“This way I can also show you the way to me house.” That he would know how to find his way there was important to her. Why oh why had she dressed for dueling? She certainly had prettier clothes to wear for going on a date. But Erasmus seemed not to have noticed, or if he had at least had found nothing remiss, to judge by the way his face had lit up when he saw her. Perhaps what she wore didn't matter all that much. “How have the last few days been treating you?”
“Very well. I suppose. How about you?” Erasmus asked as they walked hand in hand down the street as the sunlight faded behind scattered clouds.
“They have been quiet for the most part, filled with work and devoid of tragic events.” Their way led them by the market place and then they turned onto Forest Street.
“Sounds a bit like heaven if you could do away with the work part.” He grinned down at her. The sight of her, even in her dueling outfits, always captured his adoration.
“Mr. Corwell seems to be doing a little better every day.” As the walked along the street, the houses and entry ways they passed became smaller and less impressive. A little blush came to her cheeks at the boldness of her statement, but she was happy and she just needed to let him know that. “Perhaps it is a little bit of heaven, even with the work part because I do enjoy my work. And yet, I do feel far more like being treated to a glimpse of heaven now.”
“That is good news.” He watched her beautiful curls bounce as she walked hand-in-hand with him; a slight blush at her last words stained his cheeks to mirror her own. “I am most assuredly being treated to an eyeful of heaven now.”
Erasmus noticed the scenery change, but barely. He only caught a glimpse here and there as he looked up to make sure he wasn't going to run into anything. The cobblestones changed to nothing more but dirt road as they passed the gate in the city wall. The houses they passed now were little better than shacks though built with stone rather than wood, and stood much further apart.
“We are almost here.” Querylon pointed ahead and to the right to what at first glance and at this distance appeared to be a few large fruit trees among an overgrown field ringed with bushes short and tall with glimpses of an iron fence.
“I have come this way before, just wandering around the outer city.” He looked to where she was pointing and smiled. Now his attention was on their destination. The fence was interrupted by a trellis arched half high gate. Both, the trellis and fence supported various vines.
“And you never knew I was here.” It still amazed her that despite living in the same town and frequenting a lot of the same shops, parks, restaurants and places of entertainment, they had crossed paths less than a handful of weeks ago.
“'Tis a shame, eh?” Erasmus smiled down at her in between taking in what he could see of the garden. Querylon took a step ahead to open the gate. It squeaked on its hinges.
“Welcome to my garden and my home, Erasmus.” She stepped aside to allow him to pass.
In the yard to the right of the path a peach tree and an apple tree vied for light, both aged and gnarled, to the left of the path a chestnut tree rose high. The grasses, wildflowers, and weeds had been allowed to grow tall. Various potted plants along the path and on the porch added a confusion of color and would even during the winter months.
Erasmus walked through the gate and turned to hold it so she could pass the rest of the way through. He looked around at all the vegetation, not knowing what half of the plants were. Very homey. I feel a great sense of welcome here.”
“The plants seem to do well without much care, and for my potions I need the plants in their entirety, not just sliced off and pruned bits.” Querylon slipped through the gate and Erasmus eased the gate shut.
And now, as they stepped onto the path, that spanned the width of the front yard from the gate to the roofed porch, the house became visible. The porch railing and the roof support columns and beams overgrown with various vines gave the one story, whitewashed house added charm.
“Would you care for a closer look?”
“I would very much like a closer look.” He followed just behind her. Only as they traversed down the path was Erasmus able to see the porch swing to the right. Thick, full length, dark green seat and back cushions promised comfort. He made a mental note to try it out with her
“Do not worry about where you step, the weather has been kind so your boots will not cause any damage nor pick up any mud.” Still holding hands Querylon gave his a light tug as she stepped off the path and into the tall grass. He followed suit with not a second's hesitation as he steps into the tall grass. She turned her head to him, a warm smile on her lips. “Do you enjoy black berries?”
“Of course I do. You have some?” Seeing Querylon so happy made him very warm inside, and he nodded to her.
“I will.” Was her cryptic answer as she halted her steps in front of one the bushes there and inspected it. Few ripe berries were on it, but plenty of those still small and more red than black. She withdrew her hand from his and then reached with both hands into the bush, careful of the thorns.
Erasmus took a half step back when she released his hand, giving her room to reach into the thorny bush. As she concentrated the berries grew ever so slightly and what was red turned black. Seeing the berries ripen at her touch he gasped slightly. He was never one for magic.
When she withdrew her hands from the bush a few moments later, the bush carried a decent amount of fully ripe berries.
“Here we go, enjoy them.” She brushed a couple specks off the white sleeves even as she smiled to Erasmus.
“That was quite amazing.” He looked at the berries skeptically at first, and then he shrugged and plucked a few fat ones from the bush. Then he tossed one into his mouth.
She dad heard the little gasp and a touch of worry was in her eyes when she looked to him again. But he seemed not so disturbed as to refuse the treat, so she smiled again and then reached for a few of those sweet berries too.
“Very good.” He offered one of the berries he had plucked to her soft lips and she leaned forward slightly to take the berry from his fingers. He lipped another berry into his mouth, and then leaned in to steal a kiss from her.
She met him part way, only too happy to let him do just that. When she smiled to him again and offered him one of the berries she had picked, the touch of worry was gone, replaced with nothing but happiness. He takes the berry from her fingertips with his lips. The tartness of the berries matched the sweetness of her mouth splendidly.
“I am glad that you did not run off screaming.” Querylon couldn't seem to stop smiling and gave him a little wink.
“What do you mean? Run off screaming?” His eyebrows rose slightly.
“A lot of people react strange to witnessing magic, real magic as opposed to spells worked.” She explained.
“It is a bit unnerving, but it is a part of you, and therefore, beautiful.” Erasmus shrugged.
“Thank you for saying that. When I was little I once tried to cheer a girl with a similar feat and doing so had ill consequences.” But that was a subject for another time. “Would you care to look upon anything more closely?”
“I wouldn't know where to begin.” He looked around at all the flora, and just smiled at her
“Perhaps gazing upon it all from the porch will be more pleasing?” If the magic was unsettling to him, perhaps she had better learn now than later just how unsettling. His comment about it being beautiful as well as unsettling tough gave her hope. “It is this very magic though in a more complicated way that allows Mr. Corwell to while among the living for a while longer.”
“I would like that a lot.” Erasmus nodded and looked at her as they walked toward the porch. “So, you are gifted in clerical ways as well?”
“No, not at all. I can reach into the plants and slow or speed their force of live, or even concentrate it. My talent with that does not extend to beasts or people.” She motioned an invitation to sit upon the swing with a hand once they stepped upon the porch. “Some plants lend themselves to transferring some or all of their energy.”
“Ahh, I see what you are saying. That is most interesting.” He followed the motion and slid onto the swing, gently pulling her down next to him and cradling her in his left arm. His reply was everything she could have hoped for and more.
“It is also taxing, far more intense than merely ripening a few berries. I rarely do anything with it to that extend, mostly because I am convinced that cheating death like this can not be entirely right. It is different from making medicines and potions.” She leaned lightly against him, her hands idle in her lap.
“I understand that. From a moral standpoint you are kind of torn between helping because you have the power, but at the same time you don't know if that is what the power is meant to be used for.” Erasmus nodded and gently ran his fingertips up and down her forearm. “I think I know the difference. Creating potions and medicines is just reducing the plant to a chemical form… What you did with Mr. Corwell is like you are a medium to transfer the energy from one organism to another... Right?”
“Yes.” That single word held word held so many emotions. She titled her head slightly so she could gaze into his face, her heart very much in her eyes. His caress – his fingers were still moving over her arm - tempered her giddiness with something even warmer, and excitement of a calmer quality. “With the chemical form, the plant itself is usually already dead, snipped of, dug up, and dried.”
“I'm so happy I have got to spend some time here... I really like your home.” He looked around the yard again. “Staying at the Outback is starting to be a bit annoying. It being in the middle of the city and all.”
“I cannot begin to tell you just how much it means to me that you understand this.” Then she had to chuckle softly at his words. “You have only seen the front yard so far.”
“You mean there's more?” His eyes met hers and he hoped she saw the same thing in his eyes that he saw in hers.
“Of course there is more.” She chuckled. “I have a kitchen with a pantry and a room for sleeping a back yard and recently even one for bathing.”
“Oh, well of course...” He laughed at that.
“It would be my pleasure to invite you in, should you desire to have a look around.” But she so enjoyed his arm around her, his fingers on her arm, and the simpler pleasure of just leaning lightly against him, she made no move to rise.
“Perhaps later tonight, after the duels? I am quite enjoying the view and your company here on the swing right now.” Erasmus suggested, not knowing that she felt pretty much the same way.
“I am very content with that, for being allowed to sit with you now and for getting to look forward to enjoying you presence after the duels.” She smiled up to him, already looking forward to their walk after the duels.
“I could say the same.” He bowed his head to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. Her hand reached over to find his upon her arm, not to still his fingers but merely to cover his hand. He looked down at the hand covering his own then back to her precious face. Catching her eyes he leaned in to lay a sensual yet passionate kiss on those full lips of hers. Her hand did not stay on his for long, but moved up his arm to curl behind his neck as her lips moved against his, expressing the deepening of her feelings for him.
With her hand on the nape of his neck, he took the liberty to pull her in closer if that was possible. The tip of his tongue played its way just inside the boundary of her mouth, searching out her own. The gentle touch and tentative exploration nonetheless warmed her throughout and sped her pulse. It was definitely not the soft motion of the swing that made her feel the soft touch of butterfly wings throughout and lightly dizzy. He pulled away slowly, opening his eyes as he did so.
“Should we be off, then?” Erasmus asked after a while of merely gazing at her and still holding her close. She looked altogether properly kissed and absolutely happy.
“Yes, we should be off.” She nodded her head slightly.
Like Leaves Of A Book
Moderator: Michelle Montoya
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
They did not stay long at the duels that evening and it was still early in the evening when they left the basement of the Inn hand in hand. They continued hand in hand as they traversed the streets of Rhydin, turning once again onto Forest Street to walk along it, talking about the match that Erasmus had that night as they came up to the front gate of her cottage.
“I still can't believe I won that without taking a hit.” He pushed open the swinging gate for her to step through
“It was most marvelous to watch.” Querylon smiled, happy that the bout had gone so well for him.
“I'm sorry your duel didn't fare as well. I guess I'm just not as lucky for you as you are for me.” He said with a warm smile. He stepped through the gate behind her, still holding her hand as the portal swung shut. “But it is called Lady Luck for a reason...”
“I did well enough. The Marchioness is a formidable opponent, especially in a speedy match, even if her rank in the basement does not currently reflect that.” Then she chuckled softly with him. “The Lady has indeed been accused of being fickle.”
“That she has.” They were making their way up the stairs by this time. A clear night sky hung overhead, the moon shining brightly to light their way.
“Would you care to come inside while I prepare us up some tea?” There still was no sign of boots anywhere and Querylon wondered about that. He usually made it a point to inspect anyone new coming into the garden.
“That would be more than gracious, dear.” He took the invitation to heart and let go of her hand so she could open the door.
“Just give me a moment to strike on a light.” Querylon stepped into the darkness and found the oil lamp and matches right where she had left them. A moment later soft yellow light spread out from the lamp she left sitting on the kitchen table.
Erasmus entered the dwelling, closing the door behind him. The kitchen was dominated by a square oak table to the left of the door. Though two could comfortably sit next to another at each side, only two oak chairs were there, each with a dark red seat cushion resting upon its seat.
Erasmus eyes scanned the room lazily, trying to remember every detail. The left hand wall had a large fireplace and though no fire was currently lit, a medium size cauldron hung in it. Some herbs and berries were strung above the fire place to dry. A potbellied stove stood next to the fireplace, its chimney cleverly worked into the one of the fireplace. A tea pot sat atop it.
“I like it already...” His scan halted for a long moment at the hutch that stood at the wall vis-a-vi, eight doors wide. Most of the open upper shelves were occupied by jars of various sizes, shapes and materials, all neatly labeled. There was also one shelve with mismatched china. Between the hutch and the wall to the right hung a deep purple velveteen curtain. In the wall to the right was a door obviously leading to the pantry. The kitchen had a dark red tile floor.
“Please, take a seat. Would you prefer the tea cold or hot?” Querylon moved to light a second lamp that stood by the pot bellied stove and once lit hung it on its hook.
“Thank you.” She smiled, happy that he liked her home. “It's not much, but it's all mine, and it has been ever since I left Saint Martin's.”
“Hot, please, dear. I feel it is going to be a long night at post.” He slid into one of the two chairs, still facing the open room and Querylon. “Saint Martin's? What and where is that?”
She picked up an iron poker to lift a cook plate and to stoke the embers within the stove. Once she was satisfied the fire was enough to warm the water she replaced the plate, set the poker aside and slid the water pot into place.
“Saint Martin's is the orphanage I was raised at. It's right here in town.” She looked to Erasmus with a smile as she answered him.
“Oh, I didn't know... you were an orphan. I remember asking about your family, but I think we avoided the subject.” He fiddled with a knot on his vest.
“My apology, Erasmus. It is not my intension to keep anything from you.” She gave him a warm smile before she turned to reach into the hutch to pull down to cups. She turned to set them on the table and looked to Erasmus again.
“One of the nun's there found me on their door step in a crate. I have no information about any parents or family. I tried to find out a little at some point, but that search turned up empty.” Then she pulled a can from the hutch and transferred some tea leaves from it into the always ready tea pot.
“I understand. I had a brother who dropped at the gate of our estate as an infant. I was only twelve at the time.” He hung his head; thinking about his adopted brother only reminded him that he was gone. Then, the tink of the can as she pulled it from its resting place brought his thoughts and his gaze back to Querylon. “I know how hard it was for him to not know what his true bloodline was.”
“He did have the gift of a family, though.” She had turned to face Erasmus again and now was smiling to him.
“Touché', dear. I apologize.” Even with the smile she had, he had still spoken before thinking about what it was he was saying.
“Pray, do not apologize. You could not possibly have had guessed and your mention of it gave me the opportunity to let you know of where I grew up.” When she heard the water behind her starting to bubble in the pot she turned to stove again to brew the tea.
“Very well.” A smile crossed his lips. He watched as she brewed the spicy smelling concoction. “I am happy to have gained that knowledge.”
Querylon pulled another tin from the hutch and opened it before setting it upon the table. This one was about half full with sandy cookies, berries baked into them. Then she reached for the tea pot and moved to fill the two mismatched cups.
“Would you like honey to sweeten your tea?” Perhaps she should shop for some new cups, she thought as she did so, hoping that Erasmus would come visit often from now on.
“Hunh?” His smile never faded as he watched the process. The smile turned into a wry grin. ”Oh, no thanks. Straight up, please.”
“I prefer this particular mix without honey as well.” She smiled back to him in kind and slid gracefully into the only other chair in the kitchen.
“Mind if I have a smoke?” He nodded as he reached into his vest to pull out the long-stemmed pipe that he always had with him.
“Not at all, much the opposite.” She smiled to him before she reached for the matches still sitting next to the lamp. The scent of his tobacco would linger long after he had left, and she rather liked the idea. “May I do the honors?”
With her consent he reached into another vest pocket and pulled his pouch of dried tobacco out. Opening the pouch he reached in and pulled out a wad. The tobacco was stuffed into his pipe with ease, and then he lifted the stem to his lips and leaned in for the light.
“I would be honored,” the pipe stem clenched in his teeth.
“My pleasure.” She struck the match and nursed the flame for a moment. When the flame had taken hold she dipped it into the belly of the pipe.
Erasmus stoked the dry tobacco into a fine glowing ember, and then he leaned back in his chair, a thick cloud of smoke floated around them.
“You are getting much better at that.” This he said with a wink to her as he reached for his cup. He hoped it had enough time to cool off a bit.
“You are providing me with the opportunities for practice.” She chuckled softly.
“You bet I am.” He chuckled along with her, puffs of smoke coming out of his lungs as he did so.
Querylon reached for cup, but toyed with it instead of picking it up. Then she turned her face to Erasmus, dark blue eyes gazing up to him.
“There is something I have been waiting for an opportunity for to perhaps get your advice on.” She started. Erasmus had been sitting back, enjoying his tea and pipe, but Querylon's nervous toying and comment had his full attention now.
“Just before I had the good fortune of meeting you, I allowed Major derKorst into talking me into attending a country dance at Atrebla. He insisted to get me to take some time of from work and to do something fun.”
Erasmus nodded, his pipe now in his left hand, a sinewy tendril of smoke drifting into the air released that strong scent of the tobacco.
“And how does that merit needing my advice?” He sipped the still hot brew. His attention was hers.
She considered her next words for a moment before speaking again, “While the idea sounded perfectly fine at the time, it no longer does so. I have been trying to think upon a polite way to excuse myself from the agreement ever since you showed me your tobacco garden.” The phrasing of the question Erasmus had asked of her then still sang in her memory of that afternoon.
“So, you want me to help you come up with a reason not to go?” He was somewhat confused and his facial expression showed it.
“I am uncertain that there is such to be found. I simply would prefer to spend what time there might be for doing so in your company.”
He understood now. She had been beating around the bush. She was shy he knew, but wow. Even so, a slight blush colored his cheeks:
“Why, Ms. Querylon, are you asking me out on a date? A dance date at that…” The pipe was inserted back into his mouth and he exhaled a cloud of aromatic fog with the last trailing words.
“I would love a chance to get to dance with you. If the idea of dancing is distasteful to you, it would be comforting to me to know that you were there to sit and talk with between the one or two dances I might enjoy, and to keep less welcome attention from strangers to a minimum.” She still found it as difficult as ever to confess her deeper desires, even though she wanted to. Dancing was something she enjoyed very much. Now she held her breath, awaiting his reaction as took a sip of tea.
“I would be honored to dance with you, dear, and to keep unwelcome attention at bay.” He said playfully before he returned the pipe stem to his teeth, grinning. “If you hadn't noticed my scarred features are rather intimidating to some...”
She gave him a wide smile, relief obvious in her features. And suddenly she felt confident that Julian derKorst would understand when she had a chance to mention Erasmus to him. In fact, she was so giddy that the next words just slipped out without thought.
“Thank you. No, I had not noticed that. I think they add your irresistible charm.”
“Irresistible, huh?” He pulled the pipe back out of his mouth and set it on the table. Grabbing her hand he stood up and brought her with him. As she stood he pulled her close and landed his lips on the crook of her neck, just below the jaw line. Then, he pulled back and leaned in to give her a kiss on those lovely, soft lips of hers.
Her hands came up to his shoulder once he pulled her closed and with a little quiver she returned his kiss with much less shyness in her response than on previous occasions. He was surprised at the way she received him. She kind of took it and ran with it. As the kiss came to a close he drew back, but still kept his hands on her hips.
“I would love to stay, my dear, but I must be leaving for the west wall if I am to make it to my post in time for the changing of the guard.”
“I am very glad for the time we got to spend together this day.” She smiled up him, too happy in this very moment for his leave taking to be powerful enough to put any sadness into her eyes. Then she remembered that she had yet to give him any information about when the dance was to be. “The dance is to be this Saturday.”
“As am I. I enjoy your company more every time I am graced with it.” He scooped up his pipe and tucked it into his vest before he stepped out and slid his chair back under the table.
“Oh, thank you. I had forgotten to get the actual date of the date.” He smiled at her and got one more look at her beautiful face before he turned for the door.
“As do I enjoy your company more and more.” She offered quietly as she followed him to the door.
Erasmus reached out and grabbed the knob. After opening the door, he turned to her one last time.
“Have a good night, my dearest Querylon...”
“A good night to you as well, my dearest, and may no one bother the guards this night.” She gave him one of her best smiles to take along the way. He did that. In fact, he had committed her smile to memory.
“Thank you for the well-wishing.” With that he turned and walked down the stairs and hopped over the gate. He strolled on down the dirt road back toward the city proper.
“I still can't believe I won that without taking a hit.” He pushed open the swinging gate for her to step through
“It was most marvelous to watch.” Querylon smiled, happy that the bout had gone so well for him.
“I'm sorry your duel didn't fare as well. I guess I'm just not as lucky for you as you are for me.” He said with a warm smile. He stepped through the gate behind her, still holding her hand as the portal swung shut. “But it is called Lady Luck for a reason...”
“I did well enough. The Marchioness is a formidable opponent, especially in a speedy match, even if her rank in the basement does not currently reflect that.” Then she chuckled softly with him. “The Lady has indeed been accused of being fickle.”
“That she has.” They were making their way up the stairs by this time. A clear night sky hung overhead, the moon shining brightly to light their way.
“Would you care to come inside while I prepare us up some tea?” There still was no sign of boots anywhere and Querylon wondered about that. He usually made it a point to inspect anyone new coming into the garden.
“That would be more than gracious, dear.” He took the invitation to heart and let go of her hand so she could open the door.
“Just give me a moment to strike on a light.” Querylon stepped into the darkness and found the oil lamp and matches right where she had left them. A moment later soft yellow light spread out from the lamp she left sitting on the kitchen table.
Erasmus entered the dwelling, closing the door behind him. The kitchen was dominated by a square oak table to the left of the door. Though two could comfortably sit next to another at each side, only two oak chairs were there, each with a dark red seat cushion resting upon its seat.
Erasmus eyes scanned the room lazily, trying to remember every detail. The left hand wall had a large fireplace and though no fire was currently lit, a medium size cauldron hung in it. Some herbs and berries were strung above the fire place to dry. A potbellied stove stood next to the fireplace, its chimney cleverly worked into the one of the fireplace. A tea pot sat atop it.
“I like it already...” His scan halted for a long moment at the hutch that stood at the wall vis-a-vi, eight doors wide. Most of the open upper shelves were occupied by jars of various sizes, shapes and materials, all neatly labeled. There was also one shelve with mismatched china. Between the hutch and the wall to the right hung a deep purple velveteen curtain. In the wall to the right was a door obviously leading to the pantry. The kitchen had a dark red tile floor.
“Please, take a seat. Would you prefer the tea cold or hot?” Querylon moved to light a second lamp that stood by the pot bellied stove and once lit hung it on its hook.
“Thank you.” She smiled, happy that he liked her home. “It's not much, but it's all mine, and it has been ever since I left Saint Martin's.”
“Hot, please, dear. I feel it is going to be a long night at post.” He slid into one of the two chairs, still facing the open room and Querylon. “Saint Martin's? What and where is that?”
She picked up an iron poker to lift a cook plate and to stoke the embers within the stove. Once she was satisfied the fire was enough to warm the water she replaced the plate, set the poker aside and slid the water pot into place.
“Saint Martin's is the orphanage I was raised at. It's right here in town.” She looked to Erasmus with a smile as she answered him.
“Oh, I didn't know... you were an orphan. I remember asking about your family, but I think we avoided the subject.” He fiddled with a knot on his vest.
“My apology, Erasmus. It is not my intension to keep anything from you.” She gave him a warm smile before she turned to reach into the hutch to pull down to cups. She turned to set them on the table and looked to Erasmus again.
“One of the nun's there found me on their door step in a crate. I have no information about any parents or family. I tried to find out a little at some point, but that search turned up empty.” Then she pulled a can from the hutch and transferred some tea leaves from it into the always ready tea pot.
“I understand. I had a brother who dropped at the gate of our estate as an infant. I was only twelve at the time.” He hung his head; thinking about his adopted brother only reminded him that he was gone. Then, the tink of the can as she pulled it from its resting place brought his thoughts and his gaze back to Querylon. “I know how hard it was for him to not know what his true bloodline was.”
“He did have the gift of a family, though.” She had turned to face Erasmus again and now was smiling to him.
“Touché', dear. I apologize.” Even with the smile she had, he had still spoken before thinking about what it was he was saying.
“Pray, do not apologize. You could not possibly have had guessed and your mention of it gave me the opportunity to let you know of where I grew up.” When she heard the water behind her starting to bubble in the pot she turned to stove again to brew the tea.
“Very well.” A smile crossed his lips. He watched as she brewed the spicy smelling concoction. “I am happy to have gained that knowledge.”
Querylon pulled another tin from the hutch and opened it before setting it upon the table. This one was about half full with sandy cookies, berries baked into them. Then she reached for the tea pot and moved to fill the two mismatched cups.
“Would you like honey to sweeten your tea?” Perhaps she should shop for some new cups, she thought as she did so, hoping that Erasmus would come visit often from now on.
“Hunh?” His smile never faded as he watched the process. The smile turned into a wry grin. ”Oh, no thanks. Straight up, please.”
“I prefer this particular mix without honey as well.” She smiled back to him in kind and slid gracefully into the only other chair in the kitchen.
“Mind if I have a smoke?” He nodded as he reached into his vest to pull out the long-stemmed pipe that he always had with him.
“Not at all, much the opposite.” She smiled to him before she reached for the matches still sitting next to the lamp. The scent of his tobacco would linger long after he had left, and she rather liked the idea. “May I do the honors?”
With her consent he reached into another vest pocket and pulled his pouch of dried tobacco out. Opening the pouch he reached in and pulled out a wad. The tobacco was stuffed into his pipe with ease, and then he lifted the stem to his lips and leaned in for the light.
“I would be honored,” the pipe stem clenched in his teeth.
“My pleasure.” She struck the match and nursed the flame for a moment. When the flame had taken hold she dipped it into the belly of the pipe.
