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Post by Joe on Aug 26, 2022 23:22:56 GMT -5
Cartell kissed her back and sighed, releasing tension in the breath. "Of course... I-"
Something tingled in the back of his neck, a vague sense of wrongness. In an instant he was on his feet, sword half-drawn. He scanned the edge of the forest around them but nothing moved. The clearing seemed to grow deathly quiet, sounds of birds and critters fading away. A shuffling sound across grass reached his ears and he whirled around, his sword sounding loudly in the silent space as it left its scabbard. Nothing was there. His eyes fell to the ground and he squinted at an oddly shaped depression in the grass. Beside it was another shape, and another.
Suddenly he felt a pressure on his waist, and a coldness. It slid up and around his back before clenching hard. He grabbed at the invisible thing's appendage, feeling slime and scale. The ground fell away beneath him and the arm wound up and threw him. The world turned upside down and he clutched his sword to his chest, hoping not to lose it. The tree he truck buckled from the impact, splinters raining down on him as he hit the ground with a yell. The concussion left him breathless and he struggled to cry out.
"Serena... flee!"
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Post by Jenny on Aug 26, 2022 23:45:20 GMT -5
"Wha-"
She was taken aback when Cartell jumped to his feet, stepping back away from him. She looked around, but saw nothing was amiss, or did not seem to be. As she was no warrior, she did not notice the lack of silence as something to note. She all but screamed when something took a hold of him, and backed away, but did scream when his body struck the tree, her eyes wide and panicked. She had taken only a few steps when he managed to get enough breath to tell her to run. She gave him a second glance, but ran back to where they left the horses, not all too close, but she must alert the guard somehow.
She had trouble getting on the saddle on her own, but she did at last. The horses were spooked by the sounds of struggle in the clearing. She swallowed hard, picked up the reins, and kicked her horse forward. It bolted, and it was all she could do to regain control of it, heading towards the Royal Guard.
"Help!" She called out to them, drawing the horse in quickly, nearly losing her seat.
"Your Majesty? What is wrong? Are you hurt?"
"N-no. Not me, it's Cartell. In the clearing, yonder. He's in trouble, please... assist him at once!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!" Most of the knights immediately moved to action, mounting their own horses, and bolted towards the clearing at the ruined aqueduct.
All except one, who looked at Serena with great concern, staying behind as a single escort.
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Post by Joe on Aug 27, 2022 10:14:30 GMT -5
Cartell got to his feet, shaking away the shock of the hit. Relief flooded him as the creature let Serena go, seemingly focused on him. He couldn't see the thing, but he could hear it. Loud thundering footsteps rushed towards him and he could feel the rush of air as it moved. Just before it struck him he stepped to the side and drew his sword up along where he guessed its body might be. The sword sputtered, hitting something but not much solid. A deep groan emitted from the creature and blue blood stained his blade. Before he could move again it punched his chest and he fell to the ground several feet away. It was strong, he'd have to be fast, wear it down. Reaching to his ankle he grabbed his dagger, wielding a blade in each hand. The lumbering thing came at him again.
Where before there was emptiness the air in front of him wavered and he could briefly make out the form of the thing, all muscles and eyes with four burly legs and two arm-like limbs. It lunged and he ducked under it, driving both sword and knife into its body. It roared and reached for him but he was gone, abandoning the embedded dagger in haste. The guardsmen came into his sight, riding hard.
Cartell waved his arms and shouted, "Hold! It is there! Some magick conceals it!"
