|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 4:18:49 GMT
Fianna sat on her bed and pulled her legs closer to her. She didn't mind that there were so many visitors in the keep these days. There was even a flood of new settlers, the Locks was ever growing. But all of the new visitors were elves.
While she had always been a bit uncomfortable around the Fey creatures, who knew why they did some of the things they did after all, these days it was hard to look at them without thinking about Red Lightning. He had been very good to her, though they had rarely seen each other since he had brought her home to the Locks.
She heard the elves speaking in a strange language, one that even the elves around here did not speak. What was going on?
Figuring that moping about would get her nowhere, as much as she wanted to do it, she needed to see why the visitors were here, and why they were staying.
Sticking her head out into the main hall she called to a passing boy she recognized. "Have you seen the Sheriff lately?"
"I've not seen 'em since yesterday, ma'm." The boy replied and then waited patiently for her to think things through.
"Well... I suppose come tell me when he is back in the Keep. I need to speak with him and this elvish leader I keep hearing so much about." Fianna gave the boy a pat on the head, which he threw her a resentful glare for, and sent him on his way.
Now... how long had it been since she practiced her magic properly?
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 5:45:42 GMT
Adoven passed in the hall, looking extremely angered, carrying a broken blade in his hand -the hilt of his great sword to be exact- muttering to himself. He seemed to keep a continual stride towards the armory.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 6:32:51 GMT
"Hail Adoven!" Fianna called, the angry footsteps bringing her out of her rooms once again. "I salute you as a free person," she said and watched him, noting the aggravation. Her tone was subdued, but her head clearer than it had been. She opened her doors wide in invitation to one of the only elves whom she had friended.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 6:44:29 GMT
He stopped, gave her a glance, and stormed inside her office. He impaled his sword hilt into her desk and sat in a chair crossing his arms while he fumed. Calmly, but with words sharp as rasping steel, replied to the Regent of the Locks "Hail Fianna. I salute you as a free person, though I myself do not consider myself free. Alas! It's been too long I have endured this mistreatment, and this had just broke my patience and fervor to serve this land."
He reached for a cigar he kept in a metal case, and lit it to calm his nerves.
"Do you ever feel alone and isolated to the point where you just question why you do things anymore? I can't even fathom how we maintain this charade of 'freedom' if oppression is faced regularly." he said, not really as a question but more of a statement.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 6:51:21 GMT
"My desk...." Fianna said softly, taken by surprise at the amount of rage Adoven unleashed. She turned to study him for a moment before seating herself on top of the desk next to the sword remains.
"I do not know what wrong you have suffered. Is this brought about by the influx of the nomadic elves?" She kept her tone light and open. " I too am having trouble with the many new faces, but they will soon pass."
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 7:10:13 GMT
"Yes and no." He replied puffing out a cloud of smoke. "I apologize for your desk, I'll have it repaired before tomorrow. I am just upset that my honor was broken, much like my sword here, to add insult to injury." He told her, taking another pull.
Exhaling, he continued "My shame is manyfold. My promise to the Great Tree shattered in the very Sacred Grove in which I made my covenant, to protect the land with sword, and to sing of its glory. But our… 'esteemed' leader saw it fit to break my blade upon the very Tree that I worship, after I offered my blade in his service to defend the land, and in turn, the Locks above all else. That would mean even my House, as I honor my original charge."
He clenched his fist and slammed it down harshly that a few splinters flew from the arm of the chair he sat in. "All because I DREW A BLADE IN A SACRED SPOT, WHICH HE CRITICIZED AS OFFENSIVE TO HIS GODS. HE KNOWS NOTHING OF SUCH THINGS." he exclaimed, his canines growing extensively as his eyes lit with fire, his voice turning to a roar. "I, WHOM OFFERED MYSELF TO THE LAND. I, WHOM PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO HIM. I, WHOM WAS BETRAYED IN HALLOWED GROUNDS HE KNOWS NOT OF."
