|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:14 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:39 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:44 am
 |
|
|
 |
The Characters
Name: Therese born Aella Ziva (living whirlwind)
Age: 25
Height: 5'0
Description: Training since youth to the art of gymnastic hindered Aella's growth and like her mother, she barely reached 5 feet. Her body did not develop properly and she looks much younger than she is with the silhouette of a child. She has long black hair which she usually wears in a bread and green eyes which often fill up with venom and anger. She always wears a piece of fabric around her head to hide her scarred forehead. When she is traveling she wears tan leather pants and linen shirt. When she is performing, she dressed in colorful silks.
Bio: Aella was part of a travelling family of entertainers. Since childhood she learned rope walking, knives throwing, dance, ribbon climbing and other entertaining arts. She enjoyed a life of travel and freedom with her family across the kingdom of Kaldahar. When she turned 14, her twin brother Arman, who was the clown and the magic trickster of the family angered a real wizard by calling his art 'magic'. Out of himself, the true magician launched an attack towards the teenager. The blow never reached the boy for both his parents had jumped forward to shield him. They died at once and the wizard did not have time to finish his business for the witch hunters took him down in seconds and executed him without trial.
The tragedy left Aella and Arman alone but both were resourceful and they went on with their lives carrying the family business. Years passed and the twins grew apart. Aella started adoring the witch hunters who were able to take down the murderer so easily. Arman could not forgive himself for what happened. If only he had been able to use real magic! Slowly his mind became obsessed by magic and he started training himself to the forbidden hobby. As they passed 19, they stopped by a small village Seda Neen. Arman did his usual tricks but pride pushed him to show more than he should have. People got scared and before Aella realized what her brother had done, he was surrounded by hunters and so was she. Arman was killed immediately without a word or a glance for his sister. Aella was about to follow the same fate but a priest in the crowd dared say that she had not performed any magic. Seconds ticked and one of the hunters decided that she should be allowed to live but not without being branded first. A much more painful humiliation which almost cost her life as she received the brand on her forehead. The pain was so strong that she blacked out.
When the young woman woke up she was in a bed, an old man leaning over her: the priest who had saved her. She spent days between life and death. When she fully awoke, she failed to find the will to live on. She hated the world. She hated magic. She hated the hunters. The Priest fueled her desire for death by turning it towards the ones who had caused her so much pain and artificially created a new reason for her to live. 'Know thee enemies.' was the Priest's credo and it became Aella's when she became Therese.
For years, the Priest would send Therese to places where rumors of witchcraft had been heard. She traveled as an entertainer, doing her usual dancing, knives throwing and stuff. The more she saw of magic and hunters, the more she hated them. She has been sent to High Rock by the Priest officially to worship Saint Tertamier, in truth, she is there to learn more about magic, in particular about a particularly dangerous book of magic. Some even say this is only a myth. She hates to have to travel with someone and sees the request as a lack of confidence from the Priest.
Name: Tren Alucare
Age: 31
Height: 6’1
Description: Tren is tall, lanky and dresses simply. He normally wears wears knee length brown jacket with a hood to protect himself from the elements. Underneath he wears a white shirt. His brown slacks are held up with a leather belt. His hair is a dark auburn though his goatee is a light brown. His eyes are a bright blue and a grin normally covers his face. His skin is a light tan from his many hours spent traveling under the sun.
Bio: To most Ten Alucare is a scribe. Most of his life has spent, in one way or another, around books. The child of two librarians, he grew up learning history, mathematics, grammar and sciences. He was a reasonably intelligent boy who enjoyed physical activities over his studies. At seventeen, he attended the university at Trella More and after six years of schooling, began traveling around, feeding his wanderlust. He sustained himself by teaching what he knew to anyone with coin to spare. In his twenty seventh year, he came to the village of Seda neen and set up a semi-permanent residency in the town selling his skill with pen and paper or his knowledge. He has recently come to the vestivale for several reasons: One, to experience a once in a life time opportunity, Second, to escort a companion, Thirdly, to attempt to discover even more about his dark hobby: witchcraft.
