Hazardous Times (all welcome) - Part IV

[mistral4543]

Isaura

Helplessness pours from the depths of her glistening eyes as she replies to the old man ~ "It isn't his fault... and it isn't mine, either... " ~ She clenches her fists, staring at her shoes, she recounts her tale...

Ending off wistfully, she sighs ~ "How can I continue to be with him? I feel so awkward, now that this has come between us. It would be impossible to ignore what has transpired."

She falls silent, uncertain whether to leave immediately.

[Larry_OHF]

Old man

"My poor dear, there is nothing that I can say to change how your heart feels.

Look at me. I am 73 years old, and my wife left me to the dust three years ago. I do not have much of a reason to go on living. I died with her, that day." The old man's eyes begin to redden and mist over...

"What I am saying is that life is just not worth living, unless you can share the good times and the bad times with somebody. Somebody that makes the hurt go away. Somebody to be proud of your accompishments. Somebody to hold you when you are scared. If you want to live a life of lonliness...then so be it. But let me tell you that it hurts."

Wiping his cheek, and turning his head, the old man walks toward the spring with a bucket intent on gathering water for his horses.

[mistral4543]

Isaura

Confusion spreads over her face as she starts to stammer ~ "B... but he was the one who didn't wish to..." ~ Cheeks turning crimson as the painful memory strikes her again ~ I have met with countless unpleasant instances all my life... ~ An obstinate tear eludes her will and rolls down the side of her cheek.

Hurriedly wiping it away, she returns his gaz after a while ~ "I am sorry that you are lonely, dear sir. Have you thought of adopting children or travelling?... That is, if you felt up to the task... the rewards could be worth the venture."

[Galadria1]

OOC>> Ouch, Mistral. If I do anything you don't like, e-mail me. [img]smile.gif[/img]
IC>>GALADRIA (to Eliza) "Don't be sulky, girl. I'll agree that you're not spoiled, if it'll make you merrier, but you must think. Your very life depends upon it. What do you gain by a lonely grave, or none at all, belike? By Helm, are you jealous of Sorsha? That would be one for the minstrels, as you would know. Perhaps you could write a ballad. But all your squirming gets us no forrader. You are no fool, you must know that you are betrayed, and your father with you. What would he do, here? Think on that? (She goes over to Sorsha, and spears a roasting vegetable from the fire with her dagger, feeds it to her.)

[Larry_OHF]

The old man stops, turns around and smiles warmly...

"Dear girl, I am too old and I feel that death will be calling me soon. My time is run out. You have many long years ahead of you, if you take care.
You started to say that he did not wish to be with you? Then why is he out in my barn, crying his eyes out? Yeah...that proves taht he loathes you, alright. Are ye blind?" Oh well, I have much work to do, and need to get started. Ye are welcome to stay as long as ye like, and before you go, take enough food outta my pantry to make three days of travel on the road."

[mistral4543]

OOC>>> Okay, this is a quickie... I really don't have much time to post much, sorry

IC>>>
Sorsha

The conversations of the others float over to her ears, and she emits a soft sigh ~ If only life were less complicated. Perhaps I ought to try to solve the mystery, even if it means taking a chance... ~ Eyeing Eliza timidly, she swallows a gulp before whispering to her and Galadria ~ "Alright then. I admit I am Sorsha. What would you or your father have with me?" ~ Grips the hilt of her sickle, her face flushed knowing she is no match for the bard, anyway.


Isaura

Wavering, she stares after the old man as he hobbles his way off to potter about his own business ~ Crying? Raymond is crying? ~ Yet nothing makes sense... why would have have change of heart now? ~ Her heartbeat turns to the erratic side as she heads in the direction that Raymond had earlier made for ~ Isn't it just like men? Always changing their minds... and they say women are flighty ... (OOC: ) Spotting the youth standing with his back facing her and his shoulders heaving up and down, his injury still far from healed, a lump forms in her throat.

"Raymond, I..." ~ Her trembling voice breaks off as she finds her whole body convulsing from fear and uncertainty.


Eliza

She nearly chokes on the food, though the revelation had not been necessary ~ "S...(cough!).. so... you finally admit your identity... (cough, cough)..." ~ Gasping, she holds a hand up, motioning for time to recover from the spasms. Smacking her chest hard, she finally dislodges the food particles and wipes away the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Sniffing a little, she continues ~ "I suppose I ought to hold my part of the bargain, then." ~ Glances at Sorsha shrewdly ~ "I'd swear you're totally in the dark about this." ~ Her brows raise in speculation ~ "Either that, or you're a terrific actress." ~ Now toying with her dagger, she flicks it from her left hand to the right expertly, scowling as Galadria attempts to stop her ~ "Give me a break! I wouldn't taint my dagger with just anyone's blood... not even yours or Sorsha's." ~ Seeing their wary expressions, she adds ~ "This dagger is meant to smite evil..." ~ Her voice slightly wistful, before hardening.

