moonfaerie

Legends of the Lost Age

It didn't matter to her how long he had waited at the docks all those years ago; the only thing she was focused on was the fact that he had spun her into the arms of a stranger and had run out without waiting for her to say anything. Had she been given the option, she would have liked to have gone with him on his mission. It did not matter now, however, as that was all in the past. No matter the reason for their reconnecting, be it fate indeed or merely coincidence, she had done what she'd felt like doing and was ready to put it all behind her now.

As they walked along the promenade, she gave a sideways glance. Everendall didn't much care for anyone; it was just the way he was. She didn't think he had any particular grudge against Dalious. If anything, she thought he might actually like the man if they sat down for a conversation considering the pirate had been the one to save her life. But, it was hard to ignore the palpable tension that had formed in the room once it was out there that the two of them knew one another. “He wanted me to stay,” she said with a slight frown, not knowing whether he'd been so adamant about her not going because he knew the true threat already or he was simply doing his best to try to keep her safe. Their relationship was a complicated one, unable to stay away from one another for too long, however, Everendall had made his choice long ago—and that choice meant she wasn't his to try and protect.

With a huff of amusement, she turned towards him. “You will protect me?” she asked, an arched brow. That was humorous. There was no doubt in her mind Dalious could hold his own—she'd seen that with her own eyes—but she was more than capable of taking care of herself. Though she did not say it out loud, there was a smirk on her face and a questioning look as if he truly believed what he was saying; she had the feeling she would end up being the one to protect them.

“I'm not looking to become a legend,” the woman frowned. After seeing what attention brought her, all she wanted was to remain in anonymity. It was one of the things she loved about being with the elves. No one cared that she was a malignant here or that she wielded powerful magics. She was only known because of the rumors that circulated around the palace about the king and his mistress and she could do without those as well.

Feigning a pout when he prevented her from using fire magic, she held her palm in front of her asking, “How about this?” before directing a stream of water in his face. Fire was not the only element she knew how to control now.

They stopped at the water fall, the pristine water droplets sparkling like diamonds as they fell. “I suppose,” she stated. Having spent years in the elven kingdom, she was accustomed to the setting by now, but she could remember the awe she felt when she'd arrived and how beautiful she'd found everything. Her favorite things had been the trees with their different color hues radiating off of them. The place was magical and found it suited her well.

“Yes,” she replied, beaming as he asked about her abilities. Living with her mother, they had to keep their powers hidden, practicing out in the middle of the forest away from prying eyes. They had to pretend they were just like everyone else which meant she had to attend school with the other children and learn what they taught. Here with the elves, her studies focuses purely on magic and she had learned for more in her short time here than most non-elves had in their entire lives.

But that was all she would say on the matter. Ten years was a long time and she didn't need to reveal everything she knew to him in case he turned out to be an enemy.

Legends of the Lost Age

There was something that excited her about the fact that he remembered who she was after all this time. She must have left just as big of an impression on him as he had on her. A nod of her head to confirm it, she stated, “It's wonderful to see you again, Dalious.” Mouth falling open as the he addressed her, she exclaimed, “You spun me off and ran out the door!” It had not been her intention to ditch him, but she remembered scarring the man in the town and the mob coming after her only to lose them somewhere in the forest. For a long while she stayed there with the animals until the elves came. Her horse was still with her in the stables.

A glance in her direction, Everendall appeared stunned. A name she had spoken before in a youth, but forgotten in more recent years, he looked back at hunter. “The man who saved your life?” he asked, indicating he knew the story already. There was a troubled expression on his face as his piercing emerald eyes focused on Dalious, trying to gauge the type of man he was. Despite not knowing him, he instantly decided with this bit of news and seeing their camaraderie as if a day had not gone by, he did not like him.

Tensing at the pirate's request, the King drew his lips into a thin straight line. “I would not have not sent you a contract if I planned to send Sybil,” he replied.

“Oh, but darling,” the Queen interjected happily. “Sybil is quite the skilled witch. Surely, accompanied by these fine men, she should be fine?” She saw this as a chance to get rid of her husband's mistress once and for all. If the creatures of the Hellsmouth did not kill her, as they had managed to successfully injure her last time, then perhaps Dalious himself could convince her to leave the kingdom and, by extension, Everendall.

Sybil wanted to go—she enjoyed being out on the field and being useful. If she were to sit around and gossip all day, she would go mad. But she also knew Everendall did not want her to and, whatever he asked of her, she would blindly follow. She looked to her King. He did not look back as he simply said, “You may go with them.” He knew her well enough to know what she wanted as well. In a more private setting and different circumstances, she would have thanked him generously.