Erasmus stoked the dry tobacco into a fine glowing ember, and then he leaned back in his chair, a thick cloud of smoke floated around them.
“You are getting much better at that.” This he said with a wink to her as he reached for his cup. He hoped it had enough time to cool off a bit.
“You are providing me with the opportunities for practice.” She chuckled softly.
“You bet I am.” He chuckled along with her, puffs of smoke coming out of his lungs as he did so.
Querylon reached for cup, but toyed with it instead of picking it up. Then she turned her face to Erasmus, dark blue eyes gazing up to him.
“There is something I have been waiting for an opportunity for to perhaps get your advice on.” She started. Erasmus had been sitting back, enjoying his tea and pipe, but Querylon's nervous toying and comment had his full attention now.
“Just before I had the good fortune of meeting you, I allowed Major derKorst into talking me into attending a country dance at Atrebla. He insisted to get me to take some time of from work and to do something fun.”
Erasmus nodded, his pipe now in his left hand, a sinewy tendril of smoke drifting into the air released that strong scent of the tobacco.
“And how does that merit needing my advice?” He sipped the still hot brew. His attention was hers.
She considered her next words for a moment before speaking again, “While the idea sounded perfectly fine at the time, it no longer does so. I have been trying to think upon a polite way to excuse myself from the agreement ever since you showed me your tobacco garden.” The phrasing of the question Erasmus had asked of her then still sang in her memory of that afternoon.
“So, you want me to help you come up with a reason not to go?” He was somewhat confused and his facial expression showed it.
“I am uncertain that there is such to be found. I simply would prefer to spend what time there might be for doing so in your company.”
He understood now. She had been beating around the bush. She was shy he knew, but wow. Even so, a slight blush colored his cheeks:
“Why, Ms. Querylon, are you asking me out on a date? A dance date at that…” The pipe was inserted back into his mouth and he exhaled a cloud of aromatic fog with the last trailing words.
“I would love a chance to get to dance with you. If the idea of dancing is distasteful to you, it would be comforting to me to know that you were there to sit and talk with between the one or two dances I might enjoy, and to keep less welcome attention from strangers to a minimum.” She still found it as difficult as ever to confess her deeper desires, even though she wanted to. Dancing was something she enjoyed very much. Now she held her breath, awaiting his reaction as took a sip of tea.
“I would be honored to dance with you, dear, and to keep unwelcome attention at bay.” He said playfully before he returned the pipe stem to his teeth, grinning. “If you hadn't noticed my scarred features are rather intimidating to some...”
She gave him a wide smile, relief obvious in her features. And suddenly she felt confident that Julian derKorst would understand when she had a chance to mention Erasmus to him. In fact, she was so giddy that the next words just slipped out without thought.
“Thank you. No, I had not noticed that. I think they add your irresistible charm.”
“Irresistible, huh?” He pulled the pipe back out of his mouth and set it on the table. Grabbing her hand he stood up and brought her with him. As she stood he pulled her close and landed his lips on the crook of her neck, just below the jaw line. Then, he pulled back and leaned in to give her a kiss on those lovely, soft lips of hers.
Her hands came up to his shoulder once he pulled her closed and with a little quiver she returned his kiss with much less shyness in her response than on previous occasions. He was surprised at the way she received him. She kind of took it and ran with it. As the kiss came to a close he drew back, but still kept his hands on her hips.
“I would love to stay, my dear, but I must be leaving for the west wall if I am to make it to my post in time for the changing of the guard.”
“I am very glad for the time we got to spend together this day.” She smiled up him, too happy in this very moment for his leave taking to be powerful enough to put any sadness into her eyes. Then she remembered that she had yet to give him any information about when the dance was to be. “The dance is to be this Saturday.”
“As am I. I enjoy your company more every time I am graced with it.” He scooped up his pipe and tucked it into his vest before he stepped out and slid his chair back under the table.
“Oh, thank you. I had forgotten to get the actual date of the date.” He smiled at her and got one more look at her beautiful face before he turned for the door.
“As do I enjoy your company more and more.” She offered quietly as she followed him to the door.
Erasmus reached out and grabbed the knob. After opening the door, he turned to her one last time.
“Have a good night, my dearest Querylon...”
“A good night to you as well, my dearest, and may no one bother the guards this night.” She gave him one of her best smiles to take along the way. He did that. In fact, he had committed her smile to memory.
“Thank you for the well-wishing.” With that he turned and walked down the stairs and hopped over the gate. He strolled on down the dirt road back toward the city proper.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
A Short Sunday
(2008)
Erasmus came strolling into the annex and down the stairs. His gaze went straight to the rings and spotted Querylon. His stroll brought him to a seat near the ring she was fighting in. Sliding into the chair, he offered Soerl a nod in greeting.
“Hey, Soerl. I guess all the brawlers are in the Diamond Quest tournament, eh?” Hearing the familiar voice puts a smile to Querylon’s lips.
”I believe so, Erasmus.” Soerl returned the nod. “Was rather busy in the Outback when I stopped by there earlier.”
”Yeah, I couldn't sleep for all the racket... So, I decided to stop by here to watch Query for a while...” Erasmus nodded toward the ring she was in.
”Minuet 7! Querylon lands an attack up high before Simini can slash!” Soerl made the official announcement before he called over to Erasmus again. “Maybe you're her good luck charm.”
“Maybe I am.... Good shot, Query!” He caught the round and a big smile comes across his face
Querylon risked a quick smile to Erasmus between rounds, and then was concentrating on Simini again.
“What style you looking to duel in, man? You seem a bit anxious.” Erasmus asked the man who had asked for an opponent.
”I prefer Magic.” The man replied just as Querylon’s duel came to a close.
“Sorry, can't help you there. I haven't an ounce of arcane power in me.” And when the man required if he was looking for a brawler, Erasmus nodded. “You would be correct.”
“I haven't dueled fists in a very long time.” The man replied.
Then, with a wriggle of her cute nose, Querylon was gone from the ring, instead standing next to the table Erasmus was sitting at, the blade gone and a warm smile on her lips.
”Well dueled, dear. I thought for a minute there you were going to come back and win it.” Erasmus stood with her appearance. The looked back to the man he’d been talking with. “Would you like to try your luck?”
”Okay!” The man grinned after some consideration and extended his hand. “I'm Neo. Neo Eternity.”
”Thank you, and a good evening to you.” Querylon had been looking forward to perhaps a bit of conversation with Erasmus. Now it appeared that would have to wait until after him and Neo completed their duel. “But alas, Lady Luck was not with me. May you fare better with the fickle Lady.”
“I'm Erasmus. Erasmus al'Mandragor. Perhaps formalities would be more appropriate in the ring.” Erasmus looked at the extended hand that was about ten feet away from him. Then he offered a warm smile and wink to Querylon. “I wouldn't say you were fickle, dear.”
Querylon blushed a little as he likened her to the deity and then politely inclines her head toward Neo before looking back to Erasmus with a bit of a grin to soften her words.
“I am not known to be fickle, milord.”
Neo nodded to Querylon before he headed for the ring and Erasmus followed suit. Her dark blue gaze followed Erasmus into the ring, a mile on her lips
“I know that, dear.” He said to Querylon before he bowed slightly to his opponent.
Querylon pulled out a chair and gracefully slid into it, her gaze never leaving the action in the ring. So absorbed was she in watching, she did not even turn to look when she felt a rift open and close somewhere near.
”Well tried, Erasmus.” She rose when the bout concluded to greet Erasmus’ return with a smile.
“Would anyone like to partake in a duel of Magic with me?” Neo asked the moment he stepped from the ring and he had a contest of spells arranged even before Erasmus had returned to the table.
”Well, dear. I'm sorry to say it, but I must be off...” With a slight shiver Erasmus looked to Neo and the male whose appearance seemed to scream ‘Magic’. “Besides, all that magic will have my hair standing up.”
”Really?” Querylon was disappointed that they should not have any time together this evening, her having anticipated this evening and to get spend a few hours in Erasmus’ company all week. His remark regarding the duel of magic about to start in one of the rings disturbed her further. There was not even a hint of a smile around her lips now. “I am sorry that you cannot stay this evening, and that magic should make you feel uncomfortable.”
“Yes.” Erasmus nodded and then raised both brows. “I am sorry, dear. You needn't worry. You know that magical battles tend to build more ions around my body.
”I must have misunderstood your words last week of wanting to observe me in a ring to include the rings of magic.”
”No, you did not. I would be willing to bear it if it meant watching you in your element, but seeing as to how it is not you in the ring. I would rather be somewhere else.”
“I shall treasure your presence all the more then when I will work magic for knowing how the spells affect you.” She managed a little smile then.
”I will see you later, dear.” With her smiling again he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss before he turned to leave.
”Until later, dear Erasmus.” She hoped that he still heard that. Watching him ascend the stairs she caught a smile when he turned his head for a moment. Then she slid back into her chair and turned her gaze to follow the casting and interactions of spells in the nearby ring. Her mind was elsewhere, though.
(2008)
Erasmus came strolling into the annex and down the stairs. His gaze went straight to the rings and spotted Querylon. His stroll brought him to a seat near the ring she was fighting in. Sliding into the chair, he offered Soerl a nod in greeting.
“Hey, Soerl. I guess all the brawlers are in the Diamond Quest tournament, eh?” Hearing the familiar voice puts a smile to Querylon’s lips.
”I believe so, Erasmus.” Soerl returned the nod. “Was rather busy in the Outback when I stopped by there earlier.”
”Yeah, I couldn't sleep for all the racket... So, I decided to stop by here to watch Query for a while...” Erasmus nodded toward the ring she was in.
”Minuet 7! Querylon lands an attack up high before Simini can slash!” Soerl made the official announcement before he called over to Erasmus again. “Maybe you're her good luck charm.”
“Maybe I am.... Good shot, Query!” He caught the round and a big smile comes across his face
Querylon risked a quick smile to Erasmus between rounds, and then was concentrating on Simini again.
“What style you looking to duel in, man? You seem a bit anxious.” Erasmus asked the man who had asked for an opponent.
”I prefer Magic.” The man replied just as Querylon’s duel came to a close.
“Sorry, can't help you there. I haven't an ounce of arcane power in me.” And when the man required if he was looking for a brawler, Erasmus nodded. “You would be correct.”
“I haven't dueled fists in a very long time.” The man replied.
Then, with a wriggle of her cute nose, Querylon was gone from the ring, instead standing next to the table Erasmus was sitting at, the blade gone and a warm smile on her lips.
”Well dueled, dear. I thought for a minute there you were going to come back and win it.” Erasmus stood with her appearance. The looked back to the man he’d been talking with. “Would you like to try your luck?”
”Okay!” The man grinned after some consideration and extended his hand. “I'm Neo. Neo Eternity.”
”Thank you, and a good evening to you.” Querylon had been looking forward to perhaps a bit of conversation with Erasmus. Now it appeared that would have to wait until after him and Neo completed their duel. “But alas, Lady Luck was not with me. May you fare better with the fickle Lady.”
“I'm Erasmus. Erasmus al'Mandragor. Perhaps formalities would be more appropriate in the ring.” Erasmus looked at the extended hand that was about ten feet away from him. Then he offered a warm smile and wink to Querylon. “I wouldn't say you were fickle, dear.”
Querylon blushed a little as he likened her to the deity and then politely inclines her head toward Neo before looking back to Erasmus with a bit of a grin to soften her words.
“I am not known to be fickle, milord.”
Neo nodded to Querylon before he headed for the ring and Erasmus followed suit. Her dark blue gaze followed Erasmus into the ring, a mile on her lips
“I know that, dear.” He said to Querylon before he bowed slightly to his opponent.
Querylon pulled out a chair and gracefully slid into it, her gaze never leaving the action in the ring. So absorbed was she in watching, she did not even turn to look when she felt a rift open and close somewhere near.
”Well tried, Erasmus.” She rose when the bout concluded to greet Erasmus’ return with a smile.
“Would anyone like to partake in a duel of Magic with me?” Neo asked the moment he stepped from the ring and he had a contest of spells arranged even before Erasmus had returned to the table.
”Well, dear. I'm sorry to say it, but I must be off...” With a slight shiver Erasmus looked to Neo and the male whose appearance seemed to scream ‘Magic’. “Besides, all that magic will have my hair standing up.”
”Really?” Querylon was disappointed that they should not have any time together this evening, her having anticipated this evening and to get spend a few hours in Erasmus’ company all week. His remark regarding the duel of magic about to start in one of the rings disturbed her further. There was not even a hint of a smile around her lips now. “I am sorry that you cannot stay this evening, and that magic should make you feel uncomfortable.”
“Yes.” Erasmus nodded and then raised both brows. “I am sorry, dear. You needn't worry. You know that magical battles tend to build more ions around my body.
”I must have misunderstood your words last week of wanting to observe me in a ring to include the rings of magic.”
”No, you did not. I would be willing to bear it if it meant watching you in your element, but seeing as to how it is not you in the ring. I would rather be somewhere else.”
“I shall treasure your presence all the more then when I will work magic for knowing how the spells affect you.” She managed a little smile then.
”I will see you later, dear.” With her smiling again he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss before he turned to leave.
”Until later, dear Erasmus.” She hoped that he still heard that. Watching him ascend the stairs she caught a smile when he turned his head for a moment. Then she slid back into her chair and turned her gaze to follow the casting and interactions of spells in the nearby ring. Her mind was elsewhere, though.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Male laughter echoing throughout the annex some time later jarred her from her reverie.
“How could you have won, Veighn?” Taneth asked of the source of that laughter.
“How could I nae? I am what Victoria so lovingly refers to as ‘The Black Wizard.’” The man glanced to Taneth with a smirk.
“Milord, may you care for another duel of spells?” Querylon glanced over to the self pronounced black wizard. Despite little oddities here and there, from afar and at first glance, he looked very much like a tall elf. But the glowing red eyes, the talons of his fingers, and the three narrow tongues which sculpted multiple voices behind quadruple-fanged teeth belied that first impression.
“You.” Veighn pointed, indicating Querylon. “Care to pit ye mind against mine own?” He scoffed when he realized that they had issued challenge simultaneously and then chuckled. “I accept.”
“A good evening to you, Xeric.” Querylon acknowledged his greeting, inclining her head politely, before she nodded toward Veighn. Then she turned to Soerl. “Soerl, a ring for magic please when you have the time.”
“Take Ring Element, then.” Soerl promptly filled the request.
Veighn moved toward the ring he'd just vacated and levitated over the edge instead of taking the steps to reach its height. He then settled in the midst of the ring of challenge, the ring of the Element.
With a wriggle of her cute nose the vision in white robes was no longer sitting at the table, but standing in the ring across from Veighn.
“I am Querylon. Thank you for agreeing to match spells with me, milord.” She offered a respectful bow of her head to Veighn. “Skill and Honor.”
”We shall see.” He said caustically. “What match is made, and what honor ye have.”
There was no indication whatsoever as to how she took the man's words or his failure to offer his name. She merely assumed her place in the ring and started to weave a spell. Veighn canted his head to the left, then to the right, almost predatory in fashion. Light lined his silhouette, and then diminished.
“Such care...” His arms started their motion again, sleeves billowing in the wake of their movement. He amassed a great amount of energy, the dark of the Shar'Vae Shades coalescing around him.
Querylon seamlessly moved from one incantation to the next, and a bolt arced from her fingertips, seeking its way into the gathering shadows. The darkness seemed suddenly tangible, and it rolled off Veighn’s form like smoke, manifesting into a huge skull which moved to engulf her in its gaping maw with an audible *Click* of snapping teeth. It faded almost at once, but her control over her spell had already been snapped.
Again, Veighn was silhouetted in light, which faded as he circled Querylon, his arms moved non-stop in deft manipulations of the mana summoned, channeled and leeched from the lay-lines all throughout Rhydin.
Querylon discarded the shield she was calling up nearly before it materialized when she found no immediate need for it. She redirected the energy into mage armor and discarded it just as quickly when she found it to be a useless bit of protection.
“Come. Let us see what ye are made of, little one.” Veighn dared with a smirk as he continued to mirror her defensive spells.
The fog she called for the next rolled harmlessly over Veighn’s mage armor. He cackled as he strode through the energies of her spell.
His fingers cupped the air, claw-like talons gleaming, and he then sent a pulse of energy as he forced both palms out. He had delayed his move to read her spell as it was cast, watching her gestures with rapt attention. He forced through them with the blast of force, and sent her thought of the mystical blades to rack her mind with pain.
Veighn lifted his hand in an ‘arise’ gesture, and a shield of force energy rose, invisible briefly, but limed in light as the impact of magical bolts struck the air before him.
“Ahh... I finally get a rise out of ye, girl.”
Querylon lowered her hand again, giving Veighn a studious look before deciding on her next spell, but did not reply to his taunting.
As Veighn’s next spell went off, hers did as well. Veighn coughed, and turned his head, using his cowl to cover his mouth and nostrils. He hissed behind it, glaring, with lamp-lit crimson gaze, at his opponent.
“Fiend!”
Querylon refused to cough or to react in any other way to the noxious fumes now dissipating, and started to weave another defense. Veighn quickly displaced as she cast, and appeared elsewhere. He then scowled as he noted she had gone on the defensive as well.
Veighn then bent his will upon her, but Querylon managed to displace out of range at the last possible moment, leaving the attack strike in the spot she occupied just previously. Veighn sneered as she miraculously evaded the snare he'd set up for her to endure.
“Ye are learning, mageling.” He said as he summoned more of his foul magic from some unknown source. His eyes flashed, and swirls of blackness began to surface in the churning pools of fire there.
“Thank you milord,” she inclined her head at the implied compliment despite her miserable display in the ring so far this evening, “but I am not yet a mage, not by far.”
Veighn’s hand jerked as a bolt of lighting sped forth in a wicked arch from his talon-tips, intent on striking her down. It, however, was negated by her armor, allowing the smell of scorched ozone to permeate around her. He summoned and dispelled the armor he'd cast upon himself even as Querylon again blinked from spot in the ring to another. He then stood stock still, glaring at the woman. His visage was a vision of malice and loathing.
Veighn’s spell was not what she had hoped to lure into the fog, as a slight shake of her head may have indicated.
“Well done, milord. Now a tie is the best I may hope for, and you left me little hope for that.” Querylon took the time for a slight nod of respect, but already the next spell was woven.
”Perchance...” He watched as he spat fog, after speaking no less, but it rolled harmlessly around her mage armored form.
One more spell to cast, Veighn cast blades and Querylon sent a bolt to arc after the blades. He watched the blades shatter and fall apart, and residual energy was sent into his form. He hissed at the discomfort, and narrowed his eyes on his opponent. Querylon had kept the score too close to let Veighn emerge as the victor.
“Well cast, milord. I thank you for the honor of the duel.” Again Querylon offered a respectful bow of her head. She then gave a nod to Soerl. “My thanks for the calls, Soerl.”
“A tie, Veighn! Ha!” Taneth called to the ring.
”Taneth... ye hath hexed me with ye words.” Veighn scowled at the girl in the audience as she looked on before he nodded to Soerl, granting the caller his due.
Veighn allowed his malevolent gaze to linger on the red-head for a few moments longer before he stepped clear of the ring and moved toward the area of observation.
Querylon had waited in the ring for a moment to award her opponent plenty of time to return the polite formalities. When none appeared to be forthcoming she wriggled her cute nose and was promptly gone from the ring, and stood in a previously unoccupied spot by the bar.
“At least the battle did not end quickly.” Was the only pleasant thing Veighn had to say about the tie with the woman, Querylon. In the more mundane fashion, banishing his shades in the meantime, he strode toward the bar area to whet his parched throat with some suitable libation.
”It seems that ye have proven yeself a match, insofar as what that display could be called.” He offered over in icy tones as he came up near Querylon.
Querylon had just at that moment espied Rakeesh. She regarded him with a warm smile as she respectfully inclined her head toward him.
“Good evening, effendi. Well done on holding onto the tie, at the end. It is one of the greatest challenges within the duels.” Rakeesh responded with a broad, friendly smile to Querylon as they matched glances.
Querylon nodded her thanks to Rakeesh, honored that the Overlord should have watched at least the last round of her duel. Then she turned to Veighn and offered a smile, deciding to take his words as a compliment.
”Thank you, milord, that is most generous of you to say. My apologies for not presenting more of a challenge to you. You have demonstrated a degree of talent that I was ill prepared for.”
”Perhaps I should make mineself less of a challenge for mine opponents in the future.” He smirked, eyeing the bottles just past her shoulders on the shelves behind the bar.
”I am certain that would be an error, milord.” She returned his smirk with a smile, not at all liking his suggestion to stunt his abilities only to not scare off lesser competition. He was good, possibly as good as Will Wulfson. “It has been my experience that those joining the competition of spells would much rather attain rank and eventually challenge for the title of arch mage. Unless you merely wish to give the appearance of being a lesser challenge to attain that goal that much faster.”
Veighn focused his eyes upon Querylon. Those eyes narrowed, he stood silent for a few fleeting moments, time running in fear from him. He then graced her with a venomous smile.
“Of course.” He told her nothing of his motives or his intentions.
”If you would excuse me, milord, the hour has grown late and I find that I must depart. May you find the rest of your evening pleasing.” She gave him a much cooler, yet perfectly polite nod. One like he was sure to hate asking for advice, and it occurred to her just then that he had just done so, however well veiled the asking was.
”Shadows bless... mine dear.” He called after the red-head, his features as stoic as his glacial response. Then, with a wriggle of her cute nose the vision in white was gone.
“How could you have won, Veighn?” Taneth asked of the source of that laughter.
“How could I nae? I am what Victoria so lovingly refers to as ‘The Black Wizard.’” The man glanced to Taneth with a smirk.
“Milord, may you care for another duel of spells?” Querylon glanced over to the self pronounced black wizard. Despite little oddities here and there, from afar and at first glance, he looked very much like a tall elf. But the glowing red eyes, the talons of his fingers, and the three narrow tongues which sculpted multiple voices behind quadruple-fanged teeth belied that first impression.
“You.” Veighn pointed, indicating Querylon. “Care to pit ye mind against mine own?” He scoffed when he realized that they had issued challenge simultaneously and then chuckled. “I accept.”
“A good evening to you, Xeric.” Querylon acknowledged his greeting, inclining her head politely, before she nodded toward Veighn. Then she turned to Soerl. “Soerl, a ring for magic please when you have the time.”
“Take Ring Element, then.” Soerl promptly filled the request.
Veighn moved toward the ring he'd just vacated and levitated over the edge instead of taking the steps to reach its height. He then settled in the midst of the ring of challenge, the ring of the Element.
With a wriggle of her cute nose the vision in white robes was no longer sitting at the table, but standing in the ring across from Veighn.
“I am Querylon. Thank you for agreeing to match spells with me, milord.” She offered a respectful bow of her head to Veighn. “Skill and Honor.”
”We shall see.” He said caustically. “What match is made, and what honor ye have.”
There was no indication whatsoever as to how she took the man's words or his failure to offer his name. She merely assumed her place in the ring and started to weave a spell. Veighn canted his head to the left, then to the right, almost predatory in fashion. Light lined his silhouette, and then diminished.
“Such care...” His arms started their motion again, sleeves billowing in the wake of their movement. He amassed a great amount of energy, the dark of the Shar'Vae Shades coalescing around him.
Querylon seamlessly moved from one incantation to the next, and a bolt arced from her fingertips, seeking its way into the gathering shadows. The darkness seemed suddenly tangible, and it rolled off Veighn’s form like smoke, manifesting into a huge skull which moved to engulf her in its gaping maw with an audible *Click* of snapping teeth. It faded almost at once, but her control over her spell had already been snapped.
Again, Veighn was silhouetted in light, which faded as he circled Querylon, his arms moved non-stop in deft manipulations of the mana summoned, channeled and leeched from the lay-lines all throughout Rhydin.
Querylon discarded the shield she was calling up nearly before it materialized when she found no immediate need for it. She redirected the energy into mage armor and discarded it just as quickly when she found it to be a useless bit of protection.
“Come. Let us see what ye are made of, little one.” Veighn dared with a smirk as he continued to mirror her defensive spells.
The fog she called for the next rolled harmlessly over Veighn’s mage armor. He cackled as he strode through the energies of her spell.
His fingers cupped the air, claw-like talons gleaming, and he then sent a pulse of energy as he forced both palms out. He had delayed his move to read her spell as it was cast, watching her gestures with rapt attention. He forced through them with the blast of force, and sent her thought of the mystical blades to rack her mind with pain.
Veighn lifted his hand in an ‘arise’ gesture, and a shield of force energy rose, invisible briefly, but limed in light as the impact of magical bolts struck the air before him.
“Ahh... I finally get a rise out of ye, girl.”
Querylon lowered her hand again, giving Veighn a studious look before deciding on her next spell, but did not reply to his taunting.
As Veighn’s next spell went off, hers did as well. Veighn coughed, and turned his head, using his cowl to cover his mouth and nostrils. He hissed behind it, glaring, with lamp-lit crimson gaze, at his opponent.
“Fiend!”
Querylon refused to cough or to react in any other way to the noxious fumes now dissipating, and started to weave another defense. Veighn quickly displaced as she cast, and appeared elsewhere. He then scowled as he noted she had gone on the defensive as well.
