Lords and Ladies of the Realm

[unclebigbad]

Walks to Lady Moonlight, kneeling...

M'Lady, there is no question, I will accompany you, but, I beg upon bended knee that you wait until the rising of the sun. Those beasts I saw last eve, were evil. Pure and simple evil incarnate. I have spoken to my troops, they are ready for them, but, I daresay, other than the DragonLord and myself, there will be naught left if we try to travel by night.

*Takes Lady Moonlights' hand in his...his memories of what he saw last eve, flowing to her...the small dog-like beasts, with the glowing red eyes, slavering mouths, and great dagger-like teeth...'These are but the advance scouts. I would hate to be beset by the warparty.'*

Now you see, why I beg of you, to wait until the morning to begin this journey.

*his body shivers as he remembers the first time he saw these beasts up close and personal...as a child...*

 

[Morgoth]

"Mi'Lady, they arrive now", Lord Dralk said. 12 mounted Lords suddenly rode through an open gate. Dralk jumped off his horse and bowed, as did the 12, at exactly the same time. Then they mounted again. "Mi'Lady, we are an order of Paladins, Dark and non, called the Secret Order of the Black Dragon. To others we are known as the SLOB's. We are by far the most powerful, even though our order consists of only 63 members. This number is strictly maintained. 50 are normal lords, but the Council of Thirteen are the strongest, most elite lords of us. I am a member. One of us is the Emperor of the Council, but that is a closely gaurded secret. The 50 soldiers that I had selected were our soldiers. Of course, every member of our order has his own army", he explained. "Since they were members of the order and not of my army, the Council of Thirteen has requested to be on this little quest. By no means, though, shall we be resting while the soldiers fight", he said. The 12 other members rode to Lady Doryan and bowed on thier horses.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Moonlight squeezed Nightwolf’s hand and pushed the memories away. No need for more past pain. She gave him a soft understanding smile.

“Be assured Locklin, I had no intention of leaving before the sun breached the horizon, and if you have need for shelter for your men there will more then ample room for them within the keep once Lady Dorynan and her group have left. There will only be the five of us leaving as a group with the dawn, but I would ask that you select fifty of your best to shadow us, and as many of the fairy folk as you deem necessary to cloak us as we sleep. The terrain we must cover will be rugged, and a larger group would slow us to much, as well a small group of travelers will attract less attention and an army.”

Nightwoolf looked at her a little confused.

“Five M’Lady?”

“Yes. Lord Seven-up has consented to join with us on our quest to find Yelena. I’m not sure why he changed his mind about going with my sister, but I could not refuse the offer. The others will of course be myself, Lord Stark, Cory and you.”
Returning her fingers to the harp she began a more cheerful tune. It was one she had heard in a tavern some time ago, and it brought a smile to Nightwolf’s face.

 

[Neale]

Stark Wyrmsbane

"Very well, then. An we intend to depart at dawn, I would suggest sleep for those who have need of it."

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

"My lords." she addressed them quietly. "I understand you are of a Loyal Order. I too understand loyalty and my loyalty lies with that of two children which i fear harm will come to if i do not set out in search of."

"We understand your plight Lady." one with long handsomely gray hair down to his shoulders spoke first. "Tolliver at your service. The thirteen of us have been enlightened as to your situation. We are only here to help."

"So you will allow Lord Dralk and the other soldiers to travel with me? I would appreciate their protection." Lady Dorynan was relieved they would finally be on their way.

"We'll do you one better than that M'lady. We shall be travelling with you." Faranahn another gentleman spoke. He two unusually colored eyes. One blue and one green/hazel. It was hard to concentrate on his eyes because of it.

"Well M'lords I would have us leave immediately. Far too much time has gone by."

"Lead the way M'lady." Tolliver conceded.

And so it was. It was 8 hours pass the noon time and they were finally on their way.

Lady Dorynan, Lord Dralk, Roderick, Michaela, Colin, Lord Remy, Lady Siren, The S.L.O.B.S. and 80+ men concealed by fairy glamour headed out into the night.

As Lady Dorynan reached the last gate to her home she turned her mount around to take one last look. Up in the corner...of the East Wing, there was a lonely figure standing in the window. Lady Dorynan closed her eyes and sent her sister a message.
"I love you, and we will meet again. There has never been a time where i've truly been away from you and i will not start now. If ever you need me just send the thought. I will be there."

