The Seven Keys.

[Vixandra]

Cali

"Oh."
I paused for a moment before resuming my train of thought. 'You mean to tell me, that in all your life, all your traveling, there has never been a woman that bore a child of yours?"
I caught myself and hastened to speak further. "I'm sorry, that's not fair of me to ask. You don't have to answer.
"Wonder where everyone else is?"

 

[LadyRozes]

Tana watched the servant give trianna the message. She sighed.. it was all so romantic.. really she wished trianna had taken the lovely cloak.. it was so beautiful.. still she would do her part to encourage the two .. She hoped one day she would find that sort of love....

"You know .. you should go ... it seems really important to him." Showing wisdom not really shown in one so young. "I will go find the others and let them know where you both are.." With that she and growls went towards the palace towards the breakfast room.

 

[poohlive]

Goven stood out in the courtyard, alone, looking at the two adventurers who had spent literally all of their energy trying to destroy each other.
"Arise... my friend," Goven said, and the ogre's eyes blinked open. He stood up, sore, worse for the wear, but otherwise all right. Ogre's had a wonderful way of healing, although one never called it wonderful unless they had one on their side.
Tork gave a low growl, looking at the unconscious dwarf. He limped over to his weapon, grabbed it, and raised it high in the air.
"No," Goven said.
The ogre growled again. He would not be denied his revenge, his heritage. He had worked too long, too hard to get to this point. He had won, and moreover he was going to destroy the nemesis of...
"No..." Goven repeated. The collar on the ogre burned a bright red. For a moment Tork's eyes watered in torment and frustration, and then, he lapsed, and put the weapon at his side.
"There's enough killing for one day."
The ogre nodded, although he did not agree.
Goven looked down at the stumpy dwarf, sleeping as soundly as a dwarf could possibly sleep. He studied the creature with some interest.
"I do believe we have another enemy at out disposal."
The ogre grunted.
"Very well. The others are waiting. Come..."
He took out his new staff, oiled sick with black magic, that seemed to course through its very veins. If it had lips, Goven would have swore the thing would be licking them every moment.
He waved it, and in a moment the air grew funny around them, before they disappeared entirely.
Leaving the dwarf to sleep off a heavy hangover.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna was indecisive. She wanted to go to the grove, she was worried about Ramas. What in the world had made him go back there so close to the time to leave? She wondered if he meant to stay and wanted to leave the message with her. A sharp pang of regret filled her at the thought. But she knew that if that was his decision than she must let him make it.

She sighed. She didn't want to leave Tana alone and, as she and Growls walked away, she called out to the wolf. "Keep her safe! And take her immediately to Cali and Yris!"

Getting an affirmation from Growls along with a hurt snort a the thought that Trianna would even suppose he would not do that without instructions, the ranger turned and made her way into the trees, climbing them and beginning to move from one to the other in lithe movements. She could go through the trees faster than a stead could take her and she wanted to waste no time.

When she got to the clearing, she spied the horse that Ramas had taken and lept lightly to the ground. The steed met her and relayed the message which further puzzled her.

"Graveyard? So close to the castle?" The horse nodded once and then shook her head at the offer of Aoth to lead her. Trianna bent to the ground, to find Ramas' tracks, silently moving through the grasses and trees, her feet not making a sound, a comforting feeling falling over her being in her own element at last.

When she came to the clearing, she paused within the trees looking out at Ramas who knelt on the ground before a marker. She wondered whose it was...Lan's or his loves...and she found she did not wish to disturb him from his moment of contemplation, simply watched him as he murmured something to whoever was buried there.

After a few moments Trianna felt as if she were intruding on something that she had no right to intrude on and almost turned away to let him be alone in peace. But he had said he wished her to speak with him. Had left a message with his mount in order to direct her here...so she cleared her throat and stepped within the grove instead.

"I can leave and wait for you with Aoth," She said, her own voice as hushed as his had been,"I do not wish to disturb your meditation."

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir shrugged. "I haven't really been with a woman since my wife died until the last few years when I was drunk as the God of Drink himself. And then, I usually couldn't finish enough to get a woman pregnant. Drink has a way of making you want it, but not letting you get it."