The guardsmen looked to each other with confusion, but all drew their weapons and looked ready. Cartell wasn't sure but it seemed to move towards them, confirmed as one was lifted from their horse. The others began hacking and slashing at guessed locations, sometimes striking true and sending arcs of blue blood sailing. The thing was bristling now, limbs flailing and grasping. Taking a few deep breaths he mustered his courage and sprinted towards them. He leapt, landing on the knotted and slimy back of the thing. His grip waned but he raised his sword and plunged it downward. The creature bellowed and shook violently. Cartell was thrashed about but held firm to his sword. Suddenly he felt a surge of something move through him and his sword shone with light, shooting out in rays from the edges of the monster's wound and its illusion faded. A sound like snapping tree limbs and crumbling stonework filled the air and with a final screech, the thing died. It slumped to the ground and fell apart, turning to a cobalt sludge that seemed to flee into the earth.
Cartell took a deep breath, gazing at his sword as the light slowly faded from it. The pain hit him all at once, the front and back of his torso aching deeply. Sensing his imminent collapse, a guardsman ran to him and supported his weight.
"The empress," Cartell groaned, "is she well?"
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Post by Jenny on Aug 27, 2022 12:30:24 GMT -5
Serena, astride her horse, and the single mounted guardsman were just into the treeline. Serena looked upon with worry and fear, and the guardsman looked up at Serena when his fellow knights began their foray with the unseen assailant. Serena looked at him in sympathy as the guard's hand went to the hilt, wishing above anything to draw it and defend his fellows. The guard released his tension and managed to give Serena a smile, trying to soothe her nerves as much as his.
"Your Majesty, we will hold back until the creature is vanquished."
Serena gnawed at her lower lip, nodded, and looked to witness as Cartell's sword began to glow a lovely, golden Light after plunging it into the creature's body. Her eyes shown with pride as the creature sank to the ground, seemingly defeated, but had seemed to sink into the earth rather than to fall dead right on the spot, which did concerned her.
She kicked her horse forward as Cartell asked about her well being, wishing to answer that herself. The horse went easy on her, paced at a fast trot. She called out to Cartell as soon as she was in range for him to hear her.
"I am well, my dearest love!" Then she pulled up to him, and drew to a stop. The guard followed close, leading Cartell's horse along by the reins. Serena dismounted before anyone could offer her assistance. She put her hands up to Cartell's face and looked into his eyes.
"We must quit this place. Are you terribly hurt? You need to be seen by a doctor immediately, you took so many hard blows I am worried you have bones broken..." she took in a few breaths.
"Do you think you can ride, or shall I arrange for a carriage?" Her eyes were full of worry, and tears clung to her eyelashes, pained to see him in this state.
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Post by Joe on Aug 29, 2022 13:28:43 GMT -5
Cartell managed a smile as she touched his face, "Fear not, my heart... I think it not so bad. Bring me my horse."
He held out his hands for the reigns and a guardsman brought it over. With some assistance he got into the saddle, wincing from the pain. He looked at the ground where the thing had seeped away, it left no trace except an odd discoloration of the grass and dirt.
They returned to the manor. A rider had went ahead and alerted the staff and a group of them now awaited them at the gate, including a physician sent from the capital. Cartell was resting in one of the estate's studies now. The physician determined a rib may be broken or it was simply badly bruised. A few minor cuts had been bandaged, and he was simply told to rest as comfortably as he could. A young courier knelt next to him, taking instruction.
"Inform Lord Eyan of the attack and if possible to scour the palace's libraries for any tomes regarding creatures of the sort. Also request another squad of guardsmen, it may have been a targeted attack."
The courier nodded and left, leaving Serena and Cartell alone in the study. It had begun to storm, and the rain now pattered against the great glass panes of the chamber.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 29, 2022 16:15:46 GMT -5
Serena nodded and returned the smile, but her eyes still shone with worry. She wiped the tears that had welled up in her eyes.
She was assisted to mount as well, and rode silently with the party, following behind Cartell's horse and watching him closely. He had tried to assure her that he was not hurt badly, but in her mind she could not stop the image of her love being slammed against the tree trunk and fighting for his life. She had wished to help, but it Cartell had wisely advised her to not only run for danger, but the knights could have been better help that she ever could have been. They had suffered a few losses, but the knights who were hurt, or dead, were put upon their own mounts and led along by the others. A sober mood with no cheer passed through all of them.