When Tren was at the University, he discovered an underground group of scholars who ha dfound ancient books of magic. Eager to learn the forbidden arts, he learned spells of power with an eager depravity. For six years he learned things he was never supposed to. Then, when the little group of magic practitioners attempted to use magic to take over the city of Trella More, they found themselves slaughtered by the church. Barely escaping with his life, Tren fled into the more remote parts of the Kingdom, taking his dark secret with him, hoping that he could shake the witch hunters that perused him.
Antgonists
The Cult of Final Dawn: Mysterious ninja
Arterinomia: A local Witch hunter who will be trying to find and destroy the book and all who have touched it.
Inspector Rames: Local head of City guards working with Arternomia
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:21 pm
|
|
|
|
The view was marvelous. Blue water rushed headlong over the cliff side into the ocean hundreds of meters below. All around, the city of High rock stretched, its great white domes glistening in the moisture of the waterfalls. The noon time sun turned the billions of water droplets into a thousand reflecting diamonds that sparkled wonderfully. The cool sea breeze carried the scent of salt through the city.
Tren watched a serious of fireworks rocketed into the air and exploded with colorful bursts. There was a monstrous cheer from all over the city as the display grew in grandeur. Then ,just as swiftly as it had begun, the colorful explosions abated and the air was filled with the sounds of merrymaking. Tren grinned and took another sip of his pint. He wasn’t sure what the ale was called but he liked it just as much as he liked the view the balcony he sat upon gave him. Around him were dozens of other revelers; some talked with great smiles, many laughed in drunken mirth, some were singing along with the band, and one couple had stripped to nothing and where fornicating forcefully, with a small crowd cheering them on. Tren raised an eyebrow at he watched for a moment. They weren’t too bad he finally decided and looked back at the city. He took another sip and pondered.
He could see the many bridges that connected High Rock’s many ilands and mesa’s. On these wide bridges, strolled guards in full colors. They weren’t supposed to join in the merrymaking but many had. No one cared. But it wasn’t these guards that concerned him. It was the hooded figures in black and white cloaks that concerned him. He occasionally saw them, mixing amongst the crowd like ravens. He hadn’t expected so many Witch Hunters to be in one location. But here they were. He suddenly regretted his decision to come here. This was certainly the best chance to find other practitioners of magic and to obtain more knowledge on the subject, but it was also going to be very dangerous. If Tren asked even one wrong question to one wrong person, he would be captured, tortured and burned alive. Not an end he had any plan on experiencing. The naked couple suddenly cried out loudly and lay motionless on the table. The crowd they had drawn applauded them and Tren turned his head back to the balcony. He looked over at the couple, then to the band that had just started playing a loud drinking song. Tren grinned as he recognized the words and hummed along.
As he lowered his tankard, he looked over at his companion.
“So,” Tren shouted so he could be heard over the rancor around him. “What do you think?”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:17 pm
|
|
|
|
Therese's smile and wonder in front of the natural beauty of the city and its impressive waterfalls had turned to bitterness in the heart of the woman. She had spotted the hunters at once. Vultures ready for the kill at any moment. Her eyes lingered on them for a moment, then she looked away. They were of no concern for the moment.
If those monsters were not enough, it seemed that everything was spoiled by the presence of humans. Where some saw happiness and merriness, she saw noise and chaos. Wherever she looked, she was met with mess. The ones were singing loudly, half drunk. The others were shouted and laughing heavily. And some were ... fornicating. The woman could not hide her disgust. How could they do such a thing...in such a place... with... people watching!?! She tried to look away and found that she could not. Her eyes were captivated by the moving forms, the expressions filled with lust and pleasure. The sweat, the moans, the explosion...
Tren's question startled her and she turned to him with a hollow expression for a second, unaware of her flushed cheeks from what she had just witnessed.
"Gross." she grunted with a dry throat. She took a sip from her drink to clear her mind.
She was used to be alone, a shadow. No one but the Priest even remembered Aella, no one knew who she truly was. She was now Therese. Her green eyes settled on Tren's face. Why did the Priest have to assign her a traveling companion? Especially one who had no idea what the real purpose of their trip was. She had tried to refuse but had soon understood that she would have to accept it if she wanted the mission...and she really wanted the mission. That festival was known for its high probability of witches appearance. And where there was magic, they were hunters as she had already noticed. Everything she hated concentrated in one single town. Why was she here then? To learn, to observe. Know thee enemies...
