Hazardous Times (all welcome) - Part IV

[Attalus]

BLANDAMOUR
OOC>>I believe that I have forgotten to thank our gracious hostess, the mystic Mistral, for her welcome of me. Thank you kindly, ma'am. IC>>
BLANDAMOUR(So overjoyed was he not only to see Lady Galadria again, that he let his long-supressed passion for her slip out in his gratitude. Luckily, he thinks, she didn't notice it. He covertly admired her beautiful face, surrounded by a cloud of blonde hair, blue eyes flashing as she strode around, making preparations to leave. He quickly called his squire, Carso(myr), to pack his tent and to prepare the horses for travel. So, he would be riding with his secret love again. He resolved to keep it hidden better, as he felt that a Paladin should remain unwed, and he didn't want to hurt her feelings.)

[ 02-01-2002: Message edited by: Attalus ]

[Galadria]

OOC>>If you think that she missed that, boyo, you are mistaken. IC>>
GALADRIA (As she rides along upon Gold Top, Sorsha in front of her, she steals glances at Blandamour. She wonders at his use of the term, "sweeetheart." Was this merely a slip of the tongue, or did he actually feel for her more than mere comradeship? Ah, well, time would tell. She could never really feel worthy of the affection of a man that she admired, so. Eliza's words like "overgrown cow" come back to sting her. Perhaps he desires someone more feminine, she thinks. I'm glad that she is gone, she might steal him away... She resolutely refuses to continue that line of thought.

[mistral4543]

OOC>>> I am now on Broadband! WOOHOO!!! But alas, I am still tied with work... I'm rushing to get a lot of stuff done for my colleagues before I go on my overseas working trip on 16 Feb.

IC>>>
Sorsha

She stares at the retreating figure with a touch of grey at his temples, feeling a stirring within her troubled heart ~ Ah, true love, this... I wonder if Galadria, for all her valour, skill and beauty, can detect this. ~ She lifts the sickle, the sharp curved point perched precariously against her throat.


Dalben

"Another round of dramatics?!" ~ He hisses as a swift glance reveals to him Sorsha's shame ~ "I expected more out of you, Sorsha!" ~ His eyes dilate in annoyance, then he relaxes as she meekly lowers her weapon ~ "Do you think you would do us any good with your death? Then you are a fool..." ~ Wisps of his beard dance in the breeze that blows by ~ "By now, each and every one of us is considered an enemy by Cedric." ~ His brows raise speculatively ~ "Perhaps, even his daughter."

Coughing involuntarily, he mutters ~ "Come, we must away once more. But Galadria, the chit had a point. We must know where we are going. I trust that you have a place in mind, that we may further deliberate on concrete plans."

[Larry_OHF]

Jaime
"Hey! I am the only cut-throat around here..."

[ 02-01-2002: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Galadria]

GALADRIA (to Dalben) "Yes, I do. We cannot assault the realm of yon Cedric with our small force. We need strong allies, allies that hate all that is evil, and I know where they might lie. I know not whether or not my father lives still, but I know every knight in the Oreder at Tarashia, not far from here. It may hap that we can find help there, or, at the very least, news." (she notices Sir Blandamour listening intently to her, and blushes)"Or, perhaps my superior, here, has an alternate plan."

[mistral4543]

Dalben

He visibly relaxes at her reply, and he follows her gaze towards the newcomer knight ~ His loyalty remains to be seen... ~ Emitting a slight cough, he turns away from the pair and advances towards the wavering Sorsha.

"My dear... it is perhaps time to tell you a little more about that amulet of yours."


Sorsha

At the mage's words, her slender fingers clasp the pendant in her pocket, which feels cool to the touch ~ "That would be... good." ~ Her soft voice quavering as the image of Legolas assaults her mind relentlessly ~ If only you were here... how much I need your presence of mind... ~ The sight of Galadria and her paramour only worsens the situation.

Legolas! Why have you left me?! ~ She closes her eyes involuntarily, feeling the moisture trickling down her cheeks.


Dalben

The poor child is torn between Justin and that ranger... Legolas, was it not? ~ He muses, inwardly regretting this chance acquaintance ~ "My dear..." ~ He coughs a little. Then gives her a reassuring smile as her eyelids flutter open and her cheeks redden in embarassment.


Sorsha

"I... I am ready to listen, Dalben." ~ Am I truly ready? ~ Both hands slide into respective pockets, the fingers twitching slightly ~ Legolas never quite trusted him... ~ She blinks once, then forces a timid smile.

[mistral4543]

Eliza

The rush of blood thundering in her ears and the sharp pain of her heart eventually take their toll on her. She bends over, body screaming in unbearable agony and her breathing erratic ~ That... will teach them... ~ Arms too weak to even clench, she staggers in her footsteps and hurriedly makes to the nearest tree, leaning against it for support.