 

[unclebigbad]

M'Lady...

I beg you to allow me to send with you my best faerie scouts to both cloak your movements, and to seek for you, a safe path. Silky, is the best at the glamours. She will accompany you, along with half of the rest of the faerie scouting party. They will also be able to forage for you once the glamours are set. If you insist upon traveling at night, I cannot in good conscious, allow you to go with out some of my were-troops, they will be able to spot and fight the Dark Lords' scouts. Just tell me how many you wish me to send with you. I have here 30 score of them, all armed with longbows, and Scottish longswords. I also have here, 20 score of human fighters, also armed with longbows, and Scottish longswords. I should think 20 of the were-troops would be sufficient, but I will leave the numbers up to your judgement, as you know the Dark Lords motivations far better than do I.

*Rises from his kneeling position...bows from the waist to the assembled Lords and Ladies...Turns sharply on his heel...walks outside to confer with his army...*

 

[Morgoth]

Lord Dralk and the others broke into a brisk gallop to catch up with the Lady Dorynan. "Mi'Lady", said Dralk. "We have agreed that you must be informed of this. This Lord Robhodan or something, he must be extraordianrily powerful. The SLOB's have long been the Protectors of the Land, riding in and out to vanquish the greatest evils. If he has kept his darkness hidden to us, he is dangerous indeed", he said.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

Lady Dorynan remained at a gallop. She looked to her right and met Lord Dralk's eyes squarely. "I know."

It was as simple as that. It was obvious that no one here knew the full extent of Rohbodahn's powers and there was a good explanation for this.

"Lord Dralk, Rohbodahn has only just recently been released. He had been locked up within the gates of Benarabin for the last century. A silly old man who considered himself a wizard, deciphered and read enough of the old texts to release him. That man is now dead for his efforts. Let us hope we wont suffer the same demise."

"Benarabin, Milady?" Lady Siren asked

"Hell. He was in hell before. Now he's brought hell to us."

 

[Moonlight_33]

Lady Moonlight

Standing in the highest turret, Lilly watched as her sister and her party vanished into the night. She heard her sister’s fair well, and replied with wishes of love and strength, and a safe homecoming.

Alone in her chambers, Lilly began to pace, feeling more like a caged animal needing an escape than a lady needing her rest. Restlessness burned inside her and she yearned to run, but to where? Leaving her chambers she made her way to the Hall of Preparity. Raising her hand, the great doors opened before her, and closed behind her. Within was all she needed to release the burning flame that burned bright with in her. Raising her arms, inducing the flame of her nature, manifesting a sword of the purest flame, she began to dance. Spinning and leaping, flying on wing born of flame, moving to the beat of an inner drum, a melody that spun faster and faster about her. It was not enough. She must draw forth the part of herself she had long since denied.

A man stepped from the shadows, eyeing carefully this woman of fire, and she watched him in kind.

“How goes it Lilly?”

The nature of her flame shifted and changed, then vanished leaving a woman and a sword of steel standing before this man.

“How dare you come before me now? Here, in this place? How dare you?”

They circled each other, keeping a distance, their eyes locked to each other’s moving forms.

“You have need of me. I felt it. I came.”

Lifting her sword she eyed him with contempt.

“I need you NOT.”

And with that their blades met with crash and sparks flew. Turning and lunging they began the dance of the blade. A dance as deadly and real as any battle of survival could ever be. They were evenly matched; meeting each other thrust for thrust and lunge for lunge. Where he had strength, she had agility, where he had endurance, she had speed. Neither would yield, until at last her exhaustion became her undoing. Grabbing her wrists, lifting them high above her head and pinning her to a stone column, holding her there with the shear weight of his own body, he whispered into her face,

“You have need of me.”

“NO.”

He pressed his mouth to hers, forcing her lips apart with his tongue, kissing her hard.

“You have need of me Lilly, I feel it in my heart.”

“No Conner. No.”

Again her kisses her, whispering into her mouth.

“Yes Lilly, yes.”

Lifting her into his arms he carried her tired body back to her chambers. Lying her on her bed, he pulled a chair to her bedside and watched her sleep. It had been a long time since he had done so and he would not waist such an opportunity. Here, like this, he would await the dawn.