He laughed, and picked a few other things to eat before turning and looking at Cali. "Why not just grab a servant and ask for some messengers to find them? Sounds like it might work."

 

[LadyRozes]

Liliana passed the courtyard after tending to the wounded soildier in the morning and noticed a certain friend of the family's in the middle of the courtyard.. apparently Elli must have missed him when she began to clear things away before everyone had left the ball....

She sent for some guards and had them haul him into his room, noticing the cuts and seeing that they werent fatal she had one of her special brews sent to his room

She knew he would definately be feeling better afterward. All they need is a little bit of ale..and nobody need tell them its laced with a few herbs and such.. hee hee

It was her private joke.. Dwarves were such proud creatures and they could survive anything with a little bit of ale.. esp. if it was her special brew..

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I listened to him, nodding when he mentioned grabbing a servant to fetch the others.
"I can do that now huh? So strange... never could really before. Except for that one job in Cartha... stupid king... but thats a whole 'nother story."
I was about to motion for a servant when Tana came into the room, that huge wolf at her side.
"Fair morn to thee, Lady Tana," I said with a jaunty salute. Which made the servants in the room jump as if I were greeting a true lady of standing. Took me seriously these elves did... would have to remember that. "You, Trianna and Ramas ready to go? "

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I raised my head at the sound of Trianna's voice before making the sign of my Godess across my chest. I kissed my fingertips and then touched them to the gravestone. It was then I became aware of a single tear that had formed on my cheek. I wiped it and whispered.

"Goodbye."

I stood and turned to face Trianna slowly, the cloak of elvinkind lazily flowing behind me. I looked at Trianna with a looked that can only be described as a sad because I'm happy emotion. Several beats passed before I spoke.

"Trianna," I said with trying not to sound too somber, "Do you know who's grave this is?"

I read her looked closely before responding. "This is Jasmine's gravesite. This is where Lan burried her after Snider's dark deed." I could feel the mood getting darker, but this was serious. This was the end of one time in my life and the beginning of a new one.

"I've been here all morning praying. Meditating. Asking for forgiveness. But not forgiveness for my failure to avenge her death or my failure to protect her as I so often have," I said as I took Trianna by the arm and led he back away from the grave.

"I've been asking forgiveness for not honoring her in a way that she would want to be honored. I have been so wrought with grief for half a century when truly I should have let this go decades ago. It is time to move on. It's time to live my life, this gift as you once called it, to the fullest possible extent. Do you understand what I'm saying?" I turned her to face me looking deep in her eyes. My eyes showed no sorrow. No mournfulness. Only acceptence of what was done could not be undone.

"I had to tell you this before we left on our adventure. I believe that my Goddess brought us here to Ankoria first not only so we could find another key, but also so I could finally be at peace. And I am." I smiled warmly at her, my heart feeling as though it was glowing through my chest.

"Now all I want is to be happy. And I want to try and be happy with you by my side."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna let Ramas talk without interrupting him, her eyes holdling his gaze the whole time. When he had finished, she knew that he spoke sincerely and her heart felt both light and as if someone had ahold of it too tightly.

"Ramas," She said softly and ran her fingers over his cheek in a gentle manner,"I have been praying to the Gods that you would find this day. That you would realize that to honor our dead we must live as they would want us to."

She looked up at him, catching his gaze again. "As for my feelings for you...for I am supposing that is what you are asking...they are...deep. Though I would not let you know that when you carried such a burden as you had given yourself."

Trianna took a deep breath before continuing. "I would love to be at your side. Whether as a friend or something deeper you must decide. Only know that I will walk in no woman's shadow. I am myself...unique...and I will do things in my own way. If you can care for me...for who I really am...than I readily accept your offer..."

She laughed softly. "However, I must tell you you will have to let me know exactly what you wish of this relationship. Is it something you must ask my father about or do you simply need someone to carry your weapons for you?"

