Driftwood Inn

[Moneytalks]

Originally posted by Shadowman:
~smiles~ Hello Trinity, it is good to see you again," He said as he gave her a sweet kiss on the hand. "I would like a weak ale please."

Trinity...

Thank the Goddess, she thought, he knows me. She smiles subserviantly at Curtis and bobs a little curtsie as she had seen the other serving girls do.

"Certainly M'Lord... a weak ale coming up"...
She hurries over to the ale barrel and dips a flagon into it filling it with ale before scurrying back to Curtis and placing it on the table before him.

Looking around and seeing no-one has paid her any attention she sits on the bench next to him pressing up close.
"M'Lord... i'm so glad you recognise me... i fear... i fear i might be in danger... is there any chance... "
She looks around the Inn again trying to keep the fear from her voice...

 

[Guest]

Elves, it is said, are shy of humans. But not so; Elves know that humans are an endless source of entertainment. Elves live longer then humans, some living up to six hundred years. That means they have time to think. A lot. Count yourself lucky to know an Elf. Feel honoured that he actually took time from his pondering to talk to you.
Elves are faster, stronger, more powerful then humans. Both in magic and sword, bow and pike they are far more adept then any knight. But they despise fighting, seeing it as a waste of precious life. Humans live short lives; Elves are puzzled by the fact that they so readily throw themselves into war.
An Elf can be your friend and will protect your back in battle- but only if you earn his respect. So why was it, when three travelling Elves -tired from travelling, from using their mana to hide themselves from humans- were instantly feared when they removed their cloaks? Everyone bristled with fear in the inn; what did Elves want here? They only mean trouble.

 

[Guest]

Mordred did not care what was happening in the inn. All he cared for was Sara. Whay uncanny coincidence! Here she was, as housekeeper to Driftwood inn. A mixture of guilt, shame, love and honour held him in his seat by the hearth fire. There they sat, talking softly, hands almost touching.
"Come with me, Sara. Marry me. I..."
Sara looked at him, one eyebrow quirked.
"Oh, I get it. This is the bit where you sweep me off of my feet, pronounce your undying love and carry me a-pillion on your horse, whisking me away to some castle to be a Lady."
Mordred smiled. Sara still had her humour.
"It could be, but I don't think my horse could take my weight, my armor and you."
They both laughed. Mordred then cleared his throat. Sara could see from his expression that he had something important to say.
"I know you have responsibilities, but... I would like to know you better. To know Keliana. I think... I think it would be nice to have you as a wife."
Sara sat down with a sigh, her housekeeper keys dangling across her thigh.
"I would, but..."
"SARA! I do not pay you to flirt with the customers." Sara looked up into the large figure of the innkeeper.
"I have this life now," she said, standing up. "Coming, sir." She called to the Innkeeper.
Mordred rose and grabbed her hand. "At least think of my offer." Sara nodded her head numbly.
"Yes. Yes, I will."
And with that she left him. Mordred did not see the tears on her face.

 

[Guest]

He smiled and whispered quietly, "That is why I am here. I sensed that a childhood friend of mine was here...and I guessed she may be in danger if she is here. Tell me do you recognize me Trinity?"
"If you do not perhaps the crest of my family will strike a childhood memory," he said opening his hooded cloak and showing his family crest on his tunic.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Jasmine:

The three had returned, she could feel it. Jasmine turned toward the door and saw as the three elves removed their cloaks. Her poor tired friends. And now they must deal with petty fear from the people at the inn.

"Excuse me, I will return."

She approached them, a soft smile on her lips. "Come my friends, sit, I will get you something to eat and drink. I will also have Sara prepare you a room." In a whispered voice she added, "You know you are always welcome here, as long as I am here." She went off to see to her buisness.

