Amber - 2000-01-09
enra ignored the sounds of animated talking behind her, her eyes already turned to the forest, the cool green depths inviting her. She wanted to be among her kin once more, among the forest animals who were friendly and respectful, among her forest kin who knew her and trusted her, like wraiths. Outlanders made her uncomfortable, angry even. It was Outlanders who had made her an orphan, and she didn't trust them. No matter what they had done.
The sounds of the forest surrounded her, and she caught a glimpse of a hind, silver dappled, fleeing by her. She watched the agile deer until it disappeared, glancing around.
Silver appeared at her elbow, and she grinned at the tiger, who lashed his tail, gently brushing her elbow. She smiled as several of the Clan of the Redtooth appeared around her, talking animatedly, female and male alike streaked with hunting paint, their tan deer outfits blending in with the woods around them.
"Hey Jen are you going on the hunting party later tonight?" A female by the name of Kestri piped up. Kestri was one of Jenra's best friends. Jenra chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully.
"I don't know..."
"Aw c'mon Jen... we're headed towards the Talos Falls..." Teros called. Jenra grinned. She knew what a youth hunting trip near Talos Falls would end up as-- a swimming party.
"Alright..." she conceded, grinning as Teros let out a loud Kéthiel war whoop, which was immediately taken up by the rest of the youth, who danced among the trees, for all their pounding not making a sound.
"We've gotta get home with the Kill, but we'll meet up with you at High Sky at the Syclemore?" Kestri called and Jenra nodded as the small hunting party disappeared into the forest, good natured taunts and ribes echoing through the forest long after they had gone from sight...
Jenra sighed with a soft smile, nodding at Silver and setting off towards home.
Danae - 2000-01-10
driana looked around the large hall at all the festivities that were supposed to be in her honor. She was not impressed. She knew that it had been her brother, Lucian, who had planned and arranged it all. Her father had not even deemed her leaving to be important enough for him to grace the farewell party with his presence. "Ah, well," she sighed, "I have never let his inattentiveness bother me before and I will not start to pity myself now. Not when I am supposed to be enjoying my last night at home."
Although she had few good friends in the keep, all of those were with her and were enjoying themselves mightily. As she had entered the banquet hall, she was fully aware of the sight she beheld. She had chosen to wear her second most elaborate gown of the purest white. The bodice was embroidered with silver thread and she wore the tourmaline jewellery that Lucian had given her for her 16th birthday. Her black hair was done up in a turquoise ribbon and she knew that she was stunning. She had purposefully chosen an outfit she knew accentuated the features that were so unlike the rest of her family - her turquoise eyes, black hair, and dark skin. Although a year ago she would have traded them in for the bleached colors of the rest of her household, now she was proud of them. If she was to be sent away because of them, she might as well show them off before she left. She had been placed with both Rody and Deran as her table partners during the banquet and has all but ignored Rody in her eagerness to get to know the new guard. Although she had at first snubbed him while attempting to conceal how flustered he had made her, she had since become comfortable with his presence. It had been only a few days since they had arrived but already the preparations had been completed and their journey was to begin tomorrow. A small party of travellers they would be, but she would be glad to get away from everyone she knew she could not trust.
Bringing her attention back to the present she saw that a young man was standing before her. Rattling her brain to think what he could want, he extended his hand with a question in his eyes and she realized that he must have asked her to dance. Taking his hand he whisked her out into the middle of the floor and her suspicions were confirmed. As she danced with him she continued to look around the hall and realized that it was getting late. Just as she began to yawn her eyes met Deran's and...
Yvonne - 2000-01-11
...he young man she was dancing with stopped, paled and stepped away nervously as the Llowran bodyguard languidly walked forward. His black leathers stood out starkly against the dazzling array of colours and glitter, although closer up the elaborate patterns and cut-outs could be seen. The man turned to face Adriana again as the yellow eyes watched him steadily, calculatingly.
"Um, my lady, it is rather late, don't you think? I, uh, think that I shall retire. I bid thee a good evening, lady, and a safe trip. Farewell!" The young man all but ran from their presence, turning beet red. Probably because his voice had cracked during his little escape speach, several times. Deran smiled.
"Mmm. It is getting late, isn't it?" he said quietly, stretching a little to relieve a cramp in his back from sitting still too long. He seemed totally oblivious to the stares he was getting; the men seemed shocked at the total disregard of manners, and the ladies just stared. Smoothing the soft leather of his shirt flat against his stomach he offered his arm to the lady in white. No matter what his good-for-nothing sister said, he could manoeuvre his way around the human world just fine. "Can I escort you to your rooms? Perhaps we shall even .. take the long route?"