The smile on her face and in her eyes made it plain she was teasing Ramas, breaking the somber mood that had befallen them and opening the door to something that could be wonderful.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

"A little of both, actually," I teased back. "Although a talk with your father probably wouldn't be a bad idea. No sense in putting it off and having an angry ranger paying me a visit while I sleep."

I removed the cloak from my shoulders and fastened it around Trianna's shoulders. I ran my hands down her arms and found myself staring at her. I was truly blessed by my Goddess to have been chosen for this mission, blessed to have Trianna and twice blessed for coming to peace with myself.

I leaned down and kissed Trianna lightly on her lips.

As I pulled away, I smiled warmly while my stomach continued to turn itself upside down and inside out. Aoth approached and poked me in the side with his snout.

"You're right, Aoth, we should get back," I said as I climbed onto his back. I held a hand down to Trianna.

"Need a ride back to the castle, m'lady?" I joked.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna laughed and put her arms about Ramas' waist. "I assure you, you don't want my father tracking you down. He taught me everything I know and I know only a portion of what he does."

Smiling as he kissed her and placed the cloak about her shoulders, Trianna felt happier than she had ever been before. The quest, the dangers, seemed to fade into the background for the moment.

Taking his offered hand, she wrinkled her nose at him. "Well, I guess I shouldn't challenge you to a race and beat you on the first day of our new relationship. It might be bad for moral."

With a light laugh, she easily mounted Aoth and hugged Ramas about the waist, laying her cheek on his back, a smile on her lips.

The ride back to the castle seemed to take only a minute and soon they were in the courtyard again. Reluctantly Trianna dismounted only to be met by the messenger she had sent for the small lute for Tana.

Thanking the man, she took the package and opened it, nodding in satisfaction at the make and quality of it.

Showing it to Ramas, she said,"I am going to see if Tana would like music lessons. I think it will help take her mind off of the emotional situation she is in. Music has always been the best medicine for me when my thoughts were not in order."

Eager to show Tana what she had gotten for her, she took Ramas' hand and pulled him along, looking for the girl and Growls.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

"I'm sure that she'd love music lessons, especially from such a talented teacher," I smiled as I allowed myself to be pulled along. I looked up and saw that the day seemed to be passing by quickly. I imagined that Yrismir and the others would want to leave soon. And that meant I needed to get ready.

"Trianna, if we're going to get out of here on time I need to go and put on my armor. I'm also going to see if Hannor will lend us some horses for the journey," I said as I stopped moving. "I'll be riding Aoth of course. I'll meet you in the courtyard when I'm ready."

I smiled broadly at her before giving her another kiss. "See you soon." And off I went.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna called after Ramas,"Do not saddle mine!" Elves of the forest did not usually ride with a saddle and Trianna was no exception.

Watching him walk away, a smile on her face, Trianna sighed. She wondered just how her father was going to react to a relationship with a non-elf. But Syran, her father, was more openminded than most elves and Ramas was the heir of Lan a reknown ranger as well as a knight of king Tildar. Somehow she didn't think there would be too much fussing. From her father at least. Her mother may be a different story.

Hurrying into the castle, she found Cali, Yris, Tana and Growls. Kneeling down to give the girl a hug and the wolf a scratch behind the ears, she told Cali,"Ramas has gone to secure horses for us, My Princess. We should be ready to leave shortly if that meets with your approval."

To Tana, she held out the lyre. "Here, Young One," She said, stroking the strings and letting the light music swirl around them. "A lyre of your own. While we are on ship I will teach you to use it if you would like. It will help to pass the time."

 

[Vixandra]

Trianna found the lot of us in the corridors, hunting for others and said, "Ramas has gone to secure horses for us, My Princess. We should be ready to leave shortly if that meets with your approval."
I shuddered visably. "Trianna- please, don't call me that and don't ask my approval unless you'd've done the same while I was just a Rouge."
I sighed deeply and shook my head. "Its not that I'm trying to tell you that I'm not your princess or that I won't do everything I can for you but I... I'm not... haven't accepted really... I don't feel like a princess, Trianna. Its so new that I don't understand at all."
Turning, I smiled a bit sadly. "After wondering after my ma and da all these years, expecting them to be peasent folk, finding out my mother, my namesake, was a King's Companion and aid and my father an elfin king is a bit of a shock... least for me. Cali is fine, really. Its who I am."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna let Tana sit down with the lyre and begin to stroke it as Growls came over to inspect what she was doing, laying his head on the girl's lap as she explored her present.

