private The Fall of Andalasia ~Book 1~

[Torrent505 370]

(Dawn of the second day 6:30 am)

 

Serafinno's double lidded eyes cracked open and went wide, he almost let out a distressed call as he had thought for a moment he was still buried underground. Instead the calls stuck in his throat making sound of a hoarse hiccup, what had stopped him was the familiar smell that soothed him and the soft comfort of a warm body holding him close. He recognized where he was, he was under the covers of Whisper's bed snuggling with her as they often did and if he made to much noise then guards would enter and chase him out then Whisper would get scolded. He hoped no one had heard him and was embarrassed that the crazy nightmare had scared him so much.

 

He smoothed his scales and sheathed his claws then carefully began to wiggle his way up through the sheets to stick his head out and not wake the princess. He had to stop a couple of times when she giggled in her sleep from his scales tickling against her and would squeeze him a little tighter. Finally his snout got clear of the blanket, then his eyes and his heart sank; the night before hadn't been a nightmare. They weren't in the princess's royal chambers, it was some strange wooden room, he should have realized these sheets weren't silk and the pillow and mattress smelled of hay and not goose down!

 

That meant he had killed people last night, and that he should be some sort of evil monster dragon but here he was feeling really no different than so many other mornings like it. There Whisper was still beside him holding him close, giggling and kicking in her sleep if he twitched his tail against her feet, she knew what he had done she had heard it last night; she didn't hate him for it! She was treating him the same! His heart swelled with a bittersweet happiness, he couldn't forget what he had done but she was accepting him and he couldn't be an evil monster, evil dragons didn't tickle princess's feet or cuddle and protect them... Whatever that made him he decide he was okay with it.

 

He laid his head on the straw filled pillow tucking his snout into the curve of her neck under her chin. Held in her embrace he began to give a low rumble in a dragons version of a purr. He also started to quietly sing a soft mix of tones in dragon song. It was a personal song to them, one that his dragon caretaker Sahaari had sung whenever she took him to visit the "human Alpha's nest" and he was with the little princess that had saved his life. It made him feel like everything would be alright.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Torrent505

[Shadow Dancer 111]

I woke up, a little light showed itself through the rooms window. In response I got out of the bed and stretched. I figured I would wait  a little before I got out of the room, "Another day, the same contract." The length of the contract was still bothering me, used to spending a week at most for the more delicate assassinations and two weeks for the well hidden targets.

 

But I was chosen because I apparently was the best for protecting the princess, and the other optional half of the job that came only if possible, I figured I would have little time to do it so I wouldn't

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"Father, you're looking better this morning" Rorics honeyed voice rang throughout the small dining hall.

 

"Liar" the King spat back, deflating into an old mass of skin and furred robes. His eyes hollowed with age and sickness. The prince picked a grape from it's bunch and swallowed it, eyeing his father sideways.

 

"Soon enough, Roric, the young princess will come and save me. She will heal me and make me young again."

 

"Nothing was ever said she could reverse time" Roric ate another grape, the ornaments of gold laced in his hair clinking as he did so.

 

"Romeo says so. And he suggests I take her as my bride." he smiled weakly. To be young again, to have a beautiful women bear him more children. To reign over his kingdome for countless more years. His dream.

 

This did not sit well with his son, the rightful heir. His only son sadly and no daughters to speak of. Armaund was an ugly boy who grew into an even uglier man, some say the Queen could only bare to lay with him once; giving them Roric. He, on the other hand, took after his mother and grew into a handsome prince.

 

"If you say so father"

-----------------------------

 

Whisper woke up to the beautiful singing of her dragon "Morning Finn". She pet his head affectionately before sitting up and trying to stretch the soreness from her bones. She saw a bundle of clothes at the foot of her bed; the hostess must have left them foor her earlier in the morning.

 

Tulla sat at one of the empty tables, looking over a map she had borrowed. A pot of oatmeal boiled over fire in the fireplace; though to her it seemed more water than oats.

Edited July 24, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz

[Sekel 692]

Helena woke up with pins and needles in her legs. Her legs felt extremely painful and she didn't want to irritate them further. She sat bolt upright and thought over the events from the night prior. Helena then realised that she needed to restock up on crossbow bolts. Sure, she had her dagger but she preferred her custom crossbow over anything else.