 

[Lady_Aline]

Mordred then noticed Elves. He was so wrapped up in his talk with Sara that he had not realised what was going on. No one approached; they were too scared. Who wouldn't? Elves will steal your children; Elves could change you into woodlouse.
It was as if a mist was drawn around them, enshrouding like a protective blanket- beautiful to watch. Everyone pricked their ears to hear them; apparently the voice of an Elf is so soothing it could send a man to sleep with a mere greeting.
They dressed simply in pratical clothes the colour of the forest, of greens, greys and browns. The were all beautiful; one had more muscles then the two crossed his arms and stared into the distance. One- a female, Mordred knew- had eyes the colour of bellflowers, the hair of fire. She seemed shy, and hid under the arm of her protective companion. The other exuded status, surveying the room with the eyes or royalty, his gaze compassionate and analytical. Mordred stared -like everyone else; they were beautiful and tall. The broad-shouldered one held his gaze and smiled gently, as if shy. Mordred smiled back, honoured that such a noble creature would feel shy around him.
The three brothers of the Darkwood watched the Elves too. Their church burnt Elves in their Inquisition- and healers, and midwives, and witches- or anyone who they thought was a witch. Anyone accused of posessing magic would be tortured, then send to the darkside of the Other World. The Darkwood brothers called themselves the "Hounds of the Gods," sniffing out some poor, defensless victim to torture, maim and kill. And took great pleasure in doing so.
"I don't thin I've had the pleasure of making love to an Elf," said on Brother.
The others laughed like school children.
"We have every right to kill them. I shall say the Ordain-" The blond-haired brother rose quickly, eager to please.
"No. Remember why we came here; we were following a magic trail; a person of devil spawmed ability remains in these four walls."
"But Brother, these are Elves-"
The one that had said nothing, stared. A repulsive purple-red scar jaggered on his cheek, as if something had eated into his flesh. It looked also that the same scar claimed his right eye. He leered out with his left, watching the Elves with a lustful gaze.
"We will claim both," he said, then walked to the bar. A girl cowered as far as she could into the shadow of the wall when he walked passed, fear emulating in her stomach.
"Please Goddess, let me live," she muttered, her mantra running through her veins. A hand gripped her shoulder; frightened, she face its owner...

 

[Moneytalks]

Originally posted by Shadowman:
He smiled and whispered quietly, "That is why I am here. I sensed that a childhood friend of mine was here...and I guessed she may be in danger if she is here. Tell me do you recognize me Trinity?"
"If you do not perhaps the crest of my family will strike a childhood memory," he said opening his hooded cloak and showing his family crest on his tunic.

Squinting in the poor light, she looks at the crest carefully, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognises it. "Curtis?... " She looks up into his eyes seeing the warmth she recalled from her childhood there. "Oh thank the Goddess, is it really you?" Her small hand reaches up to touch his cheek as if to assure herself that he is real.

Then she hears the commotion near the bar. Her startled glance looks around as the 3 cloaked figures reveal themselves. Elves. Her whole body shivers with fear. Years of childhood horror stories making her mind incapable of rational thought.

 

[Guest]

One man stood up, his ale still in his hand.
"Take the Elves, brother! No doubt they would have murdered us in our sleep."
Shouts on encouragment echoed around the inn.
Sara and Jasmine looked desperately around and saw not one friendly face. The tall Elf rose and opened his hands.
"Our people preach of healing and love; we will not harm you."
Jasmine sweated visably, rubbing her palms on her tunic.
"Help," she said mentally. "Help, help, help..."
"Wait here," whispered Sara. "I will get help."
Sara went outside. The monks started to move towards the Elves.
"No! No, you will not take them; please, they aren't hurting anyone..."
"See how this child has escaped the flock of the Gods and ran straight intot he arms of these devils? What magic did they use to control you?" One of the brothers -the one with the scar- yanked Jasmine by the wrist and showed her to the crowd, as if they were on stage. The inn gasped.
"Unhand that woman," boomed a voice. Sir Mordred had arrived, his sword unsheathed.

 

[Guest]

He whispered, "Do not worry you are under my protection." He gazed at the three elves and his hands began to glow a soft blue. "What do you want with this woman?" he asked in a slightly demanding voice.
One elf scowled and in a high-pitched voice said, "That is now of your concern human...leave now and we'll let you live."
Curtis smiled wryly and answered, "I'm sorry but I can't do that...the only way you will lay a single finger on her is by going through me first."
He crossed his arms across his chest and two fairly large men stepped up behind him to back him up saying, "If you elves want her you'll have to go through ALL of us."