Serena was glad to see the manor, and even more glad to see that a physician awaited Cartell to mend him. She followed the doctor and Cartell to the study, where he was patched up and his ribs bound. She seated herself across from him and watched quietly as he passed instructions to the courier. She let out a stressed breath. A targeted attack? Just what could be controlling such a beast? Again, her eyes were filled with worry, and she could barely hold a smile.
She reached over when the courier left and placed a hand on Cartell's. The rain was calming and made her a bit sleepy. Even though only half a day had passed, so much had happened.
"How are you feeling, my love?" Was all she could manage to ask, for now.
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Post by Joe on Sept 9, 2022 11:55:30 GMT -5
Pain mixed with love played on his features as she held his hand.
"I'll live." He managed without wincing.
Now that some time had passed the bruising had worsened and ached terribly. He had had worse, and his brain continually reminded him to try not be weak in front of her.
"Be at ease, my heart. Though we are surrounded by foes, we are a bastion that will weather it." They weren't empty words and his eyes seemed to flicker as he spoke.
Cartell smiled at her and tugged at her hand.
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Post by Jenny on Sept 9, 2022 22:49:56 GMT -5
Serena smiled at Cartell softly and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "How brave you were against an unseen foe. I wish I could have helped, but the only thing I could do was run for help, just as you asked me to, though it pained me to cast my eyes away from you. Once I turned away, there was no knowing.
She smiled even more warmly. "Yes, we are strong together, and will be for a very, very long time, if my vision is to account." She stood up and placed a kiss on his forehead, her eyes again searching his, worried again.
"But.. however are you going to sleep? Are you going to be beside me tonight, or will you have to sleep in a dreadful chair?"
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Post by Joe on Sept 13, 2022 22:59:30 GMT -5
Cartell's heart was warmed by her concern.
"Oh I think I'll be able to hobble my way to bed." He grinned as best he could before the pain sobered him again.
The study was silent for a moment, the only sound the tapping of rain on glass. Despite his injuries his mind still lingered on the night before, still somewhat in shock that it had been real. Every moment so close to her had begun to feel that way. His eyes unconsciously wandered over her body, pausing here and there. Catching himself, he cleared his throat and spoke to break the silence.
"I-I believe it should soon be time to eat."
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Post by Jenny on Sept 13, 2022 23:05:20 GMT -5
She bent forward and kissed Cartell on the forehead.
"Would you be more comfortable in bed? I'll give you the softest of the pillows," she chuckled. "I can send for something to come up to the bedroom, if you'd rather. It actually sounds quite nice. I could use something warm and hearty. It'll keep the chill out. And you'll need good food to keep you hale and healing."
She motioned to the window, as if the sound of rain wasn't enough.
She bit her lip. "Tis usually not a lady's place to give her arm, but if you need help walking, I can give the best support I can for you."
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Post by Joe on Sept 14, 2022 22:52:48 GMT -5
Cartell swung his legs off the settee, clenching his eyes with the effort.
"Nay," he gasped, "I can manage."
He stood and his body loudly protested. He was hunched over, clutching at the binding on his chest. Forcing a smile at her, he slowly began limping towards the door and the bedroom. His mind wandered to when they had been on the spire, when his eye had been restored. The golden light had healing properties, that much was plain. At present the light seemed to come and go as it willed. Could they somehow summon it? Heal him as it had before? In the past her affections had made him feel something, was it some force or just emotion? If only Andal were here.
His face was stern with thought as he made his way through the halls, waving off the odd attendant that tried to help him. The stairs proved a challenge, and he found himself nearly fainting from misery as he reached the top, but it was done. Reaching the bed, he carefully laid down, doing his best to not agitate his wounds further.