"What do YOU think?" she barked back at the scribe over the noise. She had to remind herself for the hundredth time since they left that she was supposed to be a worshiper amongst the others, hence happy of the honor given to participate to the celebration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:51 pm
|
|
|
|
“What do I think?” Tren mulled the answer over in his head slowly for a moment before answering. “I think this is certainly different. Never have I been to a city so grand or to a celebration so…” he watched as the two nude figures climbed off the table. They looked at each other and then started all over again. Another wave of fireworks roared and cheers filled the air and drowned out all the music. “So full of life.”
Tren leaned back in his chair and absently mindedly started picking his nose. He wasn’t even aware he was aware he was doing it. It was simply a habit he had never grown out of. For years he had been harassed and insulted for his habit but he couldn’t stop. He enjoyed it. The act soothed his mind and for a moment everything seemed okay.
“So, Therese, this celebration means more to you than it does me after all. Is there a particular site you wish t visit of a cathedral you wish to pray in? Or we could simply enjoy the celebrations. I intend to be here all month. We could go back to the inn if you want. Or-“ Tren suddenly noticed a man staring intently at him from several tables away. The man was short and a bit on the heavy side. His bearded face was covered in water or sweat and he constantly looked around before returning his gaze to Tren. Tren blinked and removed his fingere from his nose and rubbed his fingers together. Instantly the man rose and hurried over to the table.
“About damn time!” the fat man huffed and he approached. “Do have any idea how nerve wracking it’s been carrying THIS around with me?” The man produced a large, leather wrapped book from his satchel. The large book slammed against the table as the man placed it down. “What took you so damn long? You’re two days late and then you took your jolly time giving me the signal.”
“uh.” Tren looked confused as he stared at the man. “I’m afraid that I’m not exactly sure-“he stopped speaking in mid sentence as he glanced down at the book and read the title. It was in a language only a handful of people could read. It was in the ancient runic alphabet of power. His eyes opened wide and his pupils dilated. His right hand began to tremble as read the books title. The Book of Ending. It was the most legendary work of magic. Only three copies had ever been made. Two of which had been destroyed throughout history. Every time one of these volumes had been discovered, terrible calamities and destruction had covered the world. Legend said that the pages of this book taught the powers of the demonic energies. The darkest manners of sorceries were right in front of him. His eyes returned to the man. They both locked eyes. Tren licked his lips nervously.
“Is this a bad joke?” tren hissed, afraid that even whispering would attract the Withc Hunters. They would kill all of them in an instant if they realized this book was here. Tren had intended to find books of magic here but this was insane.
“What?! No! this is what your master ordered and we delivered it just as you asked. You cultists are sick freaks. I don’t want to know what you plan but-“ The man stopped, realizing Tren might not be the man he was supposed to deliver this book to.
“Who are you? The man asked. “What’s the safe word?” the man suddenly snapped. Tren swallowed and realized he had just gotten involved in something that would probably be the death of him.
“You know what?” Tren said, suddenly very calm. “I know what this book is, but I’m not the man you were supposed to give it to”
“Hunter!” the man shrieked and suddenly lunged at Tren with a dagger. Tren fell onto the ground with the man ontop of him. He held the man’s arm it his hands, the blade several inches from his face.
---
At a nearby table, a woman and two men watched Tren and the man intently. The women’s blue eyes were fixed on the book. Her red hair fluttered in the wind as her thin lips pressed together.
“There it is!” she hissed.
“Do we attack?” a short man asked.
“Get ready to. This is the moment the last of the three books is destroyed.” The man attacked Tren and the woman rose to her feet. She seized the mace that hung at her side.
“Surround them.!” She yelled. “Everyone, in the name of the Church, you will stand aside to be judged!”