"Of course," Trianna said with a bow of her head,"As you wish. But you must realize that you are the princess and heir and you will get one of two reactions from any elf you now meet. Either they will be loyal to you as they are to your father...or they will hate you and try to assassinate you upon sight."

She raised her eyebrows and continued as if simply giving directions to someone who is lost.

"While I understand that it will take time to get used to the idea I would advise you to be on the lookout for any suspicious actions from one of your subjects. The mixing of elvin blood with that of another race is not taken lightly. Especially where the throne is involved."

She sighed, thinking about Ramas and herself now. "But it is done, whether our ancestors approve or not. And love can be a very moving motivation for ignoring years of learning that blood must run pure."

Trianna gave a bow of her head again. "As I said, Cali, Ramas has gone to secure steeds for us. We will be ready to leave as soon as we are all gathered."

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I hummed lightly to myself while I donned my armor. Couldn't remember clearly the last time I felt this happy. The short time I had been on this adventure it had all ready proved one for the bards. In the short time we had all been together, we had rescued a slave, fought the champions of evil twice, discovered Cali's long lost family, nearly turned one of the evil champions to our side (though I still didn't trust him and likely never would), fought a plant-wizard-demon-thingy, and fallen in love. If only the boys back home could see me now.

The thought of thinking about the human isle, my birth home, caught me off guard a bit. I found myself wondering what Lax, the court bard during my father's time, would say of this adventure. I remember it was Lax that taught me how to read and write, not to mention give me a crash course in elvin before I left to go in search of Jasmine. Given I had far surpassed the simple and brutal variation of elvish that Lax had taught me, but I still wanted to show it off to the courts back home.

I wondered if our travels would take us back to the home of my ancestors.

Then I wondered if, upon discovering that I'm alive and a knight of a foreign court, they would still have me under go the Ritual of the Goddess.

My father had. And his father. And his father. And his father and so on. As far back as sages could tell, there was always one Vae that had undergone the Ritual successfully. I know Snider never would have been accepted by Her. That left me alone. I'm sure they would have me undergo it if I returned.

I clicked my final bracer into place and put the Ritual out of my mind. If our journey took us there, then I would cross that bridge when we got there. Not before.

I made my way down to the stables and found Hannor trying desperately to stable Aoth, who was whinnying and kicking like a horse possessed. I laughed out loud and Hannor turned to me.

"Here to bother me again, Vae?" He said. "Good. Maybe you can get this horse of yours stabled up."

"Actually, I need him again. And I think he knows that," I said as Aoth snorted and shook his head. "See?"

"You need him, eh? Fine. Take him. He only likes you anyway," Hannor spat before getting a headbutt from Aoth.

I laughed. "Actually, I need three more horses. My companions and I are leaving for the Neutral Zone."

"I imagine you'll want to pick them out yourself," Hannor sighed.

"Naturally."

I walked around the stable, inspecting each horse. It was important to match a horse's personality with that of the rider, otherwise the horse would be less likely to listen and follow directions.

I approached a spirited white mare. The horse reared up when I approached, but then came face to face with me. If a horse could stare at you with determination, this one certainly was doing so. I scratched her behind the ears and she shook her head vigorously. She seemed perfect for Cali.

"Saddle this one here, Hannor," I called.

"You heard him, boy," The stablemaster said to a stablehand. "Saddle up Jinx."

I continued around the stables, inspecting horses, before coming to a jet black one. This horse appeared calm, yet held an air of danger to him. If I didn't ride Aoth, I would definately choose this one. He seemed appropriate for Yris.

"This one."

"Saddle up Carn," Hannor said to another hand.