 

[Lady_Aline]

The female of the Elves rose.
"Please, forgive my companion... he is tired. from travelling. Numak, please sit." Numak stared disspassionately at the three males. Briefly he spoke in their language, then opened his hands to show he had no weapons.
"I offer you an apology, warrior. Our people are peaceful... I mean you no harm." The female Elf squeezed Numak's hand reassuringly.
The innkeeper strode to them then, his anger evident.
"No fights," he boomed. "Get out."
Sara, the inn's housekeeper, rushed to the scene as well, concern on her face, her daughter in tow. Keliana stared at the Elves from behind her mother, a little scared.
"I saw everything, sir." Sara addressed to the 'Keeper. "She is right. Nothing has happened; no fight ocurred." Sara pleaded with her eyes. Slowly the Innkeeper grunted a reply, then left. Sara breathed a sigh.
"I am sorry, sir," she said to Curtis. Curtis merely stared, his jaw tight with anger. He crossed his arms to stop himself from lashing out. Clicking his fingers, the heavies behind him left.
"We will be watching you. I don't want any Elf scum near my friends." He jerked his head to a cowering girl, who wrung her hands into her jerkin. Sara looked at her quizically, an eyebrow raised. Curtis left, but his eyes never moved from the Elves.
"Thank you," said the female. "I am Tan'ra. This is my cycle-partner, Meikua." Meikua grinned a huge, infectious smile and nodded his head.
"Call me Swift-Eye." The silent one that had spoken rashly to Curtis said nothing. He fumed.
"This is our son, Numak. He has a lot to learn about humans."
Sara eyes widened in shock; son? Tan'ra looked but two summers older then her daughter!
"I will prepare a room. Jasmine, our singer, knows you. Any friend of Jasmine is a friend of mine." At that point Keliana stepped away from her mother, and looked earnestly at the three Elves.
"Can you really turn people into a wood louse?"
"Keliana, do not be rude. Go talk to your fath- go find Sir Mordred; I think he is tending to his horse."
"Yes, mother." Keliana left, with one fianl lingering look at the Elves.
"Do not stay long; I fear for your lives."
Numak looked at the men staring at him, those that had murder in their hearts.
"We have every right-" he started to say, but his mother placed a hand on his bicep.
"We understand. And thank you, again. Where is Jasmine? We wish to talk to her."
"Right here," said a light, musical voice. The Elves smiled, generally pleased to see her.

[This message has been edited by Lady_Aline (edited 06-16-2000).]

 

[Guest]

The darkwood monks watched the fight. He could see the power emulating from the man that challenged the demons known as Elves.
"Brother Firen it is time we Ordain this Inn. I can see one witch."
Brother firen watched his fellow monks and stroked his ugly scar.
"I will do it." He got up and hit a loud bong. Instantly there was silence.
He cleared hIs throat and shouted: "BY THE ORDAIN OF THE DARKWOOD, WE THE HOUNDS OF GOD, ARE HERE TO CAPTURE KNOWN WITCHES. THOSE OF MAGIC ORIGIN GIVE YOURSELF UP AND WE WILL BE MERCIFUL. STEP FORWARD AND GIVE YOURSELVES UP FOR TESTS."
Silence emulated the room. Something like fear had taken their voice.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Jasmine:

Her friends were in danger. That was the only thought that ran through her head. Her wonderful friends, would die, if the Darkwood monks had their way.

"Do something, Prophet! Please. Do not let them die, the elves are good, no matter what legends say! I will do anything you ask! Just help them." her mind whorled over and over with the message. She grabbed Tan'ra's hand. She could read the fear in her friends eyes. She wished her mother was here. She could have stopped the monks. Tears streaked from her eyes, not in fear, but frustration. If she had recieved her gift sooner, maybe she could save her friends now. MOTHER HELP ME!

 

[Guest]

Even though he didn't trust the elves much he knew these monks and trusted them far less.

He muttered a few intelligable words and his dagger flew from out of his boot to his hand and he came ready to back up Sir Mordred.

"Watch out Sir Kinght...these may be monks but they certainly are NOT the agents of God...their alignment to the Dark One reeks about them."

One of the monks said, "You?! Were you not the man who challenged the elves whom you now appear to protect?"

"It does appear that way...I don't trust elves much, but I know of you and your pervasion of religion killing innocent men, women, and children for not following you," he gripped his dagger white-knuckled almost seething with rage, "Just like you killed my family and left me for dead."

