The Good Ole Days

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

Inside the Castle, the Great Hall had been taken over by the soldiers, Court Mages, archivists and other court digniteries who had journeyed up from the Royal City. The Duke had been swift to crack the whip, getting the servants to work to prepare a feast that would rival something they could have made if they'd had warning.

The highest authority was Marson, brother to the King himself, accumpanied by Carith, the Archmage, the position traditionally held by the second most powerful Mage - only excluding the Oracle, who's power was unknown, and who answered only to the Monarch. Two of the King's War council were in attendence, swapping meat and mead, away ni their own world.

"We really were not expecting you." The Dutchess pushed, her eyes narrow as ever.

"A lost bird, no doubt." The Duke smiled. He had to do something to quench that look of disgust from Marson's face. The man was a few years his junior, and a withered thing. He had played with him in the halls of this very court when they were boys. He and the now King had bullied him.

Now, of course, Marson relished his power.

"You shall have to answer for it, of course. Though I shall consider being linient." Marson smiled. The Duke smiled in return, concealing any thoughts of violence. "Though we have other matters to discuss."

"We do?"

"Indeed, MiLord. We have war." One of the Council spoke then. He was a broad-shouldered, bearded man, holding a ham bone like a quill as he explained. "The King's wanting men from every Dutchy. A thousand at the least, five if you want to stay on his good side."

"The King and I are old friends actually, near brothers." The Duke added, forgetting his suprise at the news in order to keep his pride.

"And I /am/ his Brother." Marson was ever-smiling.

I'm going to let you run with this one-I suspect you have an idea of what you'd like to do with it

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

It was the the sudden shift which caught Tahl the most. One moment, deep in slumber, the next a grassy field, familar to him. It was the oddest sensation-he was almost an objective viewer to his own viewpoint. He watched as he played with Jon, a childhood friend. He was tumbling with him, the way boys do at nine years of age. Jon was being a little more aggressive than usual, and that brought Tahl flooding back.

NO! I don't wish to recall this! Yet he had no choice. There was Jon, rubbing dirt in his face, though more in play than real malice. He listened to himself to tell Jon to stop it. He didn't like it. Jon kept on, not heeding the words. He could feel the anger burning in him.

Stop! No, not this! Not this memory! Stop it Tahl! He told himself, but he was a ghostin his own memory. The rubbing continued. At this point some children might lash out, throw a punch, or push off.

Instead, /it/ came then. Like a bird of fire, it screeched across the yard, the fire was all It smashed into Jon, extingusihing on contact, but Jon screamed in pain. Tahl could not look away, for everywhere he turned, he saw his memory. Jon, face and skin red and blistered, screaming....


Tahl shot up on the cot with a yell. Panting he could feel sweat, as though the bird even now flew too close to him; perhaps it did.

"A firebird. Those are rare for summoners." Yuir clenched his hand, it was inflamed slightly. "Most conjour up a small Gobline, or maybe a hound." He pushed Tahl back down with a surprising gentleness. Was this concern from the old man? "Easy boy, just relax. No wonder The Duke wants to keep use you."

"Jon, I never forgave myself. Everyone put it up burning himself making a fire. Even he never knew what it was." Tahl said, whether to himself or Yuir he did not know. Immediately he felt slumber again. He fought it this time, not wishing to return.

"Rest Tahl. I will do no more for now. Rest." Tahl relaxed.

Yuir watched him slumber, lost in thought.

[Luya Sevrein]

I don't mind, honestly. I'd rather you joined in or else I may as well be writing my WIP all lonely and with block. xDD

---

The Duke was perplexed, and clearly unerved. He looked on as the music and festivities rose around him, no one had expected a celebration or knew why they were having one. "How long do I have?"

"A moon's turn, most likely less." The other War General informed ni a more disciplined voice than his companion.

