Amber - 2001-07-06
elene blinked in surprise as Trevor brushed past him, embracing the strange woman. Her tired mind worked slowly at best, and her first reaction was confusion. She took a step back, glancing between the two as they took up their running dialogue. It was like one of those puppet plays that she'd loved as a girl. Trevor's family thought they were dead? No, they thought he was dead, she reminded herself. They didn't know she even existed. But if the Ainsleys had thought their son dead, what of her parents? Perhaps, her father would think she was dead too! Would he still search for her body? What would he do if he didn't find her? What would she do if they simply gave up on her? This wasn't what she'd been planning. She'd wanted to put her point across, not be given up for dead! Now her father would name a new heir. Did that disappoint her? Or was she glad? She could start a new life and no one would ever know that she was the lost noblewoman from Aleron! But her heart contracted at the thought that her parents would never be able to meet Trevor, for secretly, she'd hoped that if they ever met, they would like the knight from Torrigan who'd stolen her heart.
She felt dizzy with all the thoughts rolling through her head, the confusion of feelings and ideas all pressing to be examined. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she simply looked at both of them for a moment as Sasha apologized for the confusion. "That's all right.." She said faintly.
It was too much to handle; all the emotions that'd coursed through her and still battled for control, the spell that even now continued to drain her, the days without a proper bed and bath, the fact that her parents probably thought of her as dead... Selene's tired system couldn't handle another shock, and here she was face to face with multiple shocks at the same time, a jumble of emotions as well, for even as she fought to clear her mind, her heart thudded in her chest at Trevor's touch.
She tried to focus on Trevor's face, but felt her will falter and fail. "Trevor.." She began, but what she was going to say left her mind, for right then, her body gave up and her resolve dissipated. Selene was tired beyond anything she could have ever imagined. She'd been put in so many positions that she'd never been in and never seen herself in, forcing her to adapt more than she'd ever thought she'd have to. She was used to quiet days where she knew everything that was going to happen, and the biggest shock would be if one of the courtiers caused a scandal. Her mind and body couldn't handle the stress any longer. So, she did the only thing remotely logical in her condition.
She fainted.
She let out a tired sigh and felt her knees buckle and give out. Her eyes rolled up into her head as she fell forward, darkness overcoming her. She only dimly heard Trevor and Sasha's startled voices, as if from a distance. She made one last effort to look up at Trevor before sinking into the quiet, welcoming arms of unconsciousness.
"Dark Blade" - 2001-07-06
ein returned to her sister, bloodied talons staining the elf's cloak. Kiolenn had no concern for such things and gave a wan smile at the kite's presence. Her eyes, forest green flecked with stone and amber coloured shards, moved back to the great field beyond. She was fortunate to have this bit of the forest's edge today. A potential intruder could be seen even if they were great deal away. That was all she thought of outsiders as: trespassers, sources of evil deeds, breakers of the code, defilers of the Forest. So said the Reiqhei, her law and life.
Reverently, she touched the hollow tooth at her throat, one of the many on her necklace. This one, however, was special, for within it held a tiny shred of the paper on which those most holy of words were written. Taking barely more than a corner of one page, she had been careful not to remove any text from the sacred Reiqhei. What she had removed she'd wrapped in dry leaves, being sure to prevent the tell-tale hollow sound, and replaced the tooth's top, gluing it into place. Snapping out of her religious bliss, she moved on to the spring nearest her and filled her empty flask. Kiol edged back towards the border, carefully watching for any sign of unwelcome curiosity. Come human or elf from the outside, another slaying would occur.
Spellbinder - 2001-07-09
"
"She's fainted! Come, lay her on the bed." commanded Sasha, her voice concerned. She hurried toward the bed and threw the covers back and fluffed the pillow. Trevor carefully laid her down and touched her smooth cheek with a shaking hand. "Is she going to be all right? Maybe we should find a physician."
Sasha shook her head. "No, she's just overcome with exhaustion and stress. Sleep is what she needs most right now. As do you. Why don't you lie down too? I can keep watch over your 'bride'" Sasha finished with a knowing smile.
Trevor grinned tiredly and shook his head. "I see you got the whole story from our beloved innkeeper. A nice enough gentleman, isn't he?"
Sasha laughed and nodded. "He is that, all right, if a bit eccentric. I knew you would not marry without telling the family."