((hehe notice her red hair…almost like another certain hunter we know lol))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:17 am
|
|
|
|
Therese did not share the man's opinion, she just could not. She shrugged and looked away when Tren started picking his nose. She sighed. What kind of man was he? Picking his nose like that in a public place. She sighed. That travel was getting worse by the minute. She wanted in and out as possible and here he was, announcing that he planned on staying the full month! She thought about his question.
"Well... I would like to ...pray in the White Cathedral. I heard this is the most beautiful man-made place in the city." She paused thoughtful. "And the new moon celebration in four days, I would like to attend it." She was trying to remember some more of the celebration key point when he man appeared at their tables.
Therese's eyes narrowed immediately. What did he want? Her eyes shifted to the book and then widened. She had come for a myth and this was served on her silver platter. Yet, something bothered her. How come Tren knew about the book and did not seem bothered at all by its presence in front of him. She frowned. The scribe had probably lied to her. Had the Priest asked him the same thing as he had from her? She put her doubts aside and grinned: she had never had such an easier mission.
But the easy part quickly turned to nightmare when the man realized his mistake and launched at Tren while screaming for hunters. The woman's face filled with anger and hatred. She looked at the red hair and her dogs for a brief instant and knew that with Tren as a dead weight, there was no way she could face them.
She grabbed the bag and the book left on the table. Her fingers brushed the cover for a second and a blast of pain rushed through her skull. For a second she was like blinded, the bitter taste of blood in her mouth, she cursed and jumped to her feet. Without hesitation she kicked the man attacking Tren in the stomach and pushed him to his side. Without waiting, she grabbed Tren's wrist, although for a moment, she had thought about leaving him there to slow down the hunters. She pulled the man to his feet despite her short size and started running across the crowd, passing the copulating couple who seemed invigorated by the chaos and shouting surrounding them.
The drunkard and worshipers cheered and laughed as the man who had attacked Tren hit the legs of another man. A fist flew and the mess deepened in a happy fist fight sending people flying across the place. No one moved out of the way for the hunters, some even involuntary slowed them down by falling on them or hitting them without knowing who they were hitting. The man who was between the exit and Therese and Tren got tackled by a fat old man who was bursting laughing. Maybe there was a god after all, thought the short dark hair woman.
Therese did not let go of Tren's wrist and rushed outside in the heavy crowd which was screaming and singing in the honor of their God. The one o'clock celebration at the amphitheater would gather thousands of people and that was where they would be the safest for now. As soon as they were surrounded by enough people, she slowed down their speed to match the one of the revelers. They now just looked like the others. She put her hood up and quickly searched the satchel containing the book. It was empty, except for the book which she wrapped in a piece of clothe before putting it in her own leather bag. Then she threw away the old satchel.
As they walked amongst the worshipers, Therese did not realize that she had not let go of Tren's wrist. Her fingers were tightly wrapped around him.
((hehe... <3 ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:39 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:00 pm
|
|
|
|
Therese was so entranced in keeping away that she did not even notice Tren's magical accomplishment. She was looking right and left, her bag tightly against her. People were getting louder as they approached the amphitheater, some people were even running. Therese was following the flow, making sure that her travel companion was right by her side. As they reached the amphitheater, Therese spotted a corner in the shadow. The perfect place... she thought, but she had to force herself to sit in a less conspicuous place. The hunters would first check remote spots or shadowy spaces. They had to behave like the other worshipers and join the merry celebration.
Still pulling Tren by the wrist, she sat in a row not too far from the exit but a little away from the central alleys where the hunters would be passing. Many other people were wearing hoods because of the light mist coming from the waterfalls and so she kept hers up.
She heard the skinny man's whisper and turned to stare at him. How could her know about the book? She scanned his face. There was no way she would give it to him.
"Safe..." she answered slowly.
A smirk came across her lips.
"For me?" she grunted. So he was one of those 'you are a girl, so you cannot handle yourself type of guy'?
She frowned slightly.
"I won't." she answered simply. "For now, I'll keep it." she added, as if she expected him not to understand her.
She had thousands of questions to ask but for now, she needed to juggle between singing stupid songs to the god, keeping track of the hunters and talking to her companion.