"How am I to find those men in that time? And he'd want them trained, I suppose? We only have a stationary force of two thousand here, and I'll need at least half of them with the raids-"

"Are we not keeping control of our Lands? Duely noted." Marson quipped.

"One thousand is fine, but, as he said, the King will be expecting closer to five." The General explained as his friend had caught sight of one of the Duke's nieces, and was following her round the Great Hall with his eyes. With a sharp nudge to him, the man continued. "If you provide townsman with training we shall except them, or your criminals, your petty thieves, anyone you would have put to death. We could use their spirit."

---

As Jon fell back to sleep, something else came to him.

Now, he felt uneasy, like a leaf floating freely in the breeze, never knowing when it could rip or fall.

It was as if he had two thoughts in his head, two strands of light glowing different colours and crossing over one another, never matching. When he thought he felt scared, it suddenly vanished, and he felt calm, fammilliar, though he did not know the strange, small kitchen in which he sat. A woman was in front of him, humming as she cleaned. He did not know her.

He thought of Tahl. Tahl his lost friend, who he had played with-

No... HE was Tahl.

He suddenly felt warm, no, hot, burning. He needed to itch. The fire had been Tahl... Some... something Tahl did, though he couldn't be sure. Some feat of sorcery? Good job he never spoke up... At that age he didn't know what happened to children who had not been brought into the Sanctum early.

No, it wasn't sorcery, it wasn't! He wanted to shout... He felt sunken, guilt, was it guilt? He felt sorry for Jon... No, sorry for Tahl.

He remembered the pain, mostly, one of his eyes would not open and cracked when he tried, making him scream. Yet he remembered Tahl's face, horrified, hands rushing to help, though they could not.

Yet, he felt no hatred for Tahl. His only memory was the aid his friend brought. Sorcery or not, how could he have meant it?

Tahl suddenly gasped, as if half drowning. The kitchen was gone, Yuir was over him. "What are you doing to me?" He yelped, this was getting far too much. He tried to get up, to have Yuir grab his shoulders.

"It's a gift." The old man whispered. "A Sorcerii's gift. We can... link minds, some of us can link minds, anyhow." He smiled. "We put the thought into the target's mind, to make them dwell on it, and then you become as one with them..." He whispered. "It can be used darkly, of course. In fact, is more commonly known as mind control, yet, it was, in the beggining, meant as a gift."

"It's not a gift!" Tahl felt his anger brewing again, though paused... What had he expected? Anger from Jon?... He had expected it so much he failed to realize it wasn't there. "He... doesn't blame me.." He suddenly let go of Yuir.

"The gift is enlightenment. Sometimes it is painful to know what others think, yet it is enlightening. Other times... It will give you strength to know." Yuir smiled. "Anything can be forgiven, forgotten, anything can be changed. Though not everything has to be changed. This is the first lesson I give you. Keep hope."

---

Holy---- So long, SORRY.

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

Re: Let you run with this- I meant just the stuff with the Duke, war summons, ect. Oh NO, I'm having too much fun to quit, don't worry! (And no worries about the length-it means we've going something going here-I'd rather you finish out your thought (and flesh out the story) then cut it off abruptly

****

Maya had the cloak around her, staying in the shadows. She had managed to overhear some of the talk. There was war, that much was certain. She guessed that the visit was to get a contribution.

"Your concern should be getting out of there." Freya whispered in her mind. "This isn't your fight. You're supposed to be getting word to the village, remember? Didn't you just want directions?" The sarcastic innocence was evident in her voice.

"He's a summoner."

"He's also a man, or did you not notice? You know the rules of the village. There are women summoners out there."

"Since when did you care about rules, Freya?" There was a slight hiss.

"We don't need him, and he's not permitted." There was a sulk in her voice, or maybe something else. Maya mentally smirked; she decided to play word association.

"Keith." Was all she thought. Another hiss, louder.

"Speak not his name." Maya was intrigued.

