Ravenwoodwitch

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

Celine pushed past quite a few guards to get to the carriage. It was undignified for a princess, and she could already hear her mother's cross words with her for it. A lady must be dignified she said. She mustn't rush, and she mustn't be rough. The world must come to her when she is good and ready...

"Well the world has been ready for awhile," she muttered. "The time for pleasantries is over..."

So lost in her thoughts was she that she only just missed stepping on her sparing partner. She gasped and moved back, putting a had to her breast when she saw that the mouse was unharmed. "Reepicheep," she said. "Forgive me, I didn't see you..."

"Twas not the first time, My Lady," he said, sounding ruffled. She had a funny feeling that this was one of many things the little mouse wasn't satsified with when it came to his station in life. "Not important; my dear, I have an important missive from his majesty-"

Celine's heart leapt, but her head took control. Not now, it told her, later.

"Later," she repeated to the mouse. "Lysander has returned, I need to speak with him."

"But My lady-"

Celine bent down, and picked the mouse up, much to his displeasure. She put him on her shoulder, and continued walking. "I may need your counsil as it is, brave warrior," she said. "This way you can tell me later, without any prying ears."

That seemed to settle him for now. Celine was the first to approach the tired looking prince, finding him stumbling into the entrance hall. Celine greeted him with a relieved smile, drawing closer.

"I'm glad you're well," she said. "I feared that...that witch wouldn't let you go."

She bent down, and put the mouse on the floor. She was scared to ask the question hanging by her tongue, for what the answers may have been. But she knew that no one else would, and that she would have to get the news in one fashion or another. So, she drew in a breath, and spoke.

"Did you hear anything of my parents?" she asked. "I know it's foolish, in the midst of a war, but I must know; do they live?"

Locked as One (Herald & Raven)

"Hm," Lola considered it. "Well, tell me; do either of you, minus the natural aches and pains, feel any different now than you did before?"

Miranda gave it a thought. It was hard to discern through her sore bod frame, but something did feel strange. She remembered that odd feeling before, that awful feeling when the witch had vanished, and everything seemed so fuzzy. Could that have had anything to do with it?

"I feel like...someone's breathing down my neck," she said. "Like their constantly sanding behind me....and something else I can't really say. It just feels wrong..."

Lola nodded. By now, she had gone up to fetch a book, one covered in dark skin, and with some strange symbols etched onto it.

"That's a black magic book, that is," Hilde hissed. "It's illegal to own by order of the king!"

"And I promise you the king's library owns several," the healer quipped. "Would you not like me to look up the answer to what ails your friend?"

Hilde blushed. "N-no..."

"Than shush. Now you, Milord; how do you feel?" Lola inclined her head.

Locked as One (Herald & Raven)

Just wanted to let you know, I do intend to post. I had one, then I hit a button, the page reloaded, and everything I had typed vanished. I'm a little tired to retype it now, so I'll put 'er up tomorrow.

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

I will also say, this thread has a strange trend of dragging the Purple Prose out of me XD let me know if I get too flowery.

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

The castle was fortified near immediately. It was very safe to assume everyone was spooked by the visage in white, and was bound and determined to make sure no such creature got past their defenses again. It was a sight to see, all these different creatures, and even some humans, all ready for battle, marching side by side. It was glorious, and Celine could barely take her eyes off the spectacle.

She was watching from a window in the castle salon, resuming the role of the waif waiting for some kind of news. They'd changed her back to her dresses, opting for something very similar to the color of her hair, and laced with gold. It was lovely, but only a minor distraction. Besides, it was hardly worth the thought, not like....that moment.

She and Caspian hadn't discussed what happened in the training yard, all the commotion making them too busy. But she remembered, and shuddered with delight at the thought, fingers trailing over her lips. Was it a brief moment of whimsy that led to such delight? Or perhaps it was something she always felt, but only just now was able to understand. Furthermore, she had no idea what was to come from it...

She decided to wait on it, as she spotted Lysnader's escort approach the castle. She rose immediately, and ran towards the Great Hall.

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

Oh, it all works for me. I'm having way too much fun with this, and I'm happy you're having fun too :)

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

This was a surprise, though her face would not betray it. Jadis had taken him for a common prince, eager for more land, more wealth, and perhaps the hand of a pretty lady. Such things were likely the result of spending too much time with Dumas, the fool who believed he'd get his fairytale ending at the point of a sword. No, this one was different. He recognized her potential, and wanted it for his own.

This was a seed of loyalty, and she would be a fool to pass it up.

"I will send a familiar," she said softly. "Look for the white wolf at your window. Do as I say, and I shall give you a taste of true power. It will be more than enough for whatever your heart desire..."

She bid him rise then, and turned to Dumas. "Take him back to his ship," she said, than turned to Lysanner. "Be warned...I am not kind to traitors. Tell them what you wish, but avoid the truth at all costs. Are we in understanding?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celine wasn't herself, not until the snow and ice vanished from her eyes. It was only when she saw Narnia's warm grass, and bright sun did she exhale. She gripped Caspian's hand tightly, wanting to feel any of that warmth again from before. No more cold, no more ice, no more of anything winter...

"I take your word, my prince," she said, staring back into his eyes. "Always."

The ghost lowered her head. "May the fates be kind," it whispered, voice oddly human, before it dissipated. All that was frosted, animals and plant, were now as good as new. They stood slowly, as if waking from a dream, before stumbling forward.

"My lord, my lady," one of the foxes inquired. "I fear...I know not what has occurred. Was the creature dealt with?"

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

She smiled. "How little you know of the land that keeps you so safe," she said. "It doesn't matter. My reasons are my own, and all will know when the time as is right."

As for his other question, she could only continue to smile; not in a sense of superiority, but like the cat who finally found the mouse. It was that of a woman who knew a secret, and was having her fun wagging it in front of him.