"Why are you here?" she murmured to Tren between two sung sentences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:33 am
|
|
|
|
Tren’s eyebrow rose at her defiance. He suddenly felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle as a sense of unease came over him. The book was a dangerous weapon said to have a mind of its own. It wanted to wreck havoc and madness wherever it went. Its powers were utter and absolute, the kind of power only whispered at in legends. That was the book he had just seen and this ignorant girl was going opt hang on to it. She had no idea of the powers she was playing with. Or did she? Like a sliver of mist, the idea swept into Tren mind. What if she did know? Was she the possible contact the man had meant to see? Instinctively, Tren began wreathing his mind with layers of magical barriers. If she was a mage of sorts, he would be ready.
The chorus began and rose in volume. Tren listened to the music. The rhythm was swaying. Drums beat rhythmically as the chanting grew more harmonious and steady. The head singer began chanting, her sweet chant rising in volume as it mixed with the crowd. The sound was beautiful but Tren could not enjoy it as he wished. The possibility of death was now to close and the girl beside him was now a possible danger.
“Why am I here?” Tren said softly, looking through the crowd. He thought about telling her the real reason but after a moments consideration, he thought it better to lie “I would ask you the same question. As for me, I am here to enjoy the festival, of course. This is a once in a life time opportunity, a onetime experience I intended to enjoy. But thanks to that lovely little book you now hold, I’m positive that possibility is no longer available to us.” He turned his eyes to her and looked at her hooded head. His voice was warning but not harsh.
“You have no idea of just what you are toying with. If this is a childish game, I advise you to cease it. The power of what you hold could level this city and forever twist and damn the souls of those trapped within.” The music was rising in pitch. “Listen, I advise we head back to the inn and gather our things and try to escape the city before we are found by our dead friends the hunters. I would rather not have my entrails burned before my eyes. It sounds most unpleasant.”
Tren looked around him, he didn’t the witch hunter who had chased them but he could see others. He felt his heart beat thundering through his veins. They were looking for someone or something and Tren hoped dearly that they it wasn’t for them.
---
“Do I looked pleased you maggot?!” the immensely larged humanoid boomed. His face was like a black canine. Two large, pointed hears rose above glowing green eyes. The creature’s knife like fangs were bared and he was growling as he spoke. The creature wore a yellow robe covered with faded blue strips. Large paws showed as the robe swayed with the creature’s pacing. The humanoid’s ten long fingers were clenching and unclenching.
“Why were you not there to retrieve the book on time?!” The canine figure roared at last and looked down at the bleeding shape at his feet. The room they were in was lit by a single candle and darkness was everywhere. “What the hell delayed you?”
“Lord Nasus.” The bleeding man on the ground gasped. “I was-“ Nasus kicked the man with his paw.
“Don’t bother, I can smell the beer and sex on you. What brothel where you in?”
“The Red Window.” The man whimpered.
“I’ll see to it that the entire building is wreathed in flame this evening.” Nasus growled. “I speant nine years, nine years tracking this book down. Nine years getting everything ready and the entire plan, a perfect plan is ruined because of your balls!” Nasus howled in raged. The sound was horrible. “What happened after you arrived?”
“The courier was handing the book to someone else, then they started fighting and some hunters showed up and the two escaped. I, myself, got punched in the nose. I tried to follow but the man cast a spell and the door was sealed and broke anything that touched it, including a man’s arm.” Nasus said nothing as he knelt down by the man. Nasus’ long fingers of his right hand wrapped around the man’s face and he sent his mind into his servant. Nasus watched the entire scene take place and studied the faces of the two who had taken the book. When Nasus was confident he would not foget their faces, he pulled out of his servant’s mind. Nasus looked from his glowing optics at the figure at his feet.
Green flames suddenly wreathed the man. The scream the man emitted was loud and agonized as his body twisted and jerked. Extra limbs began to grow and in a matter of moments, the man was now a deformed creature. Nasus looked at his new creation and then snapped his fingers. The monstrosity turned into black ooze that began to steam on the floor.