One more. I assumed Tana would ride on the back of someone else's horse, likely Trianna's or mine. I continued round the stables before coming to the final pen. A chocolate brown horse was lying on it's side, back to me. I cocked my head to the side and stared at it. There was something about this horse that I couldn't quite figure out.

"Hannor, what's with this horse?" I asked.

Hannor sauntered over to the pen and peered in. "Ah, that's Aleigha. She was wild before we got her two days ago. Ever since she's just lied in her pen like she's sad. She's been eating, but not as much as I'd like to see her eat."

I smiled. "I want her. No saddle though. Just a rope around the neck, so I can lead her will do. Oh, and I'll need a new saddle for Aoth."

Hannor grumped as he opened the pen to Aleigha's pen. Immediately she got to her feet and darted past Hannor, knocking him over and nearly me in the process. She turned for the exit and bolted.

"Stop that horse!" Hannor and I both yelled.

Stable hands began tossing ropes and trying to leap onto Aleigha, but she refused to be tamed. She was nearly free when Aoth stepped in her way and gave a loud whinny. Aleigha stopped dead. She allowed Aoth to lead her back to Hannor and myself, as we slipped a rope around her neck.

Aoth was acting odd, I thought as I rode him into the courtyard, the three other horses being led behind me. It was almost like he could read my thoughts. He had stopped Aleigha from running off, he always waited around for me, and he never, ever gave me any trouble. I remembered my father's horse had acted in a similar way. I asked him about it once. I asked him how his horse always knew what he was thinking? How did it always follow his commands perfectly? How did it understand him. Fatehr would just laugh and say that when I became a knight, I would understand.

I never did understand what he meant.

But, none the less, Aoth seemed to be acting very much like my father's steed. And for that I was feeling very happy as I arrived in the courtyard, the others not there yet. I let out a call.

"Hey! Am I the only one going to the Neutral Zone today?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir laughed out loud at the Knight's comment. He had no idea how riught he was. Although it would normally be two weeks on foot to get to the capital, he had much different ideas of getting there.

Yrismir stretched briefly, and then began walking north towards the border of the Neutral Zone, trying to remember the exact path he had taken nearly fifty years ago. But thirty years of drink tended to twist memories about.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna looked up as Ramas called out and smiled a greeting to him, waving him towards the group.

As he approached, she almost immediately sensed the distress of the brown mare that had no saddle but a rope around her neck. With a small jog, Trianna approached it and stood before it, clearing her mind to communicate with it.

The mare stamped a bit impatiently but, soon, raised her head to meet Trianna's gaze. The elvin ranger's eyes held nothing but understanding and sympathy and she began to slowly approach the horse, her hand outstretched in friendly greeting.

The horse snickered and whinnied but allowed the approach and soon Trianna was able to place a hand upon her head and began stroking in a calming manner.

After a bit of this, the mare seemed to calm and Trianna began speaking to it in Elvin, murmuring to her and getting a head shake or nod every now and then to a question she asked or a statement she said.

Trianna's hand slowly ran down the length of Aleigha's neck until she touched the rope around it. The horse startled and stamped but Trianna simply murmured her intent to remove the ropes and the horse settled down again.

Carefully and gently lifting the rope, she signalled Ramas to drop his end and lifted it over the mare's head to drop it on the ground. Aleigha looked left and right, apparently looking for an excape route and Trianna backed off of her, standing once again in front of the mare, bowing her head low to it.

Then, in clear, precise tones, she asked Aleigha permission to ride, promising that, once her services were no longer needed, she would release her if that were her wishes.

The mare seemed to think it over for a time and then nodded her head slowly, giving the permission.

Again Trianna bowed and expressed her gratitude for the decision again promising the mare her release when all was done. It seemed to satisfy Aleigha and the steed took the few steps needed to come to Trianna's side so she could mount.

Lithly and quickly, Trianna did so, reaching down a hand to Tana to let the girl mount as well and then reaching to her other side to take the backpack a servant had brought out that contained their things and sling it over her shoulder, telling Aleigha to move alongside Ramas and Aoth.

When all were settled, she nodded to Ramas. "We are ready. Is Yris not going to ride? It will be a lengthy walk."