He calmed himself, his feral features retracting and slumped down into his chair "I, who became shamed for a refusal of honest friendship even after my House was questioned for treachery. Because my ears are shaped differently. Racism at its finest." he muttered, as if a heavy load were upon his shoulders.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 7:25:30 GMT
As Adoven managed to calm himself Fianna released the green spell light of stunning magic from her casting hand. Her heart was leaping in static bursts, not having remembered that Adoven carried the curse of the Werewolf inside his skin. She shook her head at herself, foolishness. Subdual magic does not work on Werewolves.
"Adoven.." Fianna was unsure how to begin. For her beliefs did not allow weapons in the Sacred Grove either, but to meet out such violence to another? She did not know. "We all must share the sacred space in the Groves, we of the Locks. It does not matter race or religion. But it has been a long tradition to never carry anything but ceremonial weapons into the heart of the Grove among my people. I do not know if we have shared this information widely enough, but surely you have heard of it before?
"You are part of these lands, your customs are shared with all the other settlers, old and new. I am sorry that you were made unwelcome with a violent act in the Grove. That I cannot stand more than carrying a weapon of violence into that place, for intent is stronger than an object.
"Now tell me, you have implicated Ainvar in your betrayal. But what do you mean that your house was questioned for treachery?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 7:47:25 GMT
He sighed and laughed humorlessly.
"Had I brandished a weapon in anyone's face there would be justice in cutting me down. Offering the hilt of my sword in peace to bind one in the Sacred Grove, a hallowed pact, is sacred to my traditions as well.
I do not bother with silly customs like ornamental weapons. The steel can be used to make better things with, and even he whom did this carried a live blade -hypocrisy. No, I carry something that has the power to kill. By me giving up that, as my tradition dictates, I am rendered powerless, and is a sign of respect among my people, and fellow warriors. To break one's weapon on purpose brings shame and dishonor to the bearer and disfavors the gods with the culprit. Not only that, but the Sacred Tree as well." he explained, taking another pull at his cigar.
"Apparently for the number of diverse creatures and inhabitants here there are those who either choose ignorance or blatantly disregard other's beliefs, thinking themselves righteous." he continued "Since the Sacred Grove seems to be solely for use of their particular deity, or whatever other entity, I applaud the irony of calling ourselves free and tolerant while our leaders choose to be xenophobic."
Drawing another breath, he continued on to answer her questions. "The She-Wanderer gave us a belt favor -one that bore the heraldry of my house, the Dragon- and told us it was found on a drow scout stalking the nearby woods. This correlates to stories and rumors that I have heard while returning from the Barony of Rhye, confirmed by the desert elf's tales. I am angered that Ainvar even accused me of being in league with them, based on purely hypothetical and circumstantial notions."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 8:01:34 GMT
"I think a discussion on theology must be put off for now. Suffice to say I am not happy with the way anger seems to be collecting in a sacred space. "
Fianna hopped off the table and began to pace the room. "It has been known that there are factions within your house. But what if this favor was attained through battle instead and the bearer was keeping it as a trophy of the defeated?" Crossing her arms tightly Fianna thought on her words for a long moment.
"Both options are just as frightening, Adoven. For you do owe some loyalty to your house and they may call on you to fight against us. It then becomes your choice, support the attacking faction or your home. On the other side of the coin, if the favor was taken forcibly I am afraid of a hidden power strong enough to defeat one of the Dragons and steal away almost without being caught.
"You said you heard rumors," Fianna snapped out, turning on her heal suddenly to face Adoven again with a fierce frown on her face. "What do you think is happening. And with the insult you have been dealt, can I trust you or will you seek vengeance by appealing to those outside of our own?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 8:25:05 GMT
"Aye agreed." he answered, still not pleased by the events of last night "Suffice to say I did not wish to use my Wolf on him, else I would regretted it horribly in terms of displeasure with the World Tree."
"Yes, but not of dark elves. I do not ally myself with such vile beings." he stated flatly, as if there were no argument to be made.
"I agree" he continued "But Ainvar was too keen to reveal the disdain and preference of cloak and dagger tactics to honorable truth." he added.
Replying to her he told her "War is coming to the Shire. An invasion from everywhere, though we know not who our enemies are. I've only heard rumors, but unfortunately, it seems this Lady Freya has more information than any of us about these happenings."