Veighn then bent his will upon her, but Querylon managed to displace out of range at the last possible moment, leaving the attack strike in the spot she occupied just previously. Veighn sneered as she miraculously evaded the snare he'd set up for her to endure.
“Ye are learning, mageling.” He said as he summoned more of his foul magic from some unknown source. His eyes flashed, and swirls of blackness began to surface in the churning pools of fire there.
“Thank you milord,” she inclined her head at the implied compliment despite her miserable display in the ring so far this evening, “but I am not yet a mage, not by far.”
Veighn’s hand jerked as a bolt of lighting sped forth in a wicked arch from his talon-tips, intent on striking her down. It, however, was negated by her armor, allowing the smell of scorched ozone to permeate around her. He summoned and dispelled the armor he'd cast upon himself even as Querylon again blinked from spot in the ring to another. He then stood stock still, glaring at the woman. His visage was a vision of malice and loathing.
Veighn’s spell was not what she had hoped to lure into the fog, as a slight shake of her head may have indicated.
“Well done, milord. Now a tie is the best I may hope for, and you left me little hope for that.” Querylon took the time for a slight nod of respect, but already the next spell was woven.
”Perchance...” He watched as he spat fog, after speaking no less, but it rolled harmlessly around her mage armored form.
One more spell to cast, Veighn cast blades and Querylon sent a bolt to arc after the blades. He watched the blades shatter and fall apart, and residual energy was sent into his form. He hissed at the discomfort, and narrowed his eyes on his opponent. Querylon had kept the score too close to let Veighn emerge as the victor.
“Well cast, milord. I thank you for the honor of the duel.” Again Querylon offered a respectful bow of her head. She then gave a nod to Soerl. “My thanks for the calls, Soerl.”
“A tie, Veighn! Ha!” Taneth called to the ring.
”Taneth... ye hath hexed me with ye words.” Veighn scowled at the girl in the audience as she looked on before he nodded to Soerl, granting the caller his due.
Veighn allowed his malevolent gaze to linger on the red-head for a few moments longer before he stepped clear of the ring and moved toward the area of observation.
Querylon had waited in the ring for a moment to award her opponent plenty of time to return the polite formalities. When none appeared to be forthcoming she wriggled her cute nose and was promptly gone from the ring, and stood in a previously unoccupied spot by the bar.
“At least the battle did not end quickly.” Was the only pleasant thing Veighn had to say about the tie with the woman, Querylon. In the more mundane fashion, banishing his shades in the meantime, he strode toward the bar area to whet his parched throat with some suitable libation.
”It seems that ye have proven yeself a match, insofar as what that display could be called.” He offered over in icy tones as he came up near Querylon.
Querylon had just at that moment espied Rakeesh. She regarded him with a warm smile as she respectfully inclined her head toward him.
“Good evening, effendi. Well done on holding onto the tie, at the end. It is one of the greatest challenges within the duels.” Rakeesh responded with a broad, friendly smile to Querylon as they matched glances.
Querylon nodded her thanks to Rakeesh, honored that the Overlord should have watched at least the last round of her duel. Then she turned to Veighn and offered a smile, deciding to take his words as a compliment.
”Thank you, milord, that is most generous of you to say. My apologies for not presenting more of a challenge to you. You have demonstrated a degree of talent that I was ill prepared for.”
”Perhaps I should make mineself less of a challenge for mine opponents in the future.” He smirked, eyeing the bottles just past her shoulders on the shelves behind the bar.
”I am certain that would be an error, milord.” She returned his smirk with a smile, not at all liking his suggestion to stunt his abilities only to not scare off lesser competition. He was good, possibly as good as Will Wulfson. “It has been my experience that those joining the competition of spells would much rather attain rank and eventually challenge for the title of arch mage. Unless you merely wish to give the appearance of being a lesser challenge to attain that goal that much faster.”
Veighn focused his eyes upon Querylon. Those eyes narrowed, he stood silent for a few fleeting moments, time running in fear from him. He then graced her with a venomous smile.
“Of course.” He told her nothing of his motives or his intentions.
”If you would excuse me, milord, the hour has grown late and I find that I must depart. May you find the rest of your evening pleasing.” She gave him a much cooler, yet perfectly polite nod. One like he was sure to hate asking for advice, and it occurred to her just then that he had just done so, however well veiled the asking was.
”Shadows bless... mine dear.” He called after the red-head, his features as stoic as his glacial response. Then, with a wriggle of her cute nose the vision in white was gone.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
The Country Dance
(2008)
It was evening, but not yet dark when Erasmus passed the last of the shanty houses and turned up the dirt beneath his feet. Querylon's cottage wasn't far away. In fact, he could see it as he drew closer. His path veered off of the beaten road and he strolled through the grass. His stride brought him to the creaky gate leading up to the dwelling.
He was wearing his finest khakis, canvas breeches. They were his finest because he just bought them. His vest was one he had acquired from the monks on Mount Yusao. It was of his usual color, but there was a gold embroidered heron on the left side of the knots that tied it together. He took the steps up the porch and rapped gently on the door.
Querylon just finished pinning up her hair, stringing a dark green ribbon into the coppery curls, when she heard the gate squeak. A couple of the tiny buttons of her buttercup yellow empress style ball gown, adorned with forest green ribbons of differing width at the hem, neckline and short sleeves, were still undone because she just could not reach them. She hurried to the door to open it and smiled wide when she saw Erasmus.
"Good evening, do come in!" She was glad that he had arrived before Julian.
"Good evening, dear. I see you are still in the process of getting dressed..." Erasmus grinned when he saw Querylon.
"You look ever so handsome this evening, very dashing." She offered with an appreciative smile after she had closed the door behind him again and she took in his attire.
"The buttons are giving me trouble." A little blush moved into her cheeks. "Would you mind terribly helping me out with them?
"Thank you, dear. You look splendid as well..." His grin grew even bigger when she asked him to button her gown. "I wouldn't mind in the least." He put his hands on her shoulders to gently guide her turn. The top six or so of the tiny buttons were still open. There was no need to move her hair out of the way, as it was all pinned up. He started at the lowest one, sliding the fingertips of his left hand down her spine on its way to the button. He felt the slight shiver she gave at the initial touch. His right hand seized the fabric on the opposite side, clasping the knot.
"I am kind of nervous about tonight..." He moved on to the next, and worked his way up. His eyes wandered to the curve of her neck, and he laid a gentle kiss on her artery while his hands did the fastening.
Querylon gasped quietly as she felt his warm lips upon her neck and swayed back lightly. It took her a moment to realize that he had said something and then another moment to catch the meaning of the words.
"Is it anything in particular that has you nervous?" She turned around and tilted her face up to gaze into his dear face.
"Nothing in particular, no. I think it is all sorts of things." He shrugged slightly and stepped back to take her beauty in. "You look more than splendid, dear. You are indeed a star plucked from the sky."
"Thank you, Erasmus, you do make me feel beautiful." The look he regarded her with did exactly that, and it made sure that little blush remained in her cheeks."
Julian had advised the driver to take the open carriage down Forest Street and to have turned it around before halting it in front of Querylon's house. He stepped from the carriage promptly at seven, garbed in the Atrebla dress uniform of jade green and black with gold tone cording on the jacket, a rapier buckled to his side and, after having opened the squeaky gate, he stepped briskly up the path. He rapped at the door a moment later.
Erasmus had heard the gate squeak open, but before he could tell Querylon there was a knock at the door.
”Would you get that please, Erasmus?” Querylon had heard, too. The little warning was the point of leaving the gate to squeak. The she turned to pick up the evening kid gloves and a little reticule that matched her new gown from the kitchen table before she turned toward the men again.
”Of course, dear.” He took two steps and the door was opened.
“Greetings...” Erasmus nodded to the gentleman standing at the portal. Do come in. He made an inviting gesture with his free hand, the other still being on the door handle.
”Greetings and a good evening.” Julian bowed to Erasmus before he took him up on his invitation to step inside, giving him a discrete once over as he straightened again. Then he turned to Querylon, admiring her beauty for a moment.
”Good evening, Querylon. You look absolutely lovely this evening.” Julian smiled and then bowed from the waist and then gave a quick wink as he straightened again. “Your carriage awaits you, milady.”
“A good evening to you, Julian.” Querylon smiled a little nervous between Erasmus and Julian, hoping that they would get along. “It is my pleasure to introduce you both, Erasmus al’Mandragor, Julian derKorst.”
Erasmus had closed the door only to open it again. Oh, yeah, introductions... His hand dropped away from the knob again to be extended to Julian.
“Well met, Julian.”
Julian, already having guessed that the man could be no other than the one Querylon had told him of, turned to Erasmus with a smile.
“It is my pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Erasmus. Querylon has been speaking of you highly. Do except my apologies for having asked her out to this dance before I knew of you.” He clasped the offered hand into his for a moment.
”I have heard of you some, as well, Julian.” A smile of his own was offered to the man. “No apology needed. You did not know, and neither did I. Perhaps I am a bit of a third wheel, though? Erasmus said it as a question. An asking glance was given to both Julian and Querylon. His eyes settled on Query though.
Now that Querylon had observed the two meeting each other, some of the nervousness and apprehension she had felt all day, fled. That blush seemed fated to remain in her cheeks; it certainly was there when she looked to Erasmus at his words.
“I do not think that the analogy is applicable this evening.” It bothered her that Erasmus should feel superfluous even for just a moment.
”I consider that highly unlikely.” Julian knew better even before he had observed the way Querylon was looking at Erasmus now.
”That is a relief. Even though I am rather nervous, I am really looking forward to enjoying this evening with you.” Erasmus’ gaze never left Querylon. A smile was instantly back on her lips at his words and she moved toward him to set her arms on his, forgetting for the moment that she had yet to pull on the evening gloves.
”Shall we be off then?” Julian asked with a little smirk, holding the door open.
”Of course.” He tore his gaze from her to look at the man. “Excuse me.” He stepped aside and motioned for Querylon to lead. She followed Erasmus' direction but wasn't about to surrender his arm.
”I'll get the door.” Julian said with a pleased smile.
Erasmus was led out the door by Querylon, followed by Julian. When they reached the gate, he pushed it open with a soft-soled boot. And there was the carriage, waiting.
Julian closed the door behind him, making sure that the latch caught before he followed the pair down the path. He slowed his steps on purpose, to give the pair a chance for a private whisper or two before the shared ride.
Upon reaching the carriage, Erasmus halted Querylon. He was waiting on Julian, not wanting to overstep his bounds with the man he just met.
Querylon looked up into Erasmus's sky-blue eyes with a soft smile and whispered softly, “There is no need for you to worry or to be nervous. I wish for you to enjoy this evening so I may enjoy it too.”
“My nervousness fades a little every time you look at me, dear. I do hope you enjoy the evening, because I sure am planning on having a good time.” He smiled in return.
”I will just have to look at you often.” She gave Erasmus a warm smile and lightly squeezed his arm.
”Is something the matter with the carriage?” Julian asked with a raised brow and a grin as he caught up to them.
”Not that I know of... Just being polite.” Erasmus nodded to Julian before looking back down to Querylon and quietly encouraged, “Perhaps, dear.”
”Thank you.” Julian moved past the pair and opened the low door, and then reached to lower the steps before he invited them into the carriage with a gesture of his hand. “Up you go.”
Erasmus stepped to the side to let Querylon step up into the carriage. Her hand in his as he led her up. He followed close behind. Gathering up her skirt carefully in her free hand to keep from stepping upon the material and with Erasmus's assistance, Querylon climbed up the steps into the carriage and sat down on the far side, facing forward. Erasmus settled into the cushioned seat next to her. A brief glance caught her profile, and it brought a warm smile to his lips.
“Thank you, Julian.” Spoken aside to the man as they ascended into the transport.
”You're very welcome.” Julian followed Erasmus up, rather pleased at his maneuvering, and sat down across from Erasmus and Querylon before he leaned to pull up the steps and to close the low door.
The carriage took off at a leisurely pace as soon as Julian gave the drive the go ahead. Then Julian turned to glance to Querylon and Erasmus, leaning back in his seat.
“We shall not have that long of a ride, as the carriage will only take us as far as the portal to the Beacon. I hope you do not mind the short walk from there to the festival grounds?”
”I cannot get over how radiant you are, dear.” Erasmus looked across to Julian and nodded to the man. “I really appreciate your kindness, friend. This is more than I expected.”
Julian nodded to Erasmus and carefully phrased his next word to avoid adding to the blush Erasmus' compliment had called to Querylon's cheeks.
“Querylon's well being is dear to me. I could do no other than to extend the invitation to you when she confessed that she would enjoy seeing you at the dance.” Then he gave Querylon an encouraging smile.
”Querylon is very blessed to have friends such as yourself. It has been an honor to meet you.” Erasmus patted Querylon on the hand. She caught his fingertips, curling her fingers around them.
“The honor is mine.” Julian grinned to Querylon then with a wink. “I trust you will save me at least one dance though, Querylon?”
“Of course.” Querylon was quick to reply, happy that Julian would insist on only one dance and smiled first to Julian and then with a much warmer expression to Erasmus. “That was very kind of you, Julian.”
“You may have more than one dance, my friend. I am not the best dancer.” Erasmus chuckled and caught Querylon’s eyes as she looked up to him. A bit of a gleam was in his own tiers from the chuckle.
”Thank you.” Julian smiled to Querylon and then looked to the road to check on their progress before he turned his grey gaze to Erasmus. “One dance with the most beautiful woman present will suffice for this old soldier.”
Try as she might to mind her manners, when Erasmus was looking at her that way Querylon quite forgot that she should be good company to both gentlemen, gazing back into Erasmus' eyes instead.
”I could say the same, but I don't think I will get off that easy.” Erasmus’s mirth grew and the chuckle got a bit louder as he looked from Julian to Querylon. Julian joined in with a deep, mirthful chuckle.
“I will not hold you to any more dances than you wish for, Erasmus.” His words had made Querylon blush again, but she was smiling just the same.
The carriage slowed and then came to a complete a stop in a back alley down town and their laughter trailed off. The portal there would not become visible until they were ready to step through it. The driver jumped from his perch and moved to open the low door and to let down the steps.
”We've arrived at the portal to the Beacon. From there it is just a short walk.” Julian rose and exited the carriage, and then turned around to offer his assistance. He reached up and lifted Querylon down, setting her gently to her feet next to him.
Erasmus descended the brief set of steps. His soft leather boots made no sound as he placed his feet on the ground.
“This way, please.” Julian led the way to the portal, only a few steps away, after he had advised the driver of approximately when to expect them back.
Querylon placed her hand on Erasmus’s arm as soon as he was again next to her and almost before he offered his. Gooseflesh assailed Erasmus as they approached the portal, but he forced himself to walk steadily through with Querylon at his side.
Julian quickly ushered them from the portal room upon them stepping from the portal, past the guards and through the great Hall of the Beacon, past more guards and down the front steps. From here they could already hear strains of music the noises of a crowd in a good mood.
“Are you ready to join the party?’ The way wide enough, Julian offered Querylon his arm to put her free hand on. Erasmus pulled his prepacked pipe from the inner pocket of his vest and placed it in his mouth as they walked toward the commotion.
(2008)
It was evening, but not yet dark when Erasmus passed the last of the shanty houses and turned up the dirt beneath his feet. Querylon's cottage wasn't far away. In fact, he could see it as he drew closer. His path veered off of the beaten road and he strolled through the grass. His stride brought him to the creaky gate leading up to the dwelling.
He was wearing his finest khakis, canvas breeches. They were his finest because he just bought them. His vest was one he had acquired from the monks on Mount Yusao. It was of his usual color, but there was a gold embroidered heron on the left side of the knots that tied it together. He took the steps up the porch and rapped gently on the door.
Querylon just finished pinning up her hair, stringing a dark green ribbon into the coppery curls, when she heard the gate squeak. A couple of the tiny buttons of her buttercup yellow empress style ball gown, adorned with forest green ribbons of differing width at the hem, neckline and short sleeves, were still undone because she just could not reach them. She hurried to the door to open it and smiled wide when she saw Erasmus.
"Good evening, do come in!" She was glad that he had arrived before Julian.
"Good evening, dear. I see you are still in the process of getting dressed..." Erasmus grinned when he saw Querylon.
"You look ever so handsome this evening, very dashing." She offered with an appreciative smile after she had closed the door behind him again and she took in his attire.
"The buttons are giving me trouble." A little blush moved into her cheeks. "Would you mind terribly helping me out with them?
"Thank you, dear. You look splendid as well..." His grin grew even bigger when she asked him to button her gown. "I wouldn't mind in the least." He put his hands on her shoulders to gently guide her turn. The top six or so of the tiny buttons were still open. There was no need to move her hair out of the way, as it was all pinned up. He started at the lowest one, sliding the fingertips of his left hand down her spine on its way to the button. He felt the slight shiver she gave at the initial touch. His right hand seized the fabric on the opposite side, clasping the knot.
"I am kind of nervous about tonight..." He moved on to the next, and worked his way up. His eyes wandered to the curve of her neck, and he laid a gentle kiss on her artery while his hands did the fastening.
Querylon gasped quietly as she felt his warm lips upon her neck and swayed back lightly. It took her a moment to realize that he had said something and then another moment to catch the meaning of the words.
"Is it anything in particular that has you nervous?" She turned around and tilted her face up to gaze into his dear face.
"Nothing in particular, no. I think it is all sorts of things." He shrugged slightly and stepped back to take her beauty in. "You look more than splendid, dear. You are indeed a star plucked from the sky."
"Thank you, Erasmus, you do make me feel beautiful." The look he regarded her with did exactly that, and it made sure that little blush remained in her cheeks."
Julian had advised the driver to take the open carriage down Forest Street and to have turned it around before halting it in front of Querylon's house. He stepped from the carriage promptly at seven, garbed in the Atrebla dress uniform of jade green and black with gold tone cording on the jacket, a rapier buckled to his side and, after having opened the squeaky gate, he stepped briskly up the path. He rapped at the door a moment later.
Erasmus had heard the gate squeak open, but before he could tell Querylon there was a knock at the door.
”Would you get that please, Erasmus?” Querylon had heard, too. The little warning was the point of leaving the gate to squeak. The she turned to pick up the evening kid gloves and a little reticule that matched her new gown from the kitchen table before she turned toward the men again.
”Of course, dear.” He took two steps and the door was opened.
“Greetings...” Erasmus nodded to the gentleman standing at the portal. Do come in. He made an inviting gesture with his free hand, the other still being on the door handle.
”Greetings and a good evening.” Julian bowed to Erasmus before he took him up on his invitation to step inside, giving him a discrete once over as he straightened again. Then he turned to Querylon, admiring her beauty for a moment.
”Good evening, Querylon. You look absolutely lovely this evening.” Julian smiled and then bowed from the waist and then gave a quick wink as he straightened again. “Your carriage awaits you, milady.”
“A good evening to you, Julian.” Querylon smiled a little nervous between Erasmus and Julian, hoping that they would get along. “It is my pleasure to introduce you both, Erasmus al’Mandragor, Julian derKorst.”
Erasmus had closed the door only to open it again. Oh, yeah, introductions... His hand dropped away from the knob again to be extended to Julian.
“Well met, Julian.”
Julian, already having guessed that the man could be no other than the one Querylon had told him of, turned to Erasmus with a smile.
“It is my pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Erasmus. Querylon has been speaking of you highly. Do except my apologies for having asked her out to this dance before I knew of you.” He clasped the offered hand into his for a moment.
”I have heard of you some, as well, Julian.” A smile of his own was offered to the man. “No apology needed. You did not know, and neither did I. Perhaps I am a bit of a third wheel, though? Erasmus said it as a question. An asking glance was given to both Julian and Querylon. His eyes settled on Query though.
Now that Querylon had observed the two meeting each other, some of the nervousness and apprehension she had felt all day, fled. That blush seemed fated to remain in her cheeks; it certainly was there when she looked to Erasmus at his words.
“I do not think that the analogy is applicable this evening.” It bothered her that Erasmus should feel superfluous even for just a moment.
”I consider that highly unlikely.” Julian knew better even before he had observed the way Querylon was looking at Erasmus now.
”That is a relief. Even though I am rather nervous, I am really looking forward to enjoying this evening with you.” Erasmus’ gaze never left Querylon. A smile was instantly back on her lips at his words and she moved toward him to set her arms on his, forgetting for the moment that she had yet to pull on the evening gloves.
”Shall we be off then?” Julian asked with a little smirk, holding the door open.
”Of course.” He tore his gaze from her to look at the man. “Excuse me.” He stepped aside and motioned for Querylon to lead. She followed Erasmus' direction but wasn't about to surrender his arm.
”I'll get the door.” Julian said with a pleased smile.
Erasmus was led out the door by Querylon, followed by Julian. When they reached the gate, he pushed it open with a soft-soled boot. And there was the carriage, waiting.
Julian closed the door behind him, making sure that the latch caught before he followed the pair down the path. He slowed his steps on purpose, to give the pair a chance for a private whisper or two before the shared ride.
Upon reaching the carriage, Erasmus halted Querylon. He was waiting on Julian, not wanting to overstep his bounds with the man he just met.
Querylon looked up into Erasmus's sky-blue eyes with a soft smile and whispered softly, “There is no need for you to worry or to be nervous. I wish for you to enjoy this evening so I may enjoy it too.”
“My nervousness fades a little every time you look at me, dear. I do hope you enjoy the evening, because I sure am planning on having a good time.” He smiled in return.
”I will just have to look at you often.” She gave Erasmus a warm smile and lightly squeezed his arm.
”Is something the matter with the carriage?” Julian asked with a raised brow and a grin as he caught up to them.
”Not that I know of... Just being polite.” Erasmus nodded to Julian before looking back down to Querylon and quietly encouraged, “Perhaps, dear.”
”Thank you.” Julian moved past the pair and opened the low door, and then reached to lower the steps before he invited them into the carriage with a gesture of his hand. “Up you go.”
Erasmus stepped to the side to let Querylon step up into the carriage. Her hand in his as he led her up. He followed close behind. Gathering up her skirt carefully in her free hand to keep from stepping upon the material and with Erasmus's assistance, Querylon climbed up the steps into the carriage and sat down on the far side, facing forward. Erasmus settled into the cushioned seat next to her. A brief glance caught her profile, and it brought a warm smile to his lips.
“Thank you, Julian.” Spoken aside to the man as they ascended into the transport.
”You're very welcome.” Julian followed Erasmus up, rather pleased at his maneuvering, and sat down across from Erasmus and Querylon before he leaned to pull up the steps and to close the low door.
The carriage took off at a leisurely pace as soon as Julian gave the drive the go ahead. Then Julian turned to glance to Querylon and Erasmus, leaning back in his seat.
“We shall not have that long of a ride, as the carriage will only take us as far as the portal to the Beacon. I hope you do not mind the short walk from there to the festival grounds?”
”I cannot get over how radiant you are, dear.” Erasmus looked across to Julian and nodded to the man. “I really appreciate your kindness, friend. This is more than I expected.”
Julian nodded to Erasmus and carefully phrased his next word to avoid adding to the blush Erasmus' compliment had called to Querylon's cheeks.
“Querylon's well being is dear to me. I could do no other than to extend the invitation to you when she confessed that she would enjoy seeing you at the dance.” Then he gave Querylon an encouraging smile.
”Querylon is very blessed to have friends such as yourself. It has been an honor to meet you.” Erasmus patted Querylon on the hand. She caught his fingertips, curling her fingers around them.
“The honor is mine.” Julian grinned to Querylon then with a wink. “I trust you will save me at least one dance though, Querylon?”
“Of course.” Querylon was quick to reply, happy that Julian would insist on only one dance and smiled first to Julian and then with a much warmer expression to Erasmus. “That was very kind of you, Julian.”
“You may have more than one dance, my friend. I am not the best dancer.” Erasmus chuckled and caught Querylon’s eyes as she looked up to him. A bit of a gleam was in his own tiers from the chuckle.
”Thank you.” Julian smiled to Querylon and then looked to the road to check on their progress before he turned his grey gaze to Erasmus. “One dance with the most beautiful woman present will suffice for this old soldier.”
Try as she might to mind her manners, when Erasmus was looking at her that way Querylon quite forgot that she should be good company to both gentlemen, gazing back into Erasmus' eyes instead.
”I could say the same, but I don't think I will get off that easy.” Erasmus’s mirth grew and the chuckle got a bit louder as he looked from Julian to Querylon. Julian joined in with a deep, mirthful chuckle.
“I will not hold you to any more dances than you wish for, Erasmus.” His words had made Querylon blush again, but she was smiling just the same.
The carriage slowed and then came to a complete a stop in a back alley down town and their laughter trailed off. The portal there would not become visible until they were ready to step through it. The driver jumped from his perch and moved to open the low door and to let down the steps.
”We've arrived at the portal to the Beacon. From there it is just a short walk.” Julian rose and exited the carriage, and then turned around to offer his assistance. He reached up and lifted Querylon down, setting her gently to her feet next to him.
Erasmus descended the brief set of steps. His soft leather boots made no sound as he placed his feet on the ground.
“This way, please.” Julian led the way to the portal, only a few steps away, after he had advised the driver of approximately when to expect them back.
Querylon placed her hand on Erasmus’s arm as soon as he was again next to her and almost before he offered his. Gooseflesh assailed Erasmus as they approached the portal, but he forced himself to walk steadily through with Querylon at his side.