 

[ShyGoddess]

Jasmine:

She had never felt this much fear before. If the Darkwood monks had their way, Tan'ra and her family would die, and so would she. The rage that came over her was so powerful, she had never felt anything like it before. If just came from no where. She would not let her friends die. and now, these two men would die. All because they had tried to help.

She looked at the Darkwood monk that still held her. "Sir, let me be. You have no business here. Furthor more, you have no power here. Be on your way now, or you shall suffer dearly for it. I swear."

The monk just laughed.

Jasmine started to say a prayer her mother had taught her. Her skin turned to fire to the touch, burning the hand on her arm. He yelped in pain.

"SHE'S A WITCH! Feel her skin! It burns to the touch."

The other Darkwood monks approached, each was burned in turn. Jasmine turned away.

"I leave these men to you, you obviously have things to settle between you. Come Tan'ra, we will prepare your rooms."

 

[The Sandman]

The prophet kept seated, but stared at the three burnt Darkwood monks with a calm grin, then shook his head, chuckling. "Ah well..ones with such hatred for what they don't understand, they usually end up hurt anyways." With that, he gave a simple shrug and watched on, those deep blue orbs briefly flaring up before calming once more.

 

[Guest]

Gripping his dagger in his left hand he eyed the burnt monks with a little less rage and a sadistic smile on his face.

"Now Hellspawn, shall we commence in your return to your hellish home, or will you leave?"

He saw Sir Mordred was also ready to strike at the first sign of a threat.

The monk that had replied to him nodded to the two others as they left. "You haven't seen the last of us child. We may well have killed your family quickly and painlessly, but when we meet again you will not get the same luxery."

As they left Curtis breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Sir Mordred.

"Thank you for offering your aid young man," Sir Mordred said sheathing his sword.

"It was no problem...I have a score to settle with them...I was actually hoping they would attack for I could deal out some vengence," Curtis said. He went and sat back with Trinity. "Are you all right mon amour?"

 

[Chastity_Montane]

Entrance

Steps quietly inside the inn her red hair blown against her shoulders. She steps to the right of the door her dress dragging behind her. She lifts her head slightly her dark eyes flickering as her gaze slowly grazes over the patrons. She stands 5'6, her frame is thin and fragile but not ill. Her dark blue eyes are wide and sparkle with the faintest hint of light. Her hair extends past her waist and is tucked gently behind her ears. Despite her features her expression and aura present an image of unsettledness. She blinks slowly steps back against the wall as she leans against it. Hesitant to go any further.

 

[Moneytalks]

Trinity

Cowers behind Curtis as he confronts the elves, but her fear is paralizaing when she hears the words of the hooded Lords of the Darkwood.

She looks deep within herself and sees the faint spark of the very depth of her own magick meekly flickering. She prays that none of the evil ones can sense it.

Seeing the singer burn the men's hands she is impressed by the girls grasp of magick, but also now fears for her, because it is well know the evil that comes to magick weavers in the hands of the hooded ones.

 

[Moneytalks]

"Thank you for offering your aid young man," Sir Mordred said sheathing his sword.

"It was no problem...I have a score to settle with them...I was actually hoping they would attack for I could deal out some vengence," Curtis said. He went and sat back with Trinity. "Are you all right mon amour?"

Smiling up into Curtis's face. Suddenly feeling shy in the presence of her childhood friend, now all grown up. At his words she blushes, "ah," she smiles at him, "those are words of a poet"

Biting her lip uncertainly. "What have you been doing since we last met M'Lord?"

 

[Moneytalks]

Re: Entrance

Steps quietly inside the inn her red hair blown against her shoulders. She steps to the right of the door her dress dragging behind her. She lifts her head slightly her dark eyes flickering as her gaze slowly grazes over the patrons. She stands 5'6, her frame is thin and fragile but not ill. Her dark blue eyes are wide and sparkle with the faintest hint of light. Her hair extends past her waist and is tucked gently behind her ears. Despite her features her expression and aura present an image of unsettledness. She blinks slowly steps back against the wall as she leans against it. Hesitant to go any further.

Trinity gasps in surprise as she sees the woman enter... "she's so beautiful" she thinks to herself... wondering at the warm feeling in her chest as she watches the lady hesitate at the door.