He stood and put out his cigar, and calmly walked over to Fianna, looking down at her with his feral eyes. "I protect my home and pack." he told her, letting his aura permeate throughout the room. "If there was to be the House of Dragons against the Locks, do you think I would seek the destruction of my home? For that matter, I will not let a petty quarrel with a narrow-minded human deter me from such things. I owe my loyalty to my home, and its people." He told her, offended by the question a tad "I do not need to prove myself towards you all, as I have shown more loyalties towards this home of mine than any other, and I will protect it with my dying breath."
He strode over to retrieve his sword hilt from her desk, holding it towards her as he knelt.
"Fianna Dragonfly of the Cimbri, Regent to the Locks, I offer my services to thee," the elf recited "Will you take on a disgraced and dishonored person as myself in your charge to protect our homeland from threats? To protect and ensure the safety of the Mother Tree and Her most Sacred of Groves? This I give to you for nothing in turn. The friendship of an elf, and an ally."
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 16:39:41 GMT
Fianna was speechless for a moment. Tentatively she reached out and put a hand on Adoven's shoulder. "I did not mean to further dishonor you by questioning my friend, only I must think of all the danger presented at this time even if it means questioning friends. You are not the only Dragon within the Locks, and my very own mate was one... Once."
Fianna firmed her posture and moved her hand from Adoven's shoulder to the broken sword he held. "Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd, I accept your charge into my care, to protect land, home and Sacred Grove. Let your honor be restored through pure actions and deeds, let your disgrace in the eyes of fellow beings dissipate. You must settle your own account with the gods. Rise, Adoven, for here you are a friend and fellow of Locks. "
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 17:13:15 GMT
As he rose, a familiar grin crept on to his face, momentarily flashing his canines.
"Thank you Fianna." He told her, and embraced her warmly.
"Do know that we will find a way to bring back your mate." He told her in a whisper.
"And if you need my assistance, do not hesitate to ask."
Letting go, he held up his broken sword, and scratching his head a tad out of embarrassment, asked "Could you by happen chance have a magick prepared to perhaps...?"
For the Song of the World!
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 17:22:55 GMT
At the mentioning of Red Lightning Fianna became a little sad again, but renewed her resolve to focus on the task at hand.
"I've something to fix it, did you bring all of the pieces?" Fianna stepped to her desk and touched the deep gouge where the broken piece had been stuck. She reached for her standard book of spells, always kept close at hand though she rarely used it these days. "I have a mend spell that will make it like new, but it has been a while since I have used magic. We can always ask one of the Wizards if I fail. Or that new man I've seen skulking about, Logain or whatever."
|
|
|
|
Post by Adoven Leoros Bloodwynd on Jul 8, 2014 17:34:33 GMT
"Yes I've all the pieces." He answered eagerly, presenting them to her.
"Well I'm sure you're still good at your practice. There's a reason you're one of the better Healers out there." He grinned slyly, with a overtly cheesy wink on the end.
For the Song of the World!
|
|
|
|
Post by Fianna Dragonfly on Jul 8, 2014 17:57:08 GMT
"Flattery shall get you no where, my friend." Fianna grinned back at him and arranged the pieces. After a short incantation the blade lay like new across the top of her desk. "This should be just as strong and sharp as the day it was forged now."
As she stepped away from the desk a slight knock was heard at her door. The boy she had spoken to earlier stood in the open doors, looking at her steadily. Where was its she had seen him before?
"Ma'm, Sheriff Ainvar has returned. He is in his chambers, but 'e looked mighy tired." The boy said.
"Thank you," Fianna waved the boy farther inside the office. "You did well and I appreciate it. I recognize you, were you not a warf child until only months ago?"
"Yes." Now the boy was playing shy. He looked at his feet and spoke softly. "It were Mr. Adoven there," the boys accent more pronounced with his shy demeanor, "asked me ta run a message fer 'im and the people in ta keep 'ave kept me 'ere ever since. Give me a good place ta sleep an coin fer runnin errands. Even got new clothes." He held out his red tabard with the stags and keep of the Lock on it. It was clean and well kept.
|
|