Julian quickly ushered them from the portal room upon them stepping from the portal, past the guards and through the great Hall of the Beacon, past more guards and down the front steps. From here they could already hear strains of music the noises of a crowd in a good mood.
“Are you ready to join the party?’ The way wide enough, Julian offered Querylon his arm to put her free hand on. Erasmus pulled his prepacked pipe from the inner pocket of his vest and placed it in his mouth as they walked toward the commotion.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Overlord Ball
(2008)
Erasmus al' Mandragor and walked into the Hall wearing his best breeches and a wrinkle-free vest. His long reddish-blonde hair was pulled back with a leather cord. That black scarf was wrapped around his neck, and a simple requiem mask was worn over his face. On his arm was a young Queen Elisabeth I, garbed in a gown designed in the early Elizabethan style. The bodice and overskirt were of a deep blue and ecru tapestry with a beautiful drape. They were trimmed with black gimp and cat's eye beads were sewn onto the trim on the bodice. The bodice was piped with black cording at the top and bottom. The long sleeve under gown was fashioned from buttercup yellow silk, embroidered with deep blue feathers. Thin black cording is worked into the long coppery curls in an attempt to tame the fiery mass.
Erasmus closed the door behind Querylon and himself and peered about the room from behind his mask, noticing very few people.
“Have you met Lord Mues before?” Querylon whispered discretely to Erasmus even as they made their way over to greet the host of the ball.
“I have not met much of anybody in attendance...” He spoke quietly from behind the mask.
Querylon nodded to Erasmus with a warm smile. Then they stood before Xeric Mues, one of the hosts of the ball. Xeric directed a warm smile at them both, as did the lady that stood next to him.
“A good evening to you, Xeric. May I make known to you Erasmus al'Mandragor?” She inclined her head politely to Xeric and his date before she turned her head to smile to Erasmus. “Erasmus, please meet our host, Lord Xeric Mues.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Xeric extended a hand.
“Erasmus al'Mandragor, Lord. It is a pleasure.” He smiled and nodded as they shook hands.
The men exchanged pleasantries then but Xeric failed to give the name of the woman he curled an arm around. Querylon spotted Ghranit as she listened. He looked very festive in long violet tunic with small rubies worked into the sleeves over soft leather breeches. His beard was intricately braided with a fine silver chained woven through. She remembered at once that he was a smith and thought that Erasmus and the dwarf should like each other.
Querylon politely inclined her head toward Ghranit and caught his nod and smile before she turned to Xeric again.
“If you would excuse us for know, Xeric, there is someone else I would love for Erasmus to meet.”
“Oh darling let them go, it was lovely to meet you both.” The woman with Xeric piped in and placed a hand on his chest.
Erasmus looked down to Querylon and then to Emma before being dragged off in another direction. “It was a pleasure to meet you too, Emma.” He called back over his shoulder. Querylon wondered briefly where he had gotten the name of the woman.
“Good evening milady.” Ghranit stepped away from the wall to bow to Querylon.
”A good evening to you as well, Ghranit. It is wonderful to meet you again.” Querylon offered a friendly smile. “It pleases me to make known to you Erasmus al'Mandragor.”
”A pleasure to meet you this fine evening." Ghranit gave a polite nod to Erasmus.
“My pleasure, Sir Dwarf.” Erasmus offered a nod in return. He had been pulling his pre-packed pipe from the inner pocket of his vest as Querylon introduced them. Now the stem of the pipe was placed in his teeth through the mask. “How are you fairing this fine eve?”
With the introduction out of the way his hands were occupied with striking a wooden match to light his tobacco. The match stick was aflame and an ember was stoked within seconds. An aromatic puff of smoke enveloped his masked features.
”Very well, I must say. I have been looking forward to a social like this for a while yet.” The dwarf offered.
”Thus far, yes. I have yet to get my hands on a stiff drink though.” Erasmus spoke jokingly as a cloud of smoke escaped his lips.
“Aye, that may liven things up a little, just hopefully not too much.” Ghranit chuckled.
Querylon took a look around as she inhaled the fragrant smoke wafting from the pipe, and returned Azjah’s smile when she caught it. Perhaps they could greet Lady Azjah next. Then her gaze was back on Ghranit and Erasmus.
”Perhaps we could stop by the bar before mingling further? I would enjoy something as well.“ Querylon suggested with a warm smile to Erasmus.
“Well no, of course not. I am half drunk already, just being in the presence of Querylon here.” Erasmus pulled the pipe from between his teeth and looked down to her affectionately. “That would be nice, dear.”
Color rushed to Querylon’s cheeks at the compliment, but she returned his look in kind just the same.
”Perhaps just one more introduction on the way to refreshments?” Querylon turned from Erasmus to Ghranit just as Azjah made her way over to join them. “You have met Lady Azjah before, Ghranit?”
Erasmus could handle it no longer and slid the mask up to the top of his head, exposing his face. The pipe was placed back in his mouth and he gave a curt nod in response. His gaze went back to the dwarf as Querylon spoke to Ghranit.
“I do not recall having done so.” Ghranit agreed after stroking his beard for a moment in thought.
“Not formally.” Azjah’s gaze slid toward Ghranit. ”Good evening Ghranit, a pleasure.”
”Lady Azjah, please let me introduce you to my escort, Erasmus al'Mandragor and to my friend, Ghranit. Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the Marchioness of Drachen Walde, Lady Azjah.”
“Good evening milady, it is a pleasure indeed. Ghranit gave her a formal bow.
“I believe we have met once or twice before.” Erasmus exhaled a puff of smoke and nodded politely to Azjah.
”Good evening Lord al'Mandragor. Perhaps a time or two Lord al' Mandragor” Azjah gave him a nod of greeting. “I do hope you'll enjoy the festivities Ghranit.”
”I shall try, although it has been a while since I have been to a formal event of any kind.” Ghranit offered.
”Such things help us perfect our behaviors though, no matter how infrequent.” Azjah commented.
”Would you like a drink, friend?” Erasmus lightly tapped the dwarf on the shoulder, and then spotted a server and waved him over. “Querylon, dear, would you like a drink?”
“Champagne for the lady, Red Orc ale for me and the dwarf...” Having received nods from both, Erasmus placed the order with the server and looked at Azjah’s glass. “Are you ready for another, Marchioness?”
”Thank you, I am fine Lord al' Mandragor.” Azjah nodded her thanks. “It would not do to have more than one tonight.
“That will be it then.” Erasmus nodded to the server. After a few minutes spent with pleasant small talk the drinks arrived.
”Perhaps you and your gentleman should avail yourselves of the dance floor tonight?” Azjah suggested just then.
”I am looking forward to that part of the evening. But we just had to come and wish you enjoyment at the ball first.” Querylon then accepted the glass Erasmus handed to her with a warm smile. “Thank you most kindly.”
Erasmus smiled back to her before he took the two mugs of ale from the server’s tray and offered one of them to Ghranit.
”Thank you Querylon, you enjoy it as well.” Azjah finished her scotch. “I will bid you a fine evening.”
“I am sure I will do that, thank you.” Querylon nodded a fare thee well to Azjah and then turned to Erasmus and Ghranit again as Azjah moved away.
“Silver working, eh? I am a blacksmith...” Erasmus removed the pipe from his teeth to take a swig of his ale.
“Are you now? Any specialty?” Ghranit wanted to know between drinks from his mug.
“Not particularly. I do everything from dinnerware to armor. I have just recently taken over my forge from my late master smith.” Erasmus slipped an arm around Querylon’s waist.
“I think I will drop by sometime and sample your work.” Ghranit nodded even as he took another sip of ale.
“It would be an honor, friend.” Erasmus smiled graciously. Then he looked from Ghranit to Querylon and then back to the dwarf with a hintful expression on his face. “And perhaps I will be in need of something silver soon.”
“Wonderful. I am sure I will be impressed with your works.” Ghranit looked between Querylon and Erasmus. He smiled when he caught her slightly raised brow. “There are many things that I can make, and for most any occasion. I am sure I can help you find what you are looking for.”
“So, how is it that you and Querylon know each other? If you don't mind my asking.” Erasmus slid his left arm out from behind Querylon and pulled his ashed piped from his teeth to tuck it back into its place in his vest.
“Julian derKorst was kind enough to introduce me to the lady Querylon over coffee not too long ago.” Ghranit stroked his beard.
”At that opportunity we exchanged a few stories from out team league dueling days. Ghranit was a member of team Atrebla the same as I was, just during different seasons.” Querylon the inclined her head politely to Rakeesh as he glanced over on his way to Lord Mues. Introducing Erasmus to the Overlord would have to wait a little, though.
“Indeed, I was only there for the last season, but Julian was able to enlighten me on Querylon's impressive dueling exploits.” Ghranit nodded.
”Ahh. I would like to start getting some practice in the Arena... It has been a while since I have done any fighting with a blade.” Erasmus smiled down at Querylon as the dwarf complimented her. She did appear a little uncomfortable, though, with the praise.
“I should very much like getting to practice with you.” Querylon offered to Erasmus after a delicate sip from her glass.
”And I with you, dear.” Erasmus took another swallow from his mug then looked back to the dwarf. “I take it you are a veteran, Ghranit?”
“Not in the sense of being in the rings.” Ghranit shook his head slowly. “Although before hand, I have more hands on experience, which made me confident in the rings.”
”I see. I could say the same about my hand-to-hand experience.” Erasmus nodded. “I had belonged to a monastery for quite some time.... I have many fights under my belt in life, but not so many in the Outback.”
”So, would you like another dance, or shall I get you a drink?” Ghranit asked when he observed Querylon setting her now empty glass on a tray.
“I'm sorry, but I think we would be an awkward pair on the dance floor.” Erasmus grinned to Ghranit.
“Perhaps that was not what Ghranit suggested?” Querylon suggested when Ghranit sputtered.
“Care to dance, my dearest?” Erasmus took one more swig of his ale before he relieved himself of the mug.
“I would love to.” Querylon looked up to Erasmus with a warm smile.
Rakeesh stopped before Querylon just then, pressing two palms together in a formal bow to her, at the mid-section of his lion and humanesque parts.
“My apologies for not greeting you earlier, lady. I hope you are finding it to be a good evening, though.”
”A good evening to you, Overlord Rakeesh.” Querylon offered Rakeesh a smile and, in keeping with her Queen Elisabeth I costume, hinted at a courtesy. “May I make known to you my escort, Erasmus al'Mandragor. Erasmus, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the Overlord of the duel of swords, Rakeesh.”
”Oh, Erasmus. I am glad to see you have accompanied Lady Querylon.” Rakeesh responded appreciably.
“Oh, hello.” Erasmus extended his hand to the liontaur. “It is a great honor to meet you.”
“The honor is shared, effendi.” Both of Rakeesh’s hands moved up to cup Erasmus’ extended hand - one to shake it, and the other to support the gesture. Erasmus bowed to Rakeesh as they shook hands.
“Thank you for your invitation and good luck to you and your opponent tomorrow evening. I hope you are enjoying your ball as much as we do already.” Querylon offered with a smile, appreciative of the warm greeting Rakeesh had extended to Erasmus.
Rakeesh released the grip and dipped his head in an easy nod. “I would not keep you from your dance, effendi. Dresses such as the lady's were meant for the floor.”
“Indeed, Rakeesh. Thank you for the invite.” Erasmus smiled to Querylon as he spoke, watching color come to her cheeks at the indirect compliment from Rakeesh.
“I do enjoy those slow Rumbas nearly as much as the Waltz.” Querylon smiled to Erasmus after a glance toward the dance floor.
“Once again, I am honored to have met you, Rakeesh. Perhaps in the future we will have time to get better acquainted.” Erasmus clasped the Overlord on the shoulder. The he smiled and reached for Querylon’s hand. “I will enjoy anything, so long as I am dancing with you, dear.”
“Yes, that would be excellent, Erasmus.” Rakeesh nodded firmly despite the gentleness of his bass.
Then the pair was off for the dance floor. Erasmus leaned his head toward hers as they walked side by side.
”It has been a long time since I have done any dancing other than in the ring or with my blade. Forgive me now if I step on your toes... “ He warned quietly with a wry grin of his creased his lips. Then, with his left on her hip, he lifted her right hand in his. In time with the music he led the steps.
It didn't appear that he was rusty. In fact, it would seem like he had been dancing in his sleep last night. Dancing with Erasmus Querylon did not feel nearly as tall as she usually did, him being above average in height as well as her. Her steps were easily matched to his as her legs and body moved with the slow rhythm of the Rumba. He and Querylon glided fluidly on the floor.
He broke away from her briefly, although still holding her right hand. His eyes took all of Querylon in before settling on her own beautiful, deep blue orbs.
“It makes me so happy to have been asked to join you this evening. You are a second sun in my day.” Then he pulled her close again.
”I am happy that you could make it possible.” She gazed right back into his eyes with a happy smile on her lips. “I believe my toes are quite save. Your dancing is divine.”
“I didn't even know I could do this... “ He chuckled softly and his best innocent eyes batted before her. “Honestly.” A wink came with that word.
“While I am perfectly willing to believe every word you say, it does feel like you have been practicing for this moment all your life.” Her smile deepened considerably.
”Not all my life, but I have been practicing since you asked me to accompany you.” He bent a little lower to give her a soft, brief kiss on the cheek. “I thought that I should at least be able to keep up with you.”
”It warms my heart that you have gone to such lengths just to please me.” She smiled, a little color in her cheeks.
”It pleases me to please you, dear.” This was said as the song came to a close. Their steps halted as the music did.
“Would you care to have me walk you home, Querylon? It has been quite an evening, and I would like to spend some more of it with you.” He had noticed after they stopped dancing that Xeric was gone, and Rakeesh seemed preoccupied and bored here. Erasmus had always had a dislike for these types of social engagements.
”I would like that very much. I find that while I am ready to return home I am not at all ready to bid you a good night.” Querylon kept her hand on his arm after the dance and moved to stand beside him.
With a wave to Taneth and Tormay they walked toward the exit.
(2008)
Erasmus al' Mandragor and walked into the Hall wearing his best breeches and a wrinkle-free vest. His long reddish-blonde hair was pulled back with a leather cord. That black scarf was wrapped around his neck, and a simple requiem mask was worn over his face. On his arm was a young Queen Elisabeth I, garbed in a gown designed in the early Elizabethan style. The bodice and overskirt were of a deep blue and ecru tapestry with a beautiful drape. They were trimmed with black gimp and cat's eye beads were sewn onto the trim on the bodice. The bodice was piped with black cording at the top and bottom. The long sleeve under gown was fashioned from buttercup yellow silk, embroidered with deep blue feathers. Thin black cording is worked into the long coppery curls in an attempt to tame the fiery mass.
Erasmus closed the door behind Querylon and himself and peered about the room from behind his mask, noticing very few people.
“Have you met Lord Mues before?” Querylon whispered discretely to Erasmus even as they made their way over to greet the host of the ball.
“I have not met much of anybody in attendance...” He spoke quietly from behind the mask.
Querylon nodded to Erasmus with a warm smile. Then they stood before Xeric Mues, one of the hosts of the ball. Xeric directed a warm smile at them both, as did the lady that stood next to him.
“A good evening to you, Xeric. May I make known to you Erasmus al'Mandragor?” She inclined her head politely to Xeric and his date before she turned her head to smile to Erasmus. “Erasmus, please meet our host, Lord Xeric Mues.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Xeric extended a hand.
“Erasmus al'Mandragor, Lord. It is a pleasure.” He smiled and nodded as they shook hands.
The men exchanged pleasantries then but Xeric failed to give the name of the woman he curled an arm around. Querylon spotted Ghranit as she listened. He looked very festive in long violet tunic with small rubies worked into the sleeves over soft leather breeches. His beard was intricately braided with a fine silver chained woven through. She remembered at once that he was a smith and thought that Erasmus and the dwarf should like each other.
Querylon politely inclined her head toward Ghranit and caught his nod and smile before she turned to Xeric again.
“If you would excuse us for know, Xeric, there is someone else I would love for Erasmus to meet.”
“Oh darling let them go, it was lovely to meet you both.” The woman with Xeric piped in and placed a hand on his chest.
Erasmus looked down to Querylon and then to Emma before being dragged off in another direction. “It was a pleasure to meet you too, Emma.” He called back over his shoulder. Querylon wondered briefly where he had gotten the name of the woman.
“Good evening milady.” Ghranit stepped away from the wall to bow to Querylon.
”A good evening to you as well, Ghranit. It is wonderful to meet you again.” Querylon offered a friendly smile. “It pleases me to make known to you Erasmus al'Mandragor.”
”A pleasure to meet you this fine evening." Ghranit gave a polite nod to Erasmus.
“My pleasure, Sir Dwarf.” Erasmus offered a nod in return. He had been pulling his pre-packed pipe from the inner pocket of his vest as Querylon introduced them. Now the stem of the pipe was placed in his teeth through the mask. “How are you fairing this fine eve?”
With the introduction out of the way his hands were occupied with striking a wooden match to light his tobacco. The match stick was aflame and an ember was stoked within seconds. An aromatic puff of smoke enveloped his masked features.
”Very well, I must say. I have been looking forward to a social like this for a while yet.” The dwarf offered.
”Thus far, yes. I have yet to get my hands on a stiff drink though.” Erasmus spoke jokingly as a cloud of smoke escaped his lips.
“Aye, that may liven things up a little, just hopefully not too much.” Ghranit chuckled.
Querylon took a look around as she inhaled the fragrant smoke wafting from the pipe, and returned Azjah’s smile when she caught it. Perhaps they could greet Lady Azjah next. Then her gaze was back on Ghranit and Erasmus.
”Perhaps we could stop by the bar before mingling further? I would enjoy something as well.“ Querylon suggested with a warm smile to Erasmus.
“Well no, of course not. I am half drunk already, just being in the presence of Querylon here.” Erasmus pulled the pipe from between his teeth and looked down to her affectionately. “That would be nice, dear.”
Color rushed to Querylon’s cheeks at the compliment, but she returned his look in kind just the same.
”Perhaps just one more introduction on the way to refreshments?” Querylon turned from Erasmus to Ghranit just as Azjah made her way over to join them. “You have met Lady Azjah before, Ghranit?”
Erasmus could handle it no longer and slid the mask up to the top of his head, exposing his face. The pipe was placed back in his mouth and he gave a curt nod in response. His gaze went back to the dwarf as Querylon spoke to Ghranit.
“I do not recall having done so.” Ghranit agreed after stroking his beard for a moment in thought.
“Not formally.” Azjah’s gaze slid toward Ghranit. ”Good evening Ghranit, a pleasure.”
”Lady Azjah, please let me introduce you to my escort, Erasmus al'Mandragor and to my friend, Ghranit. Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the Marchioness of Drachen Walde, Lady Azjah.”
“Good evening milady, it is a pleasure indeed. Ghranit gave her a formal bow.
“I believe we have met once or twice before.” Erasmus exhaled a puff of smoke and nodded politely to Azjah.
”Good evening Lord al'Mandragor. Perhaps a time or two Lord al' Mandragor” Azjah gave him a nod of greeting. “I do hope you'll enjoy the festivities Ghranit.”
”I shall try, although it has been a while since I have been to a formal event of any kind.” Ghranit offered.
”Such things help us perfect our behaviors though, no matter how infrequent.” Azjah commented.
”Would you like a drink, friend?” Erasmus lightly tapped the dwarf on the shoulder, and then spotted a server and waved him over. “Querylon, dear, would you like a drink?”
“Champagne for the lady, Red Orc ale for me and the dwarf...” Having received nods from both, Erasmus placed the order with the server and looked at Azjah’s glass. “Are you ready for another, Marchioness?”
”Thank you, I am fine Lord al' Mandragor.” Azjah nodded her thanks. “It would not do to have more than one tonight.
“That will be it then.” Erasmus nodded to the server. After a few minutes spent with pleasant small talk the drinks arrived.
”Perhaps you and your gentleman should avail yourselves of the dance floor tonight?” Azjah suggested just then.
”I am looking forward to that part of the evening. But we just had to come and wish you enjoyment at the ball first.” Querylon then accepted the glass Erasmus handed to her with a warm smile. “Thank you most kindly.”
Erasmus smiled back to her before he took the two mugs of ale from the server’s tray and offered one of them to Ghranit.
”Thank you Querylon, you enjoy it as well.” Azjah finished her scotch. “I will bid you a fine evening.”
“I am sure I will do that, thank you.” Querylon nodded a fare thee well to Azjah and then turned to Erasmus and Ghranit again as Azjah moved away.
“Silver working, eh? I am a blacksmith...” Erasmus removed the pipe from his teeth to take a swig of his ale.
“Are you now? Any specialty?” Ghranit wanted to know between drinks from his mug.
“Not particularly. I do everything from dinnerware to armor. I have just recently taken over my forge from my late master smith.” Erasmus slipped an arm around Querylon’s waist.
“I think I will drop by sometime and sample your work.” Ghranit nodded even as he took another sip of ale.
“It would be an honor, friend.” Erasmus smiled graciously. Then he looked from Ghranit to Querylon and then back to the dwarf with a hintful expression on his face. “And perhaps I will be in need of something silver soon.”
“Wonderful. I am sure I will be impressed with your works.” Ghranit looked between Querylon and Erasmus. He smiled when he caught her slightly raised brow. “There are many things that I can make, and for most any occasion. I am sure I can help you find what you are looking for.”
“So, how is it that you and Querylon know each other? If you don't mind my asking.” Erasmus slid his left arm out from behind Querylon and pulled his ashed piped from his teeth to tuck it back into its place in his vest.
“Julian derKorst was kind enough to introduce me to the lady Querylon over coffee not too long ago.” Ghranit stroked his beard.
”At that opportunity we exchanged a few stories from out team league dueling days. Ghranit was a member of team Atrebla the same as I was, just during different seasons.” Querylon the inclined her head politely to Rakeesh as he glanced over on his way to Lord Mues. Introducing Erasmus to the Overlord would have to wait a little, though.
“Indeed, I was only there for the last season, but Julian was able to enlighten me on Querylon's impressive dueling exploits.” Ghranit nodded.
”Ahh. I would like to start getting some practice in the Arena... It has been a while since I have done any fighting with a blade.” Erasmus smiled down at Querylon as the dwarf complimented her. She did appear a little uncomfortable, though, with the praise.
“I should very much like getting to practice with you.” Querylon offered to Erasmus after a delicate sip from her glass.
”And I with you, dear.” Erasmus took another swallow from his mug then looked back to the dwarf. “I take it you are a veteran, Ghranit?”
“Not in the sense of being in the rings.” Ghranit shook his head slowly. “Although before hand, I have more hands on experience, which made me confident in the rings.”
”I see. I could say the same about my hand-to-hand experience.” Erasmus nodded. “I had belonged to a monastery for quite some time.... I have many fights under my belt in life, but not so many in the Outback.”
”So, would you like another dance, or shall I get you a drink?” Ghranit asked when he observed Querylon setting her now empty glass on a tray.
“I'm sorry, but I think we would be an awkward pair on the dance floor.” Erasmus grinned to Ghranit.
“Perhaps that was not what Ghranit suggested?” Querylon suggested when Ghranit sputtered.
“Care to dance, my dearest?” Erasmus took one more swig of his ale before he relieved himself of the mug.
“I would love to.” Querylon looked up to Erasmus with a warm smile.
Rakeesh stopped before Querylon just then, pressing two palms together in a formal bow to her, at the mid-section of his lion and humanesque parts.
“My apologies for not greeting you earlier, lady. I hope you are finding it to be a good evening, though.”
”A good evening to you, Overlord Rakeesh.” Querylon offered Rakeesh a smile and, in keeping with her Queen Elisabeth I costume, hinted at a courtesy. “May I make known to you my escort, Erasmus al'Mandragor. Erasmus, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the Overlord of the duel of swords, Rakeesh.”
”Oh, Erasmus. I am glad to see you have accompanied Lady Querylon.” Rakeesh responded appreciably.
“Oh, hello.” Erasmus extended his hand to the liontaur. “It is a great honor to meet you.”
“The honor is shared, effendi.” Both of Rakeesh’s hands moved up to cup Erasmus’ extended hand - one to shake it, and the other to support the gesture. Erasmus bowed to Rakeesh as they shook hands.
“Thank you for your invitation and good luck to you and your opponent tomorrow evening. I hope you are enjoying your ball as much as we do already.” Querylon offered with a smile, appreciative of the warm greeting Rakeesh had extended to Erasmus.
Rakeesh released the grip and dipped his head in an easy nod. “I would not keep you from your dance, effendi. Dresses such as the lady's were meant for the floor.”
“Indeed, Rakeesh. Thank you for the invite.” Erasmus smiled to Querylon as he spoke, watching color come to her cheeks at the indirect compliment from Rakeesh.
“I do enjoy those slow Rumbas nearly as much as the Waltz.” Querylon smiled to Erasmus after a glance toward the dance floor.
“Once again, I am honored to have met you, Rakeesh. Perhaps in the future we will have time to get better acquainted.” Erasmus clasped the Overlord on the shoulder. The he smiled and reached for Querylon’s hand. “I will enjoy anything, so long as I am dancing with you, dear.”
“Yes, that would be excellent, Erasmus.” Rakeesh nodded firmly despite the gentleness of his bass.