"Anyway, I'll tell you what I know. My father has been searching for a girl named Elena. Why, I do not know and have never bothered to find out." ~ Grimaces at their disbelieved looks ~ "My only concern is to prove my worth to my father. What he says, I will follow. Blind loyalty? Perhaps... but it has certainly served me well... until I met the lot of you." ~ Sarcasm mildly finds its way into her cultured voice ~ "Apparently, this Elena has been assuming another name. The name of Sorsha."

[mistral4543]

Sorsha

Her azure blue eyes widen in a mixture of wonder, terror and awe ~ My real name... it could be Elena... no wonder Philip wrote in his journal that my real name is plainer. ~ Turns her head to catch Galadria's doubtful glance ~ She is not quite convinced... ~ Sensing the growing disturbance wrecking havoc in her insides, she whispers breathlessly ~ "Please... continue."


Eliza

"There isn't much to continue, my pretty little doll." ~ Finally, the sneer comes swift ~ "That is all I was commissioned to do. Find a girl named Sorsha, and confirm if her real name is Elena." ~ The emeralds in her eyes glitter brilliantly as she continues to stare at the waif ~ "You have only mentioned your name is Sorsha. Now... is Elena your real name?" ~ Fiddles with her dagger absently, her slender fingers escaping the razor sharp edge


Sorsha

"I... I don't know." ~ She blushes, not knowing why should be ashamed ~ "I am trying to find my past, after all. Everything is a blur..." ~ Silences herself, knowing she must not be bullied unnecessarily by the princess ~ "I guess this will always be a mystery..." ~ No, not quite! ~ "...until we find Dalben. The mage."


OOC>>> Okay, please take it from here, guys. Gotta go! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Galadria1]

GALADRIA "So, I was right. But it means little what your name is, Elena or Sorsha, though, certes, it is nice to know." (to Eliza) "My main question remains unanswered. Why would such as you and your father bother about a girl that is obviously someone you look down on. In my knowlege of the doings of kings, they would not risk their daughters on an errand of less than great import. She knows nothing about her past, so it is obvious that she cannot know anything that endangers you. So, that leaves who she is or something thaat she carries. There have been no overt attempts at assassination since I have joined you, so it is probbly not that she is a personal threaat to you. That leaves something that she carries. The amulet of which we spoke, mayhap? That would explain it all. What do you have to say to that?"

[mistral4543]

Before Eliza can reply, the discreet cough behind the group nearly scares the wits out of everyone. No one had sensed the presence of the intruder till then... uncanny, to say the least.

As the others continue to gape at the bearded one, only a single waif murmurs softly.

"Dalben..."

[mistral4543]

Dalben

The sight of the golden-haired Sorsha brings a sigh of relief to his cracked lips ~ She is safe... ~ A frown crosses his wrinkled face ~ "Where is Legolas? Did he not promise to protect you?!" ~ His voice rising a little, then drops to a mumble as he notes Rrang ~ "Here is one that bears some semblance... perhaps he had some other tasks." ~ His surprisingly rapid glance over the group brightens a little as he notes Delita ~ He has kept his word... a true paladin.

Now sensing two other charismatic presences, he sees the lovely pink-armoured Galadria and the luscious beauty Eliza ~ A bunch of good-lookers... yet Sorsha remains the centre of attention. Or mystery. ~ Gripping the quarterstaff whose light has dimmed at will, he whispers ~ "We haven't much time left. But the truth, I will tell now." Lowering himself onto the ground, he begins unravelling the almost forgotten tale...

"Many years ago, Sorsha... no, Elena's father, Gareth, was the king of the realms." ~ Darts a warning look at Eliza, who sullenly silences her cry of protest ~ "He was a noble and compassionate ruler. Nothing was too beneath him, and the people were happy under his leadership." ~ He blinks once, coughs a little, then continues ~ "There was much rejoicing when Elena was born. She grew up in a happy family, filled with love... but this did not last for long."

Pausing to take a deep breath, he sighs and continues, his eyes now pinned on the nervous Eliza ~ "Cedric, Gareth's brother, coveted the leadership. He managed to raise a revolt against Gareth within the castle, slaughtering all in his path..." ~ His beard trembling with indignation ~ "Elena's mother died in the massacre. But she had managed to entrust the care of Elena to Gareth's trusted advisor Eldrin. Eldrin fled with the blessings of his master, and brought the child far away from danger... I stayed on to help Gareth defend his position."

Closing his eyes now, pain evident in his mutterings ~ "In his dying breath, Gareth asked me to leave rather than join him in death. He wanted to know I would be around should Eldrin seek my aid..." ~ His gnarled hand begins to stroke his beard ~ "But Eldrin never did. He wrote to me, saying he had changed his name and Elena's... to Philip and Sorsha."

At the sound of Sorsha's gasp, he reopens his eyes and smiles peacefully now at her ~ "Yes, you are Elena, daughter of the former king Gareth. Your guardian Eldrin was your father's henchman...

"As for who Cedric is, surely that should be obvious by now." ~ Dalben's eyes narrow as he beholds Eliza once more ~ "Your father. He has been hunting the entire group of Eldrin, his wife Jocelyn and Elena all this while. You have been aiding him in finding her out."