In The Darkness... [closed]

[SandS13]

“I feel like I am dying. I feel like I have emptied my body of all I have and yet it feels like I might expel my organs…” Roisin moaned softly and pressed closer. She felt fragile and vulnerable. If she were well she would hate that but in this moment all she wanted was the comfort of his presence. She was shivering. She had never felt so cold in her life.

“And when he comes, what then?” Roisin said. She imagined more shivering, longer bath, blankets, bed…

She let out a soft moan of discomfort. “I am not strong, I am not like my father or even my mother…” Tears pricked her eyes as she let her emotions come to the surface. She did not have the energy to stifle them. "They are all afraid of me but not because of myself but because I am his daughter." She said it with a sneer. "That is all I ever was...until now and I do not want to be queen. I want-"

Her stomach lurched a little and Roisin tried to raise a hand to stop herself as she gagged.
---
Osran, with a look of determination headed off where he had been directed. He had to get the last of the ingredients and get back to Roisin. He was sure the elf was looking after her but for how long and would he do something he should not?

His mind flashed to when he had entered and the elf was touching her. She had seemed alright though a little unsure. A strange sensation washed over him but he pushed it aside to focus on his task.

 

[The_gladiator]

“I can guarantee you guarantee are not vomiting up your organs…” He didn’t say the word yet that flashed through his mind. He took a deep breath at her question about what then. “Do you wish the truth, or do you want pretty words. I will make the tea for you. It will sooth your stomach. From there, we shall see.” He told her.

“For what it’s worth I’m not afraid of you.” He commented dryly as he continued to rub her back. “Also, I see you as your mother’s daughter, not your father’s. You seem too pure and wonderful to be associated with his idiocy.” That had probably been too blunt, yet, that was the truth as he saw it.

Even as he spoke, he leaned her over the side of the tub encase she needed to vomit. Yet, it seemed to just be a dry heave for now. When finished he slid her closer into his arms again. He was mentally cursing Osran, the man was going slow on purpose, surely. Ettrian was surprised at his discomfort at her pain. He found that he did not want her to hurt.



Osran moved through the trees. He knew that the elf’s home must be close. He came up short at an intersection. Which way was correct? He tried to remember the map. This is where the runner had made a somewhat scuffed picture, it was clear he was not overly familiar with the elven section of the area.

As Osran stood there, he became aware that he was being watched. Without thought he dropped into a fighting crouch. “Not going to help you,” a distinctively feminine voice told him. “You have at least 10 arrows pointed at you.

Osran kept his face stoic. “I am on business for the queen.”

“Which one?” the voice asked.

“The lady Roisin.”

“Give me a reason why I shouldn’t pin cushion you.” The woman asked.

Osran considered. “I have no wish to die, it is my order’s honor to serve.” Then as he suspected, she made a mistake she exposed herself dropping down in front of him. Where Ettrian looked refined, this woman looked wild. He knew that Ettrian wasn’t the only elf in the area, but he had not realized he would meet resistance entering the trees in this valley. His eyes slid up and down her. “What right do you have to take my life?” he asked her raising an eyebrow.

 

[SandS13]

“I never want pretty words. What is the use in them? I was taught that pretty words hide lies. A tea to soothe my stomach…” Roisin sighed and closed her eyes as she fought against the urge to gag again.

“Pure?” She opened her eyes a little to look at him. “Not a word I associate with anything in this place.” She regarded him for a moment. “I would not be afraid of me either in this state...naked, purging my body of everything...and let’s be honest, everyone was scared I would follow in his footsteps but I know they were relieved I had no magic. Now it is the reputation and my eyes that unnerve them.” She gave a hard, almost silent laugh. “You should hear what they say when they think I cannot hear them. There is talk that my mother had sex with some demon my father conjured or something and that is why my eyes are as they are. It is one story anyway…”

She leaned against him, too weak now to do anything else. She could feel herself growing steadily weaker the more her stomach heaved even as nothing else was coming out. “I am so cold and tired.” Roisin turned her head and pressed it to his neck.
----
“Why do I need to have a right or reason? You walk through woods that do not belong to you.” She smiled. “You are sizing me up. You might best me, but the arrows you cannot stop.”