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Post by Jenny on Sept 14, 2022 23:08:54 GMT -5
She followed him, trying not to put her hands on him, seeing how much pain he was in. She dared not, though she wished she could coddle him in his time of need. But that's not what an able-bodied man would want, was it? Her first instinct was matronly, as she had learned basic first aid, in her youth, in the convent.
She knew he was putting on a brave face? But what for? He felt like he needed to impress her? Mayhaps, but she would not argue the point. Or... perhaps it was so she wouldn't be worried? Well, she was, and it was plain on her face.
She raised her hands instinctively, mounting the stairs slowly after him. She lowered her hands before he could see, and smiled at him when he reached the top of the stairs, but was nearly pale with the strain of her worry for him. It was not yet over. Oh how far the bedroom seemed.. the bed.. she could only imagine he was thinking the same as she. She turned to a servant before they entered the bedroom, and asked that their meal be served inside. He nodded and bowed deeply and hustled away to relay the orders.
She slid on the bed beside him and she couldn't help but raise her hands at last to his face. She breathed in, and pressed her forehead against his own.
"If only I could ease the pain. What can I do? Tell me what to do, anything, please." She sniffled a bit as her eyes welled up with tears, it was so unbearable to think just how much he must be hurting. She kept seeing in her mind him striking the tree, it splintering as it shattered from the blow that his body had made. All the distress he was in... if only--
Her own tears splattered against his face as she could not hold back her feelings of helplessness, of need to make him feel no more pain and not able to do a single thing about it... If only...
A warm feeling would start to bud on Cartell's face where the tears fell on his skin. She did not open her eyes, only wept. But the tears were sparkling like a million sun-dazzled diamonds. That same warmth would kindle his blood, sending such intense waves of love and hope throughout Cartell's body. If his eyes were open, he might see his body start to radiate with a pulsing light.
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Post by Joe on Sept 15, 2022 23:06:51 GMT -5
Cartell was very saddened at her displeasure. He was in pain it was true, but he had done it for her. Now it seemed his sacrifice had only made things worse. Still, he understood it.
As his mind mused he began to feel warm, too warm. He cursed his luck at contracting a fever on top of it all. As he opened his eyes he was forced to squint again as dazzling light met his gaze. A subtle numbness spread through him and his pain dulled. He watched the tears fall from her eyes leaving lingering trails of latent light. Every place they touched his skin the pleasing coolness spread, astonishing him as their impacts left islands of healed flesh amid his bruised chest.
He closed his eyes and laid his head back, letting the sensations pass through him unobstructed.
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Post by Jenny on Sept 16, 2022 21:57:10 GMT -5
She withdrew her face at last to wipe away her tears, about to apologize for it, that she saw his body was shining in places, especially on his face. She looked at her hand reflexively and saw that the moisture was still glimmering. She looked a bit confused at first, and looked at Cartell. He looked so relaxed and, happy? Well, it was good that he felt well. But.. what had transpired, and why did her tears, and his body, feel so warm? She wanted to ask him how he felt, what had happened, but he looked so peaceful.
Following an inkling of a thought, she gently put her arms around him, laying her cheek gently against his chest, trying not to apply pressure to the bruising and cracked ribs. She closed her eyes again, hoping beyond hope that her inkling was true. She hoped, and rather prayed, that whatever she had done would happen again. And, even more.
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Post by Joe on Oct 29, 2023 19:25:32 GMT -5
"How long ago it seems..." He began, his eyes still closed. "Andal and our host bursting into that chapel. Blood and steel and darkness... so much death. It follows us, wounds us."
Weakly, he brought his arm up around her as she lay on him. "Do you condone it? Knowing where it lead?"
Of course, it was all worth it to him. Having her and their kingdom, he would've paid almost any price. Still, it stained him. To permit it with spoken words from his own mouth was too much for his battered mind.
The pain continued to dwindle. Her body next to his felt like a flame with no edge, replacing all feeling with a warmth and wholeness. Whatever had transpired on that great apex was a magic that made their dark dealings of the past seem a trifle.
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