George - 2001-01-30
s Trevor finished speaking, he suddenly felt nervous. Suppose he had read her incorrectly? She could just casually laugh and dismiss him out of hand, certainly a court gesture she would undoubtedly know and may have used many times. But as he listened to her reply and noted the feelings imparted by her unusual eyes he knew relief. He discovered a newfound respect for Selene and a joy that rose like the sun in his heart. There was so much more to this noblewoman than met the eye. He realized that all the bluster and righteous indignation she had espoused were just a facade she had acquired as a result of her upbringing and exposure to the political environment of her court. This realization also highlighted just how badly he had misread Selene.
Trevor gazed upward into Selene's face, the colors dancing in her eyes mesmerizing him. Somehow he felt privileged to be taken into her confidence this way and a certain air of intimacy passed between them. The knight felt warm all over as he let Selene finish her discourse. He positively bathed in the glow of her appreciation for his efforts. He was about to speak when to his equal surprise she knelt before him, her eyes even with his. He smiled and to his further astonishment she hugged him. He felt the smooth softness of her cheek against his and her hair, unruly as ever, tickled his nose. He managed to bring one arm up to her back, then she moved away.
He sat for a stunned moment and collected his jangled wits. After a few moments he found his voice still functioned and forcing his vocal cords to work, he replied, "Well, I-I, uh, I'm glad that you feel that way...umm, you're welcome, Selene, er, Lady Selene." Trevor rubbed his head and grinning to rob his words of any insult, added, "I wouldn't say you were a pain in my side. More like a major headache!" They laughed at that and Trevor sat silent for a moment after their laughter died out. He took Selene's hand again. It was becoming a habit, it seemed. One he didn't mind having. "Look, it wasn't your fault we got off on the wrong foot. It was just my big mouth as usual. I seem to get myself in trouble because of it. I truly am sorry for what I said about you and Tiel. It was very insensitive and inexcusable. I suppose I owe Tiel an apology as well.” Trevor sighed. And what of Azari? The thought jolted him. Just where did he stand with her? Had it all been the ale? Just a part of his dream? She had made it clear she was not interested in a relationship. So what should he do about her? He did like her, but just how much? Now just what was happening here with Selene? There was no denying his attraction to her and she seemed attracted to him. Was she the right one for him and he for her? His head throbbed just trying to figure this whole scenario out. He felt like a complete fool. A voice inside his mind seemed to say ‘Relax, let nature take it’s course. You will know by and by. Trust your heart.’ It seemed like good advice to him.
Something Selene said seemed to tug at his mind. Something about her father. He snapped his fingers suddenly and exclaimed, "The dogs! When we first met I remember hearing those dogs. They were after you, weren't they? That was your father." Trevor smiled and shrugged, "Well, it appears that I have already crossed your father, right? As the old saying goes, in for a penny, in for a pound." He regarded Selene warmly and asked, "As your Champion I must ask what M'Lady wishes to do now? Are there more dragons to fight? Shall I rescue you a fourth time from certain death? Ask what ye will, my Queen, and it shall be yours." Trevor chuckled at his own humor. He wished Selene would hug him again, longer this time.
Martin - 2001-01-31
uranog's head whipped around as he heard the crashing from upstairs. First the sound of a door bursting open, and then what sounded like breaking glass – together with raised voices.
:Elements, what –now-?: the pyromancer thought, frustration and worry chafing at him in equal parts. Could he afford to investigate, if it meant leaving the girl 'Lexa alone – yet could he afford to ignore the events above? The options warred inside him, until his combative side won. Better, he considered, to risk a known danger – the girl setting the inn ablaze – than to ignore an unknown that might be even more dangerous.
"Keleos is taking a while," he murmured to the girl 'Lexa. "I should see what takes her so long above. I shall return in a minute, young one. Do not fear, we shall let no harm come to you."
Gently ruffling the young Avarel's hair, the pyromancer rose from his crouch and climbed the stairs. As soon as he ascended, his whole posture and demeanour changed as he adopted a warrior's careful tread, hands near his twin swordhilts, though he drew no steel before finding out what was happening. His Firesense questing ahead, he found no trace of the pyromantic magics up here – though that hardly meant no other magic was afoot. Swiftly and quietly, he moved along the landing toward the source of the voices.
Diana - 2001-02-01
iel poked around in the bushes not far from where she left Azari to track Trevor and Selene. Or Trevor, anyway. Azari wasn't much interested in Selene, but Trevor seemed to be very much interested in both. She would have thought 'lecher' if she had been accustomed to the human (and pretty much everyone else) concept of polygamy being a bad thing.
Faintly, a hoarse cry drifted to her ears. "Tielllllllllll!" Azari called frantically. Snarling, Tiel leapt to her feet and sped toward Azari's frightened voice, flying through the forest in near silence until she happened upon Azari.
Long, powerful canines bared and ears pressed tightly back, she peered around the woods surrounding herself and her new companion, looking for whatever had frightened Azari so. Seeing nothing just yet, she hurried to Azari and gave her a quick once-over, diagnosing her ankle right away.
Without a word, she swooped down and scooped Azari up and headed back the way she came. From the smell of the young knight-to-be, she had been man-handled. Literally. 'Well, if they follow, they'll get more than they bargained for,' she vowed silently.
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.