Captive-Chapter 5: Morning Aftermath of Impending Doom

[Lord High Eater of Legs]

ic:Khalraan ran out of Skye's room,
'I'm gonna get someone to heal you' he called back,
'Look after her Dam'
The first room he came to was Calaethis, and he spoke to the handmaiden outside the door,
'I gotta speak to Cal' The young elf said
'C'mon, I gotta speak to him,'
His voice now a whine, the boy said
'It's important, Skye's hurt.'

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

The handmaiden sighed, wretched children. She looked at him. "One moment child; if your doing this for a prank.." she left it unsaid. Knocking on the door, she entered, and Khalraan slipped in before she could close it. She gave him a glare, "Calaethis!" she called, "You have a visitor." she looked at Khalraan, "Whats your name boy?" she asked. "'Khalraan' came the reply. "Calaethis! A child named Khalraan wishes to talk to you! He says you know him!"

Calaethis appeared at this point. He looked irrated, and asked "What is it Khalraan? I'm tired, I was just about to bathe..." Khalraan relayed what he had told the handmaiden, and Calaethis swore, then hastily glanced at Sui'aerl, who turned a blindeye to his language - this time... "Khalraan - I'm all used up... theres nothing I can do... I couldn't even cast a minor spell, let a lone a spell that would heal her... oh gods, don't cry, listen, Verloren could help you - shes a cleric - as has more powerful magic then I do anyway..."

He broke off. ""Sylquisitae... what are you... Sylquisitae!" a blushing Calaethis exclaimed. Sylquisitae dripping wet, and wearing only a bathing towel, which covered her modestly, but hugged her slim form, entered the room. Unself-conscious of her state, she asked shyly, "Lord Calaethis, you mentioned clothing earlier? Tyra is still bathing, shes washing her hair. She sniffed slightly "My lord, may I ask who that is?" She looked at Khalraan who was gawking, and was promtly cuffed by Sui'aerl "Keep your eyes where they belong boy!" she snapped at him. Calaethis shook his head and rolled his eyes, 'great' he thought 'this is all I need'

"Sylquis dear, you don't mind if I call you that do you?" she blushed and shook her head, "In the other room, there's a wardrobe - inside, there are some clothes, I'm afraid they all male clothing though, but I'm sure you could find a under- damn, I'm not thinking, Handmaiden Sui'aerl, would you mind summoning a servant and ask them to provide clothing for the two girls please?" The handmaiden smiled gently at him, "Of course Calaethis, and shall I escort the child out?"
"Who Sylquis? Oh, you mean Khalraan; yes of course, point him Lady Verloren's direction please?"

[Lord High Eater of Legs]

ic:Khalraan walked out of the room, his mouth still wide open. He listened half dreaming as the handmaiden pushed him in the direction of Verloren's room,
'Huh? what? oh yeh, Skye!' He turned to face the handmaiden, 'Who was that pretty girl?'

"Her name child, as you heard was Sylquisitae; now, Lady Verloren's quaters are over there." then she swatted him, "I suggest you concentrate on trying to find Lady Verloren, and stop drooling over the elf girl. She belongs to Calaethis."

His eyes glazed over, he walked off in the direction he had been sent, looking for Verloren. He bumped into her, walking away from Avalon, and didn't realise who she was.
'Skye hurt...pretty...Verloren...towel...help Skye...pretty elf'.

[ 01-21-2003, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Lord High Eater of Legs ]

[Lady Blue03]

ooc-Cal, Alliene was in her rooms when you walked in on her, not her mothers. AIM can be dl at aol.com

Zachana's eyes glinted mischievously,
"I am imbued with many magical powers not known to normal magic-users. I simply dissolved the gems off his body and reformed them here. Easy as pie," she grinned.