 

Breathing calmly, Helena windered how she would get out o the cot, let alone walk. Being extremely careful, Helena used her hands to move her legs over the side of the bed. It may be painful, but at least she's trying to get used to her own body again.

 

"Okay. Come on ..." Helena muttered to herself an gingerly placed both feet on the ground. Feeling pain spike through both he legs, Helena fought through the pain and stood up. "Now that that's done, how am I going ti walk?" Helena asked herself.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Robert had been lying awake in bed for a while, not feeling like getting up until he had to. His mind went over all the events of the previous day until he eventually reached the end, with his conversation with Helena. Come  to think of it, he wondered how she was doing. He decided to go over to her room and check, after quickly getting dressed.

 

@@Dji, 

 

He knocked on her door loud enough to be heard, but still quiet enough that it hopefully wouldn't wake her if she was still sleeping. "You alright in there? I'd hate to think you were doing something stupid like trying to walk on your own with two broken legs."

[Scribblegroove 565]

Flinch

 

After a prolonged period of running, Flinch's mind had numbed a little too much to care about where exactly he was going. Adrass knew the way, and he could be trusted. All he focused on was the rhythm of his boots on the ground.

 

He noticed Adrass had slowed down. He wasn't the only one who could feel tr Faelnirv lose it's effect. They were exhausted and underfed. They had to get into town quickly, and get rest, food and supplies. Adrass had clearly made the same conclusion.

 

Flinch nodded when Adrass stated they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Danger could be lingering anywhere, and Adrass would be the first of them to notice it. He still followed Adrass lead, but cautious of his environment.

 

The sun was rising. It wouldn't be long until the city gates would open. By the time they were at the towns walls they would be free to enter. He had to stock up on alchemical supplies if he wanted to be of any use, so he hoped this town had the stuff he required.

[Sekel 692]

@@Alex Kennedy

Helena thought that she was ready to take a step when someone knocked at the door. She sat down on the bed and looked at the door as she heard Robert's voice. 'It's the bard! How did- he's probably checking up on me.' Helena thought to herself in a bit of a panic and wondered if he had heard anything. "Come on in, Bard. No-one here except me." Helena called out and when she finished, realised that it may have suggeted something base on their coversatolion from the night before.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Dji

[Shadow Dancer 111]

I later exited my room and went down stairs, there I walked up to the counter and ordered a heel of bread and some water. The bar keep warily watched me as she got what I ordered, once she did I gave her the coin and sat down to eat my small meal in peace and quiet

[Flying Ace 142]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,@@Alex Kennedy,

Dresden slowly sat up in bed and gave the morning light a hateful glare though have woken eyes with a groan he got up and sloppily but his shirt back on, nearly half asleep Dresden walked out of his room and bumped right into Robert. "Oh, excuse me ma'am," Dresden muttered his face facing the floor as he let out a yawn. "I'll be down in...a...' Dresden leaned against a door and small snores could be heard. 

Edited July 25, 2014 by Flying Ace

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,@@Flying Ace,

 

Robert decided to ignore Dresden and leave him to... whatever he was doing. Sleepwalking, apparently. He opened the door into Helena's room and found her sitting on her bed. He walked in, closing the door behind him lest Dresden blindly walk in or something. "Alright, first of all, careful what words you use after last night. You wouldn't want to get my hopes up unless you intend to deliver. Second of all, and more importantly, don't think you're going to be doing any walking any time soon. If you want to go anywhere, I'll carry you. I don't mind, and it's about as much of a contribution to the group as I can really make, since I'm hardly a warrior and these lands are foreign to me. Third of all, if I'm going to be hauling you around everywhere, we might as well properly introduce ourselves." He stuck out his hand for her to shake. "Robert Kelly. Or Robert Ó Ceallaigh, if you want to be more formal about it."

