The Coming Darkness - closed for JadeKnight

[JadeKnight]

He gave a little smirk for a moment.

"If the gods truly wanted this guy gone, I am sure they have the ability to do so. However, that is none of my business."

He looked down for a moment as she placed his hand between her breasts. His fingers moved to gently squeeze around the soft flesh of her breasts for a moment.

"I can teach you how to use a dagger, that will be no problem. As far as the knowledge we need, I do have a few books here that we can look into. If we don't find anything here, we can search out the knowledge."

He leaned down and pressed his lips against her softly for a moment before sitting back up.

"However, I think this is going to be more of the 'figure things out as we go' method that they want us to do."

He sighed for a moment looking at the fire.

"We have to go and let the boss know what's happening so he can prepared everyone."

 

[SandS13]

"No, they can't. That is why they need you. If he is freed he will destroy everything. They will not be able to stop him." Selakir frowned. Draco didn't seem to understand. If this dark god got free it was the end of everything. She didn't know how to make it clear. He hadn't seen her dreams or at least, not as she had.

He kissed her. It was gentle, soft and she was almost surprised at its tenderness.

"That is a good idea. There are many who will need protecting. Those things...they kill everything in their path but that is what they want. Death, destruction and despair."

Selakir reached up and touched his cheek. She smiled. "I feared you would be harsh and hard when you stole me away."

Warmth flowed from her fingers into Draco. It moved it waves, like the beating of her heart. It flowed out of her and into him. The warmth flowed down into his body. Tired muscles were rejuvenated. Cuts and scrapes from their fight were healed.

She lifted her head to place her lips on his. She sighed and then pulled way. She seemed unaware of what had happened.

 

[JadeKnight]

He took a deep breathe for a moment through his nose as the healing went through him, feeling it heal his every wound. He wasn't expecting that to happen, but it was quite welcome to him.

"I could not be harsh to this beauty."

He smiled for a moment after the kiss, looking down at her. His mind did play out the battle once more, wondering where he had gotten the strength from. It was mostly a blur, but he felt he could face them again when they returned. He lifted his hand for a moment, a thought coming to mind.

Concentrating once more, he slowly created a ball of light in his hand. Using his other hand, he slowly fashioned it into a three feet long rope. He reached down with one end and attached it to the little ring that was on the front of her collar holding the pendent. He shaped the other end to tie around his right wrist, extending it to a little more than seven feet in length.

"I think that will help keep us together better."

 

[SandS13]

"You could have. The goddess warned me you might not be kind to me."

Her eyes were on the ball of light, wide in fascination. Draco bound it to her collar. "Do you take care of all of your property in this way?" Her question was earnest, almost sweet. "I would not wish to be parted from you."

The collar and leash didn't bother Selakir. She saw it as his way of protecting her. Her hand went up to caress the collar around her neck.

 

[JadeKnight]

He chuckled softly for a moment at her mention of could have been harsh with her.

"There's always plenty of time for me to be harsh with you."

He gave a playfully wink for a moment as she carressed the collar around her neck. He smiled for a moment before standing up. He walked over towards the bed, leading her behind him. He picked her dress up and gave it to her to put on, not worried about the tears in it.

"I would be stupid if I didn't take care of my things and protect them. And I will make sure you are never parted from me."

He lifted her chin up for a moment before kissing her softly. He soon parted the kiss, leading her over towards the bookshelves. He reached up and ran his fingers slowly along the spines to read their titles.

"I have a few rare and powerful spell books among my collection. However, it's been years since I last opened them."

 

[SandS13]

Selakir followed behind him. Her eyes watched him. She was curious about this man. In their short time together she had learned very little about him. In fairness, a lot had happened since he took her away. She had been focused on the prophecy and doing as he wished. Talking had not been something they had done a great deal of.

She dressed and looked away shyly as his playful comment. His kiss was so soft. Her fingertips touched her lips as he moved away. He really was a mystery to her.

"You have collected all of these but do not read them? I do not think I would do anything except read them." She stepped in, just behind his shoulder. She did not touch anything. They were not hers to touch. "Why did you seek them out if you do not wish to read them?"

 

[JadeKnight]

"I never had a teacher growing up to teach me properly how to use magic. I was adopted by Darrius after one of their raids when I was young. My village had been hit by a different band, leaving the village in flames. Darrius and some of his men came through after the fire died down, rescuing me at that time."

He stopped on a rather large book, elven writing running along the spine. He picked it out and opened it, slowly flipping through the pages as he continued to speak.

"I always knew I could use magic, but I made a vow never to use magic except for little things. I've seen mages get used by others to the point of killing them. I never wanted that to happen to me. None of the clan know either, I've done my best not to let them see anything."

He stopped for a moment to make a flourish at their surroundings.

"This whole house is just a elaborate illusion. Everything within is real though."

He looked over his shoulder towards her with a smile for a moment.

"If we are going to do this together, you should have use of these books as well. Go ahead."

He turned back to the book, flipping through the rest of it before putting it away and opening another.

"I've collected them because I knew I would probably have to rely on magic someday. I just didn't expect so soon."