Alliene paced her room in a fitful rage. Bloody Hand Maiden! She should have done more than simply slap her! Address her as if everything was her fault! A lifetime of service? Pah! Alliene herself had only glanced at the woman in her mere 50 years in the underdark. She stopped and glared at her disheveled face in her tall mirror, then snatched up a brush and ran it through her hair until it shone like the moon and was as soft as silk. Better. She walked out onto the balcony and leaned on the railing with both hands, letting her hair hang over the edge. Sui'aerl wanted to help her rule? She would have named her Matron and left this accursed place if it wasn't for that outburst! Her and Calaethis speaking over her as if she were not in the room. Sunlight burn them, was this what her mother had to put up with? Her hands tightened on the railing and a small piece chipped off in her hand. Her black hand. By Shar, she couldn't remember a time besides her first experience out of the underdark she had been so infuriated. Muttering sullenly, she stripped off her chain and dug out her old black leather armour. This would be much more comfortable to wear around here. Buckling on her sword belt, she gripped the hilts grimly and considered strapping them to her back. No, not today. She stalked out of her room and located the Blade Master,
"Rally up the warriors and secure that blasted House Shelarth. They are free to take what they want. Burn anything that can be burned, and get the slaves in a group and put them in the caverns next to the forge so I can deal with them. What are you gawking at male? MOVE," the Blade Master snapped out of his awe and bowed hurriedly before running off to get his warriors. Alliene watched him go with cold eyes and continued her tirade up to Calaethis's bedroom. She didn't care that she had to stare up at the Maiden; she felt as if she towered over anyone, and the power belogned to her,
"I did not bring my cousin here to be slapped around by like one of your underlings. Lay a harming hand on him again, and I'll hang your hide for the whole house to see!" her lips curled in that easy snarl. She booted open Calaethis's door, closing it with a snap and stared down at her cousin. She noticed the elf slave had gone frozen at seeing her, but Alliene did was lift her eyes and narrow them at the elf. Dangerously. She dropped her gaze back to Calaethis and folded her arms, saying nothing.

Verloren frowned at Khalraan,
"Skye is wounded? Well, take me to her, and I'll see what I can do..."

edit-bloody men, make me edit cause u post too fast [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 01-21-2003, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: Lady Blue03 ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

***OOC, nice to see Alliene up and about Lb [img]tongue.gif[/img] you *do* realise that Cal was being a prat just to get her to snap out of it? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

And LB [img]tongue.gif[/img] don't be so naaaaasty about us men unless of course YOU would like to try roleplaying Sylquis or possibly skye could hehe. I'm doing the best I can with them, and if I post too fast, well, it's coz I happened to have it already writen - all I had to do was post it - bloody parents throwing me off the net [img]tongue.gif[/img]

gonna change the colour sceme slightly - Cal will now have the lighter green.***

The handmaiden simply bowed and replied "You will Mistress" she paused "Mistress, I was only following the late Matron's orders." She cut off seeing the look on her Matron's face, bowed, and closed the door quietly.

Calaethis looked up at his cousin and shrugged. She'd left the door open. If she wanted to think anything, that was up to her. He snapped at the handmaiden, "Close that door, your letting in a draft." He appologised to her; "forgive me Sui'aerl, that was uncalled for." Sui'aerl nodded and departed from the room; resuming her post.

Ignoring his cousin, he lead the elven girl to another room - the empty bed chamber; he closed the door softly and spoke in a low, gental tone "My cousin... well; I don't like seeing her threaten others..." he said to Sui'aerl as she left, she nodded and he shifted his attention to Sylquis as "Sylquis dear, that was my cousin, Matron Alliene of House Streea. Her mother has just been slain in battle with your former mistress's house." A servant arrived dropping a basket with a heap of clothes outside the door to Calaethis's rooms. Sui'aerl disposited them inside Sylquis's room, and left again.

Calaethis smiled and said, "Thank you," and looking at Sylquis he said "Here are you and your sister's clothes. There should be shifts and undergarments - I know you are both tired - go to bed, there is a bed in the other room - not this one, the bathing room or my bedchamber - the other one - the bed there is large enough for the two of you. You don't mind sharing?" Sylquis shook her head. "I'll see you both tommorow morning then" Calaethis finished.

After Sylquis had taken the basket and both girls were in their nightclothes, and Sylquis was sound asleep, Tyra came to see Calaethis... "My lord, I wanted to thank you again for saving us.." Clad in only a shift, she appeared weak and vunerable, but very beautiful. Calaethis smiled and replied "Please - I would have done it for any elf." "Your too good for this world, Master," she replied and embraced him just as he said "Dont call me that, I'm not your master". She ignored him and clung to him, sobbing. He let her cry, and finally sent her to bed, before bathing himself, and changing into more decent clothing. Then he told Sui'aerl to make sure no-one came in, and to keep an eye on the girls, whilst he went to find Alliene...

