Spellbinder - 2001-06-06
"hank me? For what?" She looked up at him with her softly stormy teal eyes, meeting his own eyes. "You're the one who's deserving of the thanks. You've saved my life over and over.. Thank you..." She said and leaned over to plant a gentle kiss on his lips, blushing slightly at her boldness.
Trevor was riding a cloud of euphoria from Selene's somewhat bold kiss as they heard the sound of approaching menace. The lovestruck knight had left it lying on the ground near the haphazardly piled armor that was at least twenty feet away. He frantically realized this fact and with an oath about how stupid this had been he quickly retrieved it and held it in both hands. His arms quivered with fatigue from his earlier battle and it took all the strength he could gather just to hold the weapon up. He knew that if this threat was armed and ready for combat that it would be a very short fight indeed. Ainsley had no illusions as to the outcome. It would be fatal for both of them.
"I can't believe he came back.." She muttered to herself as her horse appeared from the underbrush. "I'd have thought that he'd have returned to the livery." However, she was smiling as she led the horse over to Trevor. "At least someone up on those clouds is looking out for us."
So it was with greater relief than Selene displayed that he saw that it was Starstruck which burst from the underbrush and not some bloodthirsty opponent. He dropped his guard and used the sword as a support as he eyed the stallion gratefully.
He smiled wanly as Selene led her horse over to him. "Well, it looks as though the prodigal son, or stallion in this case, has returned. Very nice indeed." Trevor gazed warmly at the young lady and added softly, "Yes, I do think someone is watching out for us. Somebody with a bow and heart-shaped arrows. I do believe there is one thrust into my heart." He grinned mischievously at his own humor, his white teeth flashing and blue eyes twinkling. He felt a rush of affection for Selene that left him feeling shaky. She, despite her 'filthy' appearance, was stunningly beautiful and he desired her like never before.
A little voice in Trevor's mind pulled him back to reality, saying that if Starstruck had been the bandits, they would now most likely be dead. He looked about the clearing and his eyes came back to Selene. "We'd better get out of here." he said with a note of urgency and went to his piled armor and began donning each piece while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Finished, he took the reins gently from Selene and climbed aboard. He reached a hand down to Selene and grinned. "Somehow this feels familiar, don't you think?"
Spellbinder - 2001-06-07
fter Azari's departure, Sherai wept. She remembered how much Trevor loved being a Knight of Torrigan, how handsome and strong he'd looked in his armor, how proud she had been of her younger son. And of how frightened she had been for him. Now it seemed those fears had been justified. Was he truly dead? Perhaps it had been another knight that had been seen. She fervently hoped this was the case, though she hated the thought of anyone dying. She summoned one of her maids and told her to get word to her husband Torrence to she come home quickly. He and Regan were at least 2 day's travel away, inspecting a stand of fir along the upper reaches of the High Tor for an upcoming order from one of their biggest customers. How she wished Torrence was here now, his strong arms around her, comforting her in this time of trouble.
Sasha overheard her mother's request and felt tears burn her eyes, yet she knew this could not be true, could it? Wouldn't she have sensed this? She and Trevor had a bond that ran deep, so deep that they were almost of one mind. Often when talking together with others one would at some point finish a sentence for the other without missing a beat. She missed her brother terribly, but understood his decision to become a knight. Now he might be dead. It was just too much to accept.
Sasha knew she should comfort her mother, but time was of the essence. She had to do something. Like go after this Azari woman and follow her. Perhaps Sasha would be able to sense Trevor if she was close to where he was. Not wanting to hear her mother's objections and waste even more time arguing her point, she went to her room and changed into trail clothes and packed a few things hastily. She wrote a note explaining her actions and left it on her pillow. At least her family would know what she intended to do. A few minutes later she slipped out of the house and made her way toward the barn. There she saddled Missy, her favorite horse and with a furtive glance at her home she was off, fear and determination wrestling for control of her heart.
Days passed by as she followed Azari's trail, keeping just out of sight. She saw the Inn ahead and decided it might not be a good idea to just walk in. She didn't want Azari to know she was being followed, although she might not have seen Sasha during her visit, Sasha did not want to take the chance that she might have glimpsed her. She decided that she would camp nearby and watch for Azari to leave. There was no telling how Azari would react if she knew Trevor's sister was following her. She might just send Sasha packing and try to find Trevor on her own. There was no way Sasha would chance that. She was determined to find her brother come what may. So with aching muscles and equally aching heart she set up camp. Finished, Sasha sat under a tree to watch the comings and goings of the guests of the Inn. A lone tear fell down her smooth cheek as she thought of Trevor.
Amber - 2001-06-08
elene couldn't tear her eyes away from Trevor's, smiling and blushing at the same time. She could almost hear her own heart thud in her chest at his smile, a feeling of breathless exuberance flooding through her. She felt flustered and happy at the same time, warm inside.
She moved to help him as much as she could with his armor, and, even though he had to show her how to put it all back on, she remembered some things from helping him take it off and she didn't feel quite as useless this time. Starstruck pranced lightly at Trevor's weight, but, as if sensing the fact that this wasn't the inexperienced Selene, behaved himself quite well. Selene glared at the horse for a moment, remembering the last time she'd been on him. In fact, it seemed to her as if every time she got on him or another horse she was thrown, one way or another. She and horses just didn't get along...
But.. She looked up at Trevor and smiled again, taking his warm hand. "Hopefully, however, this time there will only be a cozy inn at the other end, not another fight with some serpent or bandits or wildfires or anything else like that." She replied as he helped her up. She patted Starstruck's mane, looking back at Trevor with a smile.
"Let's hurry.." She suggested, noting worriedly how tired he seemed. She too, was exhausted. Starstruck, however, set off at a lively pace, as if he'd done nothing but graze all day. That was probably what had happened.. Selene thought annoyedly. 'Stupid nag...' She leaned back, against Trevor's strong chest, and glanced up at him with a smile. His hair had fallen down in his eyes again, and he looked wonderful to her. She reached up and brushed it out of his eyes, smiling.
They rode for what seemed like forever, but, in reality was only a few hours at most, Starstruck's endless energy and Trevor's guiding hand bringing them to a road. Down below them, in a small fold of the valley, was a tiny town, not more than a half dozen buildings clustered together. She stirred slightly, forcing her aching, tired body to move. She'd nearly fallen asleep but had forced herself to keep awake, to keep watch. It wasn't fair for her to sleep when Trevor couldn't. "Where are we?" She asked quietly, hoping they weren't back in Aleron, and hoping that there was an Inn down there and fearing there wasn't.
Lawrence - 2001-06-12
The trees, rocks, and animals alike all flew passed, as Tarin made his get-away. But, no matter how fast he went he couldn't seem to lose the trackers. Knight Thief started to slow down, "come on boy, keep it moving, we gotta get out of here, or else, well, or else I'm dead." Tarin tried every idea he could come up with to speed the horse up, including food, flanks, and weapons, but the mount continued to slow. "Dang!" Tarin cursed. He stopped Knight, and leapt from the saddle. He grabbed his belongings, and slapped the horses rear, which caused the animal to run on down the road. "Return to your owner horse." Tarin called siliently. Then he turned about, and searched to underbrush. Soon he found what he was looking for, a solid wooden branch. He hefted the stick and moved behind a tree, setting the club against the trunk and drawing out his dagger. He crouched low, waiting for the coming soldiers.
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.