 

[SandS13]

Selakir listened intently. She bowed her head. "Thank you." He had given her permission to touch the books. Selakir scanned the spines. She took out one that seemed to be an anthology of gods. She took it, kneeling on the floor and opening the book in front of her.

"I fear the gods are forcing your hand." Selakir looked up at him. "But you are no longer alone to figure it out." She smiled softly before turning her attention back to the book.

 

[JadeKnight]

He smiled back to her for a moment.

"I know."

He returned his attention to the spellbook, continuing to flip through it. After finishing that one, he put it away before pulling it out. He was beginning to notice that most of the spells were pretty much the same, things which he was able to memorize quickly enough. They were useless in their current form for fighting the darkness, but he figured that with a little practice, he could incorporate the light aspect into them as well.

He closed that final book as well before putting it away. He put a hand over his stomach for a moment as it growled softly. He gave a little chuckle as he looked at her.

"How are you at cooking?"

 

[SandS13]

Selakir smiled. "I am fairly good. We all needed to learn as acolytes. We were expected to take care of the food as the priestesses did their studies and work. "I haven't done it in a bit but it should come back to me." She stood, leaving her book about the gods open.

She moved to the kitchen and began taking stock of what was there. "You are quite well stock...."

Selakir began working. She was humming to herself as she moved about the kitchen. A dough was made and she began to dice up vegetables as it rested. Chunks of meat were seared in a pot, the vegetables added. She stirred it, closing her eyes and asking the goddess for a blessing as was usual for those of her order when they cooked.

It was removed from the fire and the dough rolled out and cut. The meat and vegetables were put in the middle, dough folded around to make a little crescent. She sealed the edges and once they were all done placed them in a pan and into the oven. Selakir stoked the embers.

"We make these a lot. They can be eaten cold the next day. Good for travellers."

More noise as she cleaned up. The table was set and the hot hand pies were piled onto a plate and set out.

"For you." She smiled, looking pleased. "I hope you enjoy them."

 

[JadeKnight]

He followed after her into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table to watch her work. It would be interesting to try someone else's cooking, after having one type for so long. Claire was a wonderful cook, but trying out his pet's cooking would be a good change of things.

"I try to keep things that I will need around at all times. It isn't hard really, just a simple spell or two."

He leaned back in his chair as he watched her move about the kitchen, enjoying the smell she was creating as she cooking. It was a heavenly scent, making his mouth water. He smiled as she soon brought the meal to him, sitting it in front of him.

"It looks wonderful. I am quite sure it will taste as good as it smells."

He picked one up gingerly, the bread still quite warm. He placed it back down, letting it cool just a bit before deciding to try once more.

"What all did you learn during your time there?"

Trying once more, he picked the hand pie up and took a large bite off it. He mmed at the flavor of everything mixing together, chewing slowly before swallowing.

"You are a wonderful cook angel."

 

[SandS13]

Selakir was beaming. She leaned on the table, watching him. Her smile was wide. "I am so pleased you like it." She sighed contentedly.

"We learned to cook, to garden. We learned the basics of life...wash linens, make and mend clothes but we mostly learned to heal and help others. The goddess is said to value purity because when things are clean and purified they heal better. No infection. If the one performing the healing is pure then it stands that there is less risk. We learned to pray and seek guidance."

Her knees were pulled under her so she could rest on them. "We learn that magic is bad unless performed by a devotee of a god or goddess. You are the first I have known with such powers. I was stunned to learn you did not believe in the gods."

She tilted her head. Her dark hair fell over her shoulder. "I have also never seen anyone like you. You are not an elf as I am."

Considering how intimate they had been already, how much had happened in their short time together it was almost surreal that only now were they speaking about themselves to each other.

 

[JadeKnight]

He finished off two of the pies while she knelt down by the table. He reached over and laid a hand gently on her head. His fingers gently ran through her hair and down around her ears gently.

"My father Darrius called me a Drakyn. He said I was basically the offspring of a dragon and a human mating. I don't remember how I ended up at the village that he discovered me at, but he thinks I was abandoned there as a child. It's something that often happens to my kind."

He took a deep breathe for a moment and smirked, shaking his head.

"Being abandoned as a child and being misplaced does not exactly lead on to believe in the gods, nor trust them. My life has gotten better, but mostly through my own hands."

He leaned over and kissed the top of her head for a moment.

"It's with my own hands I will protect you, my beautiful angel."

 

[SandS13]

Selakir closed her eyes as Draco kissed the top of her head. "And I will do all I can to help you."

She reached out to take his hand. She held it against her cheek. "I am glad you took me, even it terrified me." Selakir's eyes opened to focus on his. Getting up she began to clean up from dinner. She stored the rest of the meal safely away. They would keep for a day or two. They were meant for easy transportation for travellers.

When everything was cleaned up she went back to the book on the gods.

"It says here...." A finger moved over the page. "The dark one was bound by the other gods, each giving up a part of themselves and thus weakening themselves." She frowned and flipped backwards. "Why is it that no one will say what he did?"