Then the pair was off for the dance floor. Erasmus leaned his head toward hers as they walked side by side.
”It has been a long time since I have done any dancing other than in the ring or with my blade. Forgive me now if I step on your toes... “ He warned quietly with a wry grin of his creased his lips. Then, with his left on her hip, he lifted her right hand in his. In time with the music he led the steps.
It didn't appear that he was rusty. In fact, it would seem like he had been dancing in his sleep last night. Dancing with Erasmus Querylon did not feel nearly as tall as she usually did, him being above average in height as well as her. Her steps were easily matched to his as her legs and body moved with the slow rhythm of the Rumba. He and Querylon glided fluidly on the floor.
He broke away from her briefly, although still holding her right hand. His eyes took all of Querylon in before settling on her own beautiful, deep blue orbs.
“It makes me so happy to have been asked to join you this evening. You are a second sun in my day.” Then he pulled her close again.
”I am happy that you could make it possible.” She gazed right back into his eyes with a happy smile on her lips. “I believe my toes are quite save. Your dancing is divine.”
“I didn't even know I could do this... “ He chuckled softly and his best innocent eyes batted before her. “Honestly.” A wink came with that word.
“While I am perfectly willing to believe every word you say, it does feel like you have been practicing for this moment all your life.” Her smile deepened considerably.
”Not all my life, but I have been practicing since you asked me to accompany you.” He bent a little lower to give her a soft, brief kiss on the cheek. “I thought that I should at least be able to keep up with you.”
”It warms my heart that you have gone to such lengths just to please me.” She smiled, a little color in her cheeks.
”It pleases me to please you, dear.” This was said as the song came to a close. Their steps halted as the music did.
“Would you care to have me walk you home, Querylon? It has been quite an evening, and I would like to spend some more of it with you.” He had noticed after they stopped dancing that Xeric was gone, and Rakeesh seemed preoccupied and bored here. Erasmus had always had a dislike for these types of social engagements.
”I would like that very much. I find that while I am ready to return home I am not at all ready to bid you a good night.” Querylon kept her hand on his arm after the dance and moved to stand beside him.
With a wave to Taneth and Tormay they walked toward the exit.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Querylon gave a slight and gentle squeeze to Erasmus arm after they had left the ball and turned to walk toward her house.
“Oh, that was such a wonderful ball, with a small crowd, but everyone liked each other. It was so much more familiar than any I ever had the chance to attend.” The smile on her lips and the excitement in her voice were clear evidence that she had thoroughly enjoyed herself.
“I had a wonderful time being with you tonight.” He smiled warmly as she expressed her enjoyment for the evening.
”I should have been quite thoroughly bored without you and not have enjoyed a single moment. But I would not have come without you.”
“I don't think I could have been there without you either, dear. You truly do light up my thoughts.” He chuckled at that. The laughter reverberated off the buildings and echoed back to them in the empty streets.
“You are spending a lot of time in my thoughts as well.” Querylon smiled again. The way home seemed so much shorter this evening, already they had crossed the market place and left it behind.
”I had been wondering if I might be too boring for your tastes after having met Vincent, but then I remember that that is probably why we are together. Neither of us likes a lot of drama in our lives.” Erasmus commented as they turned onto Forest Street.
”You are far more exciting.” While she did not like bringing up Vincent in conversation - it was like he intruded upon their company - some things probably needed mentioning.
“Vincent did not include me in his dramas. He kept me apart from his life, his business dealings and eventually he even stopped acknowledging me when I happened to be anywhere in town he was at.” That Vincent on most of those occasions had been in the company of one woman or another in one or another compromising situation she saw no need to mention.
“Far more...? I am flattered.” Erasmus smiled.
”Aye, Far more.” She smiled up to him, almost missing a step in doing though, the Elizabethan over dress trailing on the cobbles. He reached out to catch her if she fell, but she caught her balance quickly.
“I am glad you think so.”
”I wonder if there will be much dueling tomorrow with such a big challenge match scheduled.” Querylon changed the subject less than skillfully as they neared her house.
”I sure hope so. I need to get back on my winning streak... I've lost both of my last two matches.” He didn't even notice the huge leap in subject matter. He was just glad to be spending time and talking with her.
”You have been working hard. Duty shifts and working at the forge may just be too much to keep up for long.” She opened the squeaky gate once they arrived at her house.
“I think I am going to start working less at the forge” He nodded in agreement as they move through the gate. “I mean, I will go by there to make sure production is up and the quality of the craftsmanship is up, but I have two other master smiths and four apprentices to do the hard work.”
“I am sure your duel results will improve again.” Querylon smiled to him before she led the way up the path to the front door. ”Do you have time to come inside?”
“Thank you for your confidence. I am positive about it too.” He nodded then. “I do.”
That answer earned him another wide smile. Then Querylon turned and opened the door wide and moved inside to light a lamp. Again she left the lamp on the table and the matches right beside it.
Erasmus stepped over the threshold and shut the door behind him. The soft, flickering light of the lamp made her coppery curls shine almost golden.
“Pray, have a seat. Would you like something to drink, some cold tea perhaps?” The two chairs stood right next to each other and she indicated them with a wave of hand. A pitcher of tea already stood right there on the kitchen counter, and she'd just have to get glasses and pour.
Erasmus agreed that a glass of cold tea would be just the thing and when Querylon joined him at the table a few moments later, bringing two glasses of tea with her, he had already lit his pipe. He would remain just long enough to finish his pipe and tea.
“Oh, that was such a wonderful ball, with a small crowd, but everyone liked each other. It was so much more familiar than any I ever had the chance to attend.” The smile on her lips and the excitement in her voice were clear evidence that she had thoroughly enjoyed herself.
“I had a wonderful time being with you tonight.” He smiled warmly as she expressed her enjoyment for the evening.
”I should have been quite thoroughly bored without you and not have enjoyed a single moment. But I would not have come without you.”
“I don't think I could have been there without you either, dear. You truly do light up my thoughts.” He chuckled at that. The laughter reverberated off the buildings and echoed back to them in the empty streets.
“You are spending a lot of time in my thoughts as well.” Querylon smiled again. The way home seemed so much shorter this evening, already they had crossed the market place and left it behind.
”I had been wondering if I might be too boring for your tastes after having met Vincent, but then I remember that that is probably why we are together. Neither of us likes a lot of drama in our lives.” Erasmus commented as they turned onto Forest Street.
”You are far more exciting.” While she did not like bringing up Vincent in conversation - it was like he intruded upon their company - some things probably needed mentioning.
“Vincent did not include me in his dramas. He kept me apart from his life, his business dealings and eventually he even stopped acknowledging me when I happened to be anywhere in town he was at.” That Vincent on most of those occasions had been in the company of one woman or another in one or another compromising situation she saw no need to mention.
“Far more...? I am flattered.” Erasmus smiled.
”Aye, Far more.” She smiled up to him, almost missing a step in doing though, the Elizabethan over dress trailing on the cobbles. He reached out to catch her if she fell, but she caught her balance quickly.
“I am glad you think so.”
”I wonder if there will be much dueling tomorrow with such a big challenge match scheduled.” Querylon changed the subject less than skillfully as they neared her house.
”I sure hope so. I need to get back on my winning streak... I've lost both of my last two matches.” He didn't even notice the huge leap in subject matter. He was just glad to be spending time and talking with her.
”You have been working hard. Duty shifts and working at the forge may just be too much to keep up for long.” She opened the squeaky gate once they arrived at her house.
“I think I am going to start working less at the forge” He nodded in agreement as they move through the gate. “I mean, I will go by there to make sure production is up and the quality of the craftsmanship is up, but I have two other master smiths and four apprentices to do the hard work.”
“I am sure your duel results will improve again.” Querylon smiled to him before she led the way up the path to the front door. ”Do you have time to come inside?”
“Thank you for your confidence. I am positive about it too.” He nodded then. “I do.”
That answer earned him another wide smile. Then Querylon turned and opened the door wide and moved inside to light a lamp. Again she left the lamp on the table and the matches right beside it.
Erasmus stepped over the threshold and shut the door behind him. The soft, flickering light of the lamp made her coppery curls shine almost golden.
“Pray, have a seat. Would you like something to drink, some cold tea perhaps?” The two chairs stood right next to each other and she indicated them with a wave of hand. A pitcher of tea already stood right there on the kitchen counter, and she'd just have to get glasses and pour.
Erasmus agreed that a glass of cold tea would be just the thing and when Querylon joined him at the table a few moments later, bringing two glasses of tea with her, he had already lit his pipe. He would remain just long enough to finish his pipe and tea.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Ice Dancer
(2008)
Erasmus and Querylon did not meet again until several days later. The meeting started out particularly atypical.
When Querylon first arrived at the Outback, it was only to see Erasmus leave, and that without as much as a glance in her direction. She wondered about that but decided to stay around for a while to see if he would back. He did return some time later. This time around he spotted Querylon right away and started in her direction.
Querylon smiled upon seeing him, but her smile faltered and was replaced by a look of concern as he came closer. His face was alarmingly pale and his clothes appeared wet, and he appeared to be ignorant of the state of his clothing.
“What happened to you?” In her worry Querylon completely forgot to bid him a good evening first.
“I don't know... I've been having, what would you call it..? Episodes, I guess?” He forced a smile and his voice trailed to a whisper throughout, and his eyes began to wander.
“Might you care to elaborate some further?” Her dark blues were wide with surprise as she looked to Erasmus, trying to make sense of what he told her.
“I think the gem's power is adjusting itself to my body.” Erasmus nodded.
“The gem the governor presented to you Sunday and that you were so happy about having won? What kind of gem is this to do such terrible things to you?” Querylon continued to study him, her concern growing.
”Yes, but I'm sure you have noticed before, and I've even mentioned my wariness around magic... My body has a somewhat opposite polarity towards the energy created by the arcane. I'm rejecting the power, because of my bloodline, but the elemental magic of Ice Dancer is adjusting itself to my genetic makeup. Or so, I believe...” He sighed and shrugged his drenched shoulders.
”It feels like a virus of the stomach and the head...” He gave another sigh and made the attempt at a smile.
”You will have to devise a way to get rid of it.” Querylon was alarmed. Those gems were supposed to help those who had won them, not ruin their health or destroy them. “And you should probably change into some dry clothes before you catch cold.”
“I don't think this will last the whole time... Like I said, it's adjusting. I was worse off earlier.” Erasmus shook his head.
“Still, walking around in soaked clothes can not be healthy. I will wait here.” Querylon struggled to make her voice sound firm.
Erasmus nodded in agreement and headed to the back to change his shirt and vest. He closed the door behind him. The wet clothes came off, and he changed into a fresh shirt and a brand new dark green vest. His eyes wandered to the open box sitting on his small desk's top before he opened the door to walk back into the common area.
Meanwhile Querylon contemplated what she had seen, witnessed and heard with a serious mien. None of her thoughts served to alleviate her worry. When she heard Erasmus return she looked up. His color had come back a bit and he was dry now. A smile was on his lips for Querylon that touched his oh-so-blue eyes.
“Let us try this again...” She smiled back, somewhat relieved that he appeared to feel a little better for the change of clothes. She held out both hands to him. “A good evening to you, Erasmus.”
“I can only wish yours has been, dear. I cannot tell you how long I will be feeling okay. If you would like to go someplace, we should do it soon.” He took bother her hands into his and squeezed them gently. Then he bowed his head to kiss her left hand.
“I am ready to leave whenever you are.” She replied, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.
”Where would you like to venture to, dear?” A grin sprung up on his lips.
”The tavern should not be that far and is certainly closer than a certain porch swing I know.” She smiled as Erasmus was acting more like the man she had come to know him to be.
“I don't think I would feel comfortable in a tavern right now, if you don't mind. I could use some fresh air though.” He winked and his grin grew wider.
”A walk sounds wonderful, too.” She gave him another warm smile. She did enjoy their walks together far more than sitting comfortably with him in a public place.
“Let us walk, then.” He offered his arm to her and once she had accepted he led her outside. “It is a beautiful evening for a walk...”
(2008)
Erasmus and Querylon did not meet again until several days later. The meeting started out particularly atypical.
When Querylon first arrived at the Outback, it was only to see Erasmus leave, and that without as much as a glance in her direction. She wondered about that but decided to stay around for a while to see if he would back. He did return some time later. This time around he spotted Querylon right away and started in her direction.
Querylon smiled upon seeing him, but her smile faltered and was replaced by a look of concern as he came closer. His face was alarmingly pale and his clothes appeared wet, and he appeared to be ignorant of the state of his clothing.
“What happened to you?” In her worry Querylon completely forgot to bid him a good evening first.
“I don't know... I've been having, what would you call it..? Episodes, I guess?” He forced a smile and his voice trailed to a whisper throughout, and his eyes began to wander.
“Might you care to elaborate some further?” Her dark blues were wide with surprise as she looked to Erasmus, trying to make sense of what he told her.
“I think the gem's power is adjusting itself to my body.” Erasmus nodded.
“The gem the governor presented to you Sunday and that you were so happy about having won? What kind of gem is this to do such terrible things to you?” Querylon continued to study him, her concern growing.
”Yes, but I'm sure you have noticed before, and I've even mentioned my wariness around magic... My body has a somewhat opposite polarity towards the energy created by the arcane. I'm rejecting the power, because of my bloodline, but the elemental magic of Ice Dancer is adjusting itself to my genetic makeup. Or so, I believe...” He sighed and shrugged his drenched shoulders.
”It feels like a virus of the stomach and the head...” He gave another sigh and made the attempt at a smile.
”You will have to devise a way to get rid of it.” Querylon was alarmed. Those gems were supposed to help those who had won them, not ruin their health or destroy them. “And you should probably change into some dry clothes before you catch cold.”
“I don't think this will last the whole time... Like I said, it's adjusting. I was worse off earlier.” Erasmus shook his head.
“Still, walking around in soaked clothes can not be healthy. I will wait here.” Querylon struggled to make her voice sound firm.
Erasmus nodded in agreement and headed to the back to change his shirt and vest. He closed the door behind him. The wet clothes came off, and he changed into a fresh shirt and a brand new dark green vest. His eyes wandered to the open box sitting on his small desk's top before he opened the door to walk back into the common area.
Meanwhile Querylon contemplated what she had seen, witnessed and heard with a serious mien. None of her thoughts served to alleviate her worry. When she heard Erasmus return she looked up. His color had come back a bit and he was dry now. A smile was on his lips for Querylon that touched his oh-so-blue eyes.
“Let us try this again...” She smiled back, somewhat relieved that he appeared to feel a little better for the change of clothes. She held out both hands to him. “A good evening to you, Erasmus.”
“I can only wish yours has been, dear. I cannot tell you how long I will be feeling okay. If you would like to go someplace, we should do it soon.” He took bother her hands into his and squeezed them gently. Then he bowed his head to kiss her left hand.
“I am ready to leave whenever you are.” She replied, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.
”Where would you like to venture to, dear?” A grin sprung up on his lips.
”The tavern should not be that far and is certainly closer than a certain porch swing I know.” She smiled as Erasmus was acting more like the man she had come to know him to be.
“I don't think I would feel comfortable in a tavern right now, if you don't mind. I could use some fresh air though.” He winked and his grin grew wider.
”A walk sounds wonderful, too.” She gave him another warm smile. She did enjoy their walks together far more than sitting comfortably with him in a public place.
“Let us walk, then.” He offered his arm to her and once she had accepted he led her outside. “It is a beautiful evening for a walk...”
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Advice
2008
Querylon’s gaze swept the commons of the Red Dragon Inn before she turned to grab a goblet from the shelf to fill it with a golden liquid from one of the bottles below the counter. She had decided to stop in on her way home to relax a little.
The bottle re-corked she returned to its place under the counter before she picked up the goblet from its resting place. Dark blues once again swept over the patrons present. The woman that Vinny had stayed with overnight and visited for breakfast on more than one occasion while he was married to her now sat at the bar. That woman even went so far as to insult her. A decidedly frosty and very brief look was all Querylon had for the woman. She did take notice though that some other patrons were shooting looks and even a few unkind snickers in that woman’s direction.
She brought the goblet to her lips for a delicate sip, and then lowered the goblet again. An expression of dislike briefly found its way into her features before she controlled it away again, already moving toward the break in the bar and over toward a table.
The flames of the hearth parted and a young looking red-head stepped out from the hearth and into the commons.
“Eventide.” The young woman in the scarlet gown lifted a pale hand and waved before she sat down on her throne.
“A good evening to you as well.” Querylon recognized Tara from previous meetings and offered her a friendly smile and politely inclined her head toward her. Then she resumed her steps toward one of the tables.
“I would not go as far as that, Lady Querylon, but I shan't fault you for year opinion. T'is good to know you are still breathing.” Tara replied with closed eyes. She looked and sounded fatigued. A halfhearted gesture was made and a chalice appeared in her hand.
“Thank you, Miss Tara; it is kind of you to have worried about my well being.” Querylon’s dark blue gaze remained on Tara as she spoke. Then, the goblet still in her right, she pulled out a chair with her left and gracefully, a hand smoothing the white robes, slid into the seat. “I am very sorry to have missed your masque. I have been told it has been quite a success.”
“Aye, well, I thank you for yer kind words, Lady Querylon, an' we are sorry to have missed ye.” Tara’s eyes opened and she smiled warmly to Querylon despite the awkward nature of their last encounter. “I do so love a good party.”
“Eventide Mister Smith.” Tara’s eyes shifted toward Vinny who had just stepped through the doors and her smile wavered for a moment before it brightened. The corners of her mouth twitched and she lifted the chalice up in greeting.
The woman Querylon refused to acknowledge jumped out of her stool with a cussed greeting toward Vinny.
”You seem surprised to see me.” Querylon heard Vinny respond but she refused to turn around.
”Congratulations on the smashing success.” She returned Tara’s earlier smile instead, preferring to remember Miss Tara's compliment and demonstrated kindness of a meeting near the rings rather than any of their more awkward meetings.
“I realize I know absolutely nothing about you, M'lady. Perhaps we should remedy that, hmm?” With a slow blink barward Tara returned her attention to Querylon and nodded to her.
“Perhaps we should do that. I have very little knowledge of you as well, apart from the praises Lord Mues has sung of you in my presence. Would you care to join me?” Querylon made her smile and posture inviting.
”Aye, but if you do not mind, could we go to the couches, perhaps? I'm.....very tired, you see, very tired an' my old bones can't abide these tavern chairs. They're entirely uncomfortable.” Tara rose from the throne slowly, groaning quietly enough, before she moved to the couch where she sat her chalice down on the coffee table, stretched out and smiled. “Much better. The feeling is not unlike slipping into a warm bath.”
”That is a most excellent suggestion, Miss Tara. The couches certainly look more comfortable than the hard chairs.” The glass still in her hand Querylon rose gracefully from her chair to move over to one of the couches.
”So, tell me about yerself, Lady Querylon. What is it that you do here in Rhydin aside from the Duels?” She asked as Querylon sat down beside her.
”A warm bath can sometimes ease what a potion can not hope to do. I am also glad to hear that you have regained your voice.” Querylon decided to reply to Tara’s earlier comment first while she thought about just how much to tell Tara in answer to her question.
“I wish I had regained my voice earlier than I did for I wished to say a few things to someone but was unable to.” Tara chuckled softly. “The Fates hate me most days. They toy with me an' I am tired of it.”
”I make potions, lotions and medicines the apothecary orders with regularity and one or the other person requests. Had I been aware at the time what had caused your slight impairment, I would have attempted to imbue the potion with the right magic to undue it. But your skillful charades had not progressed far enough at that time.” Querylon remembered the charades with a bemused smile.
”You are too kind, M'lady. I don't give myself half as much credit as you do. No one seemed to understand me, not even the Detective, which, if I may say, was rather disappointing.” Tara chuckled and shook her head, reaching for her chalice to take a sip. “The man is very bright. Mayhaps he was drunk.”
”Ah, Miss Tara, that was not by your fault, I am certain. You had a very tough audience.” Querylon offered a warm smile, her words sincere. “I agree with you that even the detective appeared... well...not in best form that particular evening. Though I believe it far more likely that his mind was pre-occupied with one of the many cases he handles rather than impaired by drink.”
“Aye, could be. We people of Rhydin harass him relentlessly I suppose. I often wonder if the boy gets any rest.” Tara nodded in agreement. “You've an interesting profession, M'lady. I never could understand the practice myself but that wasn't the path I was to make. Were you born here in Rhydin or did you, too, emigrate?”
” I have no knowledge of where I was born, though Rhydin is certainly the most likely of places.” Tara’s choice of words was curious. In a way Querylon did emigrate from Saint Martin’s. With the mother superior’s help she had left the orphanage to live on her own much sooner then was customary. “Such has to come with being one of the best, quite possibly the best, in his field. Now that you know what I do in town besides dueling, may I have the knowledge of what you do besides socializing?”
”Ahh, I see. I, too, have parts of my past which are unknown to me. Me? What do I do? “ Tara blinked. “Oh, well, quite a bit actually. For starters I run the Forsaken Blades guild with my best friends, Jewel Ravenlock-Kidd an' Amethyst Oak the Pixie.” Tara looked to the door just then and laughed. Alain stood just by the door, tugging his jacket a little over his left side. Tara waved to him. “Detective! How delightful of you to make an appearance! I was jus' saying how I wonder if you ever get any rest.”
"No rest for the wicked." Alain grinned around his cigarette, and nodded to her and her friend both as he made for the break in the bar. "Either of you thirsty?"
“No, thank you, Detective but it was very gentlemanly of you to ask.” Tara shook her head and lifted the chalice up so he could see it. Then she turned to Querylon with a grin. “He's such a good, well-mannered boy isn't he? I never had the pleasure of meeting his mother but if I ever did I would praise her on his proper upbringing.”
“Thank you for the offer, Sir, but I am well set for this evening.” A slight blush colored Querylon’s cheeks as she wondered just how much of their conversation the detective had overheard before they had noticed him. But she offered a friendly smile and a polite nod to Alain just the same. Then she turned to Tara again. “Fine manners are a treasure, mostly because they are not so easily happened upon. Leading a guild does sound like a lot of work.”
”Oh no, not really. Our motto is actually to do nothing, you see. We three have lived long lives an' when we became a trio, we decided to, well, stop doing anything. Prior to this though, an' to further answer yer question, I was also a Scabologist. I am still taking the correspondence classes but with my other responsibilities, I find I can barely finish one module a year.” Tara frowned, tapping her bottom lip. “I figure by the time I am eight hundred I should be finished. Hmm?” Tara looked up then. “Aye, that is true.”
”I should find myself quite at a loss if I would try to do nothing for more than a few moments. Perhaps such occupation requires a particular talent that eludes me.” Querylon’s smile took on a bemused quality.
“Other than that I am a Captain in Blood House Onyx, though, between you an' I,” Tara leaned closer, “I don't deserve it. The Bloods are my family an' I love them but I don't pull my weight nearly as much as I think they would like? They, too, are well-mannered an' never say but I suspect they believe I am capable of jus' so much more than I let on.” Then she grinned, “Oh, dear, trust me I thought the very same thing but I assure you, it can be done. Would you… like me to teach you?”
“I thank you most kindly for your generous off, Miss Tara, but I fear that must decline. You see, should I prove to be even just a half way decent student; I would not make enough coins to support myself. Potion making is a time intensive occupation.” Querylon refused the offer as politely as she could.
Tara brows came together at this revelation. Tara was the type that when she wanted something, any thing really, she automatically assumed that it was hers. Because she never had to really work a day in her life to support herself the idea that others had to was foreign to her.
“I had not realized you were experiencing hard times, M'lady. Mayhaps....” Tara licked her lips and then bit the lower one, not sure how to word this rare offer of generosity. “I could help you by purchasing some.”
Querylon, raised at Saint Martins as a foundling, had never known idle days. Tara’s offer was certainly generous and, beyond that, utterly unexpected, and yet absolutely acceptable, even though she was not currently experiencing hard times.
”Ye really should take care whom ye speak to, mine dear. This company ye have chosen is all wrong for ye.” A masculine voice spoke from empty space; a voice Tara knew intimately and loathed more than the sun itself. He was somewhere within. Somewhere being the appropriate term. Where he was precisely was left to be guessed at, for he had vanished from sight some time ago. For what rhyme or reason was left for only him to know.
However, since there was no insult added into the mix, the vampiress was all ears. Her eyes shot wide open and she looked around for the source of the voice, knowing he was somewhere, maybe not in the tavern itself, perhaps floating in the space between worlds as she imagined he liked to do in what little spare time he had, but somewhere.
”Forgive me, Lady Querylon, but...” Tara’s eyes swung up toward the ceiling, “did you hear that?” Ever since she started hearing voices in her head other than the ones she invited she found getting a second opinion to be best before worrying she had slipped further into insanity.
“I would be happy to count you among my clients. What potions or kind of potions might you be most interested in?” Querylon lifted her head and her dark blue gaze scanned the immediate area. The voice did appear vaguely familiar. She nodded ever so slightly to Tara.
Tara shivered for some reason and looked back to Querylon; a determined expression was on her face now. “Love potions. Lots of em.”
”Tisk tisk tisk, Tara.” The voice chided. “Ye think by some twist of fate ye will see me if ye search hard enough.” The voice echoed from their left, then their right.
