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Post by Jay on Mar 8, 2012 17:23:41 GMT -5
"You are not to be a sword at my side I know what you are I know what you've been through. You are not weak because of lack of training or strength. No your weakness lies in your inability to control your emotions as you just demonstrated," Jaygon said swiping away Therin's hand. "Shatter and fall away," Jaygon said in the ancient language as he hit the barrier. The magical barrier cracked and began to fall away into nothing from the top down.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 8, 2012 23:59:42 GMT -5
OOC: Jay, you just God-moded the barrier that was placed up. I understand if you want to attack it, but give the person who created the circumstances (in this instance, me) the time to respond to the action created from your character or any other character. This will avoid god-moding.
****
At the thought of the inevitable battle that will take place in Uru'baen, Romulus felt his mood dim a bit. The thought only brought Remus back into his head and the internal conflict of killing him or bringing him to justice. Tenal Ka's further words saddened Rom, which, actually, managed to push his ill thoughts of Remus aside.
"You think you will die here?" He glanced up at Tenal Ka, a worried look in his face. "I have faith that we will win. Our odds my sometimes seem slim, but I have always believed that good will always conquer evil in the end." He adjusted his body so he was facing her more fully. "I do no believe your Wyrda will end at Uru'baen, no, I have always felt you were meant for much greatness, Tenal Ka." He smirked then, "And as Queen Mother, I doubt that will stop you from visiting us Aeglaesians. So," he gave her a grin, "forget these ill thoughts and look on the brightness of the future. Trust in Wyrda, but act that you may see your desires fulfilled. Have faith that all will end well." He reached out his hand to place on her, a gesture of assurance and comfort. "There is much to smile about. Please, reflect on the good aspect rather than the bad. One with such a beautiful face is meant to smile, not frown." He told her kindly, with a light blush on his cheeks.
OOC: I will wait to post as Sidhion in respect for Tismri's response.
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Post by Tismri on Mar 9, 2012 2:32:56 GMT -5
Tenel Ka noticed the darkened cast to Rom's face after she'd spoken. He seemed a bit depressed...and perhaps there was something more. Anger, maybe? Frustration? She wasn't sure. Whatever this second emotion was seemed to fade as he spoke to her, and she was grateful for his comforting hand.
"Perhaps you are right," she said, giving forth a small smile. Her heart squeezed for a moment went he called her beautiful. Many had used that word to describe her in the past, but it had never felt sincere. It was as if her subjects felt obligated to perceive their princess and queen as the loveliest in the world. But Rom's statement seemed genuine.
"Maybe I won't meet my demise in Uru'baen," she continued. "I hope not, but with war who is to say? The gods decide when someone's time as come. But still..." her eyes drifted downward, and she was unable to look him in the face. "Even if I survive, I must leave this land. I have duties in Ismalia, and even now I feel as though I have been gone from thenm too long. And once I return, I am afraid I will not return again to Alagaesia."
Why was it so hard to tell this to Rom? It was the truth, and her duties as queen would not permit her to remain in this foreign Empire very long after the war was ended. She would even welcome a return home. But, telling him was like saying she was never going to see him again, a thought that made her unexpectedly sorrowful. She felt a tear escape her eye. If she were with anyone else, she would have hidden these emotions, as they would be perceived as a weakness. But she felt comfortable enough with Romulus to show how she truly felt.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 12, 2012 23:16:02 GMT -5
Rom felt the squeeze that Tenal Ka's hand gave his, but took little time to think about it as her next words made him forlorn. He nodded his head in understanding. "Aye, indeed, you have a country that must be taken cared of." He noticed the small tear that dripped down upon her cheek. He gave a small smile then. "I must say, I am envious that they have a stalwart Queen. There will be an empty void without you around, Silver Hand..." An innocent hand gently brushed the tear away. He momentarily wondered if that was appropriate behaviour, as she was a Queen. Sweeping his free hand back, he fell again into silence, wondering about Tenal Ka's perdicament. It was indeed unfair for her to leave immediately. He had gotten to know her more in the past week than he had since she and the others arrived from Ismalia. It saddened him to think of losing her after they had gotten to know one another. He stared at their joined hands for a moment. He patted their hands with his free one. "Well, you are not gone yet." He gazed up, a charming smile on his face, as he tried to comfort them both. "Are you willing to take a break from all this reading?" He asked her. "Or if you cannot, would you care for some help?" His eyes drifted to the countless texts that covered her tent.