Nasus left the room and entered a missive cathedral. Light shone in from the many windows. Instantly, salty air filled his lung. The cathedral was immense, a massive round building whose center dome rose a hundred feet above. The cathedral was full of men and women clad in black robes. The fine artwork that had covered the walls was no covered it ruinic symbols written in blood. A great nine-pointed pentagram was drawn on the floor in blood also. The several hundred cultists all stood still, chanting dark words over and over. Nasus looked at his flock and smiled.
“Brothers and sisters.” Nasus bellowed, raising his arms. “The time is almost nigh! One last task must be completed. Find these two and bring me the book they carry. Who –so-ever completes this task shall be rewarded with a jade body.” Nasus then sent his consciousness into the minds of his followers, engraving the images of the two who had taken his book. The cultists all bowed their heads and began to leave the cathedral one by one. An hour later, the cathedral was empty save for Nasus. He inspected the runes on the wall, making sure the wards of invisibility and avoidance were in place. So long as the blood was constantly reapllied, the cathedral would be invisible, forgotten by all who had ever seen it and anyone who tried to walk near it would suddenly have to walk another direction for a reason in their mind.
Nasus smiled, the runes were in place. The large humanoid stepped into the middle of the great pentagram and looked up.
“Soon master,” Nasus said softly. “Soon you will live again."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:28 pm
|
|
|
|
Therese did not like his manners, really not. She was starting to despise the man. That scholar, that man of books, here to enjoy the festival? The more she looked at him from under her hood, the less she believed him. At first, she had believed he was stupid. Not that he did not possess a strong knowledge in many subjects, but she assumed him unable to relate to the reality of life. To her, he was a man so disconnected from the reality that he was a burden.
What she was reading in his eyes and voice at that very moment was a totally different story. He strangely seemed to know more about the book than herself. Instead of comforting her, the idea angered her and pushed her to keep the book to herself. She held his gaze with an angry expression on the corner of her lips.
"I know more about that book than you do..." she hissed with a warning voice. Yet she was finding her confidence shaken by two things. First his mention of the book was so straightforward that it made no mistake that he knew the book. Second she was uneasy about the strange sensation that had passed through her fingers when she had grabbed the book. As if the book had transmitted something to her, just by physical contact.
The woman shook her head. She hated magic. She hated hunters. Her eyes narrowed. At least one thing they were agreeing on: they needed to get out.
"Yes, let's get our stuff and leave..." she hushed with a calmer voice.
As if chance was with them, the entire assembly stood up to welcome a new comer on the center scene of the amphitheater.
"Now!" she grunted and once again took the man's wrist to pull him behind her.
She was fast and she was short, she threaded her way easily through the crowd. The hunters did not seem to have planned the movement of the entire crowd and most of them backed up and waited for people to sit back down.
Seeing a man looking their way, she pushed herself against the tall figure of Tren and wrapped her arms around his, rubbing her cheek against the harsh fabric of his sleeves. The man grinned and she gave him a beaming smile as she and Tren passed him. In a couple of quick steps they were out sight and out of the amphitheater which meant less people and more chances to be seen.
Her first movement was to detach herself from Tren with disgust. A frown on her face, she led them across the darkest streets of the city which were still populated by drunkards, prostitutes and a mixture of people from all over the kingdom who came for the celebration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:19 pm
|
|
|
|
“We are talking about this when we get to the room!” Tren hissed as he allowed himself to be led out of the celebration. He didn’t trust her but she was an ally that was useful to him now and he didn’t want to let the book out of his sight. Where she would go he would follow.
He followed her through the darkest parts of the city. Past the drunkards and the more interesting characters of society. Tren watched as he passed and saw severl vendors selling magical goods that he would have loved to exaimn at another time. They crept through the city for half an hour when they came to a small garden with a little fountain bubbling in the middle. The people here were all smoking some drug and chanting rhythmically to a drummer as the musician wailed upon his instrument. They were about to leave th garden by an opposite entrance when Tren saw several guardsmen walking towards them from the street. Tren pulled Therese, dragging her back the way they had come. He took her back several blocks into and ally where he had seen a red curtain draped across and alcove. He tore the curtain aside. It was a pleasure chamber but currently empty. The stone bed was bare. He pressed Theresa against the wall and whispered to her softly.
