[b][h2][color=3a0600]Torin Hellsong[/color][/h2][/b][color=green]Raya T'mivus[/color] [color=ed1c24]Kasari Liesma[/color]


The journey to Shadow Worth had not been comfortable. Climbing a snowy mountain pass, even in a coach with furs and blankets, was miserably bumpy and unbearably cold. Torin sat wrapped in a heavy fur cloak, his breath frosting the air with each exhalation. He didn't complain, though he wanted to. Complaining wouldn't do any good at this point, and before long he knew he would be treated to warm fires, hot food, and a woman's company. It would be a nice change of pace, and he felt a small swell of pride at his newly achieved status. Even though the core focus of his life was no longer military pursuit, he'd managed to at least make himself deserving of a bride, and at such a young age too. He didn't really care about having a wife as much as he cared about what that symbolized. Although, these days the Geminites were so eager to give away their daughters to Drakken lords that if he had waited a few years, he might have achieved one just by seniority. He was too eager, perhaps, to advance his standing in the realm.

[color=fff79a]"We're nearly there,"[/color] a gentle, female voice broke the frozen silence in the cab. Tyrai Hellsong, Torin's twin sister, sat across from him. She was similarly bundled in fur and, like her brother, refused to complain of the cold. She had insisted on accompanying him, having said things like, [color=fff79a]"I'll get into trouble if you leave me by myself,"[/color] and [color=fff79a]"Someone's got to be sure you don't pick an ugly bride."[/color] The latter declaration was only partially true. Tyrai was a vain and conceited woman, as many Drakken females tend to be, and since she still lived with Torin in the Hellsong house she wouldn't be able to bear it if his silly Gem wife was more beautiful than she. Tyrai did not care so little for her brother that she'd choose a homely bride for him, but she would be certain that whatever sniveling little girl he got would not match her own lovely appearance. This was the first reason she'd come along, and the only one so far as she'd led Torin to believe. However, there was a second ulterior motive for her accompaniment. She knew full well that Shadow Worth had become a gathering place for all the greatest Drakken warlords, and it was an ideal orchard for her to do some of her own picking. 

They arrived at last. The guards at the gate stopped them, as with others, and when Torin announced himself as hailing from the house of Hellsong, they cast uneasy looks at each other. Torin's blindness was not a well known fact, and the guards were confused by the odd headdress -a thick silk mask trimmed with gold- that covered his eyes. He gave no appearance of disability whilst walking though, and they allowed him and his lady to pass inside along with their own bodyguards. Tyrai drew more stares than Torin, she was a rare beauty and while she did not flaunt herself she was nonetheless on display for the hungry eyes of every Drakken present. Her very presence gave Torin the appearance of importance, no doubt many would mistake her for his wife.

They walked arm-in-arm to the choosing. This was also Tyrai's idea, since they could have easily sent a servant and guards to pick just any old one. Tyrai wanted to approve of one in person, and Torin trusted her judgement. He put out a hand to feel the air currents in the room, he sensed many bodies, both men and women. He could feel their individual breaths on the back of his hand. [color=3a0600][b]"I'm waiting,"[/b][/color] he said in a low voice, indicating she had better make up her mind.

Tyrai surveyed the other women present. Many had already been chosen and taken away, the few that remained looked disagreeable. They should have arrived earlier. The lady Hellsong allowed her eyes to settle on a mean-looking girl with long platinum hair that was half-braided along one side of her scalp. She was nice and plump with a plain face and clear complexion, suitable enough. She turned and said as much to Torin, and he ordered the guards to bring her. They dragged her before him, holding her by the arms, and Torin calmly placed a cool hand on her face. He traced the outline of her brow, nose, lips, and chin then moved onto her throat and from there slid his hand over her shoulder and down her side all the way to her hip. He smiled, but it was not a kind expression. He lifted his hand to her face once more, running his fingers over the cornrow braids with some measure of amusement. The image constructed in his mind through touch was not what he expected, but neither was it displeasing. [color=3a0600][b]"What's your name?"[/b][/color] he asked finally, having come to a decision.

While Torin inspected the girl she again cast her gaze toward the young Gems, narrowing her eyes at one of them in the back, a girl with long dark hair with a bold look about her. She was distracted, however, when Torin directed his next question to her: [color=3a0600][b]"Just the one is it, were the rest of them too unsightly Tyrai?"[/b][/color]

[color=fff79a]"No, my lord," [/color]she sneered at the girl in the back, [color=fff79a]"There is another that may be to your liking."[/color] She signaled the guards and the brought the second Gem forward.

Torin's lips parted in a grin that revealed a row of teeth lined up like so many ivory tombstones. He patted Tyrai's cheek affectionately. [color=3a0600][b]"You are too kind."[/b][/color]