“Ardenelle,” he ordered to the woman. “Show him to the library.” He gave them all a wave of dismissal to show that he he had said all he needed to and was done. The King stood up without a word to leave. The Queen lingered behind.

“Sybil,” she said. “I trust you will show Dalious and his men around the castle?”

Sybil was already walking down the steps to join the pirate. “Yes,” she assured her receiving a nod of approval in response before she followed after her husband.

Standing beside Dalious, she looked up at him, still in disbelief that he was still alive before balling up her fist and punching him in the shoulder for running off and leaving her in the tavern all those years ago.

Legends of the Lost Age

And? Sounds like a good sub-plot to me. The humans and the elves. The cat people and fish people. I don't see an issue here! GIMME FISH PEOPLE!

Legends of the Lost Age

Dalious is a dang pirate. You make it happen!

Legends of the Lost Age

I want fish people. Abe Sapien style.

Legends of the Lost Age

Wisps of dim yellow lights resembling fireflies danced around the immediate vicinity, moving where her fingers pointed. The Queen was unimpressed by the show, the ever constant scowl on her face. Everendall, on the other hand, enjoyed himself, adding his own bright white lights to the mix, both of them making it a game attempting to overpower the other—though everyone knew Sybil would have easily won had she given it her all. When the double doors opened they both immediately stopped, the lights fading as everyone grew serious. The Queen straightened her posture, resting her hands in her lap with a small smile, pleased they had stopped their blatant coquettish playing right in front of her, despite how adamantly they tried to deny it.

As Ardenelle led the monster hunters into the room, Sybil's eyes landed on one of them as she stared at him curiously. There was something familiar that she couldn't quite place and it nagged at the back of her mind. Unable to pinpoint it right away, she glanced over at the King to see his reaction. The man sat erect on his throne, the playful smile replaced with a more somber expression. He didn't trust the outsides, humans especially as they continued trying to take over his land, and the weight of his people's safety weighed heavily on his mind.

It wasn't until Ardenelle spoke the name of the monster hunters that Sybil drew her attention away and back to the two of them. Blue eyes shooting wide, she stared at the captain of the ship as he spoke. Gaze fixated in awe, she wondered if this was the same boy from all those years ago. Dalious was a name she would never forget—it would be impossible to forget the young man that had saved her life from the gallows. It was his words, his reassurance that the elves were not the enemy of the malignant, that had convinced her going with them was a good idea. For some reason, she thought he would have died out there on the sea with whatever crew he might have found in that little town, but—if this was the same person—he was still alive.

“Support from the elves?” he asked, an eyebrow arched expecting the pirate to explain further what he meant. Everendall would not throw any support behind the pirates, he did not want people to think he was aligned with the wrong sort, but he was more than willing to pay them generously for their work. “Ale and silver we can accommodate.”

A snort from Sybil, the King and Queen both glanced in her direction. It was the Queen to speak and she was not amused. “Something to say?”

“No, m'lady,” she replied, but went on to add, “Only that I think it unwise to supply hunters ale before a trip. Seems a liability to me.” Her eyes went back to settle on Dalious, tilting her head to the side while continuing to wonder if he was indeed the same person.

Everendall nodded. “She has a point,” he agreed. “No ale until after the contract has been fulfilled.”

“Are you sure you wouldn't rather me-” Sybil began.

The King cut her off and silenced her by lifting his hand. “I am positive,” he told her firmly. They left it at that before he turned back to the hunters with a frown. “Werebeasts?” he asked. “Where ever did you hear that?” A shake of his head, he replied, “It is the Vampires we are having trouble with. They come out at night and attack our citizens, edging closer to the city. A new Hellsmouth has opened nearby. Not only do we need the Vampires gone, but the rift itself closed.”

The malignant, meeting Dalious' eyes, said, “Light them up.” Holding a finger beside her head, a small flame erupted from the tip. Her eyes twinkled mischievously with a twisted grin on her face.

Legends of the Lost Age

The footsteps echoed in the chamber as she proceeded down the long corridor. A chill filled the air and her body shivered in the thin white robes draped over her skin. Sybil stopped to rub the goosebumps on her arm to generate more warmth, her ruby red lips pursed thoughtfully as she debated whether or not to enter the main hall. Hands on the door as she pushed it open just enough to peek through, she saw Everendall Faowind sitting on the throne with a tired expression on his face resting his head in his hands. Beside him stood the Queen, a comforting hand resting on his shoulder. Hushed whispers filled the room that the woman was unable to make out. Prepared to back away to leave them to their intimate moment, she suddenly heard the King say her name. “Sybil. Come here.”

