Spellbinder - 2001-06-25
asha pulled on Missy's reins and the mare stopped in a cloud of dust before the entrance to the Inn. Sasha slid off the horse and nearly bounded up the stairs, which could have been hazardous since the steps were badly in need of repair. She slowed as she entered the building, unsure of where to go next. She gazed about the room and her eyes settled on a little old man behind a desk stacked high with books and papers. Sasha approached the desk and cleared her throat.
The man looked up and his mouth dropped open like a stranded fish. "By the great Sun! Another young beauty. Heavens to Pergatore! What do I owe this honor to? " He stared at Sasha for a moment, then his eyes rounded. "Ha! By a bull's horn! Am I going mad or are you related to the young groom that just checked in this fine day? Hmm? Well, you have his eyes and that same look, the same hair. Tell me, may you be his sister?"
Sasha's face registered surprise at the innkeepers insight. "Why, yes, I am indeed the sister of Trevor Ainsley, if that is him you speak of. A groom? I had no idea he was to be married." She felt Trevor's presence quite strongly and wondered why he didn't respond to her probing. Perhaps he was distracted by his wife. That might explain it.
The innkeeper spread his hands and shrugged. "Mayhap the young lovers eloped? Aaah! To be so in love again! And a lovely young thing the bride is! I envy your brother, yes I do! Miss...?
"Sasha Ainsley, at your service. May I see my brother, please?" Sasha replied. The old man thought for a moment, then beckoned for Sasha to follow. As they mounted the creaking stairs the old man remarked, "I wouldn't be at all surprised to find the young couple enjoying a hot bath together. Hee, hee! Just the thought puts the starch back into my britches. Yes, indeedy! I shall buy some candy for my missus too! That should put her in a proper mood." Sasha rolled her eyes at his back and grinned to herself as the old goat cackled on.
The man stopped before a battered door and knocked politely, his face showing his excitement. "Halooo, the room! 'Tis I, your host. I have someone here to see the groom. " He winked at Sasha and whispered, "Hoo, hoo, that will cause a bit of a stir, interrupting the consumation I expect! Young knight will no doubt be in a fine mood, so off I go, ho, ho, yes! Fare thee well, young lassie!" He ambled back toward the stairs, his voice echoing in the hallway as he continued his litany of good natured nonsense. Sasha suddenly felt nervous as she faced the door. She wiped her hands on her pants and composed her face as she heard a stirring from what she hoped was her brother's room.
Amber - 2001-06-26
"revor, it's not funny..." Selene protested softly at his laughter, her cheeks burning. "I can't believe he'd leap to that sort of assumption without any real evidence.." She pressed one hand to her forehead, still shaking her head slightly, looking at Trevor with a small grin. However, her embarrassment was put on hold by Trevor's infectious laughter, and soon she was grinning and giggling along with him. "He 'was' quite... unique.." She relinquished, giggling at his imitation of the innkeeper. It was quite accurate, from what she'd seen.
She grinned at the title so abruptly bestowed upon her, murmuring teasingly, "you're certainly willing enough to play along with his delusions." She willingly surrendered to his arms, smiling with soft amazement at how happy it made her to be near him. She felt as if she was drifting on a cloud, high above the cares of the land beneath her, a contented warmth in her chest.
"Then Aleron too is subject to this madness.." She replied saucily, her eyes twinkling slightly as her lips curved into a slight, teasing smile. She reached up and brushed his hair out of his eyes, smiling. "For I think I've fallen victim as well."
His lips against hers were gently fierce, possessive and sweet. She closed her eyes, savoring these feelings as they rushed through her, wiping away the fatigue that'd threatened to claim her consciousness to the dark realms of sleep. She felt safe, and happy, like she'd never felt before, a sense of belonging welling up inside of her.
There was a knock on the door, disrupting their quiet reality and bringing them back to this one. Selene sighed, looking at the door as the innkeeper's voice rang out again. "Doesn't he ever go away?" She muttered, at the same time curious. Who would be there to see Trevor? She hoped it wasn't Azari; she'd spoil everything, Selene just knew it. Sighing again, she hugged Trevor then pulled away, walking back to the door and pulling it open.
It wasn't Azari. At first, Selene's confused mind didn't understand why the young woman looked so familiar, like she'd seen her many times before, and then she realized the girl was almost an exact copy of her dear Trevor. Slightly annoyed at the interruption and the threat of 'more' excitement, Selene ran a hand through the confused tumble of lustrous chestnut curls, looking the other woman up and down. "Yes, may we help you?" She asked in a polite tone, though she couldn't keep the curiosity out of it. Who was this woman?