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I watched the others mount and looked at the two remaining horses. The black one was obviously for Yris.
The remaining horse, a fiery white mare that was more war horse then riding horse, snorted at me, eyes flashing dangerously.
I tilted my head in curiosity, approching her with confidence. I looked the horse in the eye with a cocky grin. "Now look here, missy mare, you'll behave. And not because I'm a princess and not because I could kill you. No, you'll behave because if you don't you'll be left out of all the fun. Now wouldn't that be dreadfull?"
The mare seemed to consider this for a moment before stepping closer to me, her face in mine. I let her blow on my face and returned the favor, teaching her my scent as I learned hers.
"That done with, you have a name, my fiesty one? No? Well that'll never do. I think I shall call you... how about Kasei, the force of fire? Yes, I like that, do you?"
The mare nodded, turning to the side. I smiled and settled my bag behind the saddle, happy to note there was a bedroll, some food supplies and a pair of water skeins.
I mounted easily, managing not to flash the world. That wouldn't be too ladylike.
Joys of magical shifting skirts.
"So, shall we get this show on the proverbial road?"

 

[LadyRozes]

Tana squeeled in delight as Trianna hoisted her up onto the horse,.. all her life she dreamed of beingf able to ride a horse.. sometimes she used to dream that she was a horse.. but ... thats was jsut a dream..

****

Tildiir stood by and watched his daughter prepare to leave.. his heart thumped loudly in his chest.. he was scared.,, scared of losing the one thing that tied him to his...He also decided he wanted to make sure that his daughter was safe.. and knew just the person to make sure that would happen..he only hoped that his firend would wake from his stupor..he was going to have to promise a lot of his special brew for him to help him out on this one..

he walked over to Cali's horse and handed her a warn out book with a small lock in it.

"this was your mother's its all I have of her... I want you to have it and read it.. perhaps it will help you figure things out.."

*****

Ellie stood by the side, and called out to her friends.."Thank you all for a wonderful time.. but I fewar I cannot go with you.. I .. I have things I need to take care of.. and thus I cannot come..perhaps..I can be cupport when you come back.. but now.. I feel as though my calling is to stay here and help my brother rule.."

She spoke and turned to leave before they could see that heart heart was torn up about having to leave them.. but it was necessary,, they would understand when they came back..but for now... she knew she was needed here.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I took the book reverantly. "Really? This was hers? Thank you, Father. I will read this- have always wanted to know more about my mother. Thank you."
I looked at the book in my hands, a stray thought about how in the world would I open it before shrugging it away. I'd figure it out later.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I raised an eyebrow at Yrismir. Everyone else climbed onto their horses. What the devil was he doing now?

"Care to let the rest of us in on the joke?" I asked him. "Because I'm really getting tired of you not informing the rest of us what the plan is."

I sat looking at Yris for a reply.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir turned around, and looked up at the knight. "We're going to the Neutral Zone. I don't know where to go next, and I don't have enough magic on my own to cast the spell to summon my mother here. If you don't want to come you don't have to. Now, usually it would take two weeks to get them, but I'm in a bit of a hurry."

He turned around, and started walking. He stopped again. "Unless you're asking why I'm not riding. As it just so happens, I don't know how to ride a horse. I've never done it before. And this really isn't the time or place to start learning."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna looked over at Cali and rolled her eyes at the macho undertones between the two men and spoke in soft tones to Yris' intended mount to follow them if he would just in case the half orc ended up needing him whether or not he wanted him.

"Come on, You Two," She said as she clicked her tongue to Aleigha and urged her into a lazy trot alongside Yris,"We may not go as fast as we might otherwise with all mounted but at least the majority of us will not get our feet tired."

She flashed a smile to Yris to let him know the statement was not intended as a barb but as a statement of fact before turning her attention onto the path ahead.

 

[LadyRozes]

Tana looked at Yris horse and looked over, she wanted desperately to ride her own horse.. and felt upset at the fact that no one thought to ask her.. still she had slipped behind trianna and waved to everyone in the courtyard as they cantered off towards the neutral territory..