“You can slap the s**t out of me later for this. Heavy steel boots pounded down the allyway. Tren held his right hand over his own face, whiel covering Theresa’s face with his left hand. He summoned the magic around him and focused. When the spell was done, he suddenly leaned in and started passionately kissing Theresa.
**
“I think they went this way.” Thomas called. Thomas was a young soldier and eager to prove himself. The fact that templar Arterinomia was using him and his men to find the offenders made him swell with self importance. He thought he had seen the individuals Arterinomia had described. The alley was long and narrow. Thomas began looking through every window and building. He saw a red curtain and pulled the curtain open.
“Oh, I’m sorry@” Thomas said immediately. A young couple looked back at them. The man was tall with long blond hair and jade green eyes. He was attractive but the female was more so. Her hair was dyed bright blue and exotic green eyes looked at him in confusion.
“You mind?” the man said. “don’t kill the mood for us.”
“Right!” Thomas said his face tomato red. “Have fun, just looking for some criminals.”
“We doing anything illegal?” The man said, annoyed.”
‘What?” said Thomas. “Oh, no! i..I’ll leave now. Thomas shut the curtain and began to move quickly down the street, his men behind.
**
When the boots had faded away, Tren let the magic that disguised them fade away. He was covered in sweat and was breathing hard. The magic did not flow through as easily as it had once done. He was sorely out of practice. He seated himself on the stone bed and looked at Theresa.
“You can slap me now.” He said, with a chuckle. “Though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy that. “ He grinned sheepishly. “Also you’re welcome for saving your life just now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:22 pm
|
|
|
|
Theresa had not expected the strength nor the anger in Tren's voice. The tall skinny man seemed to have more backbones than she had believed and she did not know if she liked that notion or not.
The short woman was uneasy in those darker parts of town, although she had many times had to linger in such places, she was just unable to get used to it.
She saw the men after Tren and was almost startled as he pulled her to backtrack. Her eyes widened as he pushed her inside a room and pressed her against the wall.
"What the ...?!" she froze, her words clogging up in her throat as she saw, between the fingers on her own face, Tren's face changing, turning into a beautiful man with piercing green eyes and silky blond hair.
As her mouth opened in surprise and horror, unable to comprehend what was happening, she received his kiss even more deeply. Her legs half gave way. What was going on? Was that man not Tren? Who was he? What was happening? A kiss? Her first kiss... Body heat... She felt the man over her.
NO! her mind shouted.
As she was about to push him away violently, the curtain opened. The young soldier on the other side caught her, breathless, her hands tightly grips onto Tren's shirt, eyes wide open in confusion. He apologized. He retreated. She heard Tren's voice, a mixture of annoyance and lust and that was when she saw herself. A gorgeous creature with spicy blue hair, although her eyes kept their green hint there was more to them.
Thomas closed the curtain, red like a tomato and Tren backed up. Theresa remained immobile staring at her own reflection in the mirror as the spell faded away and the creature disappeared to give place to her own self. She raised a trembling hand to her face, her breathing quick and erratic. Questions were tumbling in her head. She felt lost, confused.
He spoke and she turned to him. He was covered in sweat and breathing so hard. Was it the kiss that put him in such a state? ...if I said I didn't enjoy that... She stared at him and back up...or rather tried to back up as she was against a wall. Hands flattening against the stone, she let herself slide along the wall. Shivering and still staring at Tren, she grabbed her bag and held it tight against her, feeling the book against her body.
"Ma....magic..." she stammered with eyes revealing a mixture of fear, confusion, hatred, terror and betrayal.
She needed to stand up. She needed to keep going. The Father had asked her to travel with Tren. So Tren was a friend. But was it Tren?
"Who...who are.. you...?" she asked her chest heaving fast, her grip tightening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 7:52 am
|
|
|
|
Tren looked up from the ground into the trembling eyes of Theresa. Tren found both amusement and discomfort in her expression. The darker side of him enjoyed the wy his power could make most humans quiver in fear, to know that he was dangerous and must be respected. However, that thinking had been the undoing of many of Tren’s past aquintences and his other half reminded his wicked side that it was that mentality that made him a monster in peoples’ eyes. Tren gave a sigh and nodded his head.