He found her in the living room, still waiting, her expression icy. "Still here Alliene? I thought you would have left." prudently, he closed all of the doors, and lead her to his bedchamber. He shut that door as well, and turned to face an icy pair of eyes glaring at him. "Now cousin - before you say anything - please, don't be too angry to listen to what I have to say - please don't judge beforehand?" when his cousin didn't reply, he sighed. "Alliene! Stop that! There were two elven girls from the enemy house! Slaves! Innocent elves. I came across one and promised to come back for her - my sword - was left when I was knocked out cold... I went back for it with Sui'aerl; I also went back for the girl - she had a sister, the one you saw in the bath robe? They were both filthy, and tired. I told them to bathe. Sylquis - the one you saw when you walked in...? She was asking for clothing, nothing more. Damnit Alliene, don't you trust me or something? Shes barely a child, Khalraan's age. And as for the Handmaiden striking me - I'd say she was well within her rights... she did have a point you know? I deserved that." Calaethis sighed, and suddenly he embraced his cousin, tears forming in his eyes. "Alliene, I love you, why are you being like this?" he placed his head on her shoulder, "I know that I didn't like my aunt much" he sniffled, "but she was family, and..." he cut off, and paused, "Alliene, you know I would never betray your trust... and... when... that enemy handmaiden? When she struck you down with that dishonourble crossbow bolt? I thought I'd lost you... and..." he broke off with a wail, which he smothered, and sobbed in his cousin's arms.

*edit, shute misread what you'd writen LB - bleh edit it? OH all right Lb have it your way *grumbles* ok, I edited, now be nice [img]tongue.gif[/img] ***

[ 01-21-2003, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[Lady Blue03]

thanks calth [img]smile.gif[/img]

Alliene stiffened, and her left hand dropped and gripped Nizzre tightly,
"Why am I like this, Calaethis?" she stepped back and stared up at him, "Your little outburst in my room stripped me of any greif I had. I took things for granted, and my mother payed for it with her life. Now I have this burden I do not want. I shall mourn her passing until I stand at Shar's feet with her," her eyes tightened, "A Matron must be cold and commanding. I cannot be as I once was. Even if we leave, the incidents that impressed themselves upon my mind won't go away, and I will be much the same as I am now," indeed, she would never shed another tear unless someone poured pepper in her eyes. She turned around, staring hard at the door that lead to his bathing quarters, and the elves beyond, "I do not care about your elves, Calaethis. You claimed them, not I," she had to get out of here, she had to! Damn this wretched place! It had turned her into a cold uncaring person. Like her mother. She directed her hard eyes back to Calaethis, "I am sorry I frightened you when Sulfera struck me, but you need not cry now. I did not die. You were there for me. I would not be like this if I had been there for my mother," her voice was bitter.

[ 01-21-2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Lady Blue03 ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

***no probs lb - hang around a little longer please?***

Calaethis dried his eyes on her sleeve, and replied in a shakey voice "Because... you've just lost your mother Alliene - it was her choice to fight, not yours; had you not engaged the handmaiden... well... lets not get into the 'what ifs'" He paused and caught the look in her eyes. "Cousin? Would you not shed a tear if I fell? Your face is as hard as rock... you look like you'll never cry again, ever..." He embraced her again, holding onto her tightly, and whispered "No, you did not fall... not this time... but... only because... that bolt was posioned Ali! I... overreached myself and poured my life energy into it... you should not be alive now... and..." he sobbed again quietly. Finally he looked up. "You do not care about my elves Alliene? There was a time when you... when you would not let an innocent be harmed... you... escorted that tratior Natha rather then let him be captured by your kin... and... this place has changed you... I don't like what its done to you. Place another person in charge - maybe Sui'aerl - shes your blood kin... and mine I guess. Even if she is just a handmaiden... Alliene, please, lets get out of her - you as well... this place, its devouring your soul..." he cut off, only to look into her stoney face. He paused, and simply said... ""Alliene... please do not strike me for what I'm about to say..." and then he made the sign against evil, "Have you considered... following another?" he meant a diety, and his cousin knew it.