Her hands were on her hips. “What is this business of the supposed Lady Roisin? What would someone like her want in the woods? The only thing out there of interest to her kind is the dark elf and he isn’t there right now. Gone off on some task of her father.” She spit into the dirt.

 

[The_gladiator]

“I am not sure if they are lies that get hidden, so much as glossing over truths that people are not willing to stomach. Pardon the bad pun, present circumstances and all.” He told her.

He snorted. “If anything in this realm is pure it, is you. Goddess knows I am not.” He muttered as he shifted pulling her closer. He wanted her to stay as warm as possible. “I would call your father many things, not sure demon would be one of them.” He had wanted to Comment on her words about him not finding her threatening in that state, but the moment had passed.

Unconsciously he smoothed his hand over her back as she pressed her face into his neck. “Let’s get you dry and into bed,” he told her. He stood fluidly, scooping her onto her feet. He rethought this setting her on the edge of the tub as he snagged a towel from a rack. As he began to use the towel on her he spoke. “If it makes you feel better, they can go back to fearing you for your magic again, you know seeing as you have magic Afterall.”

Osran wanted to tell her the arrows were not much of a threat to him, yet he didn’t bother. She would not believe him and it was not in the monk’s nature to boast. As she spoke, he lifted an eyebrow. Did she still think the king was still alive? “Pray, tell me why the elf would be on a mission for Roisin’s father when the man is dead? Where exactly do you get your facts, the rumor mill?”

The Monk’s hands were folded casually in front of himself. “Can you lead me to the elf’s house?” He asked bluntly, tiring of the posturing.

 

[SandS13]

“No, he was not the demon...they say- he summoned one to impregnate my mother..” Roisin tried to press closer but found she was as close to him as she could be. He was holding her to him to keep her warm though it was only helping a little at this point. She found herself feeling drowsy.

“Bed..a good idea.” She was unsteady on the edge of the tub and Roisin realized she was not even aware that he had moved her. This was bad, she seemed to be losing time. She tried to focus. She wasn’t even fully aware that he was drying her naked body off. “We do not know that I have magic. You say that but at this point I could simply be dying.”

Roisin’s world went black and she slumped forward into Ettrain. Her body was limp as it was clear she had finally just collapsed from the exhaustion of the sickness.
---
“Dead?” She smiled. “If it is true then you deliver some wonderful news this day. We had not heard but then the messengers have not come through in days. I was beginning to wonder what was going on in that place.”

Her head cocked. “I can lead you, for a price.”

 

[The_gladiator]

“You are not dying,” he reiterated yet again. He would save his breath about her having magic, clearly, she would not hear him as she collapsed against him. He supported her with his hip as he bent over her to dry down her back. This might have been an intimate position in another circumstance, her face so close to his groin. His touch was still very professional as he dried her off and then carried her to the bed. He lay her down on it pausing to dry himself off before he lifted the blankets to slide in beside her under the covers.

“Do not remember this as more than it actually was,” he muttered. He tucked her against his chest, her head on his shoulder, the blankets covering him. He knew she most likely would end up in bed with at least one of them before the night was through, but no need for her to feel he had crossed a line prior to that time. Settled in, there was not much more to do than wait for Osran’s return.

****

Osran nodded shortly when the woman told him she had not heard the news. “Should not my news be price enough?” he asked. He did not want to play her games but agreeing to her price might make things move more quickly. “What’s your price, then?” he finally asked smoothing the glare off his face, his order should be stoic, at peace, never let emotions linger. He wanted to grab her and demand, but sometimes you caught more flies with honey, or what ever the proverb was.