“Who am I?” Tren panted. “My name is Tren and I’m a scholar, copyist, murderer, and a warlock.” Tren rubbed his hands together for a moment before going on. “So now I get to the really awkward revelation part. Why you and I are both here. I came looking to learn more about magic. The dark side of society is always where the light shines brightest. Where better to exchange knowledge than here in a city packed with people. SO I decided to come and learn more. Your priest asked me to allow you to tag along. He told me it was because you wanted to worship the Saint but I’m not so sure anymore now that you hold the world’s most dangerous book in your hands.” Tren stared at the book. “You and I have just become, not only the most wanted people in the world, according to the church, we are the most damned people in existence for being around this tome of knowledge. Comforting no? Plus I’m sure the real owner of this little book is going to do whatever he can to retrieve this from our possession. A complex situation if ever I found one. Made more dramtic by the fact that you probably want to tear my throat out. “ He looked at her muscled body and sighed. “Something you could do very easily too. Look, I didn’t plan on this happening but it has. We are in serious danger. If you want out, give me the book and go. I won’t blame you.”
Tren wanted the book. He wanted it more than a dying man crave water. It was something he must have. The power, the knowledge. It could be his. He could learn more in a day than most spell weavers could learn in a lifetime. He could use his witch craft to alter this girls mind, make her give it to him. Tren also considered the possibility of altering her mind into disrobing herself as well but he refrained from all of this. He was no wizard and didn’t control the elements. He was no sorcerer and could wield destructive powers of madness and death. He was a warlock and could merely alter things. And he was determined to change this girls mind without magic. She was innocent and Tren had long ago stopped abusing his powers on innocent people.
“So then Theresa,” Tren said after his moment of self-reflection. “What are you going to do?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:54 pm
|
|
|
|
Theresa listened, her eyes following any single move on Tren's body: a shift of his weight, a blink of his eye, a change in his expression. Slowly, she calmed herself, even as he mentioned the word 'murderer'. The word encompassed so many definition. She considered her brother and herself as murderers. She tried to block the irrational fear that had grown in her at the knowledge that he could use magic. She had years of belief that magic was evil and led only to death. A belief enhanced by loneliness and rejection from other men, a belief developed without her understanding it, by the Father who had fed it with fake tales and examples. Yet, a belief who had turned into knowledge as she had herself experienced the side effect of magic and witness the pain. She was blind, yet through the fog she managed to calm herself with one certainty: that man had just saved her life.
When Tren mentioned her giving out and just passing the book to him, she jumped to her feet and almost barked at him. "Never!" yet her body was not yet fully recovered from both the kiss and the magic and she was still weak on her legs.
The young woman had to admit that she was a little puzzled by the fact that he seemed to believe that she could kick his a** without problem. She was no fighter, no magic user and much smaller than he was. Yet that gave her the strength she needed to put herself back together.
She walked to Tren who was sitting, as determinate as possible and once close enough to him, she slapped him. Her fingers burned as she touched his skin. Now that's unsettling... she mentally grunted.
"That was for the kiss." she announced, her eyes unable to meet his.
Then she bowed.
"Thank you for saving my life." she said with the same tone of voice.
Awkward... she thought.
Then the woman stepped back and thought for a moment, pushing deep in her mind her fears and terror, to focus on what Tren had just told her and what had to be done: bringing the book to Father. She did not know as much about the book as Tren did. She would probably be able to learn from him on the way. Plus if he had not already killed her, that meant that he would not...Are you sure...? A voice whispered in her mind but she shook it off. She would sort of trust him for now.
"For the moment, they don't know who we are. But it makes no doubt that they are passing through all the inns in town describing us." She started pathing out in the room.
"We only checked in this morning. If we go to check out now, it will be even more suspicious. It might be a chance but maybe we should leave the city at the midnight celebration. The city will be at its busiest and it will be easier to sneak up during the night."
She looked at Tren, waiting for him to tell that she was stupid for wanting to stay in the town one more minute.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