"I've never heard fear in your voice till I mentioned his name. Perhaps this is your hesitation Freya? You've never stopped me from making a fool of myself before, why the concern? Why the fear?" Maya then wondered if Freya was afraid, if she herself should be petrified. But what was the saying? The enemy of my enemy...

"...is my friend" she mentally finished.

"I forbid it! Maya, don't you dare..."

"We'll talk again." She heard the horrifed gasp as she shut Freya out, with not a little satisfaction.

Even with her cloak there was no way of getting into the cells. She had a hunch, however-she may not have to get them out at all. She would wait.

She moved closer to the entrance, staying in shadow.




Speaking of long....lol. I think we should just go with the flow (within reason) as far as how long or short-no need to interrupt the process! .

[Luya Sevrein]

I meant the Duke as well. xD If you think someone has an idea it's okay. It's a collaberative work, so we all contribute. x)

---

Someone brushed past Maya, and turned abruptly. "Wench, fetch the jailer. The Duke wants his prisoners in the Great Hall. All of them." His tabard was red, and Royal, so he had no way of knowing that the wayward women was not a servant - what else would she be doing down there?

Then, he headed away.

---

The feast had ended, and most had disbanded. The Duke was sat quietly by himself, shunning all visiters and musing things over.

Lorna came to sit beside him, though he held a hand up, issuing her leave. She, of course, ignored him. "You have a rogue woman wondering your castle, you know?" She grinned, pouring out some spice wine into her goblet. She looked a tad young for such things, though even Noble children were given wine at feasts and meals.

"Leave me, Lorne. I was have inportant matters to attend too."

"You can not tell me-"

He reached and grabbed her wrist, causing drops of wine to spill over both of them as the cup unbalanced. The redhead looked a little shocked as he spoke low. "I paid for you, you are in my hire. You will sit, silently, and serve me."

Lorne pulled her wrist away. "I am not 'goods'. I am not some whore. I could ki-" She paused, realizing she had done it again - got cocky. The Duke's face was thunder as he stared her down, knowing exactly what she had been going to say. "I could... Quiet easily chose to leave." She smiled, feigning innocence.

"Then do. Your Oath was to me." He smiled. A Mage's oath was a bond, the kind of bond that if broken, could physical snap a person in two. It was an Ancient magic, perhaps the most powerful of the Sanctum. Every Mage born and found was bound by strands of their soul and drops of their blood. Whoever owned their oath, owned them.

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

"We need more wine, Lorne." Lorne bit back the reply. It was his way of getting rid of her. She nodded.

"As milord wishes" not hiding the mockery. The Duke paid no mind. Lorne left to get more wine.


Maya had no idea who the jailer was, but was probably near the cells. She had no idea where. She hated the halls-the cloak couldn't help her here. She was roughly bumped from behind.

"Out of the way.....well now, what have we here?" Maya turned to see Lorne facing her. She tried to run, but couldn't move. She was held in place somehow.

"Oh goddess, the mage!" She thought to herself. This was not good.

"My ghostly little woman, whom the Duke ignores, right in my grasp." She looked Maya up and down. "I know you-where do I know you?" Maya had no answer, she didn't recognize Lorne.

"Milady, I was instructed to attend the jailer--" Maya started.

"Stop with your lies wench! Skulking about the halls of my domain." Maya found the use of "my" curious.

"I must get to the jailer-I was instructed--" She was slapped by Lorne.

"Foolish girl! I will take you now to the Duke and show him I am no fool." Maya felt the compulsion pushing her, she would walk to her doom with Lorne not laying a finger. She could move her hands and arms, but her feet would not move.

"What's going on here?" A male voice spoke from behind Maya. The one who told her to get the jailer was there.

"I'm just escorting our little--"

"I asked your servant to get the jailer!" Maya had her staff, she tilted it upward beneath her cloak. Timing was everything. Lorne started to point a finger at Maya.