His voice was deep, commanding, and as always, she found herself obeying. The main hall was adorned with exquisitely embroidered tapestries hanging up along the walls. Large ceramic vases were spaced along with walls with dozens of flowers spilling over the sides filling the room with a pleasant aroma. Down the length of the room to the main entrance was a long red rug running up the steps to the two thrones.

“Yes?” she asked, the response curt. Her eyes drifted towards the Queen whose face appeared strained by the lack of formalities in their presence. The woman did not say anything to her, however, and eventually Sybil shifted her gaze back towards the King's emerald green eyes. The malignant maintained a stoic stance and there was an awkward silence in the room until the Queen excused herself to their chambers for the evening. Only then did Sybil let her shoulders relax. Her voice softer than it had been once before, she asked, “What is it, Everen?”

Holding a hand out towards her, she climbed the steps to the throne and took it. He brought it tenderly to his cheek. “Creatures from the Hellsmouths have been sighted on the on the borders of Faestone.” Brows furrowed, the woman frowned. The Hellsmouths and the demons inside were concepts she had never heard before she was brought to Faestone. King Hilden was either unaware of the real dangers of the world or ignorant as he proceeded to deem anyone other than humans the enemy when, in reality, everyone needed to band together to eliminate the true threat.

The elves had found her wandering lost in the woods not long after her visit to the gambling town. To them, as Dalious had said, it did not matter if she was a malignant. In fact, they admired her abilities—especially the young Everendall. In a way, Prince Everendall reminded her a lot of the boy who saved her. Either he wasn't afraid or he didn't show it and eventually she learned to trust him. As the years passed and she grew older, he hardly aged at all. Their friendship began to blur the lines into something more though they both knew it couldn't last.

The war with King Hilden ended the life of Everendall's father and the young prince, or young in the eyes of the elves, was forced to take the throne. Eventually Everendall was persuaded by the court to marry an elven noble woman with the hopes of producing an heir to carry on the royal lineage. Sybil was allowed to remain at the palace as a strategist, her skills in magic on par to those who had been studying the craft for many centuries. Rumors circulated about the King and the malignant throughout the palace—rumors that on more difficult nights became the truth.

“Would you like me to take care of it?” she asked. All he needed was to tell her what he wanted and she would do it without a moment's hesitation. It wouldn't be the first time she'd fought creatures from a Hellsmouth. Sybil could remember the dead eyes staring right through her. They cared nothing about who or what they were fighting, occasionally even turning on their own kind as they slaughtered without mercy. Still, they weren't as terrifying as the humans and their hatred for the malignant. Nothing would phase her after being forced to watch and listen to her mother being burned alive.

Profusely shaking his head, he gripped her hand tighter as he stated a firm, “No.” There would be no arguing with him once his mind was made up. “Not after what happened last time.”

Sybil frowned as he mentioned her failure and both of their eyes went to stare at the long, gnarly scar traveling the length of her forearm. The woman self-consciously pulled it away and folded her arm against her chest. “Then what do you recommend?”

“I cannot spare any Knights. Not with Reol threatening to encroach on our lands,” he sighed, massaging his temples. “And I could not bare to think what might happen if I let you go unattended again.” The woman pulled her lips into a thin straight line, but said nothing. Perhaps she had been a bit overzealous last time, but it was not a mistake she would make again. “I've sent an invitation to a group of monster hunters. I plan to offer them a contract.” The expression on his face implied he was not happy with this decision, as Sybil had learned over time that he was a proud individual that would rather not ask for outside help if he could. But he also knew he had to keep his land and the people in it safe.

Realizing that he did not want her there to give her an order, but merely for her presence and reassurance the woman smiled. “I approve,” she told him, her soft voice calm and comforting. The words brought a smile to his face—the first she had seen all evening.

The two of them stared at each other in silence for a long while and though he appeared to want to say something more, he did not. The King finally stood. “Thank you, Sybil,” he stated, his voice firm and almost cold. With an understanding nod of her head she took a step back to put some distance between them. “I do hope you have a good night.” The woman refused to return his bow out of sheer stubbornness and kept her blue eyes focused on him as he walked away. A sigh escaping her lips, the beautiful flowers decorating the main hall wilted and withered away around her before she retreated back to her quarters.

Legends of the Lost Age

These weren't the types of dances Sybil was used to and though she attempted to learn the steps, she never did quiet catch on instead doing her own little jig to match the beats of the music. No one seemed to notice as everyone was too busy having a good time. For a brief moment it helped to take her mind off of everything that had happened recently. With a carefree laughter she didn't think she had in her when he spun her, she looked up at him with a smile and weighed the pros and cons of staying with him in her mind. Dalious was set on a boat—a natural inclination for a pirate such as himself. Sybil would always pose a threat to him and his crew, more than they posed themselves, for harboring a malignant. But the young man was quite useful and he wasn't afraid of her. Or, if he was, he didn't let it show.

Her face fell at the seriousness of his next statement and the hardened stare returned to her face. Without even a chance to answer, he spun her into a random person. “Dalious!” she exclaimed, but he was carried away by the crowd to his destination and the spin to the next partner had her disoriented. Her eyes desperately searching the crowd, she couldn't find him anywhere. The girl wanted to set the boy on fire for leaving her alone in this place.

Managing to escape the crowd, she eventually made it outside and breathed in the fresh night air only to cough as a man in a hood blew his tobacco in her face. A curious look as he stared at her, Sybil kept her head down until a look of recognition crossed his face. “You're from the posters-” he said, reaching for something she couldn't see, but she automatically assumed it was a weapon.

In a panic and without warning she held her hand out to let loose a stream of fire. The man yelled out in pain before she took off running, footsteps pounding against the cobblestone. She'd managed to draw too much attention to herself and it was only now that she realized she was running away from the docks. Her path blocked by a mob of angry men and women from town hunting for the malignant, the young girl climbed on the back of her horse and took off back into the forest.

Sorry, Dalious, she thought to herself, but concluded that at the end of the day, this was what was best for the both of them.

Legends of the Lost Age

Not knowing her way around the small town, there wasn't much Sybil could do other than follow Dalious who appeared to be well informed. Eyes catching sight of the poster, she tried peering around the young man for a better glimpse. Lips pursing into pensive thought when she saw their illustrations, she looked up at him curiously wondering what they supposed to do now. One of the appeals about this place had been the fact that no one was supposed to know who they were. With the wanted posted going up, Sybil didn't feel like the location was safe; she didn't think she would feel safe anywhere anymore.

Following him into the tavern, the music, the overlapping cacophony of voices girl grated on her nerves and she gritted her teeth together. An unpleasant smell filled her nostrils as she was quite certain these men and women hadn't washed in ages as well. It wasn't her scene and she hoped they would, as he said, be in and out.

Standing silently beside him, she tuned out his conversation with the shopkeeper and spent her time surveying the areas with her piercing blue eyes until she heard the name Grefolin mentioned. Turning her attention back towards him, as the dwarf was the second reason they were there, she listened to the news and gave a discontented sigh hearing that they would be forced to stay in that dreadful place for even longer. Keeping her head down as he led her to one of the tables in the back, she stared at the drink he placed in front of her, head tilting to the side in confusion.

Pulling the pint of ale closer to her, she hesitantly brought the frothy liquid to her lips. Taking a small sip, she instantly set it back down with her face scrunching up at the bitter and unpleasant taste. Shaking her head, she held her hands out in front of it to signal she didn't want anymore. It was disgusting.

While Dalious proceeded to drink, she listened to the bard. Swaying to the expert playing of the lute and the woman's melodic tones, Sybil remembered singing with her mother—hymns in the nearly-forgotten language of the old gods kept alive and passed down through the malignant. It was one of the many things she had often fought with her mother about; she never had wanted to learn the old ways. She'd always resented her gifts thinking, just as others had, that they were all inherently evil.

As Dalious proceeded to get up and interrupt the bard, Sybil shook her head with a small sigh. He was drunk. Looking back to her own pint of ale that she hadn't touched, she supposed it was a good thing she hadn't now—one of them needed to keep their wits about them.

Watching curiously as he took the lute from the woman, she listened to his song paying more attention to the crowd gathering around. They stomped their feet to the tune, slapped their knees, and cheered. When he was finished, they all let out a round of applause. Sybil joined with a smile and a polite clap.

“I suppose it's not,” she commented when he rejoined the table even if it was a lie—she still hated it. But he appeared at home and at ease and, with nothing else to do in the meantime, she could tough it out for the moment. Eyes drifting back towards the bard, she thought about taking the lute to play for herself, much as Dalious did, and singing a song in the ancient tongue. Sybil refrained, not wanting to speak the language of the old gods and draw anymore attention to herself than she already had.

Glancing at Dalious at his offer to dance, the girl narrowed her eyes at him. “We are not here for fun,” she stated. They were there for a reason—they were there for Grefolin. For a boat. For a moment to rest. They were not there to dance. She looked away.

Although...it did sound appealing. And the more she thought about his offer the more she found she wanted to take him up on it. If she was going to be stuck there, there was no need for her to be miserable the entire time. Turning her gaze back towards him, she changed her mind. “Fine,” she said. “One dance.” She spoke as if she were doing him a favor as she stood and offered him her hand.

Legends of the Lost Age

A reminder: I picked 44!

For more accuracy, I want the 8th monster on page 44. Unless it's just like covering the whole page or something.