POOHEAD189

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

It made a frightening amount of sense. He had not been crazy when that man had been thrown. The knowledge she had. The serenity and her dodging his conversation topics. It all came crashing down on him like a hammer on an anvil, and he suddenly felt different somehow. Not fueled with rage, though that certainly lingered on the edge of his periphery. He felt injured more than anything, within his chest. A feeling he wasn't used to.

His hurt then gave way to the anger that had been boiling up. "Who are you?" he demanded simply. He held his staff up as if to defend himself, though he made no move to go on the offensive and harm her. Before she could answer, he then shouted hoarsely. "What else have you said that was a lie?"

"Nothing. Nothing was a Lie!" she said. "I only did what I needed to protect myself, and you!"

Ali seemed stuck between two courses of action, and neither seemed to be good for their current predicament with a Myrrdraal outside pacing. He still held his staff before him, but it looked more like a rigid posture, as if he didn't know what else to do with himself or his hands. "You bewitched me, didn't you?" he asked her. He'd been far more happy and protective of her than he had been for any girl in the village.

She stepped forward, and he braced like a cornered animal. "Don't come any closer." he warned, though his body did not accompany his threat. But with the grace and confidence of a woman from the Arad Doman, and who had survived the initial trials of Tar Valon, she placed a delicate hand on his chest, and then cupped his cheek. Their eyes met. "Nothing was a lie," she said softly, looking into his maroon eyes.

Broad shoulders lowered, and as he looked at her, he could tell she was telling the truth. "I believe you." he replied. Her smile lit up the dark room, but the moment was interrupted by a dark hiss from outside. @Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

"A..." he began breathlessly. Even someone as tall and strong as him seemed just a boy when contemplating what paced around the front of his home. He'd heard the word before. Myrrdrall were the stuff of legends, over a thousand years ago. They were from tales that Gleemen sometimes spun of far away places like the Borderlands. Ali shook his head, looking to Mave to see if she was joking. "No, t-they're just a myth."

Her look of regretful truth spoke volumes when she gazed back at him. A Fade? Here? For him? He didn't know what to think of that, but it made a morbid amount of sense. How he became scared every time he felt the mere presence of the rider, feeling a stare of pure hatred and a cold breeze slithering down the base of his spine as it passed.

How did Mave know? Briefly he considered that the people of the Arad Doman were more accustomed to stuff such as this, but he knew it was more than that. She had been wonderful ever since she had arrived. He had been glad she had kissed him rather than Evelyn, and was still glad. But she was hiding something, and he needed to tell himself yet again that he had only met her the day before.

"What are you doing?" Mave asked as Ali went to grab his staff.

He began unlacing sections of his vest to give him more freedom of movement, a hard determination in his eyes. No, it was a curious mixture of emotions. The fear of death battling with the stubborn anger of a young fighter that had seen enough. "I believe you." he told her truthfully. "And you're probably right. I can't beat this thing. But I have no other ideas. It wants me, not you or anyone else. If I beat him, then it's solved. If he beats me..."

Ali tossed his staff into his other hand as he looked out the window at the abyssal thing that waited to claim his life. "At least my family will be safe." he said to himself softly. What's more, it would likely leave Mave alone too. He realized now he was very glad she had kissed him. It was a good memory before he died.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

Ali's life was saved by the most unlikely person. Braidon Calmere, Bran's younger brother, had decided to play a small prank on Ali. He knew Evelyn would be awaiting at the door, and left a bit of string across tied to one of the beams. The result was Evelyn covered in mud after being accidentally pushed by Ali, and Mave and Ali's subsequent flight out of the Inn and to the other side of town, before they had decided to leave.

But when all was said and done, his mind focused less on the embarrassment of the previous hour and the walk home with Mave, noting just how foreboding the Westwoods truly looked. He believed she was right, it was good to leave early. With his staff in hand, he led her home, though in a way he felt she was guiding him rather than the other way around. His senses were on edge, and even the slightest brush of a thistle or shaking of a branch drew his attention.

Then he decided to speak to Mave to get his mind off of things, and he found it to be a topic he was regretting bringing up. He would miss her too. He nearly began to say 'we can make room' but that would have been ludicrous. It was simply his "can do" attitude of living on the farm, where any situation could be made better with some time and effort and good Two Rivers stubbornness. But truth be told, somethings couldn't change no matter how much you disliked them.