 

[Madyson]

OOC: ::sigh:: Never ask a friend to type for you. They'll create a new thread.

IC:
Seven-Up

The gold male pixie perches atop the Lady Dorynan's shoulder. Selecting a small lock of her hair, he braids in a strip of leather with unfamiliar runic writing. Once this is completed, his upper and lower set of arms commence thumb-wrestling each other, ever wary of small airborne bugs that may be a tasty snack.

 

[Morgoth]

The 13 muttered among themselves for a while, then pointed ahead. "Mi'Lady, just over the horizon yonder are the mountains we are aiming for to build a stronghold", said Dralk.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Moonlight woke an hour before the dawn to find Conner asleep in the chair next to her bed. She rose and went to the window, looking out into the night, trying to make sense of him being here. How did he even know she would be in need of help? He was a man, a mortal man, with no magical powers and no great gifts, and yet he was a skilled survivor, and an expert fighter. She had loved him once, long ago, before he betrayed her affections with another woman. But that was in the past, and if he been sent to her now it was for good reason, and should he offer her his help she would be bound to take it. Yes, she and Conner had a history, but it was just that, history. Leaving him sleep she left the room.

She stopped before another door further down the hall and opened it without a sound. Lord Start was laying awake on his bed looking up at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought. Crawling onto the bed beside him, he opened his arms. She lay her head on his chest, his strong arms enfolding her, holding her to him. She didn’t have to ask him, she already knew he knew of Conner being there. From the comfort of his bed, they watch the sun rise.

 

[Neale]

Stark Wyrmsbane

"Lady, I sense that the intruder is important to you. Know you that his life hinges upon you. Should he no longer be of use to you and your quest..." Stark did not look particularly angry or upset. "The man is a maggot, that much I can sense. I do not pretend to understand his importance to you, but I do perceive it. For your sake, he may continue to draw breath."

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Moonlight knew Lord Stark’s words were no idle threat, and should Conner take one wrong step his live would surely be forefit, but she hoped it would never come to that. Some how Conner was important to this quest, and until she knew why, she would do her best to keep them apart.

Lifting herself up onto her elbows, she looked in Stark’s eyes. She would never tire of how they sparkled. Then she did something that surprised herself as much as Stark. She reached up and kissed him softly on the mouth. He looked at her for a moment, a little startled, the burying his fingers into her hair, pulled her to him, kissing her soundly. The kiss seemed to last an eternity, neither of them wanting to break the bond, until there came a knocking on the door. It was Cory.

“My Lord, the Lady Moonlight is no where to be found, do you know where she is?”

Stark smirked and Lilly suppressed a giggle. Lifting her head she called out,

“Fear not dear Cory, I am in Lord Stark's safe keeping and I am safe and well. I will me amongst you presently and we will ready to leave.” She hoped the thought of leaving might divert their attention from the fact the she was in Lord Stark’s room, but she really cared little.

“Aye Milady, I will let the others know I found you.” And then he added, “in the turret.”

She giggle aloud,

“Thank you Corry.”

Kissing Stark on the tip of his nose, she rose and returned to her own room to find Conner pacing like an angry lion.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Siren watched Lady Dorynan as she rode wandering at these turn of events. She knew she should explain who her father was but he had made her promise not to speak his name to anyone. She looked off into the distance wondering if he was alright if he was even alive. She glanced around at everyone taking in each of their faces. She was an outsider, no one here knew her nor cared to. She felt so alone...

 

[Neale]

Stark Wyrmsbane

Stark was surprised, something which had not occurred in hundreds of years. This more-than-human female had kissed him! He felt stirrings within him that also hadn't been felt in centuries. What kind of mortal was this, to so enchant a dragon Lord?

He lay recumbent upon his bed, watching the Lady Moonlight as she left. She was returning to the intruder. Anger, however, was an emotion with which he was ever familiar. Still, she was a free creature, and had a noble purpose and quest to accomplish. If helping her with this meant tolerating the presence of that odious curr, then so be it. There would come a time, though, when that one's presence was no longer needed...

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Conner looked at Lilly with unreadable eyes, she had always had mixed feeling about the way he could mask his emotions, but she could still read his mind, and she knew he was not happy.

“Where have you been?”

She raised an eyebrow out him,

“Out.”

With the smallest movement of her hand, her nightgown transformed into the leggings, shirt and boots that she preferred to wear. Picking up her sword and stiletto, she attached them to her belt and headed back toward the door.

“Lilly wait, please.” He drew his sword, held it flat across his palms, and bowed before her on one knee.
“With all that I am, and all that I shall be, I pledge to my sword, my honor, my heart and my life. I am in your service my Lady.”

She sighed softly. Now she had no choice but to accept his help.

“Are you rested enough? We eat now and ride before the hour has past.”

“Aye, I am rested well enough.”

When the entered the dining hall the others were all ready eating. Lord Stark’s eyes met with Conner’s in obvious dislike as she introduced him to the rest of the group.

“My Lords, this is Conner, an old acquaintance of mine, he will be joining us in our quest. Conner, this is Lord Stark Wyrmsborn, Lord Nightwolf, Cory you already know, and Lord Seven-up. I trust you will al become more aquatinted as we travel.”

Stark handed her a slice of bread thickly coated in honey.

“Lilly, you should eat. We have a long day ahead.” She took the bread and bit into the sweet sticky honey. She didn’t realize she was hungry until then, sitting beside Stark, she reached for another slice of bread.

Conner took the chair opposite, eyeing Stark with obvious distaste. This man was obviously far too familiar with her and he didn’t like it one bit. She was a Lady and should be addressed with more respect.

Fishing the second slice of bread, Lilly drank deep a glass of fresh juice then stood licking her fingers. Without another word she headed to the stables, pleased to find all the horses saddled and ready to ride.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

Meanwhile.....2 days into the journey....


Deep in the forest borders of Visilica Lady Dorynan threw up a silent fist to halt the procession. She heard something...or rather felt it. She motioned with two fingers towards her left flank and again toward her right. Two sets of the troops silently dropped down off their horses leaving them where they were and then crept off in either direction. Lord Dralk stayed by her side as she moved forward. The others she ordered down off their horses and to stay put hidden between the horses.

"Please not now." She whispered to herself. "We are but four days ride away from the mountains. We dont have much further to go before we get there."

The silence was thick with tension. Two steps behind her Lord Dralk surveyed the landscape. It was just after sunset, when the whole world looked surreal. Nothing was quite clear. Not enough light to see, but not enough to be dark.

"Stay where you are." Lady Dorynan waved her hand about her face and down her body and suddenly she was gone. She took on the look of the forest...although when she moved it looked as if you were looking at the forest through a puddle of rippling water.

Stationing herself, back to a tree, Lady Dorynan waited. She breathed, waited, and then there he was.

Her hand shot out and grabbed him by the throat. Flipping him on to his back. He landed hard. She became visible again.

"Who are you!! Why do you creep stealthily around here? Who sent you!!"

The youth of of 10 and 9 years fairly shook with his fear. In his hand a skillfully crafted bow and the arrow a few feet away.

His face suddenly went stark white. Lady Dorynan felt Lord Dralks presence behind her.

"Speak up!" he commanded

"I..II..I.I..thought you were a deer." the boy stammered.

Lady Dorynan's mouth drew into a tight line. "What!" she hissed grabbing him by his collar.

"M'lord I swear we thought you were a deer!! We were hunting!" he was finally able to put a few sentences together.

"We?!" she now looked around her, her inner alarm going off, and saw through the trees some of Lord Dralk's warriors dragging 4 other young boys ranging in age. The youngest seeming to be 10 and 4 years.

The other boys seemed innocent enough all except for the middle child. He was extremely belligerent and defiant.

"You let me go you brute or the Lady Dorynan herself will have your head!!!

Lady Dorynan regarded the youth with humor. "What know you of the Lady Dorynan?" She asked. It was obvious he didnt know whom he was addressing.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

"I know she is righteous, and beautiful and kind and she would never stand for you to treat us this way. You are beneath her!" this young youth of apparently 10 and 6 years
was completely adamant about his beliefs.

Every looked at him quizzically. He just wouldn't let up.

"Get off my brother you bastard!"

I looked up at him. Damn but he was a fiery one. Reminded me of myself.

"Bite your tongue Quinlan!" the one who lay on the ground yelled.

Lord Dralk grabbed the boy they called Quinlan. "How dare you address a lady that way."