***OOC, your turn to post LB ***

[ 01-21-2003, 06:22 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[Lady Blue03]

ooc-hmm sorry, was enjoying myself on wc3, lol
oh, and i would b happy to take control of your elves, except i'm controlling 5 different chars already [img]tongue.gif[/img]

"The Hand Maiden is not your blood kin. The only man my mother ever took to her bed was Nox, my father, and he barely escaped with his life," Alliene stared at her once more midnight blue skin. How she wished it was sky blue, or peach colored. At the his suggestion of leaving Shar, she shoved him off and glowered at him, "Leave Shar? What kind of madness is your tongue spilling? I am one of her favored! You would never have even met me if she did not urge me to go to the surface!" If she abandoned Shar, she would have nothing left. Oh how she wished she could strike her cousin now. But she wouldn't. Not anymore. She drew herself up, cold dignity personified, "We will leave this place soon. Sui'aerl will not take my place, she is too soft to be a Matron. I have matters to settle here first. Get your things ready, and inform your elves," Leave Shar...she could not believe he even hinted at it. She left quickly, her eyes sharp, hair billowing behind her like a snowy cloak.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

*prods lb - night elves rule right? good gal now stop playing wc n come post with your very own elf hehe *

Calaethis shrugged. He did not think that Sui'aerl was a direct blood cousin - that would be impossible, but somewhere down the line. He looked at his cousin's retreating form and realised he'd made a mistake. He shrugged he'd appologise later. He didn't know if she meant to leave now or rest first. Shaking his head, he walked over into the girls's room, and gently shook Tyra awake, then Sylquis. He explained they may have to leave, and to get ready. He left them to change. He go into his own gear, and took everything that he needed and was his. His elves met him a few moments later, and he called to the handmaiden, and had a servant sent to equip them with traveling items and equipment. He glanced at them, niether of them would be any good in a fight, and he'd have to decide if they were worth training later - OOC - Sylquis has the potenical to be a cleric/priestess, or possibly a sorcerer, and Tyra has the potiencal to be a Psionic.*** after they'd been equiped, they were ready to leave at a word, both of them looked tired and Calaethis was filled with sympathy for them. It had been a long and tiring day for them all. Calaethis had had the two girls equiped with leather armour - it shouldn't weigh them down to much, belt knives and travelpacks, and a couple of waterskins each. They also had several changes of clothes, and several days rations and not much else. He looked them over, and tossed them a couple of travelling cloaks - suitable for winter wear. They were both fur-lined and had thick fur hoods. Calaethis sighed and told them to rest if they could, he'd wake them when they had to go. Calaethis made his way to where the handmaiden was, and said his farewells to her. He wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to come with them, but that would be almost impossible...

*edit, you didnt say a time LB - also, I'm quite happy to RP my elves - if you'd give me a couple of pointers perhaps - if I make them do anything a female wouldn't do - tell me ok? *

[ 01-21-2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[Lady Blue03]

As Alliene was striding along a lighted corridor, she got a link from Zachana,
<<My lady, if you please, I am using my draconic identity with Shadow...>> she trailed off
<<That is fine, Kaishin'azunwith. I will be in your quarters...now>>

Zachana only had time to squeak before Alliene jerked open Shadow's door. Her dragon was trying to look as meek as possible, sitting next to the unclothed half-elf,

"Good evening, Lady Kaishin'azunwith. Pray tell, have you seen my little Zachana about?"

Zachana gulped, "Matron, I believe she was in the caves with the silv...with Lord Avalon," she breathed a sigh of relief at her Lady's nod, even though she fixed Shadow with a near-dangerous look,

"You, Shadow. We are leaving the underground just as soon as everyone is ready. So get ready," she closed the door behind her and located Verloren and Avalon in the common room, "Gather your things sister. We are leaving this place as soon as possible," Verloren nodded silently and poked Avalon in the ribs, getting him moving in the direction of the caves to get Wind Shadow. She located a servicable kobold slave and told him to relay the message to Skye and Khalraan. She scouted around and found Dameon. This was the 'great warrior' who had been her mother's main defense. He had failed. She told him in an icy tone to prepare his things. Was the Aeris child still in the fallen tower? Cursing, she found a drow warrior to go find him and give him the message. They were finally leaving. Soon.