"You know, I might never see you again." he said with a finality of a relatively festive day drawing to a close. He looked down at her lovely face as the birds chirped above them, and he gave her a warm smile. "But I'm lucky to have met you."
@Penny

Dogs of War: Old World Mercenaries

Cyrdic was somewhat confused at first. He was simply suggesting they do what Camilla had always cautioned him to do, which was adhere to the local custom so as not to cause too much of a stir. Cyrdic had notions of martial honor in an Imperial way, to his regiment, to the Emperor, and to Sigmar, but he had never fought over a woman before, at least for the "honor" of it. But when Camilla had scoffed at it, he dropped it. As long as they were together, he felt secure about it no matter what dandy in a suit of armor had to say about it.

"We shouldn't use the inner halls." Cyrdic said as they stalked down the Long Gallery, moving as quietly as they could.

Camilla seemed to agree, seeing the wisdom in running into as few people as possible. "No no, we go up them." she said, twiddling her middle and pointer fingers as if they were two legs running up a steep incline.

It occurred to Cyrdic just how crazy this would be not four years ago. Running headlong into an intensely horrifying castle, against the customs and wishes of their hosts for nothing but likely a bag of coin that would only last them until the next time they would risk their lives. But now, it was only a brief thought of "might as well." Slinking through the halls, Cyrdic had to yank Camilla into a corner once or twice to avoid passing Knights and Yeoman, but soon they were as far north as they could go within the castle.

A small corridor led to one of the outer walls on the second level, and they opened the heavy, iron bound door of oak to preview what it looked like outside. The sun was high and there were only a few large clouds drifting across the horizon. The courtyard below held Knights speaking to one another in haughty voices, and two fought in mock combat using blunted sword. No sign of Beaumont or the Lord Baron, or Melisende for that matter. If Camilla and Cyrdic could stay low and hug the parapets, they could make it to the next section of wall where another Porte-cochère stood leading into the third level, though it was likely manned.

They crouched and moved, having fought together so often that they didn't even require hand signals to communicate when to stop and continue as a sentryman above on the opposite wall made his rounds. Once they arrived at the outcropping of the wall where the Porte-cochère stood, they found a small corner where they would not be seen behind the architecture.

Cyrdic knelt down, with his hands cupped, indicating Camilla go up first.
@Penny

Dark Streets - Urban Fantasy Noir

Caber shook with revulsion at the very sight of the grisly wound. By the Sidhe and the ancient Gods, he could not imagine that even the Winter Court damaging such a venerable oak in this shameful fashion. He would shriek if it didn't cause attention, so instead he looked around the broken backyard, eyes glinting a golden color now that he was within close range to a rod of iron.

"Filthy despoilers. I will sacrifice their bones to Morrigan to build her Raven's nest!"

He needed to calm himself and think. The foliage had been shriveled and slaughtered like pigs. He didn't know what to do? Briefly he began to zip around the backyard, floating like a ghost as he searched. His nose drank in deep whiffs of the grass and rankled oak, trying to find a tinge of something else he could use, or perhaps to inhale enough of the life essence to gain the strength to remove the blasted iron rod.

During his inner monologue where blood flowed and the carnal pleasures of torturing his enemies eked out of his muttering lips, he noticed something. Something made of aluminium on the ground. It had a strange sensation to its presence, but it was not iron. Upon further inspection, it was what the humans referred to as a bike. A recent invention used the past two centuries.

With hands that held an otherworldly strength beyond their physical size, Caber swooped in and lifted the bike, a devilish but simple plan in his head. He gingerly approached the iron that had been so stabbed into the ancient oak, and slid the tire of the bicycle down its length, before twisting the wheel, locking the wheel and the iron bar together.

With a great tug, he reluctantly ripped the metal rod out by the bike wheel. Sap flowed outwards. Caber placed his hands under the sap and lifted it to his lips, drinking greedily, a sense of power now thriving in his limbs. A portion of the tree's wisdom and strength now ran through his body, and he used it to seal the wound on the tree as he chanted, placing his hands on the trunk and reciting an incantation on a language so ancient that even the celts only knew it in legends and myth.

Soon, he would feel the trees life returning. It's presence and attention now on Caber, as if waking from a long coma.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

"I think now that the...er, introductions are done with, we can get to having fun." He said to her, and gave a wink.

He wasn't far from the truth. The Gleeman performed beyond what anyone could expect! Both the children and the adults gasped as the man 'bit' the flickering flames off of the torch, and blew them out of his mouth moments later. It was a sight to see, and Ali had difficulty wrapping his mind around how exactly it was done. By the time he had realized he was about to go crazy, Mave was up before the crowd and juggling.

Despite the initial sour reaction to her, seeing her tossing the apples skillfully as the Gleeman took the fruit out of the air with knives made the crowd root for her safety, and they were all relieved when she stepped off the stage and took a bow. She was met with more clapping and smiles than the previous judgemental eyes, save the two women who seemed particularly put off by her, I.E. Evelyn and Valerie.