"What lady? Are you daft man?" Quinlan was obnoxious indeed

Lord Dralk looked back and realized he'd forgotten the lady's disguise. With her short black hair and mens armor it was no wonder these boys thought she was a man. The disguise had at least worked.

"These boys mean no harm M'lord. We'll let them go and be on our way." Lady Dorynan said

"Might I suggest M'lady that we keep them with us. They could still get us killed." Tolliver suggested.

"Indeed. Tie them up. Two to a horse. The youngest will ride with me." Lady Dorynan passed out orders.

To everyone else she said, "Mount up. We've four days ride yet, so lets not waste time."

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

Out of character (OOC): I will be gone for two days, just wanted to let you all know i may not post for several days. But keep things interesting for me until i get back.

 

[unclebigbad]

Stands before them...

...lost in his thoughts...his stomache grumbling...his wolven hunger almost exceeds his human control...thinks...Lady Moonlight, I felt something, then this morn, I felt you empassioned with another...I am confused...Mayhaps I was alone in the forest for too long...Maybe I mistake pity for love...I don't know...I would gladly die for you, and not just out of sense of duty, M'Lady...

feels his tears coming...runs from the room, a loaf of dry bread in his hands...ashamed of his tears, and afraid of the passion that grows in his heart...Moonlight, I would die for you...

I find myself a small dark place to quell my human hungers...my wolven ones forgotten for the moment, in my shame, anger, and panic...tearing into the loaf, I satiate my human hungers...finding only thirst at the end...no answers...

 

[Lady_Siren]

Siren watched the action with the boys approvingly. Lady Dorynan knew how to handle situations she would give her that. And the invisbility was quite interesting. Siren wondered how Lady Dorynan managed that, was she from a family of magic users. Siren thought for a moment, trying to remember exactly what her father had said and Lady Dorynan but didn't recall anything to do with magick. How interesting' she thought... this journey might prove worth it after all.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

As they rode from Lady Dorynan’s home, Lilly could feel the distress she had caused Nightwolf through her link to him. She was now faced with quite a dilemma, but it was a dilemma that would have to wait until they rested later in the day.
Finding a clearing on the edge of a stream, they stopped to let the horses drink and rest. Moonlight stretched out on the soft grass under the shade of a tree, closing her eyes for a moment in rest. It has been a long time since she had used a horse as a means of travel, and her body was feeling the strain of every mile they had traveled.

She knew Nightwolf could feel her aches and pains, and she wished that she could ask him to massage them away for her, but she could see now way of doing that without causing a problem with Conner, so it was better to lay there and ache. The healing powers she had gained from Nightwolf would heal her soon enough.

Placing her hand on her chest, over the globe the oracle had sent her; she could see her sister and her party as they rode towards their goal. She watched Siren for a moment, wondering for a moment what the human woman’s place would be in all of this, but like Conner, if she was there, then she was there for a reason. Shifting her inner sight, she looked for Yelena, finding the girl sleeping peacefully beside her adoptive younger brother. Lilly smiled inwardly, hoping the pleasurable feeling would help Nightwolf in some small way.

Suddenly the image of the girl was replaced by another image, the image of a man, dark and menacing. He turned and looked at her through eyes of a serpent, throwing back his head in a fit of veracious laughter. She knew those eyes, that laugh. He lifted a clawed hand and lashed out at her, catching her on the top of her forearm. She screamed and sat bolt upright, clutching her arm, thick blood oozing between her fingers. Nightwolf was by her side; he had suffered the same wound.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Siren glanced up at the sky a strange feeling rushed through her body and she closed her eyes. She felt anger in the air, a strange sort of collective power as well, almost as if. Her eyes flew open and she glanced around her her body tensing up. He couldn't be here, she had made sure of that but then again he could be anywhere and no where. That was his gift. Just then Siren heard a scream behind her she looked behind her and saw Lady Moonlight clutching her arm she also saw blood. She turned her horse around hurrying to her "are you all right?" she asked

 

[Moonlight_33]

OOC: note to Lady Siren, you have gone with Dorynan to the west and i have gone with a seperate party to the east, it's like 2 diferant adventures happening at once. if you don't mind, we will disreguard you last post as it dosn't fit under the circumstances. congrats on making it to Experienced status, your doing great.