“Are you aware that love potions are mostly a rumor, Miss Tara? Something that causes love cannot be magicked into a potion. Though some of the instructions on how to make use of one or the other may smoothen the path for that particular emotion to grow.” Querylon explained honestly.
”On second thought, I'd like to order protection potions too, as well as some potions that can make me temporarily deaf, if it's not too much trouble.” Tara smirked.
”Maybe, ye made me up, Tara. Ever think of that?” Oh, he was sure to drive her into one of her famous episodes at this rate.
”Nay, I was not aware of that an' that now explains why the ones I bought from that charlatan were ineffective.” Tara swatted at the air around her head as if she were being harassed by some annoying fly.
”I mean, who in their right mind would have an imaginary nemesis anyway. Ooh, right. Ye're not exactly in ye right mind, are ye Tara?” He chuckled; the laughter came from every direction at once.
”Sadly there are many charlatans around.” Querylon found the disembodied voice to be disconcerting and rather distracting from her conversation. “Are you perhaps haunted by a ghost, Miss Tara?”
“I live in the weak and the wounded.” A whisper brushed against the shell of Tara’s right ear. Then his voice took on an affecting and ominous tone. “Do it, Tara... do it NOW!”
”You could say that. Go away you pest!” Tara was not amused and frowned. Then she turned to Querylon again. “Anyhow, M'lady, where were we?”
“Nothing short of a crossbow bolt through ye head would suffice. Or, a frontal lobotomy. Wouldn't that be delightful, Tara?” The voice kept pestering Tara.
”Potions and charlatans were the most recent subject, I believe.” Querylon offered.
”Aye, you mentioned something about a potion that could help love grow. Was that it?” Tara did answer the voice.
“Ask the nice lady if she can jab a skewer through ye tear duct, and jiggle it around a bit after passing through the back of ye ocular socket. Ye'll have nothing more than a black eye, after the tiny bit of bleeding stops. Ye cannot love, Tara. Who are ye kidding? Ye've been married… how many times was it? I've lost count.” The voice came again and again in a constant barrage.
”That is in the instructions and in following them, and then only to smooth the path. There cannot be a guarantee, Miss Tara, that such a thing works.” It was important to Querylon that Tara understood that.
”Smooth the path, that's it, aye.” Tara nodded and gestured toward her. “I'll take twenty cases of yer "Smooth the Path" potions.”
”If anyone ever needed a smooth path, Tara.” The voice trailed off into snickering.
Tara swatted at the air again and thought for a moment. “On second thought, better make that forty... jus' in case.”
”Ooh, ye were so close that time, Tara. I almost felt the wind off ye hand.” The very amused voice spoke again.
”Leave me alone, Master Mage. I am not in the mood for ye tonight.” Tara returned.
“I'm never in the mood for ye but, alas, I am stuck with ye, it seems. Mine punishment for mine sins.” A mocking tone of sorrow was affected by the disembodied voice.
”Forty... would you like them all to be the same or an assortment of those types of potions?” Querylon regarded Tara with a questioning look. Even the apothecary never ordered that many potions all at once. “And what price range are you considering?”
”Nay, dear, forty cases of each type of potion you make an' price is no concern. Whatever you charge is what I shall pay.” Tara smiled. “If you can give me an estimate of time I shall be happy to send my carriages along to carry them.”
”I shall need about two weeks to make them all.” Querylon offered after some calculations. She dead not deal in cases of potions, some of the potions she made she could not hope to make forty of all year, and certainly Tara could not have meant ‘every’ potion she could make. She seriously doubted that Tara would have any use for most of them. She did, however, have five particular recipes in mind that she thought Tara might find useful. “Will that be all right with you?
“Excuse me. I have to leave now.” And suddenly Tara was gone.
Querylon leaned back into the couch cushion after Tara's sudden leave taking.
It was a vision out of a Faerie Tale, one known to many in some realms of a fashion. Her name was Alice, and when she spied a low-hanging branch, like Querylon seated where she was now, they shared the vision of a smile blossoming out of thin air, Cheshire in nature. It was only soon after that the rest of him appeared into view, like a mirage, starting with the incandescent glow of crimson eyes.
Querylon recognized the self proclaimed dark mage and caster of cantrips she had faced in a ring of magic a couple weeks earlier and politely inclined her head toward him along with the offer of a polite smile.
“A good evening to you, Lord Veighn.”
The Black Wizard glanced over the redhead seated before him, his leg draped over his opposite knee, his robes in pristine order, and his hands rested on the fiddleheads of the armrests of a high back chair. Her very white robes were equally pristine and in perfect order.
”Shouldn't encourage the woman-childe so.” Lord Veighn spoke; his gaze showered his cheeks in reddish light, angled as he was away from the fire.
”It is however possible that encouragement into a rewarding direction is what the nice Miss has been lacking.” Querylon suggested another point of view to the Black Wizard,
”Had I the time to recount the tail of her misdeeds, it would be a fortnight from tomorrow, and we'd still be seated here.” Lord Veighn explained with such a cavalier air that it seemed he hadn't a care in the world.
”It would be kinder and far more to your credit to list the deeds of kindness the Miss has committed, and some of those at least under less than perfect circumstances.” A polite smile accompanied Querylon’s words as she refused to listen to any listing of Tara’s misdeeds. She knew what Tara was without someone having to tell her.
”Ye are no Rose, I've decided.” With that Lord Veighn rose from his chair, smoothing over the robes as he attained exquisite posture. His gaze panned the interior of the inn. “Naive as well.”
”I do seem to lack thorns upon short acquaintance, milord.” Querylon seemed to agree with a polite nod to the Black Wizard as he rose. Then she returned her attention to her goblet and the contents within. She brought the goblet to her lips for a delicate sip before lowering it once again to her lap. But she did not feel up to discussing her character or education with the Black Wizard.
”On this side of the mists, mine dear, it would benefit ye to have them, but ye mistake mine meaning. I shall not explain it.” He turned abruptly from her. “I hope ye skill in the Arte has grown, mageling. Perhaps that will be ye saving grace.” He then strode off, robes billowing about his ankles.
Another sip from her goblet hid just how bemused her smile had turned at Lord Veighn’s obvious displeasure. It suited her just fine that he was leaving and that he seemed to underestimate her abilities or to even discount them altogether. But more than that, she appreciated the offer of friendship in his warning.
Lord Veighn’s features went blank at the sudden appearance of Magenta, then grew grave as a tombstone in a lych yard at midnight. He tracked her movements, his finger lightly brushing over the back of his hand, where the very slight, almost nonexistent scar was on display.
A phrase came to his mind, suddenly, like an afternoon sun coming free of the moon during a full eclipse. He knew well she'd have heard it before. She intimated such to him, once upon a time, before they danced their deadly dance. He spoke aloud, voice playing an acoustics trick which allowed it to cut through the din of conversation present in the inn. He affected the words with emphatic inflexion to shed light on his knowing, his remembering.
“It seems mageling, the night has grown weary of holding mine cloak.” With that, he cast a gaze in aside to Magenta as he turned, and strode away from the couch, the high back he had left, and past the bar area toward the exit into the back alley. His footsteps were as silent as the tombs of long forgotten heroes.
Querylon slowly sipped from her goblet, her dark blue gaze turned toward Lord Veighn again when his words reached her ears, and a smile was on her lips.
“Blessings be, milord.” A wriggle of Querylon’s cute nose and the goblet she had been drinking from stood by the sink, another wriggle of her cute nose and the vision in white was no longer seated on that couch, or for that matter, to be seen anywhere inside the inn.
2008
Querylon’s gaze swept the commons of the Red Dragon Inn before she turned to grab a goblet from the shelf to fill it with a golden liquid from one of the bottles below the counter. She had decided to stop in on her way home to relax a little.
The bottle re-corked she returned to its place under the counter before she picked up the goblet from its resting place. Dark blues once again swept over the patrons present. The woman that Vinny had stayed with overnight and visited for breakfast on more than one occasion while he was married to her now sat at the bar. That woman even went so far as to insult her. A decidedly frosty and very brief look was all Querylon had for the woman. She did take notice though that some other patrons were shooting looks and even a few unkind snickers in that woman’s direction.
She brought the goblet to her lips for a delicate sip, and then lowered the goblet again. An expression of dislike briefly found its way into her features before she controlled it away again, already moving toward the break in the bar and over toward a table.
The flames of the hearth parted and a young looking red-head stepped out from the hearth and into the commons.
“Eventide.” The young woman in the scarlet gown lifted a pale hand and waved before she sat down on her throne.
“A good evening to you as well.” Querylon recognized Tara from previous meetings and offered her a friendly smile and politely inclined her head toward her. Then she resumed her steps toward one of the tables.
“I would not go as far as that, Lady Querylon, but I shan't fault you for year opinion. T'is good to know you are still breathing.” Tara replied with closed eyes. She looked and sounded fatigued. A halfhearted gesture was made and a chalice appeared in her hand.
“Thank you, Miss Tara; it is kind of you to have worried about my well being.” Querylon’s dark blue gaze remained on Tara as she spoke. Then, the goblet still in her right, she pulled out a chair with her left and gracefully, a hand smoothing the white robes, slid into the seat. “I am very sorry to have missed your masque. I have been told it has been quite a success.”
“Aye, well, I thank you for yer kind words, Lady Querylon, an' we are sorry to have missed ye.” Tara’s eyes opened and she smiled warmly to Querylon despite the awkward nature of their last encounter. “I do so love a good party.”
“Eventide Mister Smith.” Tara’s eyes shifted toward Vinny who had just stepped through the doors and her smile wavered for a moment before it brightened. The corners of her mouth twitched and she lifted the chalice up in greeting.
The woman Querylon refused to acknowledge jumped out of her stool with a cussed greeting toward Vinny.
”You seem surprised to see me.” Querylon heard Vinny respond but she refused to turn around.
”Congratulations on the smashing success.” She returned Tara’s earlier smile instead, preferring to remember Miss Tara's compliment and demonstrated kindness of a meeting near the rings rather than any of their more awkward meetings.
“I realize I know absolutely nothing about you, M'lady. Perhaps we should remedy that, hmm?” With a slow blink barward Tara returned her attention to Querylon and nodded to her.
“Perhaps we should do that. I have very little knowledge of you as well, apart from the praises Lord Mues has sung of you in my presence. Would you care to join me?” Querylon made her smile and posture inviting.
”Aye, but if you do not mind, could we go to the couches, perhaps? I'm.....very tired, you see, very tired an' my old bones can't abide these tavern chairs. They're entirely uncomfortable.” Tara rose from the throne slowly, groaning quietly enough, before she moved to the couch where she sat her chalice down on the coffee table, stretched out and smiled. “Much better. The feeling is not unlike slipping into a warm bath.”
”That is a most excellent suggestion, Miss Tara. The couches certainly look more comfortable than the hard chairs.” The glass still in her hand Querylon rose gracefully from her chair to move over to one of the couches.
”So, tell me about yerself, Lady Querylon. What is it that you do here in Rhydin aside from the Duels?” She asked as Querylon sat down beside her.
”A warm bath can sometimes ease what a potion can not hope to do. I am also glad to hear that you have regained your voice.” Querylon decided to reply to Tara’s earlier comment first while she thought about just how much to tell Tara in answer to her question.
“I wish I had regained my voice earlier than I did for I wished to say a few things to someone but was unable to.” Tara chuckled softly. “The Fates hate me most days. They toy with me an' I am tired of it.”
”I make potions, lotions and medicines the apothecary orders with regularity and one or the other person requests. Had I been aware at the time what had caused your slight impairment, I would have attempted to imbue the potion with the right magic to undue it. But your skillful charades had not progressed far enough at that time.” Querylon remembered the charades with a bemused smile.
”You are too kind, M'lady. I don't give myself half as much credit as you do. No one seemed to understand me, not even the Detective, which, if I may say, was rather disappointing.” Tara chuckled and shook her head, reaching for her chalice to take a sip. “The man is very bright. Mayhaps he was drunk.”
”Ah, Miss Tara, that was not by your fault, I am certain. You had a very tough audience.” Querylon offered a warm smile, her words sincere. “I agree with you that even the detective appeared... well...not in best form that particular evening. Though I believe it far more likely that his mind was pre-occupied with one of the many cases he handles rather than impaired by drink.”
“Aye, could be. We people of Rhydin harass him relentlessly I suppose. I often wonder if the boy gets any rest.” Tara nodded in agreement. “You've an interesting profession, M'lady. I never could understand the practice myself but that wasn't the path I was to make. Were you born here in Rhydin or did you, too, emigrate?”
” I have no knowledge of where I was born, though Rhydin is certainly the most likely of places.” Tara’s choice of words was curious. In a way Querylon did emigrate from Saint Martin’s. With the mother superior’s help she had left the orphanage to live on her own much sooner then was customary. “Such has to come with being one of the best, quite possibly the best, in his field. Now that you know what I do in town besides dueling, may I have the knowledge of what you do besides socializing?”
”Ahh, I see. I, too, have parts of my past which are unknown to me. Me? What do I do? “ Tara blinked. “Oh, well, quite a bit actually. For starters I run the Forsaken Blades guild with my best friends, Jewel Ravenlock-Kidd an' Amethyst Oak the Pixie.” Tara looked to the door just then and laughed. Alain stood just by the door, tugging his jacket a little over his left side. Tara waved to him. “Detective! How delightful of you to make an appearance! I was jus' saying how I wonder if you ever get any rest.”
"No rest for the wicked." Alain grinned around his cigarette, and nodded to her and her friend both as he made for the break in the bar. "Either of you thirsty?"
“No, thank you, Detective but it was very gentlemanly of you to ask.” Tara shook her head and lifted the chalice up so he could see it. Then she turned to Querylon with a grin. “He's such a good, well-mannered boy isn't he? I never had the pleasure of meeting his mother but if I ever did I would praise her on his proper upbringing.”
“Thank you for the offer, Sir, but I am well set for this evening.” A slight blush colored Querylon’s cheeks as she wondered just how much of their conversation the detective had overheard before they had noticed him. But she offered a friendly smile and a polite nod to Alain just the same. Then she turned to Tara again. “Fine manners are a treasure, mostly because they are not so easily happened upon. Leading a guild does sound like a lot of work.”
”Oh no, not really. Our motto is actually to do nothing, you see. We three have lived long lives an' when we became a trio, we decided to, well, stop doing anything. Prior to this though, an' to further answer yer question, I was also a Scabologist. I am still taking the correspondence classes but with my other responsibilities, I find I can barely finish one module a year.” Tara frowned, tapping her bottom lip. “I figure by the time I am eight hundred I should be finished. Hmm?” Tara looked up then. “Aye, that is true.”
”I should find myself quite at a loss if I would try to do nothing for more than a few moments. Perhaps such occupation requires a particular talent that eludes me.” Querylon’s smile took on a bemused quality.
“Other than that I am a Captain in Blood House Onyx, though, between you an' I,” Tara leaned closer, “I don't deserve it. The Bloods are my family an' I love them but I don't pull my weight nearly as much as I think they would like? They, too, are well-mannered an' never say but I suspect they believe I am capable of jus' so much more than I let on.” Then she grinned, “Oh, dear, trust me I thought the very same thing but I assure you, it can be done. Would you… like me to teach you?”
“I thank you most kindly for your generous off, Miss Tara, but I fear that must decline. You see, should I prove to be even just a half way decent student; I would not make enough coins to support myself. Potion making is a time intensive occupation.” Querylon refused the offer as politely as she could.
Tara brows came together at this revelation. Tara was the type that when she wanted something, any thing really, she automatically assumed that it was hers. Because she never had to really work a day in her life to support herself the idea that others had to was foreign to her.
“I had not realized you were experiencing hard times, M'lady. Mayhaps....” Tara licked her lips and then bit the lower one, not sure how to word this rare offer of generosity. “I could help you by purchasing some.”
Querylon, raised at Saint Martins as a foundling, had never known idle days. Tara’s offer was certainly generous and, beyond that, utterly unexpected, and yet absolutely acceptable, even though she was not currently experiencing hard times.
”Ye really should take care whom ye speak to, mine dear. This company ye have chosen is all wrong for ye.” A masculine voice spoke from empty space; a voice Tara knew intimately and loathed more than the sun itself. He was somewhere within. Somewhere being the appropriate term. Where he was precisely was left to be guessed at, for he had vanished from sight some time ago. For what rhyme or reason was left for only him to know.
However, since there was no insult added into the mix, the vampiress was all ears. Her eyes shot wide open and she looked around for the source of the voice, knowing he was somewhere, maybe not in the tavern itself, perhaps floating in the space between worlds as she imagined he liked to do in what little spare time he had, but somewhere.
”Forgive me, Lady Querylon, but...” Tara’s eyes swung up toward the ceiling, “did you hear that?” Ever since she started hearing voices in her head other than the ones she invited she found getting a second opinion to be best before worrying she had slipped further into insanity.
“I would be happy to count you among my clients. What potions or kind of potions might you be most interested in?” Querylon lifted her head and her dark blue gaze scanned the immediate area. The voice did appear vaguely familiar. She nodded ever so slightly to Tara.
Tara shivered for some reason and looked back to Querylon; a determined expression was on her face now. “Love potions. Lots of em.”
”Tisk tisk tisk, Tara.” The voice chided. “Ye think by some twist of fate ye will see me if ye search hard enough.” The voice echoed from their left, then their right.
“Are you aware that love potions are mostly a rumor, Miss Tara? Something that causes love cannot be magicked into a potion. Though some of the instructions on how to make use of one or the other may smoothen the path for that particular emotion to grow.” Querylon explained honestly.
”On second thought, I'd like to order protection potions too, as well as some potions that can make me temporarily deaf, if it's not too much trouble.” Tara smirked.
”Maybe, ye made me up, Tara. Ever think of that?” Oh, he was sure to drive her into one of her famous episodes at this rate.
”Nay, I was not aware of that an' that now explains why the ones I bought from that charlatan were ineffective.” Tara swatted at the air around her head as if she were being harassed by some annoying fly.
”I mean, who in their right mind would have an imaginary nemesis anyway. Ooh, right. Ye're not exactly in ye right mind, are ye Tara?” He chuckled; the laughter came from every direction at once.
”Sadly there are many charlatans around.” Querylon found the disembodied voice to be disconcerting and rather distracting from her conversation. “Are you perhaps haunted by a ghost, Miss Tara?”
“I live in the weak and the wounded.” A whisper brushed against the shell of Tara’s right ear. Then his voice took on an affecting and ominous tone. “Do it, Tara... do it NOW!”
”You could say that. Go away you pest!” Tara was not amused and frowned. Then she turned to Querylon again. “Anyhow, M'lady, where were we?”
“Nothing short of a crossbow bolt through ye head would suffice. Or, a frontal lobotomy. Wouldn't that be delightful, Tara?” The voice kept pestering Tara.
”Potions and charlatans were the most recent subject, I believe.” Querylon offered.
”Aye, you mentioned something about a potion that could help love grow. Was that it?” Tara did answer the voice.
“Ask the nice lady if she can jab a skewer through ye tear duct, and jiggle it around a bit after passing through the back of ye ocular socket. Ye'll have nothing more than a black eye, after the tiny bit of bleeding stops. Ye cannot love, Tara. Who are ye kidding? Ye've been married… how many times was it? I've lost count.” The voice came again and again in a constant barrage.
”That is in the instructions and in following them, and then only to smooth the path. There cannot be a guarantee, Miss Tara, that such a thing works.” It was important to Querylon that Tara understood that.
”Smooth the path, that's it, aye.” Tara nodded and gestured toward her. “I'll take twenty cases of yer "Smooth the Path" potions.”
”If anyone ever needed a smooth path, Tara.” The voice trailed off into snickering.
Tara swatted at the air again and thought for a moment. “On second thought, better make that forty... jus' in case.”
”Ooh, ye were so close that time, Tara. I almost felt the wind off ye hand.” The very amused voice spoke again.
”Leave me alone, Master Mage. I am not in the mood for ye tonight.” Tara returned.
“I'm never in the mood for ye but, alas, I am stuck with ye, it seems. Mine punishment for mine sins.” A mocking tone of sorrow was affected by the disembodied voice.
”Forty... would you like them all to be the same or an assortment of those types of potions?” Querylon regarded Tara with a questioning look. Even the apothecary never ordered that many potions all at once. “And what price range are you considering?”
”Nay, dear, forty cases of each type of potion you make an' price is no concern. Whatever you charge is what I shall pay.” Tara smiled. “If you can give me an estimate of time I shall be happy to send my carriages along to carry them.”
”I shall need about two weeks to make them all.” Querylon offered after some calculations. She dead not deal in cases of potions, some of the potions she made she could not hope to make forty of all year, and certainly Tara could not have meant ‘every’ potion she could make. She seriously doubted that Tara would have any use for most of them. She did, however, have five particular recipes in mind that she thought Tara might find useful. “Will that be all right with you?
“Excuse me. I have to leave now.” And suddenly Tara was gone.
Querylon leaned back into the couch cushion after Tara's sudden leave taking.
It was a vision out of a Faerie Tale, one known to many in some realms of a fashion. Her name was Alice, and when she spied a low-hanging branch, like Querylon seated where she was now, they shared the vision of a smile blossoming out of thin air, Cheshire in nature. It was only soon after that the rest of him appeared into view, like a mirage, starting with the incandescent glow of crimson eyes.
Querylon recognized the self proclaimed dark mage and caster of cantrips she had faced in a ring of magic a couple weeks earlier and politely inclined her head toward him along with the offer of a polite smile.
“A good evening to you, Lord Veighn.”
The Black Wizard glanced over the redhead seated before him, his leg draped over his opposite knee, his robes in pristine order, and his hands rested on the fiddleheads of the armrests of a high back chair. Her very white robes were equally pristine and in perfect order.
”Shouldn't encourage the woman-childe so.” Lord Veighn spoke; his gaze showered his cheeks in reddish light, angled as he was away from the fire.
”It is however possible that encouragement into a rewarding direction is what the nice Miss has been lacking.” Querylon suggested another point of view to the Black Wizard,
”Had I the time to recount the tail of her misdeeds, it would be a fortnight from tomorrow, and we'd still be seated here.” Lord Veighn explained with such a cavalier air that it seemed he hadn't a care in the world.
”It would be kinder and far more to your credit to list the deeds of kindness the Miss has committed, and some of those at least under less than perfect circumstances.” A polite smile accompanied Querylon’s words as she refused to listen to any listing of Tara’s misdeeds. She knew what Tara was without someone having to tell her.
”Ye are no Rose, I've decided.” With that Lord Veighn rose from his chair, smoothing over the robes as he attained exquisite posture. His gaze panned the interior of the inn. “Naive as well.”
”I do seem to lack thorns upon short acquaintance, milord.” Querylon seemed to agree with a polite nod to the Black Wizard as he rose. Then she returned her attention to her goblet and the contents within. She brought the goblet to her lips for a delicate sip before lowering it once again to her lap. But she did not feel up to discussing her character or education with the Black Wizard.
”On this side of the mists, mine dear, it would benefit ye to have them, but ye mistake mine meaning. I shall not explain it.” He turned abruptly from her. “I hope ye skill in the Arte has grown, mageling. Perhaps that will be ye saving grace.” He then strode off, robes billowing about his ankles.
Another sip from her goblet hid just how bemused her smile had turned at Lord Veighn’s obvious displeasure. It suited her just fine that he was leaving and that he seemed to underestimate her abilities or to even discount them altogether. But more than that, she appreciated the offer of friendship in his warning.
Lord Veighn’s features went blank at the sudden appearance of Magenta, then grew grave as a tombstone in a lych yard at midnight. He tracked her movements, his finger lightly brushing over the back of his hand, where the very slight, almost nonexistent scar was on display.
A phrase came to his mind, suddenly, like an afternoon sun coming free of the moon during a full eclipse. He knew well she'd have heard it before. She intimated such to him, once upon a time, before they danced their deadly dance. He spoke aloud, voice playing an acoustics trick which allowed it to cut through the din of conversation present in the inn. He affected the words with emphatic inflexion to shed light on his knowing, his remembering.
“It seems mageling, the night has grown weary of holding mine cloak.” With that, he cast a gaze in aside to Magenta as he turned, and strode away from the couch, the high back he had left, and past the bar area toward the exit into the back alley. His footsteps were as silent as the tombs of long forgotten heroes.
Querylon slowly sipped from her goblet, her dark blue gaze turned toward Lord Veighn again when his words reached her ears, and a smile was on her lips.
“Blessings be, milord.” A wriggle of Querylon’s cute nose and the goblet she had been drinking from stood by the sink, another wriggle of her cute nose and the vision in white was no longer seated on that couch, or for that matter, to be seen anywhere inside the inn.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Sword Dance
(2008)
Another week later Erasmus seemed to have somewhat recovered from having won Ice Dancer. He had met up with Querylon to enjoy an evening at the arena together.
“I think I'm gonna try my luck with a blade tonight, dear. What do you think?” Erasmus asked as he walked Querylon to a table near the rings.
”That is an excellent idea and a good night for doing just that. I hope to find an opportunity for a match as well.” Querylon offered a warm smile to Erasmus as he pulled out a chair for her. “Thank you, my dear.”
”Did you per chance think to bring along your sign that proclaims that you are looking for a match?” Querylon asked once they were both seated, mostly to distract from the commotion about a cobra that somehow had found its way into the basement.
