lips.

The woman was laying upon the queen-size bed, covered with gold silken sheets, in their Master Bedroom. Her eyes slowly opened as she began to wake from her soundless slumber, and turned onto her side. The morning light shone through the curtains that were outstretched across the windows, creating a soft glow upon everything in the large room. Some boxes were stacked and scattered across the room; even the furniture was rather out of place, for the house was indeed being remodeled. It didn't bother her one bit; it was all part of the experience.

With slow and silent movement, Elenora lifted the bed covers and slipped out from under to stand beside the bed before placing the covers back down. A white silken nightgown adorned her slender but curvy form, and shimmered with the slightest motion. She rubbed her right eye with the back of her hand as she walked with shaky steps to the large window. The sound of various early morning song birds could be heard as she'd near the window and pull the curtain open to let the light into the room. The rays were distorted by the glass, casting scattered rainbows here and there across the room. Unlocking the window, she gave it a soft shove and the window panes opened like a pair of doors.

The morning air was drawn in through the open window, causing the curtains to flutter in the gentle breeze. Elenora rose her arms above her head and stretched her entire body, from head to toes. Slowly, she lowered her arms back down before placing her hands onto the windowsill and leaning forward to peer over the thriving greenery of their property. Her skin was regaining its color and vibrancy after each passing moment; the hue returning to her ample lips as well.

Beyond perfect, she thought to herself once more with a wide smile of joy.  

[DW Paladin]

The morning sun brought a glow of comfort and warmth to the land as Jethro continued lifting hay bails into the wagon next to him. Grasping the wires firmly, he felt them sink harmlessly into his skin as he lifted each one, turning his figure and stacking them. His horse, Goliath, remained patient in his post with the wagon hitched to him. His shinny black coat seemingly always moist, but soft to the touch.

As he lifted the last nearby bail into place, Goliath gave a restless bob of his head and looked back. Jethro turned behind him to see Elenora leaning in the window sill of their bedroom, her raven hair swaying in the gentle morning breeze. He couldn't help the smile that made it's way from ear to ear. He rose his arm into the morning air and waved to her silently, his eyes beaming as much as his heart.  

[LadyIridal]

Her gaze wandered over the scenery for a few, long moments before being captured by the wave of a hand below. The joyful smile turned into one of love as she gave a soft wave to the man below. It was a delight to see Jethro so early in the morning. Then again, it wasn't so early.

Elenora quickly turned from the window and moved to the many boxes stacked in the room. The sun must have been up for at least a good two hours, and all she did was sleep. A thought of disappoint from her mother for such a lazy performance whipped the back of her mind and she frantically looked for her work clothing. Eventually, she pulled out a pair of denim overalls and a thin, white cotton t-shirt and tossed the clothes onto the bed. Faster than a blink of an eye, Elenora was out of her nightgown and in her work clothes, rushing through the hall and down the stairs.

On her way out, she hopped over several obstacles that were evidence of the remodeling taking place. The side door burst open as Elenora stumbled out and tripped over the stairs, landing on the hard ground with a thump. "Oof!..." She sat up and stood carefully, shaking her head to rid of the dizziness spinning her head around. Out of a pocket of her overalls, she took out a scrunchy and tied her long raven hair back into a bun. Her arms suddenly lowered to her sides as she took a breath of the fresh morning air, wiggling her exposed toes in the grass.  

[DW Paladin]

Jethro brought Goliath to a halt before the barn, standing on the seat of the wagon, he leapt up and grasped the rope that hung from the pulley, swinging himself onto the loft. He skillfully maneuvered the hook on the end of the rope into a bail and began hoisting it up, the pulley groaning in protest. he pulled the bail in as Elenora came stumbling out of the house. "Late again I see." he teased with a smile. "Good thing the foals are waiting for ya." He gave a small chuckle as he emptied the hook and lowered it for the next bail.  

[LadyIridal]

With a soft smile, Elenora looked over Jethro as he worked on the bails of hay. "Oh, stuff it!" she shouted with a playful tone, making her way to the barn with quick steps. She rose her hand to gently pet Goliath as she passed, and blew a kiss to Jethro before entering the barn.

Elenora breathes, taking in the morning scent of the barn, enjoying it when most others would cringe in disgust. "First thing's first," she stretched her arms before moving over to a stall and unhitching the lock. The door slowly opened to reveal a foal already up and ready for the day. Elenora smiled and stepped inside, closing the stall door behind her. She outstretched a hand and stroked the foal's mane tenderly. The animal rose its head before giving a nod, ready to be taken outside. With understanding, Elenora stepped back and opened the door of the stall again, letting the foal walk out at her side.

The two walked at a steady speed to the other end of the barn before stopping in front of the large doors. Elenora left the foal's side to open the wooden doors and the foal galloped out, passing by her. She smiled softly, raising her hand to shield her eyes from the sun as she walked out onto the open field.  

[DW Paladin]

He watched Elenora briefly as she opened the barn doors, the final bail in his grasp. Stepping to the loft's edge, he began cutting each wire, freeing the hay within and scattering it below for the animals below. Moments later, he couiled the wire around a couple nails and jumped down to Goliath's side. The large beast was unstartled and Jethro chuckled as he unhitched Goliath, sending him into the field with Elenora.

Gazing over the landscape he let out a content sigh before spinning on the balls of his feet and heading in the smithy. He took up his hammer and removed his shirt, tossing it outside. He dipped his top half into a barrel of water and let the cool liquid drip from his hair as he gazed at his own reflection.

His storm grey eyes peered kindly from behind a smudged face. He chuckled and watched the image distort in the ripples as the drops hit the surface before turning and grasping a pair of clamps firmly. Tightening their grip on the metal they held, he dipped the piece into the hot coals and worked the below with his foot as they turned bright red.  

[LadyIridal]

The morning breeze swept by with the usual glee of nature, and with it came the sailing petals and seeds of various plants in the field. In a swirl of excitement, Elenora spun around in the field for a moment before coming to a brief halt and running out after the foal. Her black hair whipped about in the wake of her run, shimmering brilliantly in the morning light, as she then heard a distant gallop of a large animal.

She turned her head to peer over her shoulder, only to see the large black horse, Goliath, running up behind her. Her eyes slightly widen and she veered off to the side in fear they might collide, and Goliath galloped on past her. Elenora smiled softly as she slowly came to a stop and glanced back at the barn, which seemed far away in the distance. Another soft wind made its way across the field as she turned to watch the foal and Goliath gallop about in the open field.

With a content sigh, Elenora sat down in the field and crossed her legs over comfortably. A dandelion seed had sailed upon the wind and latched onto her nose a sit went by. She wiggled her nose before brushing the seed off and looking up to the sky and the single wispy cloud in the sea of blue. Thoughts of her daily errands flickered through her mind, but paled in comparison to the contentment she was feeling.
 

[DW Paladin]

Jethro finished heating the metal and placed it upon the anvil, his hammer bobbing in his hand as he pictured the next strikes. As force brought the two together, sparks shimmered across the anvil as the heated metal gave way. Several more would finish the desired shape as he administered salt during the process. He admired the piece before dipping it into linseed oil for a moment. The steel hissed as the oil gargle dispersing the heat from the piece before he removed it and dipped it into the water to finish the cooling process and clean it.

Placing the piece upon a whetstone, he carefully removed the blackened metal as he brought the piece to a shimmering mirror-like finish. Satisfied, his hand roamed over his workbench as he scanned the various object until he plucked the desired piece into his hand and slid it over the end of the polished metal. Securing the addition against the groove, he took up a small coil of braided leather and delicately began wrapping the end with consistent and considerable force. As he neared the end, he used a knife to cut the leather and braided the loosened strands around the metal. Last, he placed an end piece over the braid and with a few moments in the coals, mushroomed the end to meld with the piece, making them one.

Jethro grasped the finished blade and swung it gently through the air. The beautiful edge seemed like a ballet dancer in his hand as it remained perfectly balanced with each turn. He gazed upon the blade and focused on the eyes reflected back to him before giving himself a chuckle. "you looking at me?" he intimidated the reflection. "Are you looking at me?!" he shook his head and sighed in laughter as he sheathed the blade and returned outside, his eyes gazing upon a royal blue sky as the sun slipped slowly toward the horizon.

Dismayed he had spent so long in the forge, he went to look for Elenora.  

[LadyIridal]

The day tread on as Elenora released each of the foals out into the field for their morning exercise. As the final foal trotted back to its individual stall, she headed out of the barn to the garden that lay along side it. A strand of hair fell in front of her face and she immediately retied her hair back into a neat bun. There was a suddenly huff at her shoulder and she turned her head to see Goliath following her. A bright smile spread across her lips.
"All right. I'll get you a treat. I should cook something for Jethro as well. Hm." She looked over to the forge where Jethro was still busying himself with the metalwork.

Elenora thought of a meal idea as she wandered into the lush garden, where numerous of edible plants flourished. Goliath stood at the edge of the garden to wait as she carefully moved to the row low bush plants and plucked a couple large carrots. With quick steps, Elenora returned to Goliath and offered him the vegetables. The large horse gobbled them up happily and gave a nod of thanks before heading back to the barn. Returning to the garden, she began to pick various vegetables and spices, stuffing them into the pockets of her overalls, weeding as she went along.

The sun began to lower toward the horizon as Elenora stepped out the front door and looked about to see Jethro just coming out of the forge. A wide smile formed on her face as she gave a slight wave. "Oh, Jethro, Dear! Hungry yet?"  

[DW Paladin]

He looked up at the sound as saw her in the doorway. A smile shone brightly as he laughed and replied, "I'm starving." He quickly made his way toward the house and tossed his hammer into the bucket hanging near the door to the forge. Hoping up to the doorway, he met her with a kiss as he pressed her inside and shut the door with a chuckle. "what are we having?"