Ali went up next, and the Gleeman spent a short amount of time telling the women to marvel at his physique, something Ali was a bit too bashful to be fully in adherence with. It was over soon though, and everyone marveled when Ali could not pick the man up. Truth be told, the younger man didn't try his hardest, or he felt the strength would have broken a few of the elder's bones. But it was still an impressive feat, nonetheless.

Afterwards when the crowd broke to eat mid afternoon lunch, he paid them three crowns each and thanked them. Luckily, after a bit of food, the festivities seemed to be far more relaxed, though it was time for the dancing and singing. All of the unmarried women and men made their way to the spring pole. Ali reluctantly went, and Mave stood her ground to keep herself out of the local politics as the singing began. It was a spun tale about a healthy farm and a bountiful harvest, almost like a prayer.

Mave began to receive little treats and the beaming attention of young children and older folk, accepting her a bit more openly now that they celebrated Bel Tine with them for most of the events. As the sun began to wane, it was nearly time to head back to the farm, though most people were still milling about, eating, chatting, some played the flute and the lyre, and to Ali's sudden frustration, he saw cherry bush leaves being set up above the Inn door just as he and Mave were about to go through it homeward, with Evelyn standing at the doorway expectantly.

Ali sighed, distraught. "You know, I might as well get it over with." he said. He'd waited too long to not marry, particularly if she was ready to begin courtship. It was beyond his wishes, for the most part. "We'll go back in a second." He said, as if he was about to walk to his death. Light, what was he doing? No, it was what needed to happen. He needed to swallow his pride and do it.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

"That is where we differ." A kindly, sage like voice pipped in. And as if out of nowhere, the Gleeman from earlier stood next to the two girls with a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. He clearly sought to give Mave a helping hand in exchange for help himself. "You see I am looking for the prettiest girl in the town to be my assistant on my second trick. Would you be so kind as to help an old man in his trade?"

He gave Mave a stately bow, a practiced one at that. One of the last things you might see in the Two Rivers. The exchange only sought to fuel Evelyn's fires even further. Not only was someone here taking Ali's attention, but this Gleeman just insulted her in front of her bloody face! The look on her face was priceless when strong hands grabbed her from behind and lifted her up, before moving her over. Ali then stepped through where she had been standing. Evelyn looked like a plucked goose, and then proceeded to sashay angrily away, muttering curses.

Ali felt lucky to be alive, so he decided to push his luck and send her scampering. If one were to imagine two large, ferocious bears battling to the death until there was naught but fur and blood left, that was basically the physical manifestation of the conversation Ali had just had with Evelyn and Valerie. Though truth be told, he didn't know how much longer he could keep up denying them. He felt like it was starting to look smarter to just eventually marry her. Who knows? Maybe once she finally got her way she would detract the claws.

Anyway, he would think about that later. At the moment he was excited to see the Gleeman and Mave. For his part, the elderly fellow eyed Ali up and down. "My, you're a strong lad aren't you? Tall too. Not as tall as an Aiel man, but near enough. Strange eyes to boot, ones like I've never seen before. Who are your parents, my boy? What's your name?"

"My father's name is Ryld Baldyr. My mother died years ago, but she was from Tear." He said, as if that was a world away. Likely it was, as far as he knew. "I'm Ali Baldyr, and this is my friend Mave."

"Mave Kashana." She said, smiling happily and accepting the Gleeman's hand as he took hers and kissed the top of it as if they were in a royal court.

"A pleasure to meet you both. You, my dear, have the look of someone from the Arad Doman. Careful boy, she can snatch up men's hearts like you shear wheat! But enough pleasantries, I have a business proposition for you two. I will give each of you three copper peices if you help me with my act. First I will go alone. Swallowing fire, you see. But after, I will need you to juggle, miss Kashana. Can you juggle?"

"A little." she said modestly.

"It would have been better if you said no, but we can work with it." He said, smiling. "And you boy, after her trick and my knives, you can try to lift me up off the ground. But only when I say time, you likely could now with how strong you look, but when I have my audience, I'll pull me trick. Deal?"

After the Gleeman walked off, Ali looked at Mave's hip. "You know how to use a sword?" he asked curiously.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

He placed a hand on the cheek she had kissed, and the hug only amplified the warmth he felt. He realized now he would be sad to see her go, and already he considered her more of a friend than most. When she spun and told him she had a wonderful time, he gave a stiff bow. "I did too. Thank you." he said, and when she went to bed he put out the fire, and went to his room, falling into a dreamfilled sleep of a life he would never live.