A big grin crossed Erasmus’ face, and he looked down to Querylon at her question, but before he could reply the Overlord demanded everyone’s attention to let people know that the Rings of Honor ball was postponed. When the Overlord finished his announcement, Erasmus turned to Querylon again.
“Oh, you mean I don't get to go to a ball tonight?” He looked disappointed and then answered her question. “I sure didn't, but I think I am going to start bringing it. I suppose I'll just have to yell it out like everyone else.”
“I do not yell out. Perhaps that is why I get to duel so rarely.” She pondered that for a moment. But yelling out was just not her style. Then she gave Erasmus a warm smile. “It appears that those dances you have claimed will have to wait for a week.”
”It could be why, dear. Maybe you should ask someone.” Erasmus suggested with a smile.
“Perhaps I will just do that.” She nodded. “Would you do me the honor of a dance in the ring, Erasmus? It looks to be the only dancing we will get to do this evening.”
”You're challenging me?” He was surprised, not overconfident. “I suppose I could have that honor, yes.”
”We can make it a friendly match.” Querylon suggested with a smile. She had no desire to actually hit Erasmus with a blade.
“I wouldn't have it any other way.” He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.
“We should beg a ring of Corlanthis.” A light shade of pink came to her cheeks.
“The lady Querylon and I would like have a ring.” He spoke loudly toward the official after he had pulled away from Querylon with a nod.
“Then you and the Lady shall have one.” Corlanthis nodded over to Erasmus as he returned back to his couch and reseated himself.
“Let's have some fun in there.” Erasmus stood and offered his hand to Querylon. Hand in hand they walked over to the ring. Once they were standing each in their corner, Querylon wriggled her cute nose to bring her slender bladed sword to her right while Erasmus reached around his back for his bone handled hunting knife.
Once they had bowed and wished each other luck the duel started.
Querylon’s left lifted the skirt of her faded green dueling gown just enough to where she would not trip over the hem as she moved around the ring. Her right moved the slender bladed sword to describe a high arc as she stepped close, and stopped the blade a couple inches before it would have made contact had Erasmus not gone under her blade. He got within range to have struck but his left wrist flicked to the side so as not to stab Querylon, and he rolled off of her to stand at her side. Then he began to circle to the left.
Erasmus whirled with the blade, but his positioning would have been forfeit had Querylon wanted it to be. As it was she merely ducked low under the knife.
Though she stood up again, the tip of her blade remained low as she brought it around underneath the knife to again stop just short of making contact with Erasmus. His hunting knife didn't have the length to block his full body, and Querylon capitalized on it.
She brought the blade up then and with a quick move of her wrist turned the move into a defensive maneuver to deflect his attack.
Querylon kept her sword hand and the blade high to meet Erasmus' blade instead of stopping the blade short of his shoulder. The blade of his knife clanged against Querylon's sword. Expecting another attack she turned her blade in a defensive manner but Erasmus stepped back and out of her reach for a moment.
”We were not quite done yet.” Querylon smiled over to Erasmus.
”Excuse me, but I smoke...” He grinned back at her.
She attempted a few dance steps then but Erasmus’s steps did not match hers at all. He dropped low, coiling his legs like a spring. He stopped the knife just before it would have sliced into her ankle.
The spring uncoiled and he spun twice, the second brought his knife blade to stop by Querylon's cheek.
”Well timed and well read.” Querylon had been unprepared to counter that particular attack.
”Well, I have been practicing in the Glen.” Erasmus dashed backwards and then leaped forward to slash through Querylon's defense, taking her completely by surprise with that move.
Then their blades crossed low and the sound of steel on steel rang out.
Querylon attempted another set of dance steps, but they only serve to take her further away from Erasmus. He would have missed the thrust had he been attempting to run Querylon through. She had stepped out of the way of his blade, therefore gaining the advantage.
Erasmus crouched and arched the knife toward Querylon's thigh. The round ended in a stalemate, and both of them would have made contact. A shadowed trade was not what she had intended, because the trade secured Erasmus the win, but their steps seemed to match better in this last round.
“That was very well dueled, my dear.” With a wriggle of her cute nose the blade was gone from Querylon’s hand and she offered a respectful bow of her head.
“You are a very skilled swordswoman. It was an honor to have dueled you finally, my sweet one.” Erasmus bowed, sheathing the large hunting knife as he did so. Then he stepped forward to embrace her. She returned the embrace despite color once again coming to her cheeks.
“You bested me fair and square just the same.” Querylon smiled up to him.
“What would you like to do now?” He just nodded as he led her out of the ring, one arm still wrapped around her.
“Something cool and wet would be welcome after the exertion, provided such is to be enjoyed in your company or while getting to watch you hone your skills some more.” She kept one arm around him as well as they left the ring and headed back toward the table.
Erasmus smiled down to her, but then gooseflesh crept all over his body, and his eyes glowed bright blue for a second before two bottles of water floated over from the bar area to settle on the table.
“Whoa...” He swooned a bit. “That is still very unnerving.”
”You performed magic.” Her eyes widened in surprise even as her arm around his waist offered support. “I would never have thought it possible.”
“Not me. Icedancer.” He gestured for her to sit, assuring her that he was okay to stand on his own. She gracefully slid into her seat, removing her arm from behind him in the process.
“That must be very unsettling for you, my dear.” Her eyes held concern as she looked to him.
“It is, yes.” Erasmus grabbed one of the bottles and opened it, then drank half of the water inside. The back of a hand wiped his mouth as he slid into his own seat next to her.
“Is there anything I might do to make the Ice Dancer easier on you?” Querylon reached for the other with a slender hand and moved it close in order to open it.
“I wouldn't have the slightest clue, dear. This is very new to me.” He shrugged.
”I never had to deal with any of those opals before either.” She brought up the water bottle for a sip, contemplating the issue. When she brought the bottle down again she had no more of an idea how to go about being a help to Erasmus with this than before, though.
“It isn't so bad, now that my body has stopped fighting it.” Erasmus nodded.
“It is probably best to let it do as it will and simply let the energy flow through you.” That seemed to be true for most magic energy.
”Sage advice, my dear.” Erasmus packed his pipe that he had pulled from his inner vest. With a smile she reached into her sleeve for the book of matches she had taken to keeping there. Then she tore a match from the book and struck it. Once the flame took, she carefully brought it over to the bowl of the pipe. He stoked the tobacco to a glowing ember, and then backed away from the flame. A tendril of smoke lifted from the pipe as he brought it away from his mouth to murmur the grateful comment. “Thank you.”
”You are very welcome.” She waved out the match and set it down and returned the book of matches to her sleeve.
”So, are we to sit here all night, or would you like to go have a real drink with me upstairs?” Erasmus spoke through teeth clenched around his pipe. Fragrant smoke trailed out with each word.
”A real drink upstairs sounds ever so tempting.” Querylon smiled to him. The queue had been closed for the evening and patrons were starting to leave the basement arena.
”Then, shall we?” He looked toward the stairs.
“We shall.” Querylon agreed and sat the water bottle on the table as she rose to her feet. Erasmus rose with her, taking his pipe into his left hand and offering her his right. She entrusted her hand into his with a warm smile for him. Then they headed up the old stairs. There was little she could do about her faded and mended green dueling gown, but Querylon removed the ribbon that had tied back her fiery curls and tucked into a sleeve.
Once they entered the inn they found that several of the duelers had the same idea as they, and their offered nods were returned as they walked to the bar, still hand in hand. The patrons currently seated at the bar did not appear overly scary or likely to start trouble.
“Let's sit there.” Erasmus pointed to two empty stools right next to each other. Once they were both seated, he turned to Rena who was standing on the tender side of the bar. “Are you tending tonight, Rena? Or are you just back there?”
”A good evening to you, Rena.” Querylon offered a smile to go with the greeting.
”Evening, Querylon. Hope the night sees you doing well.” Rena returned along with a nod to Erasmus.
” I appreciate you serving us, Rena. I could go for a mug of Red Orc, and a glass of whiskey.” Then he turned to Querylon. “What would you like, dear?”
“It is a wonderful night as I am getting to spend it in the most enjoyable company.” Querylon answered Rena with a sideway glance to Erasmus. He heard Querylon, but he tried his hardest not to let his cheeks redden. The she turned to Erasmus with a warm smile. “A snifter of brandy would be just the thing to relax with before returning home, thank you.”
Rena sat her glass down and went to prepare Erasmus’ order. Within no time at all had a mug of ale, a glass with a whiskey bottle and a snifter of brandy in front of the pair. “Enjoy:”
Querylon picked up the snifter of brandy, warming the brandy within by holding the bowl in her palm and swirling it gently. Erasmus set his pipe on the bar next to his mug, and then reached out to pour some whiskey into his glass. Querylon’s dark blue gaze lifted right back to Erasmus.
“A toast. To Lady Luck.” Erasmus looked down and met that gaze with his own icy blue eyes. He had the glass of whiskey held up in his hand.
”To Lady Luck.” Querylon brought the snifter up and, moving her fingers slightly, touched her glass to his before she brought hers up to her lips for a delicate sip.
“To us...” Erasmus added quietly before he lifted his own glass and downed the shot of whiskey in one smooth gulp.
”To us.” She whispered softly after having brought her glass down again and with another warm smile to Erasmus.
”I enjoyed getting to duel you tonight, dear.” He leaned over to kiss her chaste on the lips before he reached for his mug and took a swig.
”As have I.” Color came to her cheeks at the exchanged intimacy in so public a place and she lowered her gaze for a moment. The smile on her lips, though, left no doubt that she had enjoyed the caress.
“I do believe your eyes have changed over the last couple of weeks.” She remarked after some time of once again glancing up and into his eyes.
“How do you mean?” He lifted an eyebrow.
”They seem to be lighter in color somehow.” She gave a slight shrug, not knowing what exactly appeared to be different besides the hue. “Perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me?”
”I have noticed that as well. I just didn't think anyone else had.” He confirmed her observation.
”We have not been granted many opportunities to spend time together since that tournament.” The last time they had met she had not been entirely certain of the change, at least not certain enough to make mention of it, anyway.
”I know. Do you blame me for not being around more?” He swigged his ale.
”Perhaps just a little, but my time has been limited as well. As much as I would like to spend far more time in your company, we both have commitments and obligations neither of us may ignore.” She had not meant imply anything with her statement, only to explain why she had not mentioned the lighter, cooler color of his eyes before. But she would love to get to spend more time with him just the same.
“I am all yours tonight.” Erasmus nodded.
”I very much appreciate that.” She took another sip from her glass and then settled it to the counter before again looking to Erasmus with a soft smile. “Have you had time for anything to eat before you headed out this evening?”
”I have not eaten since earlier today, dear. Are you hungry?” He picked his pipe up and tucked it into its place in his vest.”
“Neither did I have the time for dinner this evening - yet. But I do have some roast and fixings left from yesterday that should make an edible late meal, provided you want to walk that far.” She nodded to him and her smile deepened. Few duelers ate before an evening of dueling. A full stomach just did not go well with the exertion of wielding a weapon for hours on end.
”I would be delighted to walk you home and share a meal.” Erasmus gave her wide smile and stood up.
“I do so enjoy our walks together.” Querylon slid off her chair and entrusted her hand into his.
”As do I, dear.” He led her out, hand in hand. “It is a wonderful night for walking, too.”
(2008)
Another week later Erasmus seemed to have somewhat recovered from having won Ice Dancer. He had met up with Querylon to enjoy an evening at the arena together.
“I think I'm gonna try my luck with a blade tonight, dear. What do you think?” Erasmus asked as he walked Querylon to a table near the rings.
”That is an excellent idea and a good night for doing just that. I hope to find an opportunity for a match as well.” Querylon offered a warm smile to Erasmus as he pulled out a chair for her. “Thank you, my dear.”
”Did you per chance think to bring along your sign that proclaims that you are looking for a match?” Querylon asked once they were both seated, mostly to distract from the commotion about a cobra that somehow had found its way into the basement.
A big grin crossed Erasmus’ face, and he looked down to Querylon at her question, but before he could reply the Overlord demanded everyone’s attention to let people know that the Rings of Honor ball was postponed. When the Overlord finished his announcement, Erasmus turned to Querylon again.
“Oh, you mean I don't get to go to a ball tonight?” He looked disappointed and then answered her question. “I sure didn't, but I think I am going to start bringing it. I suppose I'll just have to yell it out like everyone else.”
“I do not yell out. Perhaps that is why I get to duel so rarely.” She pondered that for a moment. But yelling out was just not her style. Then she gave Erasmus a warm smile. “It appears that those dances you have claimed will have to wait for a week.”
”It could be why, dear. Maybe you should ask someone.” Erasmus suggested with a smile.
“Perhaps I will just do that.” She nodded. “Would you do me the honor of a dance in the ring, Erasmus? It looks to be the only dancing we will get to do this evening.”
”You're challenging me?” He was surprised, not overconfident. “I suppose I could have that honor, yes.”
”We can make it a friendly match.” Querylon suggested with a smile. She had no desire to actually hit Erasmus with a blade.
“I wouldn't have it any other way.” He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.
“We should beg a ring of Corlanthis.” A light shade of pink came to her cheeks.
“The lady Querylon and I would like have a ring.” He spoke loudly toward the official after he had pulled away from Querylon with a nod.
“Then you and the Lady shall have one.” Corlanthis nodded over to Erasmus as he returned back to his couch and reseated himself.
“Let's have some fun in there.” Erasmus stood and offered his hand to Querylon. Hand in hand they walked over to the ring. Once they were standing each in their corner, Querylon wriggled her cute nose to bring her slender bladed sword to her right while Erasmus reached around his back for his bone handled hunting knife.
Once they had bowed and wished each other luck the duel started.
Querylon’s left lifted the skirt of her faded green dueling gown just enough to where she would not trip over the hem as she moved around the ring. Her right moved the slender bladed sword to describe a high arc as she stepped close, and stopped the blade a couple inches before it would have made contact had Erasmus not gone under her blade. He got within range to have struck but his left wrist flicked to the side so as not to stab Querylon, and he rolled off of her to stand at her side. Then he began to circle to the left.
Erasmus whirled with the blade, but his positioning would have been forfeit had Querylon wanted it to be. As it was she merely ducked low under the knife.
Though she stood up again, the tip of her blade remained low as she brought it around underneath the knife to again stop just short of making contact with Erasmus. His hunting knife didn't have the length to block his full body, and Querylon capitalized on it.
She brought the blade up then and with a quick move of her wrist turned the move into a defensive maneuver to deflect his attack.
Querylon kept her sword hand and the blade high to meet Erasmus' blade instead of stopping the blade short of his shoulder. The blade of his knife clanged against Querylon's sword. Expecting another attack she turned her blade in a defensive manner but Erasmus stepped back and out of her reach for a moment.
”We were not quite done yet.” Querylon smiled over to Erasmus.
”Excuse me, but I smoke...” He grinned back at her.
She attempted a few dance steps then but Erasmus’s steps did not match hers at all. He dropped low, coiling his legs like a spring. He stopped the knife just before it would have sliced into her ankle.
The spring uncoiled and he spun twice, the second brought his knife blade to stop by Querylon's cheek.
”Well timed and well read.” Querylon had been unprepared to counter that particular attack.
”Well, I have been practicing in the Glen.” Erasmus dashed backwards and then leaped forward to slash through Querylon's defense, taking her completely by surprise with that move.
Then their blades crossed low and the sound of steel on steel rang out.
Querylon attempted another set of dance steps, but they only serve to take her further away from Erasmus. He would have missed the thrust had he been attempting to run Querylon through. She had stepped out of the way of his blade, therefore gaining the advantage.
Erasmus crouched and arched the knife toward Querylon's thigh. The round ended in a stalemate, and both of them would have made contact. A shadowed trade was not what she had intended, because the trade secured Erasmus the win, but their steps seemed to match better in this last round.
“That was very well dueled, my dear.” With a wriggle of her cute nose the blade was gone from Querylon’s hand and she offered a respectful bow of her head.
“You are a very skilled swordswoman. It was an honor to have dueled you finally, my sweet one.” Erasmus bowed, sheathing the large hunting knife as he did so. Then he stepped forward to embrace her. She returned the embrace despite color once again coming to her cheeks.
“You bested me fair and square just the same.” Querylon smiled up to him.
“What would you like to do now?” He just nodded as he led her out of the ring, one arm still wrapped around her.
“Something cool and wet would be welcome after the exertion, provided such is to be enjoyed in your company or while getting to watch you hone your skills some more.” She kept one arm around him as well as they left the ring and headed back toward the table.
Erasmus smiled down to her, but then gooseflesh crept all over his body, and his eyes glowed bright blue for a second before two bottles of water floated over from the bar area to settle on the table.
“Whoa...” He swooned a bit. “That is still very unnerving.”
”You performed magic.” Her eyes widened in surprise even as her arm around his waist offered support. “I would never have thought it possible.”
“Not me. Icedancer.” He gestured for her to sit, assuring her that he was okay to stand on his own. She gracefully slid into her seat, removing her arm from behind him in the process.
“That must be very unsettling for you, my dear.” Her eyes held concern as she looked to him.
“It is, yes.” Erasmus grabbed one of the bottles and opened it, then drank half of the water inside. The back of a hand wiped his mouth as he slid into his own seat next to her.
“Is there anything I might do to make the Ice Dancer easier on you?” Querylon reached for the other with a slender hand and moved it close in order to open it.
“I wouldn't have the slightest clue, dear. This is very new to me.” He shrugged.
”I never had to deal with any of those opals before either.” She brought up the water bottle for a sip, contemplating the issue. When she brought the bottle down again she had no more of an idea how to go about being a help to Erasmus with this than before, though.
“It isn't so bad, now that my body has stopped fighting it.” Erasmus nodded.
“It is probably best to let it do as it will and simply let the energy flow through you.” That seemed to be true for most magic energy.
”Sage advice, my dear.” Erasmus packed his pipe that he had pulled from his inner vest. With a smile she reached into her sleeve for the book of matches she had taken to keeping there. Then she tore a match from the book and struck it. Once the flame took, she carefully brought it over to the bowl of the pipe. He stoked the tobacco to a glowing ember, and then backed away from the flame. A tendril of smoke lifted from the pipe as he brought it away from his mouth to murmur the grateful comment. “Thank you.”
”You are very welcome.” She waved out the match and set it down and returned the book of matches to her sleeve.
”So, are we to sit here all night, or would you like to go have a real drink with me upstairs?” Erasmus spoke through teeth clenched around his pipe. Fragrant smoke trailed out with each word.
”A real drink upstairs sounds ever so tempting.” Querylon smiled to him. The queue had been closed for the evening and patrons were starting to leave the basement arena.
”Then, shall we?” He looked toward the stairs.
“We shall.” Querylon agreed and sat the water bottle on the table as she rose to her feet. Erasmus rose with her, taking his pipe into his left hand and offering her his right. She entrusted her hand into his with a warm smile for him. Then they headed up the old stairs. There was little she could do about her faded and mended green dueling gown, but Querylon removed the ribbon that had tied back her fiery curls and tucked into a sleeve.
Once they entered the inn they found that several of the duelers had the same idea as they, and their offered nods were returned as they walked to the bar, still hand in hand. The patrons currently seated at the bar did not appear overly scary or likely to start trouble.
“Let's sit there.” Erasmus pointed to two empty stools right next to each other. Once they were both seated, he turned to Rena who was standing on the tender side of the bar. “Are you tending tonight, Rena? Or are you just back there?”
”A good evening to you, Rena.” Querylon offered a smile to go with the greeting.
”Evening, Querylon. Hope the night sees you doing well.” Rena returned along with a nod to Erasmus.
” I appreciate you serving us, Rena. I could go for a mug of Red Orc, and a glass of whiskey.” Then he turned to Querylon. “What would you like, dear?”
“It is a wonderful night as I am getting to spend it in the most enjoyable company.” Querylon answered Rena with a sideway glance to Erasmus. He heard Querylon, but he tried his hardest not to let his cheeks redden. The she turned to Erasmus with a warm smile. “A snifter of brandy would be just the thing to relax with before returning home, thank you.”
Rena sat her glass down and went to prepare Erasmus’ order. Within no time at all had a mug of ale, a glass with a whiskey bottle and a snifter of brandy in front of the pair. “Enjoy:”
Querylon picked up the snifter of brandy, warming the brandy within by holding the bowl in her palm and swirling it gently. Erasmus set his pipe on the bar next to his mug, and then reached out to pour some whiskey into his glass. Querylon’s dark blue gaze lifted right back to Erasmus.
“A toast. To Lady Luck.” Erasmus looked down and met that gaze with his own icy blue eyes. He had the glass of whiskey held up in his hand.
”To Lady Luck.” Querylon brought the snifter up and, moving her fingers slightly, touched her glass to his before she brought hers up to her lips for a delicate sip.
“To us...” Erasmus added quietly before he lifted his own glass and downed the shot of whiskey in one smooth gulp.
”To us.” She whispered softly after having brought her glass down again and with another warm smile to Erasmus.
”I enjoyed getting to duel you tonight, dear.” He leaned over to kiss her chaste on the lips before he reached for his mug and took a swig.
”As have I.” Color came to her cheeks at the exchanged intimacy in so public a place and she lowered her gaze for a moment. The smile on her lips, though, left no doubt that she had enjoyed the caress.
“I do believe your eyes have changed over the last couple of weeks.” She remarked after some time of once again glancing up and into his eyes.
“How do you mean?” He lifted an eyebrow.
”They seem to be lighter in color somehow.” She gave a slight shrug, not knowing what exactly appeared to be different besides the hue. “Perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me?”
”I have noticed that as well. I just didn't think anyone else had.” He confirmed her observation.
”We have not been granted many opportunities to spend time together since that tournament.” The last time they had met she had not been entirely certain of the change, at least not certain enough to make mention of it, anyway.
”I know. Do you blame me for not being around more?” He swigged his ale.
”Perhaps just a little, but my time has been limited as well. As much as I would like to spend far more time in your company, we both have commitments and obligations neither of us may ignore.” She had not meant imply anything with her statement, only to explain why she had not mentioned the lighter, cooler color of his eyes before. But she would love to get to spend more time with him just the same.
“I am all yours tonight.” Erasmus nodded.
”I very much appreciate that.” She took another sip from her glass and then settled it to the counter before again looking to Erasmus with a soft smile. “Have you had time for anything to eat before you headed out this evening?”
”I have not eaten since earlier today, dear. Are you hungry?” He picked his pipe up and tucked it into its place in his vest.”
“Neither did I have the time for dinner this evening - yet. But I do have some roast and fixings left from yesterday that should make an edible late meal, provided you want to walk that far.” She nodded to him and her smile deepened. Few duelers ate before an evening of dueling. A full stomach just did not go well with the exertion of wielding a weapon for hours on end.
”I would be delighted to walk you home and share a meal.” Erasmus gave her wide smile and stood up.
“I do so enjoy our walks together.” Querylon slid off her chair and entrusted her hand into his.
”As do I, dear.” He led her out, hand in hand. “It is a wonderful night for walking, too.”
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Leftover Roast
(2008)
Querylon and Erasmus did not talk about anything in particular as they walked hand in hand along the streets of Rhydin, but simply enjoyed that they were walking next to each other and the balm of the summer evening. No clouds darkened the starry sky and the soft breeze, barely noticeable at all, was warm.
“Please darling, just have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Dinner just needs warming up and the tea is already brewed.” Querylon declined the offer to help Erasmus had made the moment they had walked into her kitchen. “Perhaps you would enjoy your pipe until we may eat?”
"That sounds good, dear." Erasmus complied with Querylon's offer to have a seat, and to smoke his pipe while she heated the meal. He reached into the inner pocket of his vest, pulling the long-stemmed pipe and a pouch full of his strong-scented tobacco. The pipe was set on the table's surface as he reached into the pouch and pulled a pinch of the aromatic leaf out. After rolling the dried substance into a ball between his thumb and forefingers, Erasmus stuffed the bowl of the pipe with it.
As Erasmus placed the mouthpiece between his teeth a thought popped up, and he looked to Querylon. "Would you happen to have some more of that fine tea that compliments the pungency of my tobacco, dear? I rather enjoyed that."
“Of course I still have that.” She had pulled the roast, vegetables and potatoes over the heat and promptly fetched two cups from the hutch and poured the tea. She smiled, pleased that he had remembered the tea from last time and glad that was the same kind she had prepared for this evening. She set the cups on the table then, one right in front of Erasmus.
“There you go, darling, enjoy. I’ll be right back.” With that she walked over to the pantry to fetch the bread she had baked that morning to go with the meal. One the spur of the moment she also grabbed up the bottle of wine she had used in the preparation of the roast. It was still slightly more than half full. She returned a moment later and with a warm smile to Erasmus set both down on the table.
He pulled the pipe stem from his mouth and lifted the cup of hot tea to his lips. After taking a hefty sip, he set the cup back down. It was about that time that the wine and bread were set on the table. Erasmus reached out to Querylon and fetched her wrist. He gently pulled her to him, then laid a kiss on her lips.
"We've barely known each other these past couple of months, and yet, I feel like we have met well before that evening in the Glen. I would still like to learn more about you and your craft though." Erasmus had released her wrist after the kiss, and now that same hand stuck his pipe back into his mouth with a 'click' as he clamped his teeth around the stem. He began to stoke to the smoldering tobacco into a glowing ember again.