Diana stood against the far wall of the banquet hall, blending in quite nicely with the rich red wood of the panelling. She was not as comfortable in crowds as her whining twin was and had managed to alienate her tablemates with a few well chosen comments, leaving her to finish her meal in peace before escaping to the fringes of the room. It wasn't a very good meal. The meat was over-done and over-seasoned and there were too many vegetables for her taste.
Ah well, the wruria were happy, and when they were happy they were stupid, and as long as they remained stupid Diana could let her guard down a little and relax. Which, she supposed, was the purpose of the banquet. *It might be easier if the had proper music instead of this braying. Mules coughing sound better than this!* she thought, feeling restless. Out on the dance floor she spotted Deran intercepting their charge and her dance partner, sending the young man scuttling away in fright. The stench of his emotions was easily picked out over the crowds mingled scents, as was her brother's musky overtone that was so like her own.
Sighing a little she began to wish for a good long sleep to get rid of the laziness in her belly and so that they could get on the road sooner. The house-bound life of a noble was definitely *not* for her, she decided, but there were definitely some perks. Smiling a little she pushed off the wall and swayed out into the crowd, drawing stares and mutters as her immodestly leather-clad form passed through the throng. Diana paid them no mind, all her attention centered on her prey...
Lucian.
Abby - 2000-01-11
To Sir Roarke Tarrant of the Shield, Knight of Torrigan,Luce
My friend, I must ask a favor of you. I have told you of my sister Adriana Kaladaire and her troubles within my Family. Those troubles are peaking now, and there is ill work afoot; I fear my sister makes a very attractive target for enemies both without House Talenis and within it. I have decided it best that Adriana leave our House for a time, until matters here can be resolved. Thus she is travelling to Torrigan soon, and should be passing through your area.
I know that you have duties of your own and cannot abandon them. Still, I wish you would keep a watchful eye for her, and perhaps direct her to places where she will be safe and not taken advantage of. Adriana is clever and not what I would call an innocent, but I cannot help but worry... and knowing that she will be safer on the road than within the walls of House Talenis does not set my mind at ease.
I expect that this letter will reach you only shortly before she herself does. She should not be hard to recognize. Adriana is a lovely young woman, with black hair, turquoise eyes, and a dark complexion; she often wears our House colors, and will be travelling with her personal bodyguard, a tawny-colored Felana named Roderon. I have also taken the precaution of hiring additional protection in the form of two Llowra mercenaries, Diana and Deran, but I am not entirely sanguine as to their trustworthiness.
You know I would not ask this of you if I did not think it was necessary, Roarke. Adriana is very dear to me, and I would not see her come to harm, but I cannot protect her once she leaves the House. Please, my friend, lend her what aid you can.
Lucian rubbed at his stinging eyes, pretending to listen to the overstuffed and inebriated courtier who'd latched onto his elbow. The evening wasn't half over, but his nerves were already beginning to wear out from the dizzying combination of music and perfume, color and light, rich food and dancing and witty--or not-so-witty--repartee. He was unaccountably weary, but he could hardly abandon Adriana's farewell celebration--not when he'd arranged it for her himself. And despite his usual caution, he was fairly sure he'd had too much wine.
(Speaks highly of my lordly dignity, getting drunk before the party's half done. I hope I can at least fake sobriety; Adriana may never forgive me if I make an idiot of myself.)
Speaking of Adriana...
Lucian lowered his hand from his eyes and looked around the ballroom for his sister. She had looked dazzling tonight, resplendent in House Talenis' pristine white and silver; Luce himself had dressed in elegantly subdued black and silver for the sole purpose of setting himself up as a foil to her. He hoped he'd succeeded.
(And I do hope someone makes a point of describing us both to Father. He might have at least turned up tonight,) Lucian thought sourly. (Ah, well.) The celebration was probably all the cheerier for Lord Talenis' absence. All the same, Lucian fully intended to have words with his father once Adriana was safely away.
A flash of white caught his blurring eyes, and he finally located Adriana on the dance floor. A frown began to form on his face as he realized who she was talking to--Deran, the Llowran mercenary, a somewhat sinister figure in his stark black leathers.
(I know she wants to get to know her escort, but... I'm not sure I like the way they've been acting, all three of them. If she must conceive a fascination, I wish she'd choose Rody--at least we know we can trust him. Someone had better make it clear to this fellow that he's to keep his hands off.) Disengaging himself from the rambling courtier, Lucian rose to his feet with exaggerated care, intent on interrupting his sister and her Llowran companion.
But he was stopped dead in his tracks when the other Llowran, Diana, materialized from seemingly out of nowhere and began prowling directly toward him with a distinctly predatory expression on her face...
(Oh, hells,) Lucian's half-numbed mind thought faintly. (Now I'm in for it.)
Copyright (c) 1999-2000 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.