 

[Guest]

He smiled gazing deeply into her eyes. "I've been travelling around the realm...mostly to help families in distress, sometimes as a sword for hire...but not that you're here I think I just might settle down and perhaps start a family," he smiled and winked knowingly at her.

 

[O]

Ophelia had nearly finished her water. Throughout all the comotion she'd not moved other than to lift that smooth glass waiting lips. Unless you counted her eyes. Deep blue eyes that continually swept over the other guests, especially those appearing to be causing trouble. "Appearances can be deceiving," she reminded herself silently, "and this isn't yer fight."

"Wheeen wasssss it eeever your fiiight, my preeeciousssss?" The cold whisper to her mind sent a shiver over the blonde's spine, her jaw tightening with the struggle to supress it. Eyelids dropped over depthless pools of blue to hide the first rays of glowing power.

************

She was no longer in the inn, surrounded by noisy people. She was standing on a grassy knoll, facing the hunched and shrouded figure that had pulled her into the other plane. The place was familiar enough, but still, as on each forced visit, she noticed new things about the location he chose. This time she noticed smells. Sweet teasing fragrances tickled her nose: cherry blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle, rose. The scents of her life mingling in one garden. But above all those, she could smell the putrid decay of death. He was taking over her life by slowly taking over her mind.

"You can't control me." Her statement was clipped, cold and lie to which he laughed. She continued. "I won't allow you to take over my life, to harm those I care about. I wo..."

"Yooooouuuu woooon't?" The sharp tone cut her words off like a hot knife through butter. "My deeeaaar, Iiiiii alreadyyy doooooo. It waasssss Iiiii that tooook yooouuur woooolfff-maaan. Byyyy myyyy haaaand waaaasss the heirling taaaakeeen. The gooooldeeen waaaassss myyy work tooooo. Sooooo maaaaanyyy ooootherssss..." he continued hissing on.

The venom of animosity dripped from his words, doing their damage to her soul. Everything she'd loved and lost he now told her was his doing, directly or not. He claimed responsibilty for the deepest pains in her life. Iron will resistance began to waiver. What did it matter if he won this ongoing battle they waged? Let him win. Faced with the apparent realization that she'd failed everyone and everything, nothing mattered.

"...and noooow, myyy precioussss, Iiiii will haaaave your kiiiiing."

His words, though meant to drain Ophelia of the last of her resolve and resistance, had quite the opposite affect. There was still one that supported her, protected her, even loved her. She would not allow the malevolent spirit that plagued her to harm him. Not now. Not ever.

"NO!" Her angry shout stunned the dark figure hunched before her. His left arm rose to ward off the attack, but it was too late. Already Ophelia had discharged a blast of psionically formed energy...

***********

Three heartbeats. Four. Five... twelve. Thirteen. Thirteen heartbeats after she closed her eyes, they were opened again. Two sweeps over the inn reassured her everything was still the same. She'd been out of her body but seconds, a minute at the most. She couldn't tell and didn't really care. She had to get out of the inn, away from the people.

It was a strained effort at best to keep the appearance of calmness about her as smooth strides carried her towards the door. She paused only once, near the table Prophet sat at, to take one last, slow look around. Finally depthless pools of blue settled on him. Was that a flicker of fear in her eyes? What ever was there was gone just as quickly as it arrived. A short bow of respect was offered to the man, just her head and shoulders dropping forward really. Then her back was to them all as she strode towards the door and made her escape into the night air, easing her back against the solid wall just outside of the door to catch her breath and still her pounding heart before she moved on.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Jasmine:

Her friends were safe this night, in part because of him. The one with the princess. She must thank him, and warn him.

"Sire, You have saved my friends. Because of you they are safe, and will be as long as they are under my protection. For this you have my gratitude. But, a word of warning. You words I heard loud and clear. You would have let the elves be taken to the slaughter if it had not been the DarkWood monks. You do not understand them and cannot begin to understand them. They are not these creatures of evil everyone wants to think they are. They are good and just and kind. They help those in need, and care for those who are sick, but have many times gotten the blame for the plague or illness they helped vanquish. Don't not, in anyway, try to harm them. You will reget it, I swear it. I bid you goodnight, sire. My lady." She bowed slightly and walked away from them, hoping she had made him understand.