Though Erasmus no longer held her wrist, she remained right where she was for the moment. She nodded lightly to his statements. They had managed to learn more of each other in those months then she knew of anyone or anyone knew of her she had known for years. When he asked about her magic her smile deepened. She knew that the use of magic in his proximity made him physically uncomfortable. That gave his persistence in asking deeper meaning.
“The healing herbs can be made pretty potent all by themselves, so long as they are handled correctly. Making the medicines and potions is not all that magical. It is mostly precision and patience and not in the least exciting. I learned a little of that in the still room at Saint Martin’s, and a lot more later from books and going out looking for what was described in those books. Just sometimes a plant or a part of one is desperately needed when it is utterly out of season. Being able to hasten the life of such a one for a little while can be very useful. Sometimes a little of that plant’s energy can be coaxed into a potion.”
She moved over to the stove then to check and on the pots there. It would be a shame if she let their dinner burn because of being distracted by Erasmus and him having kissed her or by talking of what was such a huge part of her life and of who she was.
“Now as then I like the walking over fields and through forests to gather the plants the best. At some time it was because plants do not talk nor do they expect you to talk, and they certainly don’t give you hurtful looks. Now it is because it is familiar and peaceful. There is always so much to see and to learn, too, if one knows what to look for. Some plants can tell quite a story. At times in the past I managed to get myself lost for weeks at a time. I mean, I always where I was, I just did not come home.”
“Do you think you might enjoy coming with me some time when I go out to find some herbs?” Querylon had turned around to look to Erasmus as she posed the question, leaving the spoon in the pot. Now her dark blue eyes held a careful hope as she waited for his reply. Her cheeks held a faint glow, in part from the heat of the stove, but also from remembered hikes. The rosy glow darkened lightly as her gaze fell to his lips.
Erasmus looked up from watching her stir the roast. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as he had noticed the rosy tint of her cheeks. "I would be honored to help you search for herbs. I'm afraid I do not know a lot of the herbs indigenous to Rhydin though. So, you would have to show me what I would be looking for, or at least describe it to me." Erasmus took a pull from his pipe, and a cloud of smoke filled the upper part of the room. Tendrils of it could be seen drifting through a beam of light that shone, cutting a diagonal path across the room.
"Is dinner almost ready, dear?" he asked. "I am rather hungry, and the smell of that roast is intoxicating." A big, warm smile followed his statement.
Her eyes shone and her face lit up as he accepted her invitation, not just because he accepted but because how quickly he had answered. It didn’t matter in the least if he could tell bone knit from lion’s tooth or not.
“Yes, it is ready.” She proceeded to fish the potatoes from one pot into a bowl and then moved the bowl and the pot with the roast and vegetables from the stove to the table, setting a trivet under the pot.
“Please, do get started.” Querylon gave him a warm smile as she sat down in the chair next to his.
Erasmus gently set his pipe on the table, then with the same hand scooped up his cup of tea and took a swig. Settling back in his chair, Erasmus' gaze lingered on Querylon as she made herself comfortable. He was just admiring her profile in the waning light with a warm smile on his face.
"Taksefog", he thanked her formally in his native tongue.
Erasmus waited for Querylon to portion out her own plate before he would even think about reaching for a utensil. He just sat back with his tea and pondered on how lucky he was to have met this wonderful woman.
“You are welcome.” She smiled up and over to him once they both had their plates filled and before she picked up her fork. “Go ahead and enjoy, darling. You did say you were hungry, did you not?”
The meat seemed to melt once it touched his tongue and in doing so released a full palate of flavors. The root vegetables, onions, and mushrooms she had cooked in the same pot and the beef complimented each other. The small potatoes were a welcome contrast.
Erasmus sighed as his taste buds exalted in the meal. He hadn't eaten all day, and he usually didn't get to enjoy a home cooked meal anyway. He was always eating at the Inn and the Great Helm. This was just what he needed.
"Mmmm, " he uttered after swallowing that first bite. Erasmus looked over at Querylon to see if she was enjoying it as much as he.
"This is delicious, dear. Simply phenomenal," he said with a smile.
He returned to eating the rest of his meal. Querylon acknowledged his compliment with a nod and a smile and was content to let the meal pass in companionable silence. The wine was left untouched, both enjoying the tea instead.
When she was finished eating she leaned back in her chair with her tea cup in her hand. She watched Erasmus as he finished the last few bites over the rim of her cup as she sipped from it.
Erasmus wiped his chin with his kerchief, then tilted back his glass and finished the last of his tea. He looked up to see Querylon looking at him.
"What?"
"I enjoy sitting at the table next to you, as well. As you already know, I am very fond of this house..."
Erasmus sat back and began to pack another bowl of tobacco in his pipe. Remembering that wine was also on the table, he stopped what he was doing to reach for his glass. There wasn't much in it, so he tilted it back and swallowed what was in it.
"You aren't very talkative this evening, dear. Is there something on your mind?" He had to ask, even though the night had gone so well. There was just something in her eye.
“What do you mean by you are very fond of this house?” She decided not to comment on his remark about being talkative or not. While dinner had passed quietly, she had been talking far more than he prior to sitting down to enjoy the meal.
"I mean that I have grown fond of your cottage," he answered.
"It is just that your home is what I had dreamt of while living most of my life in a pitched tent. When at war, a man's dreams are a great escape. You and this place have sort of become my escape. I wanted a serene little place outside of town..." he stopped there. Erasmus was almost certain she could understand. It was his version of her hikes.
For a moment she had feared he was going to offer to buy the house from her, even though he had as of yet just seen her kitchen and porch. He had never before stayed long enough to even ask for the convenience. But his including her presence in the house to explain his fondness for the house made clear that was not on his mind at all.
"I am glad to know that you have come to think of me and my home as just that. You are, of course, welcome to visit any time you would like." Her smile to him was warm and inviting. She had offered that invitation before, though, and he knew that she did not lock the door.
"Then, I will take you up on that most generous offer." He smiled warmly in return as he leaned toward her. His lips touched hers, and they just seemed to meld together. Their lips dancing a dance that no ball they could go to would ever match.
(2008)
Querylon and Erasmus did not talk about anything in particular as they walked hand in hand along the streets of Rhydin, but simply enjoyed that they were walking next to each other and the balm of the summer evening. No clouds darkened the starry sky and the soft breeze, barely noticeable at all, was warm.
“Please darling, just have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Dinner just needs warming up and the tea is already brewed.” Querylon declined the offer to help Erasmus had made the moment they had walked into her kitchen. “Perhaps you would enjoy your pipe until we may eat?”
"That sounds good, dear." Erasmus complied with Querylon's offer to have a seat, and to smoke his pipe while she heated the meal. He reached into the inner pocket of his vest, pulling the long-stemmed pipe and a pouch full of his strong-scented tobacco. The pipe was set on the table's surface as he reached into the pouch and pulled a pinch of the aromatic leaf out. After rolling the dried substance into a ball between his thumb and forefingers, Erasmus stuffed the bowl of the pipe with it.
As Erasmus placed the mouthpiece between his teeth a thought popped up, and he looked to Querylon. "Would you happen to have some more of that fine tea that compliments the pungency of my tobacco, dear? I rather enjoyed that."
“Of course I still have that.” She had pulled the roast, vegetables and potatoes over the heat and promptly fetched two cups from the hutch and poured the tea. She smiled, pleased that he had remembered the tea from last time and glad that was the same kind she had prepared for this evening. She set the cups on the table then, one right in front of Erasmus.
“There you go, darling, enjoy. I’ll be right back.” With that she walked over to the pantry to fetch the bread she had baked that morning to go with the meal. One the spur of the moment she also grabbed up the bottle of wine she had used in the preparation of the roast. It was still slightly more than half full. She returned a moment later and with a warm smile to Erasmus set both down on the table.
He pulled the pipe stem from his mouth and lifted the cup of hot tea to his lips. After taking a hefty sip, he set the cup back down. It was about that time that the wine and bread were set on the table. Erasmus reached out to Querylon and fetched her wrist. He gently pulled her to him, then laid a kiss on her lips.
"We've barely known each other these past couple of months, and yet, I feel like we have met well before that evening in the Glen. I would still like to learn more about you and your craft though." Erasmus had released her wrist after the kiss, and now that same hand stuck his pipe back into his mouth with a 'click' as he clamped his teeth around the stem. He began to stoke to the smoldering tobacco into a glowing ember again.
Though Erasmus no longer held her wrist, she remained right where she was for the moment. She nodded lightly to his statements. They had managed to learn more of each other in those months then she knew of anyone or anyone knew of her she had known for years. When he asked about her magic her smile deepened. She knew that the use of magic in his proximity made him physically uncomfortable. That gave his persistence in asking deeper meaning.
“The healing herbs can be made pretty potent all by themselves, so long as they are handled correctly. Making the medicines and potions is not all that magical. It is mostly precision and patience and not in the least exciting. I learned a little of that in the still room at Saint Martin’s, and a lot more later from books and going out looking for what was described in those books. Just sometimes a plant or a part of one is desperately needed when it is utterly out of season. Being able to hasten the life of such a one for a little while can be very useful. Sometimes a little of that plant’s energy can be coaxed into a potion.”
She moved over to the stove then to check and on the pots there. It would be a shame if she let their dinner burn because of being distracted by Erasmus and him having kissed her or by talking of what was such a huge part of her life and of who she was.
“Now as then I like the walking over fields and through forests to gather the plants the best. At some time it was because plants do not talk nor do they expect you to talk, and they certainly don’t give you hurtful looks. Now it is because it is familiar and peaceful. There is always so much to see and to learn, too, if one knows what to look for. Some plants can tell quite a story. At times in the past I managed to get myself lost for weeks at a time. I mean, I always where I was, I just did not come home.”
“Do you think you might enjoy coming with me some time when I go out to find some herbs?” Querylon had turned around to look to Erasmus as she posed the question, leaving the spoon in the pot. Now her dark blue eyes held a careful hope as she waited for his reply. Her cheeks held a faint glow, in part from the heat of the stove, but also from remembered hikes. The rosy glow darkened lightly as her gaze fell to his lips.
Erasmus looked up from watching her stir the roast. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as he had noticed the rosy tint of her cheeks. "I would be honored to help you search for herbs. I'm afraid I do not know a lot of the herbs indigenous to Rhydin though. So, you would have to show me what I would be looking for, or at least describe it to me." Erasmus took a pull from his pipe, and a cloud of smoke filled the upper part of the room. Tendrils of it could be seen drifting through a beam of light that shone, cutting a diagonal path across the room.
"Is dinner almost ready, dear?" he asked. "I am rather hungry, and the smell of that roast is intoxicating." A big, warm smile followed his statement.
Her eyes shone and her face lit up as he accepted her invitation, not just because he accepted but because how quickly he had answered. It didn’t matter in the least if he could tell bone knit from lion’s tooth or not.
“Yes, it is ready.” She proceeded to fish the potatoes from one pot into a bowl and then moved the bowl and the pot with the roast and vegetables from the stove to the table, setting a trivet under the pot.
“Please, do get started.” Querylon gave him a warm smile as she sat down in the chair next to his.
Erasmus gently set his pipe on the table, then with the same hand scooped up his cup of tea and took a swig. Settling back in his chair, Erasmus' gaze lingered on Querylon as she made herself comfortable. He was just admiring her profile in the waning light with a warm smile on his face.
"Taksefog", he thanked her formally in his native tongue.
Erasmus waited for Querylon to portion out her own plate before he would even think about reaching for a utensil. He just sat back with his tea and pondered on how lucky he was to have met this wonderful woman.
“You are welcome.” She smiled up and over to him once they both had their plates filled and before she picked up her fork. “Go ahead and enjoy, darling. You did say you were hungry, did you not?”
The meat seemed to melt once it touched his tongue and in doing so released a full palate of flavors. The root vegetables, onions, and mushrooms she had cooked in the same pot and the beef complimented each other. The small potatoes were a welcome contrast.
Erasmus sighed as his taste buds exalted in the meal. He hadn't eaten all day, and he usually didn't get to enjoy a home cooked meal anyway. He was always eating at the Inn and the Great Helm. This was just what he needed.
"Mmmm, " he uttered after swallowing that first bite. Erasmus looked over at Querylon to see if she was enjoying it as much as he.
"This is delicious, dear. Simply phenomenal," he said with a smile.
He returned to eating the rest of his meal. Querylon acknowledged his compliment with a nod and a smile and was content to let the meal pass in companionable silence. The wine was left untouched, both enjoying the tea instead.
When she was finished eating she leaned back in her chair with her tea cup in her hand. She watched Erasmus as he finished the last few bites over the rim of her cup as she sipped from it.
Erasmus wiped his chin with his kerchief, then tilted back his glass and finished the last of his tea. He looked up to see Querylon looking at him.
"What?"
"I enjoy sitting at the table next to you, as well. As you already know, I am very fond of this house..."
Erasmus sat back and began to pack another bowl of tobacco in his pipe. Remembering that wine was also on the table, he stopped what he was doing to reach for his glass. There wasn't much in it, so he tilted it back and swallowed what was in it.
"You aren't very talkative this evening, dear. Is there something on your mind?" He had to ask, even though the night had gone so well. There was just something in her eye.
“What do you mean by you are very fond of this house?” She decided not to comment on his remark about being talkative or not. While dinner had passed quietly, she had been talking far more than he prior to sitting down to enjoy the meal.
"I mean that I have grown fond of your cottage," he answered.
"It is just that your home is what I had dreamt of while living most of my life in a pitched tent. When at war, a man's dreams are a great escape. You and this place have sort of become my escape. I wanted a serene little place outside of town..." he stopped there. Erasmus was almost certain she could understand. It was his version of her hikes.
For a moment she had feared he was going to offer to buy the house from her, even though he had as of yet just seen her kitchen and porch. He had never before stayed long enough to even ask for the convenience. But his including her presence in the house to explain his fondness for the house made clear that was not on his mind at all.
"I am glad to know that you have come to think of me and my home as just that. You are, of course, welcome to visit any time you would like." Her smile to him was warm and inviting. She had offered that invitation before, though, and he knew that she did not lock the door.
"Then, I will take you up on that most generous offer." He smiled warmly in return as he leaned toward her. His lips touched hers, and they just seemed to meld together. Their lips dancing a dance that no ball they could go to would ever match.
-
Querylon
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:31 pm
- Location: Rhydin, Forest Street
Not Dinner
(June 2009)
Querylon left the isle with Vinny and followed his lead through the portal of his making, They came out in the lobby of the hotel. The lobby was pretty much empty this time of night. Vinny looked at the girl working the desk and flashed her a signal, telling her it was time to have dinner sent up as he led Querylon to the elevator. She quietly entered the elevator, her thoughts were anything but quiet though. This would be the first in a very long time that she'd enter Vinny's apartment. For a brief time the apartmehad been her home, too, and she had been happy there. Now she would once again enter it as no more than a guest.
Vinny did not offer any conversation either. As soon as the elevator stopped he led the way out into the hallway and into his apartment. He slipped off his shoes and went into the kitchen.
"Did you want anything to drink?"
"Yes, I would, thank you. Spell casting does have a way of making one thirsty." Querylon followed part of the way, but remained just outside the kitchen.
"Water, wine, something in between?" Vinny asked as he pulled out a couple of glasses.
"Watered wine is an excellent suggestion, thank you."
Her reply got a light chuckle out of him. He pulled down a nice bottle of a light riesling and poured it for them, and then brought her glass to her.
"Here. So....where should we start?"
"Where would you prefer to start?" Querylon accepted the glass with a slight nod of thanks.
"I'm not sure. I filled you in on some things the other night, but I don't know what else you wanted to discuss." Vinny sat down in the nearest chair.
"I am not all that certain what I want to discuss either." Querylon took the seat oposite Vinny and took a sip from her glass before she looked to Vinny again. She had pondered his reasons for the dinner invitation since he had offered it after telling her that he had been replaced inside his own body without anyone the wiser shortly after they had married. "Of course I have thought about what to ask ever since you invited me for dinner. But now I am not sure those questions I have come up with are still apropriate to ask."
"To me, I guess, it was just dinner and a chance to talk, set things straight, and move on with some closure." Vinny looked down for a moment.
"Are you saying that you were okay with finding yourself divorced upon your return?" The dinner invitation made less sense to Querylon the more Vinny talked.
"I already knew about it beforehand. I could see everything he did. I just couldn't influence his actions."
"How did you, how are you feeling and thinking about the events you merely witnessed but could not influence?" There had been plenty of closure, Querylon thought, and if he had witnessed the events, there should have been planty of it for Vinny, too.
"Angry. Upset that a large protion of my life got thrown out, and I was left holding the sack upon my return. I imagine you would be the same if it happened to you."
"Had such happened to me, I would feel angry at my double, compassion toward you, and it would have been very painful to know that you would not be there should I ever be able to make it back. And I would hope that you would listen to me upon my return and believe this rather unbelievable story and that you would be willing to start from where I had been stolen away without anyone's knowledge." Her voice remained even and detached. She already guessed that Vinny had no such notions, not with him having arrived on the isle earlier that evening with a date.
"And therein lies my problem. Having seen what I've seen, and having years to think about it, I don't think I should be in any sort of serious relationship for the time being. I wasn't exactly a good husband, even while I was around."
Querylon was silent for a moment, then set down her glass. Her usually so open and very readable face was kept entirely blank. If there was one thing she had learned over the years it was how to do that. If there was a glint of any emotion in her eyes, it was gone once she released the glass.
"I cannot see this problem you mention. It appears to me that all of your problems have been solved for you by your replacement." Querylon was less sure if she blieved his fantastic story now than when she had first of it.
"Let me guess. The way you see it, he's gone, I'm back, things can go back to the way they were?"
"That they can not, not by that fact that you are returned alone. But as you are happy with the result, however angry you may be with how the result was achieved, that line of thought is entirely pointless, is it not?" To her, this man currently seated across from her had far more smilarities in his manner and speach to the one he anted her to believe was a replacement than to the man who she had fallen in love with and married.
"I'm not happy with the result, more of a realization that maybe it was a bit foolhardy of me to begin with." Vinny sighed.
"Why did you ask me for dinner?" Querylon wondered if this current version of Vinny was even aware of just how insulting he was.
"To at least attempt to put us on the same page. So we don't feel awkward around each other in public. To do this in order to help get my life back in order. Vinny sighed, slumping forward a little.
"Appearantly the Vinny I met all those years ago, the one who knew to be kind, generous, patient, thoughtful, persistant, in love has disappeared for good. The cheating, cruel, mean, thoughtless, blatant, insulting, selfish, only loving himself Vinny that was his replacement may have left, but right now you do not appear the original returned." Querylon had not felt awkward at any of their meetings in public in ages. Vinny should have left things as they were.
"Indeed. I fear that Vinny you first met is gone for good. The fragment in front of you is what is left after his experiences. Older, perhaps wiser, and certainly more cynical about life."
"Not so much wiser if that fragment thought to gain anything from this dinner invitation. In fact, from this side of the table it appears much like a cruel thing the one you say is gone would have come up with."
"I'm done. For better or worse." Vinny threw up his hands and shook his head.
Querylon agreed. He was done, and done in more than one sense. That he should use the phrase that was part of a marriage agreement struck her as comical and very briefly a small smile rushed over her lips as she rose.
"You should have let matters alone. Do not kid yourself into having become wiser over the years."
Vinny pursed his lips, staying silent. Anything more said at this point would make matters worse. The beatiful red-head turned to leave, back straight, head held heigh, with measured steps, and pointedly without bidding a good night. Vinny would have to eat his dinner without her company. If he thought their meetings in public awkward before, he would likely meet the real awkward in the future. Vinny sighed as he stood. He walked back into the kitchen and dumped what was left of his glass into the sink.
"Well, botched that one. Much like you did everything with that woman."
(June 2009)
Querylon left the isle with Vinny and followed his lead through the portal of his making, They came out in the lobby of the hotel. The lobby was pretty much empty this time of night. Vinny looked at the girl working the desk and flashed her a signal, telling her it was time to have dinner sent up as he led Querylon to the elevator. She quietly entered the elevator, her thoughts were anything but quiet though. This would be the first in a very long time that she'd enter Vinny's apartment. For a brief time the apartmehad been her home, too, and she had been happy there. Now she would once again enter it as no more than a guest.
Vinny did not offer any conversation either. As soon as the elevator stopped he led the way out into the hallway and into his apartment. He slipped off his shoes and went into the kitchen.
"Did you want anything to drink?"
"Yes, I would, thank you. Spell casting does have a way of making one thirsty." Querylon followed part of the way, but remained just outside the kitchen.
"Water, wine, something in between?" Vinny asked as he pulled out a couple of glasses.
"Watered wine is an excellent suggestion, thank you."
Her reply got a light chuckle out of him. He pulled down a nice bottle of a light riesling and poured it for them, and then brought her glass to her.
"Here. So....where should we start?"
"Where would you prefer to start?" Querylon accepted the glass with a slight nod of thanks.
"I'm not sure. I filled you in on some things the other night, but I don't know what else you wanted to discuss." Vinny sat down in the nearest chair.
"I am not all that certain what I want to discuss either." Querylon took the seat oposite Vinny and took a sip from her glass before she looked to Vinny again. She had pondered his reasons for the dinner invitation since he had offered it after telling her that he had been replaced inside his own body without anyone the wiser shortly after they had married. "Of course I have thought about what to ask ever since you invited me for dinner. But now I am not sure those questions I have come up with are still apropriate to ask."
"To me, I guess, it was just dinner and a chance to talk, set things straight, and move on with some closure." Vinny looked down for a moment.
"Are you saying that you were okay with finding yourself divorced upon your return?" The dinner invitation made less sense to Querylon the more Vinny talked.
"I already knew about it beforehand. I could see everything he did. I just couldn't influence his actions."
"How did you, how are you feeling and thinking about the events you merely witnessed but could not influence?" There had been plenty of closure, Querylon thought, and if he had witnessed the events, there should have been planty of it for Vinny, too.
"Angry. Upset that a large protion of my life got thrown out, and I was left holding the sack upon my return. I imagine you would be the same if it happened to you."
"Had such happened to me, I would feel angry at my double, compassion toward you, and it would have been very painful to know that you would not be there should I ever be able to make it back. And I would hope that you would listen to me upon my return and believe this rather unbelievable story and that you would be willing to start from where I had been stolen away without anyone's knowledge." Her voice remained even and detached. She already guessed that Vinny had no such notions, not with him having arrived on the isle earlier that evening with a date.
"And therein lies my problem. Having seen what I've seen, and having years to think about it, I don't think I should be in any sort of serious relationship for the time being. I wasn't exactly a good husband, even while I was around."
Querylon was silent for a moment, then set down her glass. Her usually so open and very readable face was kept entirely blank. If there was one thing she had learned over the years it was how to do that. If there was a glint of any emotion in her eyes, it was gone once she released the glass.
"I cannot see this problem you mention. It appears to me that all of your problems have been solved for you by your replacement." Querylon was less sure if she blieved his fantastic story now than when she had first of it.
"Let me guess. The way you see it, he's gone, I'm back, things can go back to the way they were?"
"That they can not, not by that fact that you are returned alone. But as you are happy with the result, however angry you may be with how the result was achieved, that line of thought is entirely pointless, is it not?" To her, this man currently seated across from her had far more smilarities in his manner and speach to the one he anted her to believe was a replacement than to the man who she had fallen in love with and married.
"I'm not happy with the result, more of a realization that maybe it was a bit foolhardy of me to begin with." Vinny sighed.
"Why did you ask me for dinner?" Querylon wondered if this current version of Vinny was even aware of just how insulting he was.
"To at least attempt to put us on the same page. So we don't feel awkward around each other in public. To do this in order to help get my life back in order. Vinny sighed, slumping forward a little.
"Appearantly the Vinny I met all those years ago, the one who knew to be kind, generous, patient, thoughtful, persistant, in love has disappeared for good. The cheating, cruel, mean, thoughtless, blatant, insulting, selfish, only loving himself Vinny that was his replacement may have left, but right now you do not appear the original returned." Querylon had not felt awkward at any of their meetings in public in ages. Vinny should have left things as they were.
"Indeed. I fear that Vinny you first met is gone for good. The fragment in front of you is what is left after his experiences. Older, perhaps wiser, and certainly more cynical about life."
"Not so much wiser if that fragment thought to gain anything from this dinner invitation. In fact, from this side of the table it appears much like a cruel thing the one you say is gone would have come up with."
"I'm done. For better or worse." Vinny threw up his hands and shook his head.
Querylon agreed. He was done, and done in more than one sense. That he should use the phrase that was part of a marriage agreement struck her as comical and very briefly a small smile rushed over her lips as she rose.
"You should have let matters alone. Do not kid yourself into having become wiser over the years."
Vinny pursed his lips, staying silent. Anything more said at this point would make matters worse. The beatiful red-head turned to leave, back straight, head held heigh, with measured steps, and pointedly without bidding a good night. Vinny would have to eat his dinner without her company. If he thought their meetings in public awkward before, he would likely meet the real awkward in the future. Vinny sighed as he stood. He walked back into the kitchen and dumped what was left of his glass into the sink.
"Well, botched that one. Much like you did everything with that woman."
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests