As his bride began reacting to his sensitive touch, the Fires of Passion began to cloud his mind.
Esmerelda looks at Harakhty with a glance as she holds Drago's arms straight. "Drago wanted to learn how to use a sword."
Harakhty raises an eyebrow, though the difference was hard to distinguish with his fur. "That's a bit of an adjustment. Why one so big?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Because I hate being useless when my magic runs out." Drago replied rather coldly.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Because I hate being useless when my magic runs out." Drago replied rather coldly.
"That shouldn't be a worry for you; you've got plenty of family to keep things exciting."
Not looking at the Vanara and taking another stance at Esmerelda's instruction, Drago answered, "You wouldn't understand Harakhty. Your abilities come from faith and learning, mine come from my blood. When I've exhausted my power, there is an emptiness that brings to light just how weak I really am. If I'm to protect Elena and help my siblings, then I must become more than my blood. I must become...something stronger than mother."
"Well, if it's any consolation, you're already stronger than mine." Harakhty gives the training a look of appraisal before adding. "Do all of you have that magical flow in your blood?"
"No, I just recently came into my magical abilities, but that was from years of study rather than innate ability," Esmerelda says, meticulously inspecting Drago. "Good, Drago. Hold the sword a little higher."
After another hour or so, it's hard to keep track of time while caught up in their passion....Arista pulls back gently, her breath heaving she looks at her beloved. "Okay...I really think we should probably try to get up soon, before people come looking for us." She laughs lightly as she leans back down to give him another tender kiss.
She seems to know what she's doing. Relieved the pair seemed up to above-board business, Harakhty made to visit his mentor. "I will leave you to your training then." The vanara padded inside the common house.
Once inside, he went to Hasina. "Hassy - I know you arrived not long ago, but I ... I must begin a journey today." It was not easy for Harakhty to leave her when he'd been separated for so long, but the thought of Naeem kept his choice firm. "The wedding is complete, and with it, my companions and I will be setting out to destroy one of the vile relics that bind this place. If we delay, the evil will only entrench itself." He fought back some tears - something he had trouble producing even when acting. "It will be a dangerous mission, but I look forward to seeing you again ... when I return." She was elderly, and it would be best for her to stay in the relative safety of the town. Even the trip back to the tribe might prove dangerous.
Hasina smiles. "Perhaps not today, Harakhty. I don't think you've had your ear to the wind yet, but one of the dhampir were taken by evil forces last night. He willingly surrendered himself for the sake of the town here and each of us. Though we are no longer in our lands, we must do what is our custom. Have you forgotten Harakhty?"
"Forgotten what, Hassy?" said Harakhty out of reflex. He was startled to hear of this abduction, so his ears were only half on her message. But at least the news obviated the emotional turmoil of parting with her - temporarily.
"It has always been Suntooth custom to offer prayers and sacrifices to those who choose to place themselves in danger in the stead of others. Naeem and I did the same for you when you left us. You are Two-Spirit, not only in body and soul, but in the way you live. Your heart remains among our tribe, as well as the people here," Hasina says, gathering some of her things. "You live because of this stranger's actions, much like we live because of what you have set in motion. It is only right that we offer our sincere gratitude to the dhampir. It is a hard choice, Harakhty, but it is the one that separates us from common animals, from heartless men. I understand your anxiety, but be the better person."
Clara stirs from her sleep and smiles at her wife, working dutifully on her spellbook. "One day, I'll have to wake up earlier than you and bring you breakfast in bed."
Arista hears a gentle rapping at her door. "Arista, it's Marie. I realize you might be...um...busy, but I thought you'd like to join us for breakfast. Umina thinks it'd be a good idea if we left this afternoon."
Sādhanā looks up from her spellbook to glance over her shoulder at her wife, a warm smile spreading across she face.
"And here I thought you couldn't possibly make it any harder to summon up the will to get out of bed. I stand corrected." she says with a wink and a grin.
Clara laughs. "Are you about done, love? We should probably get some breakfast and talk with everyone."
The next morning Cyna awakes fairly late. She waits for Sienna to awake if she hasn't already and says. "I've got the feeling we're going to be further delayed considering the events of last night."
Concerned by the sound of Marie's voice, she disentangles herself from Alethiro and slipping on a long silken green robe goes to her door. Holding the robe around herself she opens the door a little way to look at Marie, "Yes, of course we'll have breakfast with you. Is everything alright? I didn't think you would be going home until tomorrow?" She looks at her niece with concern in her eyes, "Are the children alright? No one's gotten sick have they?"
"Yeah, but what can we do? Niccolo did what he thought was right," Sienna sighs, rubbing her eyes. "We'll see what the other have to say. Hey, did Ylrhea even come home last night?"
She looks to the gnome's bedroll which looks undisturbed.
Marie looks tired. "Nerah and Wilk are fine. Just take your time and get ready, we'll be at Hadrinn's."
"Yes just about finished love." Sādhanā says closing the tome and moving back up on the bed to give Clara a kiss. "We've all definitely got a lot to discuss today."
Clara's smile fades a little. "Yes, but we'll get through it together."
She takes her wife's hand and gives it a loving squeeze.
Arista looks at her, not sure of what's caused the dramatic change in her niece...but, she nods as she tries to give her what she hopes to be a reassuring smile. "Okay, we will see you all there soon." She gives Marie a quick hug and then closes and locks the door again.
Looking over her shoulder as she goes to the closet she says to Alethiro, "Come on love, I think we need to get ready and head over to Hadrinn's to see what's going on. I guess a bath will have to wait until later." She thinks for a moment as she slips out of her robe and starts putting her chainmail and clothes back on. She sits down on the bed while putting her boots on and contemplates Marie's response to her questions, "I don't know what's going on, but something must have happened last night. Marie just didn't seem like herself."
Taking her brush she tries to tame her hair before giving up and putting the headband back in it that Esme had given to her. Going to her wash basin she takes a piece of cloth and dips it in the cool water and gently washes her face.
Squeezing back, she runs a hand through Clara's hair as she takes a deep breath..
"That we will. Well we should probably get dressed," she says standing up and stretching before walking over to to their closet to find something to wear.
As she looks at clothing she freezes, cursing quietly under her breath. "Arista and Alethiro's gift!"
"Oh, right, we didn't show them..."
"Well to be fair, they did have better things to do. " she says with a grin. "I'm pretty sure it'll be at least a day before we head out so we can show them tonight after the sun goes down I suppose."
Clara's smile returns. "Yes, that's a good idea."
She rolls out of the bed and gets dressed, trying to straighten out her hair while doing so.
Taking out a small bottle, she dabs some of the lavender scent on her wrists and neck. Feeling slightly refreshed she waits until Alethiro is done getting changed back into his clothes. Once they are both ready, she goes to him and wraps her arms around his neck, giving him a soft kiss she pulls back slightly and looks into his eyes. "I love you so much, I just wanted to say that before we really started this day....again." She giggles as she takes his offered arm and walk out of the fort together. On their way to Hadrinn's, Arista notices the changes in the people she sees milling about. Many of them seem nervous or worried, while others just seem upset. Turning to look at her beloved her brow creases as she frowns, "Is it just me, or is there a definite change in the atmosphere around here?" She tries to shake off the feeling of foreboding she has as they make their way inside Hadrinn's.
Dressed in a pair of breeches and a grey pullover shirt, Sādhanā buckles Oblivion on her hip and pulls her hair into a ponytail, tying it back with a simple cord. "Well love, lets get something to eat before everything get's crazy."
Clara strolls arm in arm with Sādhanā toward Hadrinn's. She spots Arista and Alethiro ahead of them. "Hmm, I guess they're having breakfast too."
Going inside, Arista spots Marie and the others at one of the tables nearby. She and Alethiro walk over and sit down with them. Arista looks around at everyone before addressing Marie, "So...what's going on?"
Marie looks at Arista, then takes a deep breath. "I suppose you hadn't heard, but, after you and Alethiro went to bed, some soldiers came looking for Esmerelda and her family. The youngest brother, Niccolo, I think his name was, surrendered himself to save his siblings. Of course, everyone's nervous about staying here now."
Umina nods. "I think it would be safer if we went back to Malwen today. I know it would bother you to no end if you thought we were in danger."
Arista's face falls and she looks first at Marie and then at Umina, she nods her head solemnly. With her face masked by her wild hair, it's hard to catch her facial expression...but, when she speaks it's easy to tell that she's upset. I...I see...I can't believe that happened. I mean I knew something was going to be coming, we just weren't sure how soon." She looks up at the others, her hair moves away from her face revealing a concerned expression and grief stricken eyes. "I'm sorry for what's happened, I....I don't know what else to say. I hate that you need to cut your visit short...but, under the circumstances it's probably for the best. There is much more to come and I'll feel better knowing you're all safe." She reaches out and squeezes Marie's hand.
Marie smiles. "Things will get better and we'll visit again soon."
Suddenly feeling ashamed and childish, Harakhty felt a surge of blood run to his cheeks. "You ... you're right. I'm sorry." Manners had taken such a subdued seat to Harakhty's tasks for the church, he had suppressed them by instinct now. Yet he - they - were better people than that, and while he didn't think he'd been cruel, he saw how his cold shoulder could influence some of his companions. "I will go make my amends immediately. Where are you headed?"
*******
Again, the vanara approached the pair of dhampir. "Drago - I hadn't heard until now, but one of your family was captured? Why didn't you or Esma ... Esmerelda say something?" Though the question was mostly rhetorical, Harakhty did mean to gauge the man's reaction from it. He tripped over the sister's lengthy name as he'd only heard of it but never spoken it; most of the long list he had tasks to deal with were to be listened of, not spoken, anyway. "We Suntooths are not barbarians; we help those who are kind to us. If your kin's actions have saved our town, it is only fair we take action to help him if we can. I'd like to help you do that."
Arista looks at her and smiles, "Yes...or we can always come see you in Malwen. I seem to remember you saying something about having a spectacular view from your watchtower. I'd really like to go back there someday when we aren't quite so rushed for time." With her other hand she takes one of Alethiro's hands into her own and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"To obtain breakfast and suitable offerings from that dwarf, Hadrinn," Hasina answers. "I shall be at the beach later, if you care to offer your prayers as well."
***
Marie nods and orders eggs, bread and meat for her, Lucco, Andres and the children. Umina orders a light tea and some fruit. Zeph comes in a few minutes later and only asks for tea. The older aasimar turns to Arista and Alethiro.
"I am sorry that our visit was marred by such an atrocity. I know that you will help him and his family. You are both blessed with a noble heart," Zeph offers kindly.
Walking into Hadrinn's with Clara, Sādhanā looks around. "We should probably find our own table and let them enjoy the time with Arista's family?"
Before Alethiro could answer Marie knocked at the door. After hearing the concern in her voice, the Elf started to dress quickly. "No she didn't." He answered her question of Marie's behavior. After she kissed him, he smiled, "I love you too."
"Given that there was a wedding last night, you'd think the town would be more uplifted. So why does everyone seem...flighty?" He said noting the mood as well.
Alethiro is stunned by what he was hearing. How's Drago taking this? He found himself wondering. He squeezed Arista's hand back to let her know he was still there.
Clara nods, taking a tea and a sticky bun, one of Hadrinn's new offerings. "Umina doesn't look like she slept much."
Drago did as Esmerelda instructed. As Harakhty left, "What do you think Esmerelda, does Niccolo know how to help that woman, or was he bluffing?" While is face appeared to be concerned, his tone seemed rather...cold.
When the Vanara returned and asked why they didn't say anything, the Dhampir answered, "I thought you might have already known." The Sorcerer shifted into the next position his sister instructed.
Corda entered Hadrinn's still wearing the dress she wore to the wedding last night, but looking rather disheveled. Finding a table off in the corner, she sat by herself and ordered a large plate of food. Once it arrived, the Witch started tearing into it with almost animal-like ferocity.
"Niccolo seems more 'book' smart than 'street' smart," Esmerelda says, gently moving Drago's elbow closer to his body. "Yet magic never offers guarantees. He likely consigned himself to death to buy us time."
"I don't think she will until they're back in Malwen," Sādhanā says eating a sausage off of her plate. "She's charged herself with their safety."
"Yeah, but what can we do? Niccolo did what he thought was right," Sienna sighs, rubbing her eyes. "We'll see what the other have to say. Hey, did Ylrhea even come home last night?"
She looks to the gnome's bedroll which looks undisturbed.
Cyna nods and rolls out of bed. "Let's see if we can track her down. I hope she didn't get involved with what happened last night."
Sienna nods, getting dressed. "She went to the Old Fish, so we should start there."
"I suppose that is a tall order," Clara says, taking a bite of her sticky bun, getting glaze all over her lips.
Marie nods and orders eggs, bread and meat for her, Lucco, Andres and the children. Umina orders a light tea and some fruit. Zeph comes in a few minutes later and only asks for tea. The older aasimar turns to Arista and Alethiro.
"I am sorry that our visit was marred by such an atrocity. I know that you will help him and his family. You are both blessed with a noble heart," Zeph offers kindly.
After she orders some tea, fruit, cheese and bread for the both of them, she looks back at Zeph, "I'm sorry about it too....but in all honesty we knew something would come sooner or later. We will do everything we can to get him back safely." She sits there quietly for a few minutes in thought then, "I guess we'll all have a meeting later to decide what to do. We still have to deal with some other business as well, so I'm not sure what we'll get to first. I just feel so awful for Drago and his family. I promised him we wouldn't let anything happen to him and his family, and in the end could do nothing to prevent it." She shrugs her shoulders in a sort of helpless gesture. She keeps talk of the necromancers to a minimum as she doesn't want to scare the children or upset anyone more than they already are. Leaning her head on Alethiro's shoulder she waits quietly for their food to be brought.
Hadrinn serves everyone their food, his cheerfulness noticeably dulled.