[Sekel 692]

@@Alex Kennedy

Helena cringed when she heard a bang. Probably someone sleepwalking or something. After hearing what Robert said, she decided that maybe it wasn't the best time to bring up the fact that she was actually about to try walking. She counted the things he said off her fingers. "Be careful about words, no walking until doctor says, you'll carry me and ..." Helena trailed off at that point. She didn't really want to tell him her name but if he's going to cart her around everywhere, then maybe it won't be such a bad idea. "Helena. Helena Birchwood." Helena introduced herself and shook his hand. She then thought about hisbname and figured the name she's been using sounded better. "Now that I know your name is Robert, I'll still call you Bard. Why stop now?" Helena shrugged, smirking. Remembering the bang, she asked, "What was that bang I heard earlier?"

Edited July 25, 2014 by Dji

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,

 

He shrugged, grinning. "Call me Bard if you want, because that's what I am, but then I'm going to call you Cripple. Still, it's nice to properly meet you, Helena. Oh, and the bang is nothing. Just an idiot doing idiot things. Anyway, now that we've sorted all that out, is there anywhere I can take you? Perhaps a spot of breakfast downstairs?"

[Sekel 692]

@@Alex Kennedy

Helena raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Call me Cripple. Doesn't matter to me anyway." Helena said, shrugging. She thought abiut the breakfast proposition and nodded slowly. "Breakfast sounds nice, actually. How are you going to carry me, seeming the doctor ordered me to not walk?" Helena huffed and crossed her arms. She felt frustrated by her inability to walk but supposed that Robert was right. Helena slowly stood up from the bed and swayed slightly. "I'm not going to walk I'm just ... standing up." Helena reassured him, wincing at the pain.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,

 

Robert sighed. "I'd rather you not be standing on your own either, but whatever. Just... give me a minute." As with the day before, he placed one hand on the small of her back, and another on her thigh, and scooped her up into his arms. That done, he opened the door, and gently carried her out. Feeling mischievous, he let his hand wander a little further up her thigh than the night before, wondering if she'd notice. 

[Sekel 692]

@@Alex Kennedy

Helena huffed when she found out she shouldn't be standing either. When he picked her up she looped her arms around his neck again. "I shouldn't be standing ... what was it like when you were out on your own and you had a broken leg? Did you walk on it or did you rest like you were telling me last night?" Helena asked Robert.

 

She didn't want to be furious but she was getting close to it. Helena knows that she should be grateful but she's just not used to being taken care of by other people. "What do you think you're doing?" Helena whispered at him, sounding slightly angry. She felt the position of his hand and felt that it was higher up from last night. "You told me to be careful of my words. I want you to be careful of your actions. Got that?" Helena hissed at Robert quietly.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,

 

He shook his head and quickly slid his hand back down to it's original position. "Fair enough. I was only doing it to tease you anyway. I'm not that desperate. I mean, no offense, you're perfectly attractive and all, but like I said last night, I'm not so low that I'm going to get off on taking advantage of a cripple like that. And to answer your question, I like to have a walking stick for that purpose. If possible, I'd hobble into the nearest town and rest for a while. Otherwise, I'd just have to find a way to suffer through it until things got better. But you're not alone. You have someone who's perfectly willing to help you. And since I set your legs, I feel like I'm kind of responsible for making sure they don't get messed up again. So just take what help is offered to you. Besides, I'll have you know that plenty of girls would kill to be in your position right now." He chuckled as he slowly descended the stairs. "Perhaps you haven't fallen prey to my charms yet, but I do have quite the reputation as a ladies' man."

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"All bards seem to hold that reputation" Tulla chided, eyes never leaving the map. "Morning to you both, we seem to have oatmeal soup for breakfast."

 

Whisper hadnt the courage to leave the room. She was dazed. Usually by now, her handmaids would have bathed her and brushed her hair, sprayed perfumes and hang jewelry. Then down for breakfast with her parents and knights. Whisper stared at Finn as she drew her knees to her chest. Suddenly wishing for home.

Edited July 25, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,@@Dji,

 

Robert nodded. "Of course we all do. Because we're rugged, and charming, and generally irresistible. Or maybe it's just because we all have huge egos and like to believe all those things. But either way, I assure you that I've never had too much trouble finding a date." He pulled up a chair and set Helena down in it before sitting down himself. "That reminds me, did you two sleep well? You didn't get lonely without me there to keep you company, did you?"