Sorana - 2001-06-28
mber breathed a sigh of contentment. The unusually persistant rain had ended a week ago and the weather had been fair ever since. The roads were completely dried out now making the caravan's traveling as easy as it had been before the rain started, although with considerably less dust. With the warm sun on her, the wagon rocking beneath her and the cool breeze just barely ruffling her hair, she wished that she could live in that moment forever.
*I wonder if I can create something that perfectly captures this feeling. It would definitely be a challenge. I'll have to try it tonight, after the caravan's settled. They said we'd reach a town today, maybe early enough in the afternoon that we can set up in the marketplace and start to attract custom. Wish I knew how much longer it'll be before we get there.*
The wagons of the caravan rolled on along the road for some while. Their rocking motion conspired with the heat of the sun and the sounds of nature to make it feel like a lazy summer day. With no real need to watch the road, Aubrey was the one really guiding the wagon after all, Amber fell into a kind of trance. It was not until the wagon crested a final hill and the town was spread out below them that Amber was roused. She checked the position of the sun and was happy to note that they would indeed arrive in time to set up in the market.
"Dark Blade" - 2001-06-28
He turned, his face ashen-pale, and said nothing. The adam´s apple in his throat bobbed.
"Canst thou not speak?" She brought her bow up, the stone arrowhead speaking words she never had so say: 'Speak now, else you never shall again.' She noticed his quaking and tossed the cloak of pelts off of her shoulder and onto the leaf-strewn floor. "Why dost thou bring weapons if thou wishest not to battle?" Silence enfolded him, stifling even his movements. She shrugged, dun brown hair tossing in the breeze. "Very well." The arrow flew straight and true, hitting his neck squarely.
Having recognized the sound of death, the kite spiraled down, landing neatly on her sister's shoulder. The elf caressed the birds head fondly before stepping aside. As soon as Kiol had moved away, Cien turned back and flew over to land upon the dead man. Her challenging cry rung through the forest, and that which followed her bold note is not fit to describe.
The ends of the thin braids that hung on either side of the woman's face were decorated with leaf and feather, but the mass of her hair was over her shoulder and had no more pleasantries than the mud that clung to it. She bent to pick up her squirrel-and-rabbit cloak and tossed it over the leathers she dressed in, eyes glinting in their dark malicious way. Kiolenn retrieved her precious arrow from the fallen man (without looking at the mess Cien was making) and turned away, wiping the arrowhead carefully on the grass. Thinking of all the others that she´d like to dispose of in a likewise manner, the woman looked out onto the plains and hills beyond the border, watching for another to slay.
Spellbinder - 2001-06-29
"Sasha! It's so good to see you!" Trevor exclaimed. He gazed into the mirror image of his own eyes and smiled as their minds intertwined in a familiar oneness. Sasha gasped as she saw the battle and worriedly asked, "Trevor, are you...
"...hurt? No, I'm just very tired." Trevor finished the sentence and turned to present Sasha to a now concerned Selene. "Sasha, I want you to meet..."
"....Selene. A pleasure to meet you. I am Trevor's...." Sasha continued the sentence.
"....little sister. She has come a long distance to....." Trevor took up the thread.
"....check on my brother. Azari came to us and told us that he was..." Sasha's turn.
".....dead!" Trevor turned to Sasha in surprise as he finished their tag team sentence. Neither gave much thought as to how odd this sounded to Selene since it came quite naturally to them.
"How is mother taking this? She must be..." Trevor began.
"....grief-stricken. Yes." Sasha finished.
Trevor felt pain for his mother's great sadness and said, "We must get word to her soon."
Trevor turned to Selene and took her hand. "I must go home to see my mother immediately." Sasha took Trevor's arm and turned him toward her.
"No, you are in no shape to travel. Neither are you, Selene. How can you protect her if you can't even hold a sword? No, I will rest here and return home in the morning. You two can follow after you have had a day or two to rest."
Trevor reluctantly nodded agreement. Sasha was right. He could hardly swat a fly right now, so drained was he. "All right, we'll stay here. In the meantime, let's get some food and a nice, hot bath." Trevor took Selene's hand again and squeezed it reassuringly. Sasha felt the rush of emotion in her brother's heart and knew he was falling in love with Selene, though he hadn't fully realized that yet. She also sensed a bit of confusion in regard to Azari. Did he have feelings for her, too? Sasha wanted to take Trevor aside and talk to him about this, but now was not a good time. Perhaps he would sort the matter out himself. It might be best if he did.
Sasha smiled at Selene and said apologetically, "I am sorry for all the confusion. I wish we could have met under more favorable circumstances."
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.