"Do you think--" Lorne started. Maya shoved her staff upward and backward under her cloak, catching the emissary on the chin, knocking him back. Maya turned with feigned horror.

"Are you alright milord! Did she hurt you?!" The distraction broke Lorne's concentration, Maya turned to reach, then held back, like a servant finding her place. She looked down in subservience. "I told her I was to summon the jailer. She called me a liar." The emissary's eyes widened and his cheeks went red.

"I gave this girl an order to get the jailer.You dare interfere with a visiting emissary's business? And on top of that you strike me?" Anger mixed with incredulousness in his voice.Lorne started to protest.

"What on...how..."

"She's the Duke's mage, milord." The emissary raged.

"I never liked Mages-meddling fools! Guards!" Two of the emissary's guards who were accompanying him stepped forth. "Let us escort this mage back to the Duke, and inquire what rituals involve assaulting a foreign dignitary and interfering with a direct command to a servant!" He turned to Maya. "Again, please get the jailer as I requested." He turned back to Lorne. "Let us go, mage, to see your Duke." The guards escorted Lorne away. She heard Lorne in her head.

"I won't forget this wench!" She glared at Maya before being escorted back to the Duke with the emissary, turning a corner out of sight. Glancing around, she found a stairway leading downward to what she hoped was the cells.


*****


I thought the Lorne/Maya developing storyline could use some more fuel-hehehe

[Luya Sevrein]

Oh, it's so fun when they fight. x))

--

Maya looked a little confused, yet happy to be rid of the angry redhead. The jailer, after all that commotion, seemed happy just to hand her the keys, his eyes lost, like some deer in firelight.

Maya took one deep breath and then took the keys. Of course ehe searched the cells first to find the one containing Tahl and Yuir. When she saw a glimpse of the old man's ragged hair, she opened the lock and-

Was almost hit with a plank of wood. in fact, Tahl had not stopped himself. It was Yuir that had to stop him, making no movement, saying no word, the wood was splintering and cracking around them like snowflakes.

"You-?" Tahl asked.

Maya quickly shut the door, so no one would hear. "Yes, me - and do not give me that face. You are lucky I arrived. I have had to deal with the stocks, perverted guards, and Lorne - that mage - she speaks to me like I am some servant, or some girl. She is likely younger than me! Or...at least, we are the same in age, yet she calls me wench and calls these halls her own - she slapped me."

Maya was brought back to reality as she stared at the pair of male eyes, watching her dumbfounded. Then, Yuir gave his little dismissive chuckle. Maya quietened quickly, feeling not herself. She almost sounded like Freya, just then.

"Lorne is like that." Tahl grumbled, rubbing his neck. He was almost... apologetic for her. "It doesn't explain how you managed-"

"No, and neither can I explain." Maya pushed, her calm self returning. "The Duke wants the prisoners in the Great Hall. I shall free them all, it is a perfect time for you to escape."

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

Yuir and Tahl looked at each other.

"You're full of surprises, young lady." Yuir remarked. He turned to Tahl. "What about you? You wanted your honor back, perhaps you should stay? I'd be more than happy to knock you out for a few hours." Yuir smiled when he said this, though Tahl got the impression the old man might enjoy it too much.

"I don't wish to be a tool. I've though about this. It was a mistake to come back."

"Not so. If you didn't come back you wouldn't have learned your lesson. Never regret an action when learning comes of it." Yuir put his hand on Tahl's shoulder-a surprisingly affectionate gesture. "You must know if you leave now, you're past the point of no return. It sounds like a cliche, but it's deadly true here. I assure you when the Duke catches up, and mark my words he will, you will not get another chance." Yuir spoke with a solemness of a father giving advice-firm, but heartfelt." Tahl took a moment, visualizing a path, with a door behind him and mist in front of him. He turned behind him and locked the door, throwing the key as far as he could. The mist would be his choice.