---

That morning the two got dressed and ate a quick breakfast, having little time to talk as they went about trying to get ready. Ali had never been good at dressing formally, though what passed as formal in the Two Rivers probably looked particularly rural compared to even a middle class dress in other areas. Though he made do, having actually made his own outfit last summer in preparation. Truth be told it was a very handsome garb.

He wore a forest green shirt beneath a formidable brown vest that not only hugged and accentuated his broad shoulders, but still looked practical enough to work in. His trousers were similar to what he had worn last night, though it was better stitched and folded, and the belt was a relatively expensive one, made of black leather with bronze beltbuckle. To his relief, it looked like the livestock and the outer farm had not been touched through the night, which led him to believe that everything would be fine to celebrate today.

"What is Bel Tine like in your village?" Mave asked as they stepped out of the door. She had a way about her that seemed both graceful yet brimming with an intelligent energy, yet another thing that captivated him about her.

"Simple enough, even if a Gleeman doesn't show up, though I'm hoping one will." He said, closing the door behind her and locking it. He grabbed his staff and bid her to accompany him down the road. The morning was as crisp as the previous one, though the sun seemed to be out and about already, meaning likely the weather wouldn't be as cold as the day progressed. "All of the unmarried women will dance around the Spring Pole and the married men will sing as they do so. We'll break to eat, and then dance and sing and watch entertainers at our leisure. New couples often kiss under the cherry bush when its an hour before evening."

Mave glanced at him, and he blushed and chuckled, shaking his head. "I think we'll be exempt from that. Hopefully it will even put it in their heads we're not together since we won't do that."

"I don't know, they seem a stubborn lot. Not that you'd know anything about that." she joked. "And you mentioned Peddlars?"

"Definitely, Peddlars always come by at Bel Tine, even if Gleemen sometimes skip it. With any luck, we'll get both. If you need help haggling, tell me. Usually the same Peddlars show up and they know some of the families here. My da has gotten good prices on various items before."

Thankfully the roads were clear and safe this day, and in no time they made it to the northern bridge. What had been a quaint town yesterday of soft chants and light hearted play was now a full blown festival. Even for such a small town, it seemed extravagant from all of the colors and the singing, and it was yet to be lunch time! What's more, there was a Gleeman there. An elderly fellow with a drooping mustache who simply sat and spoke to the mayor, betrayed by his patched cloak of many many colors. Peddlars as well, selling some of their wares and being asked to give news of far away events.

It all halted abruptly, at least for Ali and Mave as they had just crested the bridge, when they were halted by a beautiful and shapely young woman with red hair that cascaded off of her fair shoulders. Her eyes smoldered with fire, though, and her hands were on her hips. Ali blanched, afraid this would happen. Evelyn Dal'Mara was the loveliest girl in the Two Rivers, and the most eligible and sought after young woman at 19 winters old. Ali might have come to accept her advances if it wasn't for her constantly trying to treat him as a prize to be won and a hog to be snatched and tied.

"You..." she fumed, brow furrowed as she gazed daggers into Ali, giving a scowling glance Mave's way. Light, she acted like they were already married! "Here I am awaiting Bel Tine for you and you show up with this foreign chit?" She grabbed his freehand as if to pull him along. "We're going to see the Wisdom so she and I can knock some sense into you, you oaf."

Turning, she looked at Mave and gave her a smile that dripped poison. "Pardon me for interrupting." and then yanked at Ali again.
@Penny

WoT: The Dark One's Own Luck.

The inside of the house was dark save for the firelit den, though it also gave it a cozy warmth that permeated the air. Ali fetched some blankets and quilts as well for Mave and one for himself to keep his feet warm. He moved swiftly and methodically as usual, humming a tune that spoke of elder days long since forgotten. When she arrived inside, he was just finishing up the sweetened apple oatmeal he had made, and had finished latching all of the windows.

Truth be told he would have boarded them, but his family would be back after Bel Tine and there would already be enough questions on what happened here by the time Mave was gone, much less if he began to shutter up the house as if it were a bloody warzone. As she walked in, she would notice he had changed clothes since he had gone out and checked on the livestock, making sure they had enough feed and hay for the night. He wore a sleeveless shirt of linen that hugged his strong chest, leaving his powerful arms bare. His pants were simple brown trousers of wool, tied together by a loose sash belt of tan cotton.

When he led them into the den, Ali sat down next to her in the warm room, watching her with a curious look. Not out of any boyish thoughts, but an yearning for far away places. "What's it like there?" he asked her as she tasted the food. "In the Arad Doman?"

He hoped she liked it. He'd been told he made good oatmeal. "I haven't been 3 days walk from here since I was born." He confessed, gazing into the firelight.
@Penny

Hellooo

Lovely to have you on the guild^^