Where do I go?! ~ Lifting her eyes wretchedly to the ironically singing skies, she purses her lips determinedly, hearing the raging shrieks within ~ I shall go mad... ~ Slides herself into a sitting position ~ Yet every step I take now is one towards death... I feel it... ~ The thought of her father now sends shudders down her spine ~ I do believe he'd kill me if he had to. ~ Idly, she hums a silent tune, trying to soothe her frazzled nerves

Distracted, she fails to notice the movement in the bushes behind the tree...

[mistral4543]

Isaura

The sweet stirrings of a newfound love threaten to rip her heart apart as she catches Raymond's equally delighted eyes ~ Can this be true? Will it last? ~ Now a jab of terror mars the perfect happiness of her dreamy state ~ I am doubting him... tis a bad sign of things to come. ~ Yet looking at him once again, all she senses is his innate goodness and that endearing keenness missing in so many men she had encountered.

"Shall we continue to stay here for a while, Isaura?" ~ His glowing cheeks plead his cause, and she blushes in turn, feeling her own grow warm and her heart, overflowing with tenderness.

"As you wish... Raymond." ~ It is not yet the right time for terms of endearment; that would be premature ~ "Let's potter about again, shall we?" ~ Acknowledging the impossibility of keeping her voice neutral ~ "I'll do the garden."

"No, I'll do it!"

"No, I'll do it..."

And so they go on, engaging in childish banter. Yet it is precisely this which sends a thrill to her inner core, planting the seed of hope within her long frozen heart.

Together, then, they proceed to the garden...

[mistral4543]

Dalben

"My child, I can see that you have some misgivings about me." ~ Admonishing Sorsha's feeble protests ~ "No, do not insult my intelligence. That is the truth, whether I like it or not." ~ His onyx black eyes gleaming and reflecting the sunlight ~ "I heard from the innkeeper that an elf placed himself in your service." ~ A touch of gentleness sending the corners of his lips curving upwards ~ "And elf ranger, if he spoke true."

Glancing at Rrang briefly, he nods ~ "I imagine that is an ally of his." ~ Turns back to regard Sorsha's look of astonishment with amusement ~ "You are green to the real world, Your Highness." ~ His voice now barely a whisper ~ "Nothing is clear to anyone, much less to those unaccustomed to the ways of adventuring."

"But we digress from my intended goal. To speak of the amulet, I mean..." ~ Coughing, he extends his arm and places an outstretched palm before her ~ "May I see it once more?"


Sorsha

Don't do it!

The single warning rings loud and clear against her ears, yet the penetrating gaze of the mage brooks no opposition. Trembling, her fingers grip the trinket reluctantly and her fist withdraws from the pocket ~ "Here it is." ~ Choking, she deposits the item onto the gnarled hand.


Dalben

The perfect cut of the crystal once again in his view, he stares at the amulet in fascination ~ "It is even more beautiful than I could remember..." ~ His voice hushed in awe, the fingers clasp the pendant and the hand raises it to eye level compulsively.


Sorsha

She watches the alarming change in countenance of Dalben ~ He... he's going to be spellbound, too! ~ Hurriedly, she knocks herself against his hand, sending the amulet flying out of his hands and onto the ground ~ "Watch out, Dalben!" ~ Cowers before his enraged state ~ "I... I was only trying to help..."


Dalben

"I don't need your help." ~ He hisses, his voice laced with sarcasm ~ "I am perfectly capable of handling myself... must more than yourself." ~ Face almost contorted beyond recognition, his body starts to convulse before it steadies itself, the possessed look leaving his face.

"I... I am sorry, Sorsha." ~ He breathes heavily ~ "I overestimated myself." ~ Deliberately ignoring the amulet now ~ "Keep it. It's yours." ~ He walks back towards Galadria ~ "Well, have you decided which is the best way to go?"


Sorsha

Gaping after the retreating mage, she gingerly picks the amulet off the ground and drops it hastily into a pocket ~ But... he has not told me anything about it yet. ~ Yet pursuing the issue seems a risky venture ~ There's no telling how he'll react... he is certainly a most eccentric character.

Confused, she walks towards Jaime uncertainly ~ Seems that he is the more predictable of the two... he may be a scoundrel, but scoundrels are easier to understand... I think.


OOC>>> Okay, I'm off for now. Please take over if you wish [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img] And have a great weekend, all

[ 02-02-2002: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

[Attalus]

BLANDAMOUR (to Galadria) "No, indeed, dear lady,I know little of your quest and your companions. I am on medical leave, and have no duties. Indeed, in light of your being the means of curing my wound, I feel obligated to follow your lead and forward your concerns. Perhaps later, when I know more, I might venture a suggestion. For now, perhaps my sword and my company will be enough. Let us ride." (He mounts his horse, a big black named Shaitan. His sauire, Carso(myr) sits on a bay and leads a sumter horse)