Selakir picked up the book and closed it. "Do you think those things are him or the mage's powers?"

She placed the book back on the shelf and came to kneel before Draco.

 

[JadeKnight]

He thought about her question on the gods and shook his head for a moment. When she knelt before him, he reached out and ran his fingers lightly along the curve of her wings.

"Who knows why the gods do what they do. They have their own reasons to not tell us little mortals, which makes them hypocrites in their own way. All we can do is get by the best we can."

He chuckled for a moment before leaning down and kissing the top of her head before standing up. It was still amazing to him that she had submitted so quickly, but he had no problems with that.

"We should probably head to see father now. He'll probably be a little upset I'm not out doing the errand, but I'm sure he'll understand the reason."

Leading her out, they were soon on a brisk little walk to the little town the clan had made to call their home. The buildings that made up the town were made of sturdy wood, and gravel pathways to make up the roads going through the town. The town center was also currently acting as the town marketplace, stalls lining the outer edges and some of the roads leading into the town square.

"There's father."

He smiled for a moment, pointing at an old man sitting on a small bench, next to Claire in front of a statue of a vary large crow

 

[SandS13]

Selakir frowned. She had never considered the gods, let alone her goddess could be a hypocrite. Surely they had a reason...

She sighed as he kissed the top of her head. She rose when he did. Following blindly is what she did well. As a priestess one did not question the goddess' will and her will was that Selakir be with Draco. She couldn't and wouldn't fight that.

She followed him the leash leading her where he wanted. Selakir stepped in behind him as they approached the man. She was suddenly very aware of how her dress showed off her body. Her eyes fluttered as Draco pointed out the man he called father.

Her hands went to his back, moving down until she gripped the waist of his pants. She peaked out from behind him "Is he kind?"

 

[JadeKnight]

Draco gave a little chuckle at her question for a moment, glancing back at her.

"He is most of the time. He does have a bit of a temper sometimes."

He continued forward, calling out to his father as they approached. Claire and his father both looked a little confused at seeing them here in the market. His father spoke up first.

"Draco, my boy, what are you still doing here? Getting those supplies should be top priority and taken at least a couple of days."

Draco hehed for a moment.

"About that...first, I figured it would be good to let you see my new pet. This is Selakir. She was the who I took during the temple run."

He reached behind him and gently pulled her around so Darrius could look her over for a moment. After he nodded approvingly, Claire grinned and patted the seat beside her for Selakir to go and sit. His father had a frown on his face once more as he looked back at Draco.

"You need to explain exactly what you two are doing here or I'll come up with something to punish you with."

Draco grinned sheepishly for a moment. "About that...." He launched into the whole series of events from them starting out that morning till they returned back home. He was careful to leave out the whole part of them talking with the goddess, since the whole impending darkness thing was more pressing for them.

 

[SandS13]

Selakir moved as Draco wanted. She stood in front of him and let the older man look her over. She blushed a little. She saw him nod and with a look back at Draco for his approval, Selakir moved to sit where Claire gestured.

Her hands clenched when she heard the man Draco called father say he would punish him if he didn't explain.

She held her breath as Draco launched into the story. He left out the parts about the goddess speaking to them but the rest was there.

Selakir sat wide eyed and waited to see what the man would say. Would he have advice? Would he offer help? Surely if he cared for Draco he would do all he could for him.

 

[JadeKnight]

His father was silent for a few moments after Draco finished telling the story, his mouth a thin line. He gave a nod as he stood up from the fountain, Draco moving back to give his father room.

"This is a grave matter indeed. We need to make preparations for going into battle then."

The old man made his way over to a small bell that was hanging outside the nearest building, a carved lion above the door frame. It was a large three story inn called the Lion's den. His father rang the bell in a series of short, rapid hits for a few moments before motioning for the rest to head inside.

"The rest should be here shortly. We can wait inside in the meantime."

 

[SandS13]

"Battle?" Selakir felt the colour drain from her face. "I saw a battle in my dreams. The darkness came and swept the land." Her eyes were sad. She stood and went to Draco.

"I do not want your people to fight or die until we learn more. We need to figure out what god is trapped, why and how. We need to know more." Her eyes pleaded with him to do something though in truth she knew he could do and knew no more than she did.

Goddess, where are you? We need your help, your guidance.... For the first time in her life Selakir felt as if her goddess had gone silent or left her in her time of need.

Selakir laid her head on Draco's chest. His father said they should go inside and she would if Draco told her to but at the moment sadness and worry washed over her and she sought comfort from him.

--
"You are just going to let her alone like that? You aren't going to help her find what they need to know?" The god laughed. "I never took you for cruel."

The goddess looked pained. "Not yet. They need to do this on their own. They need to learn how he can tap into her power. I cannot hand them all the answers or he will never be the hero he is meant to be."

She circled the pair slowly. "I want to help her, to tell her about-"

"Do not say his name." The tone was a mix of fear and anger. "He is locked under that mountain for a reason and to speak it invites trouble. You know this."

"I will give it a little longer and if they do not find it on their own, figure out how to open her power to him I will intervene."