 

[SandS13]

Roisin wasn’t aware of much as she was tucked into bed with Ettrain. Her body had shut down. What she did not realize was at the same time the magic that the elf insisted she had was going to begin waking up. This was all merely the beginning.

-----
The woman looked almost bored with him. She looked up at the sky and then back at Osran. A smirk formed. “You are trying to keep your composure. I rather like that I irk you so. It is amusing.”

She took three steps towards him. “Name my price….I wish an audience with this queen. Her father- “ She spit on the ground. “Was not a fair man and I want better for my kind in these woods. You want the home of the elf? I want to speak to this woman. You agree to this for me then I will take you to his home. You betray me- we will kill you.”

She put out a hand. “Do we have a deal, monk?” She cocked an eyebrow. It was clear as she got closer just how wild she was. Dark hair was woven with leaves. Dirt under her nails, clothes of deer skin.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ettrian could truly only wait at the moment. He absently drummed a rhythm on her back, an absent movement to distract himself as he counted down the time until the monk returned. He recognized that he would have to be going to his home for some of the ingredients. He wondered which of the wardens would have stopped him. He hoped the monk was smart enough to get past the wardens successfully, surely, they would not stop him, or worse kill him. He probably should have given him something to identify that he was on business for him. They didn’t much like him, but fear him they did, respect him they somewhat did. Osran was resourceful, surely, he’d figure something out.

***

Osran tried not to glare. She was mocking him, not that he expected less, though he did feel he had failed just a bit allowing himself so much emotion, allowing her keen eyes to see it. He wanted to play it cool, tell her she did not affect him, but just folded his arms and ignored her comments.

He stiffened to an even more upright posture as she approached. He kept his face impassive as she spoke of wanting a better life for her people. He could respect that. “This I will do for you. It may not come immediately but I will do all in my power to be sure that you get a meeting with her.”

Seeing her hand extended, Osran finally stuck out his hand to shake on it. She was a wild one for sure. “You are not what I expected, having met the elf.” He paused, “I mean having met Ettrian, you are not what I would have expected for other elves in these parts. I figured you would be more like him.” As he spoke, he took a step forward, a silent invitation for her to lead the way to where they were going. Osran had a mental timer in his mind and it was steadily adding seconds. Seconds Roisin might not have.

 

[SandS13]

Roisin fell into a fitful, slightly feverish sleep. It felt like something was trying to burst out of her body. Her joints ached. Her stomach was a knot. She moaned softly in discomfort.
***
“I will go with you to the house and them to see the queen.” She stated matter of factly. It amused her that he was so bothered by her. Monks were so predictable. She shook his hand.

“The mage and I have little in common. Elven, that is all. He deals in a magic that is old and dangerous.” She turned and began walking. “I deal in the woods.”

She veered off the path and into the trees. “Follow close. What do you seek at his home? You are a monk so you are not stealing from him. Do you have a name, monk? I would like to know who owes me this favour.”

In the trees moved the others, following and watching the monk and their leader.

 

[The_gladiator]

The fever had started. It was not high yet, but he knew it would get worse. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and let his magic flow into her, trying to cool her down, breathing deeply as he channeled his magic into her. Even as he did that, he pressed closer so that his body heat would warm her as well. She would feel colder than her body temperature was, and it could fluctuate wildly. He would do his best for her, but he needed the monk.



Osran nodded at her words. He resolved to ask her what she knew about the elf and his magic, but for now he let that go. “I seek herbs to brew a tea, one that will sooth nausea and fever. I was able to gather some in the trees and market but there are some more rare ingredients I know I can only obtain from the home of Ettrian.” Osran explained. He wasn’t sure it was her business, but she was leading him, so was willing to give her that.

He stayed close on her heels, not missing a step as they wove through the trees. “As to my name, it is Osran. I am surprised you know of my order.” He told her. She seemed uncivilized to know so much about him, and yet, it shouldn’t surprise him, his order was known in many places. They had served almost every race there was. “Are we close to Ettrian’s home?” he inquired after a moment’s silence. He mentally schooled himself for his impatience, and yet, he did not want to see his queen suffer any longer than necessary.

 

[SandS13]

Roisin was having a strange dream of shadows moving and things reaching for her. She felt a strange sensation run through her body and she relaxed a little. Something cool was trying to combat the feverish warmth in her body. She shivered under the blankets. She felt his heat and moved as close as was humanly possible.
----
“A tea for nausea and fever. Is the elf ill then?” She raised an eyebrow. “Or perhaps an advisor to the new queen?” A smirk. “No, the queen’s lover or the queen herself. Maybe it is not a fever, maybe she is with child?” The whole thing amused her in a way. The monk seemed almost flustered or annoyed.

“The elf has a great deal of things in his home. He collects, he gathers. It is what we do and more so when you are one like him. Magic requires things…”

She nodded. “Yes, it is not far now and I make it my business to know things. I have seen others like you travel the roads, the woods.”

They picked their way through the trees, the others of her party close by but out of sight.

“Just down this small path now…” She pushed aside some branches and between the trees the elf’s home was able to be seen.

 

[The_gladiator]

Ettrian kept one hand on the back of Roisin’s neck. He continued to let his power flow into her. “That’s it,” he whispered, a soft encouragement to her. His eyes flicked to the window, noting the placement of the sun and mentally schooled himself to keep from growing cross with the monk.

***

“I do not see who is ill being your business,” Osran said firmly and the tone made it clear that that was all she would get from him. He was impressed with her knowledge of him and things around for being seemingly isolated in her own little world.

Ettrian’s house was up in the trees, it preserved the life of the trees, and it was clear that all the support for the treehouse of sorts was still living. There was a ladder hanging down giving access to the home above. There was an outdoor porch on the home overhanging a stream that flowed beside the house. “Somehow I expected his home to be, darker… less inviting,” Osran muttered mostly to himself.

“You go first,” he told her, “You will forgive me if I do not trust you at my back.”

 

[SandS13]

Roisin moaned pitifully before she passed out completely in his arms. She did not dream. She had no nightmare. There was nothingness.
*****
She laughed. “Smart man not to trust us. And yet, you really should.” She began to climb up. “His home keeps him closer to the woods and lets him see everything. And yes, I can hear you. My ears are very good. And it matters who is ill. It could change everything- trade, fighting, allies and enemies.”

She got to the top and climbed onto the platform, standing up to let him climb up after her. “Do you know what you are looking for? Did he tell you if he has any spells to stop anyone from breaking in set up?”

 

[The_gladiator]

Osran grunted as he followed her up the ladder. “It is not my place to reveal secrets. No matter how it may affect you, you will learn of who is ill when the time is right if indeed you are meant to know.” His tone again was firm.” He seemed to ignore the fact she could hear him. It must not have surprised him.

As Osran got up onto the porch he seemed to consider her words. “He seemed to believe I could get into his home without death, but he very well could be testing me.” He did not voice that the elf had no love loss for his order. That was not information this woman needed. “Ingredients to make a tea I told you,” Osran offered disliking to repeat himself. “I assume they’re rare this is why he requested I get them from his home rather than from the woods themselves. Nectar of a fruit that comes from the elven lands, some leaves.” He shrugged, “I have the ingredients written down.”

With that Osran stepped forward toward the house, hands out in front of him, as if sensing for magic or spells. He couldn’t say that he was surprised when he found no spells but a nearly invisible trip wire that led into the house. He paused and then lashed out with a foot breaking the wire jumping back in the process. There was the thrum of a crossbow being fired and the quarrel stuck in the jam where his head would have been if he had not let back. “Crude, but somehow affective.” He muttered. “Do you have a name, or do I just call you elven woman?” he asked as he stepped over the trip wire and headed into the elf’s home.