"I am the future Empress," she said. "With lands to spare, and need to fill them. I am also only offering, Prince, not demanding..."

She finished then, and turned her back on him. If he so much as tried to attack her, he'd be dead on the spot, so she confidently walked back to her throne.

"Come find me, should your paradise become insufficient," she said, sitting down. "Tell me of the prince and his budding princess. Keep me 'enlightened' to their plans, and I will be generous. If not, than never come back, unless death is your ultimate wish."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ghost lifted her head, eyeing Caspian coldly.

"I turn to frost all that are not my mission," she said. "I'll not be stopped; I shall be heard."

"Than speak!" Celine said. Maybe she sounded brave, but inwarldy she was shaking. Her skin caught the chill from the wind, much to similair to the chill she felt on her escape from the frozen tundras that were her home. It was only nerves of steel that kept her blade from shaking in her hands, even if her whole body was alert from fear.

The ghost nodded, and moved only inches closer. "I come baring a warning," she said. " Lest that which befell Charn befall you as well. Know that the witch seeks the last stand of The Lion, to turn those once loyal to traitors.."

But actions would always speak louder than words. The White Lady raised her hands into the sky, blue magic paining over the landscape. Celine's breath hitched, and she drew closer to Caspian, feeling a chill run through the air. Before them lay an illusion, a vision of the future. The land of so much magic was once again snow-packed, and covered from end to end in ice. The animals were no longer of their own minds, each one moving in lines, carrying massive burdens on their backs and heads. In the distance, the destruction of ,monuments could be heard, as all things dedicated to Aslan were torn away by the very creatures who worshiped him.

And just like that, the spell ended. They were back in the frosted field with the White Lady, who looked rather sad.

"You harbor a snake in your Eden," the ghost said. "Guard your friends well. They will turn your people from The Great Lion, lest you help your people keep their faith."

Narnia: A time of need (Eyeris & Raven)

The witch, oddly enough, smiled.

"I know much," she said. "Don't let my youthful look fool you, prince. I am wiser beyond my years. I can tell you are too."

At his inquiry, she went from bemused, to looking very bored. She exhaled, having hopped for something more interesting, and leaned back in her chair. "I believe your prince already knows...if he hasn't forgotten me," she said. "I will have Narnia back under my rightful hand, or I will destroy it; simple as that."

And thus, the queen lost interest in the matter. She would have normally turned the prince into one of her statues by now, and sent him back to Narnia as an example to the rest. But her prodding had struck a chord with him, she could tell. She could also tell that he was interested, beyond his mask of utter boredom. No, this could be much more interesting if she played it wisely.

"Nothing trite as sweeties, I assure you," the queen said. "I am sure you hunger for more austere delicacies, perhaps the most austere of them all."

She leaned forward in her chair, the chill of the room seemed to follow her as she stood up, and descended two stairs closer.

"You hunger for Greatness."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The interruption was corse, but the news pulled her jumbled thoughts back to normal. Celine watch Caspian climb onto the majestic creature's back, and looked at his offered hand. She tried to look serious as she seethed the blade, and took his grip, falling behind the prince. But, inwardly, the little girl inside couldn't help but shriek in delight; she was actually riding a Centaur!

The creature galloped off, and Celine quickly wrapped her arms around Caspian's waist. She ignored the return of her quickening heart as she scanned the horizon, looking for any sign of an army. But, to her surprise, there was none to be found. What she saw instead of was an icy mist skating up the grasses, nearly freezing any animal that drew close. At the center of it was a woman as pale as the snow, with dead eyes staring forward. The closer they drew, the more Celine was sure that the woman was transparent.

"I'll speak to none but the King," her voice and echo of a thousand voices. "Hear me,young-king, lest you lose that which ye hold dear. Heed my warning, or suffer fate's bittersweet sting."

Celine slid off the Centaur when they stopped, drawing her blade. "Who are you?!" She demanded, keeping a good distance from the mist.

The woman lifted her head. "My name is naught my own anymore. In life, I was sister and rival. Now, in death, I am the blood of Jadis, split upon the snow; I am the bitter rivalry of siblings, and the jealousy of kings.."

Locked as One (Herald & Raven)

Lola inclined her head. "You're up sir Knight?" she smiled. "I suppose you took my concoction earlier than most. Brave of you."

Miranda snorted, and allowed herself to be lowered back down. She was drowsy, and wobbly, though she felt the world slowly clearing back into focus. She knew Hilde was there, naturally...but was also aware of Khaylan, the much less thrilling news.

The healer cared little. "Before you go, sir," she said. "I insist on running a test or two, to at least make sure you're aware enough not to get your purse snatched."Sshe flashed him a grin. "If you behave, I can lend you a horse even, since your brethren kindly paid my fees."

"You're...a cruel woman, Lola," Miranda noted. "Charging for the hurt..."

"These are rough times, Miri," Lola replied. As part of the test, she lit a small flame on a tiny stick. "And I'm not picky; whatever you can give me is good enough."

She held the light, and told Miranda to follow with her eyes. The blond did so, and let the woman poke, and prod, and test what she wanted. "You'll be fine in about an hour or so," she finally said. "But, while I'm here, I need your story of what happened."

"Hm?" Miranda blinked.

"Your friend claims you were attacked by a witch," Lola narrowed her eyes. "Perhaps calmer minds can give me the truth?"

Miranda blinked, searched her recent memories, and felt her body tense. Fear flooded her mind, as she shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself. "It was," she shuddered. "everyone was frozen! And then...s-she grabbed me, and stabbed my right shoulder with her fingers. M-my blood formed some kind of pattern on the ground, I don't know what it did and...and..."

She frowned up at Khaylan. "It connected to you," she said, raising one eyebrow.