[Sekel 692]

@@Alex Kennedy, @@RunsWithSquirlz

Helena groaned at Robert calling himself a ladies man. "I'd bet all the girls are jealous. Lucky me." Helena said sarcastically. She couldn't believe him! Hearing what Tulla said, Helena shrugged her shoulders best she could. "I've had worse than oatmeal soup." Helena told her and wondered just how soupy the oatmeal actually was. "Maybe the reason why I 'haven't fallen prey to your charms' as you put it, is because maybe, just maybe, I don't find you attractive at all." Helena smirked at him. When Robert sat her down, Helena immediately slamed her head against the table. "I slept fine. Not sure about Tulla." Helena's voice muffled due to her face being smushed on the table.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Dji

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,

 

He shrugged. "It's possible. I'm not perfect. Bound to strike out sometime. If I really wanted you that badly, I'm doing a pretty crappy job of it anyway. A fox isn't supposed to announce himself to a rabbit, you know? But I never really expected to get anywhere with you in the first place. I'm mostly just messing with you. Of course, I wouldn't necessarily mind if you decided you were interested. Either way, I'm content to simply bask in the glory of the two radiant beauties before me."

 

Honestly, he wasn't even sure himself what he was trying to accomplish with all this. The cockiness and bravado weren't normally his style. And didn't they have more important things to do anyway? Yet, all that said, he was enjoying himself, and if it led to something more... well, he wouldn't exactly mind too much.

[Sekel 692]

@@Alex Kennedy, @@RunsWithSquirlz

Helena waved a hand in Robert's direction to show she heard him. Raising her head, she looked over to Tulla and found her poring over a map. "What's the map of? Illia?" Helena asked curiously. She rested her chin on the wooden table and kept her arms dangling below. Sighing, Helena turned her eyes toward Robert. "Thanks for fixing my legs." Helena told Robert.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Dji,

 

He shrugged. "Well, I'm not just going to leave you crippled and in pain if I can do something about it. Except I guess you're still crippled and in pain, really. But less so. And anyway, if I hadn't done something, your legs might never go back to normal, and I'm certainly not going to leave someone permanently immobilized because I didn't feel like doing anything. But anyway, you're welcome." He smiled at her. "And thanks for putting up with me. I know I'm obnoxious sometimes. Most bards are like that. You know, you're a nice girl, even if you don't let that side of you show very much. But now I'm probably being obnoxious again, aren't I?"

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"Yes, now quiet." Tulla answered for Helena.

 

"It's a map of Illia. Our quickest route would be The Kings Road but might not be our safest. We could head out to this port here and sail down to the Sprite Harbor. From there a few days ride to the Capitol." She explained while tracing the route with the tip of a knife.

 

She then turned in her seat "Indicus, why dont you come join us? Im sure its better eating this food with company."

Edited July 25, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

Robert nodded. "Well, it's up to Whisper, really. She's the one who decided not to turn back. But if you ask me, safe is a lot better than fast. What would help is if we had a guide who knew this country and could take us through a safer, more remote path. Since we don't have that, I'm all for sailing to the capitol. It's marginally less dangerous than going by land, and significantly harder for someone to track us."

[Sanctified Absence 126]

Zaddion's eyes cracked open to that unfamiliar glare of sunlight, gone were the days in his dark room and gone was the gentle Magickal glow that lit it. Shielding his face and sitting up to the side of the bed he realised that his body did not particularly enjoy the strain of the previous day. He wasn't injured, the Doctor they briefly met had seen to that, but the experience was especially uncomfortable for someone who was used to mental, not physical work.

 

Glancing down to the floor he found relief as he saw the Tome of Night still bound by its chains, looks like nobody took a peek like he feared after all. Rising to his feet and stretching the mild numb pain away, the Mage sighed at hearing glimpses of the conversations outside.

 

Packing the Tomes in their rightful places and making his way out of the room, Zaddion eyed the group as he approached the table they were situated. Seems everyone was there, everyone except.... "Whisper and Dresden still asleep?" He interrupted the current conversation as he leaned over the table, giving the map a quick inspection from a distance.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Sanctified Absence