 

[Lady_Aline]

Sara sat with a sigh next to Jasmine, in the private kitchens of the inn. The cook, a big, kindly man named Earl plucked a chicken. He winked at both women when they entered.
"How are the Elves?"
"Tired. As am I." Both women half-smiled to each other, tiredly.
"You were very brave- I am proud to call you my friend." Jasmine blushed, hiding the hand she blasted Blackwood Monks to their deaths into her tunic. She leaned into Sara for support. Sensing her emotion, Sara hugged Jasmine with her free hand. Tears ran down Jasmine's face; realisation sunk in that she had killed. Perhaps if she'd tried to reason with the monks, maybe if she'd...
"Hey, come here." Sara deepened her hug, making soothing noises. Sara looked at Earl. Sensing her need to be alone with Jasmine, he said: "Right. I'll just... just go and get some more firewood." Sara mouthed her thank you
"I killed them," she stated.
"They would have done the same to you- if not worse," she reasoned. Gently she wiped Jasmine's streaming face like she would her daughter.
"I know, but-"
"But nothing. Think of what they would have done to you, and your friends if they had you in their hands; what they would do to Kel, because she's a bastard. What they would do to me, for that matter."
Jasmine said nothing. Her sobbing had subsided to a whimpering. Looking through her tears, she saw a man watch them through the half- opened door of the kitchen. He tilted his head briefly to talk to Sara's daughter, Keliana.
"That man... you know him, don't you?" Said Jasmine.
Sara looked up. She knew who her friend was talking about, and had a funny feeling that Jasmine knew the truth about her and Sir Mordred.
"Yes... Yes. He's an old friend from my past." Jasmine smiled.
"Ah... your elusive past. So secretive." Jasmine felt Sara's ribs tremble in controlled laughter.
"Not as elusive as you think."
Both women then heard a scream from the back door of the kitchen. Rising, they rushed. Sara picked up a meat cleaver on the table as she went past it.
Outside, in the dim night, lying in the frosted beaten mud of the courtyard lay the dead, sprawled form of Earl. He looked as if he were eaten alive, scratches and claw marks jaggered across his body. Sara dropped the cleaver and fell to her knees.
"Not Earl. He was a good man, why...?"
Jasmine said nothing. She felt sick. Rushing to the bushes, she threw up her last meal. Sara wept openly. The stables were near by; a cry of something utterly feral made Sara shudder inwardly, fear emulating from her stomach as the scream hissed across the courtyard. She tried to look into the darkness for the sound, but saw nothing. The sound happened again... but nearer.

 

[Moneytalks]

He smiled gazing deeply into her eyes. "I've been travelling around the realm...mostly to help families in distress, sometimes as a sword for hire...but not that you're here I think I just might settle down and perhaps start a family," he smiled and winked knowingly at her.

She blushes prettily. Her eyes lowering to cover her confusion. Was he teasing her? He must have known even all those years ago what a crush she had had on him. Her elder brothers called it puppy love when they noticed the way she followed him around and brought him lemonade after they had done their chores. She had been mortified at their teasing. Now they were grown and he had become even more handsome and so strong and confident.

"M'Lord... y.y.you tease me." Her eyes still lowered not daring to look up. Then she had a sudden thought. What if he found out she was tainted with magick? He couldn't possibly want a wife tainted with magick. Her eyes sadden as she ponders this just as Jasmine rushes over with her warning.

Trinity places a hand on Curtis's arm in a protective caring gesture not even realising that she has done it as Jasmine speaks hurriedly to Curtis. Apon hearing the words about the Elves everything in her mind screamed against the thought that they could be anything but evil. Her eyes wide with fright at the very mention of their names, she leans closer to Curtis wanting his strength to comfort her.

For although Tridant and Travesty, her companions did not have her trust, they and all of the court new that the Elves wanted the first born girl child of each realm when she reached her 19th birthday, and especially from those families with a history of magick as hers had. Which is why she was so good at hiding her magick. She feared going with them for it was known that those found to weild magick were kept amongst them to train. She just wanted to go back home and fall in love and get married like all the other girls.

Just then Tridant and Travesty no longer under Jasmine's song spell, stride up to their table and glare down at Trinity as she still clings to Curtis's arm...

[Edited by Moneytalks on 06-20-2000 at 04:11 PM]