Trevor spotted a sturdy looking couch against the wall and made for it. He began removing his armor with Sasha's help and once freed of its confining weight he sat heavily on its cushions. "No, I wouldn't, that's for sure. I want all of you with me when I do. Whoever the bride may be." he finished ruefully.
Trevor was overcome with a mixture of emotions. He was overjoyed to see Sasha, distressed to think of his dear mother even now needlessly grieving for him, concerned for Selene, and afraid. Afraid of how he might react when he saw Azari again. Had he been in love with her? Or did he love Selene? Was it the dream that made Azari special to him? She was beautiful and very desirable to be sure, but was that all? Trevor's head felt ready to explode from the conflict of his thoughts. He felt Sasha's mind gently brush away his confusion and he stared into her eyes and smiled tiredly.
'Take your time, dear brother. You will know which one is the one you truly love in good time. All in good time.' he heard her voice in his mind say. Trevor took Sasha's hand and squeezed it gratefully. He stood and went to Selene's side. He gazed down at Selene's sleeping face with compassion and, yes, love. She had captured his heart like no other. She was a complex woman, so mysterious and captivating. Sometimes vain and self- absorbed and at other times warm and caring. She had proven to be far more resilient than he could have imagined. He leaned close and kissed her sleeping lips carefully. She was breathing normally and deeply, which was a relief to the worried knight. He turned and walked back to the couch, fatigue weighing his limbs like lead. With a kiss to his sister's cheek he flopped on the couch and within minutes he was snoring. Sasha threw a blanket over Trevor and smiled down at her big brother as she tucked him in.
Spellbinder - 2001-07-09
arren stared open-mouthed at Azari's retreating back, his face crimson with anger and embarrassment. He snapped his mouth shut with an audible click, his jaw clenched as he threw the rag away in a towering rage. Curses echoed from the walls as he vented his emotions. Finally calmed down somewhat, he narrowed his eyes as he stared at the door, his voice low with menace as he spoke. "I will be paying you for this, wench. But not as you might like." In his mind's eye, the young thief envisioned removing the necklace none too gently from that arrogant little snippet's neck, all the while he would be laughing in her shocked face. Jarren chuckled darkly and nodded to himself. It would be sweet indeed.
A sudden noise distracted him from his reveries and he jumped back into a nearby stall, his eyes straining to catch a glimpse of the source of the disturbance. It was a girl, lurking about the horses. It was obvious that she intended to steal one, so Jarren drew a dagger as he prepared to confront her. As he stepped out, she turned toward him and her face seemed to leap at him. The stableman felt his face go slack with surprise as his mind grappled with the identity of the girl. Just as the name came to his mind, it slipped from his mouth in a strangled cry. "ISA!!"
"Neko of Polaris" - 2001-07-10
"eep!" Isa jumped back from the horse she'd had her eye on. Instictivily a whole slew of well practised excuses flooded her mind and she started to ramble them off before thinking, "I was just looking! I swear!" She said a little too quickly, "See? what a nice looking horse! I wasn't gonna do anything! Honest! I was just-" She stopped when her eyes fell on the man who'd caught her. "Jarren!" She exclaimed completely surprised. Then she narrowed her eyes heatedly at him, "What are you trying to do? Get me caught or something? Oh, you'd just LOVE that, wouldn't you!" She stopped again once she'd given herself a chance to think and remember where she was.
"Hey, what are YOU doing here??"
Spellbinder - 2001-07-11
Jarren stepped closer, his manner threatening, all the more so since he still held his dagger. He grabbed Isa's arm and roughly pulled her close so he could stare into her eyes. "Were you followed? If you led Mezzane here, I'll cut you myself!" Mezzane was the drug lord that was after Jarren for skimming drug money from sales that he had made. His narrow face was locked in a vicious snarl, born of anger and fear. He released Isa's arm and whirled about, his eyes looking for signs of a trap.
He saw nothing out of the ordinary and returned his attention to Isa, his face calmed somewhat and his demeanor returning to normal. He even straightened her sleeve out where moments before he had held her arm in a vice-like grip.
He shrugged and said quietly, "I can't be too careful, you know." It was as close to an apology as Jarren would come. "As for why I'm here, I think you know why. Which is why I question your business here. Are you following me?" This time he crossed his arms and regarded Isa with a piercing stare.
Here endth The Circle of Stone...
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.