"I choose to go." It was said simply. Yuir turned to Maya, who had opened the door for them. She was looking at the keys. There was at least a dozen cells to open, and she was trying to figure which one to use.

"Allow me." Yuir spoke. His eye twitched. The cell doors are clinked and opened on their own, their residents cautiously wandering into the hall. Maya looked at Yuir.

"You could have done that all along?" Yuir smirked.

"No, I was on the wrong side of the bars." Maya didn't pose further; it was not the time.

"I trust you know the quickest way out?" She spoke to Tahl. Tahl nodded.

"There's a connecting passage from here to the outside. It's guarded though. Yuir seems to know some things, and I am good with my fists."

"You're a summoner." She replied.

"A wild one." Yuir answered. "He knows this, and his emotions are out of check-he's liable to blow the place." Tahl had no disagreement. He looked at Maya

"I hope that stick of yours is good enough." Maya held her stick up in front of her, and pulled it apart, revealing a remarkably shiny blade. She smiled coldly.

"I'll manage." Tahl stared in wonder, but Yuir pushed him forward.

"Let's go then."

[Luya Sevrein]

I'm going to back off for a bit now. As, I feel we've kind of really made it our story and - though it is a badass story - I still want people to be able to join in.

It just seemed like a good, open, free point to pause. x)

Plus it's Christmas, so I might not be on alot. x( Sorry!

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

I'm going to back off for a bit now. As, I feel we've kind of really made it our story and - though it is a badass story - I still want people to be able to join in.

It just seemed like a good, open, free point to pause. x)

Plus it's Christmas, so I might not be on alot. x( Sorry!

That's fine- A christmas break never hurt anyone. I need to recharge my own batteries. Maybe pick up in the new year again.

Thanks for allowing me to contribute, it's coming together into quite a story!

Yet, that' WHY people aren't joining, they like what we're doing but won't join in because they think we'er already fine! LOL

[Luya Sevrein]

That's fine- A christmas break never hurt anyone. I need to recharge my own batteries. Maybe pick up in the new year again.

Thanks for allowing me to contribute, it's coming together into quite a story!

Yet, that' WHY people aren't joining, they like what we're doing but won't join in because they think we'er already fine! LOL

Hehe. xD Well that makes us sound cocky...

But, I'd be afraid to join in such big posts. xD Personally.

Have a good Christmas though!!

[Queen Aurora]

I think what you two are doing is awesome

[3rdI]

You two are creating a fantastic story!

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

We'll see what the new year brings, as everyone recharges over the holidays. I think there's a basis for a neat story here, be interesting to flesh it out

[Luya Sevrein]

The first thing he heard was birdsong. The next was the crunching of dirt and leaves beneath an on-off melody of churning. Tahl tried to sit up, his neck aching, his back stiff. That noise was wheels, he soon realized. They were turning unevenly against a dirt track. Tahl pulled a disgusted face and gave a groan, everywhere smelled of wet hay and soiled animals. Thankfully, only the former was travelling on the cart with them.

Fields and trees stretched either side of them, yet something off in the distance began to open up, like some flower, growing in size, blossoming across the landscape.

He noticed Yuir was already awake, looking off to the rising sun. "Where are we?" Tahl asked, massarging his neck.

"Approaching Feln Hill, by the looks of it." Yuir smiled. "Just as I'd hoped. Nothing specail - a little backwards market town."

"Feln Hill..? I haven't heard of it."

"We're passing out of the Dutchy," Yuir frowned. "How educated are you boy? Have you travelled? I don't want to be teaching you your ABCs as well as demonology." He grumbled as the rickety cart approached the town and Yuir jumped down to pay their driver. "Wake 'er ladyship then." He waved a hand, as if he expected him to have already done it.

Tahl turned to where Maya was sleeping against a half spilled barrel of hay and paused. "Er... Maya?" He asked. When no response came he shook her by the shoulder. "Maya. We're here..." He paused. "We're somewhere."

---

New start, new year. x)