***
Tristan hobbled back into the tent, feeling a bit exhausted, but excited. Tenal Ka had approved of his choice in a wife! Thrilled, Tristan wondered how he would possibly propose to Teodora. Since their time together, he noticed that she was not one of those frivilous women that enjoyed senseless flower arrangements or extravagant gowns. No, Teodora had more heart and geniunity about her. She was practical, blunt, efficient, intelligent, lovely, beautiful, fantastic, humorious, kind...well, when she wanted to be, trustworthy, loyal, pretty, adventrious, unpredicatable...and well, the list could go on and on according to Tristan. He had really fallen for her, he realized. He loved everything about her, even when she was angry with him. He knew, he would rather have her angry with him forever than never have her in his life at all. He sighed as he sat on his bedding, daydreaming about Teodora. How was he to do it? And would she accept? That suspenseful gnawing feeling scared him out of his mind. True, Teodora had revealed that she loved him, but he hadn't really courted her properly. He had known her for over 2 years as his best friend, but never as a lover. He wondered absently if she would accept him once their relationship escalated. Tristan twiddled his thumbs. This was a foreign field that terrified and excited him at the same time. He wondered absently when Teodora would appear.
Just as he was wondering all this, a gold figure hopped onto his cot, keening softly. Tristan tensed. He nearly forgot about his dragon! He gazed down at the little beast. He had left it earlier since it was napping away, but now, it looked wide awake and curious. It sniffed Tristan, inspecting him for food. He sighed and rubbed its head. He had yet to name it since it had hatched for him weeks ago, nearly a few days before the large battle that had just occurred. Also, he wasn't sure of its gender, and according to some of the things he learned from the Riders, the dragon usually chose its own name. He sighed again as the hatchling hummed under his fingers. He wasn't quite sure how Teodora really felt about his dragon. After all, the dragon changed a lot of things for him. Could she accept him and his dragon. He sat in quiet contemplation, awaiting Teodora to return.
***
Roland's goal to reach his tanner booth was halted when another rider came to discuss a possible saddle for his dragon. "I can't seem to hang on correctly when I'm on Lenora. Are you sure that you equipped the harnesses right?" Aiden asked, trying not to sound annoyed. Aiden continued to explain his dilemna to Roland. "It's also uncomfortable to sit on! Lenora says that I didn't do something correctly...but, I followed your instructions...and---"
"Did you put the saddle on correctly?" Roland tried not to laugh.
"Of course I did!" Aiden huffed out, but paused, reflecting.
"Is the saddle backwards, Silver Hand?" Roland clarified.
Aiden's eyes widened and his cheeks suddenly went scarlet. "Oh."
"I suggest you turn it around and see how it fares." Roland patted the young Rider with his cane, a grin covering his features.
Aiden laughed sheepishly. "Right...sorry..." He apologized and ran off to turn Lenora's saddle around.
Laughing to himself, Roland continued through the Varden camp.
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Post by Tismri on Mar 17, 2012 0:15:41 GMT -5
Tenel Ka smiled at Rom's words. There was something tender and affectionate about them. She gazed into his amber eyes for a moment as he brushed away the tear that had fallen. Then, as he took his hand away, she felt a bit embarrassed and glanced away. The moment had been much more intimate than she was used to, and she had almost forgotten how to act.
When she looked back at him, Rom seemed miserable about the topic of her leaving as well. There was a melancholy cast to his expression. Thankfully, they got past it as he mentioned that she had not left yet.
She gazed over the mountains of books around her tent, most lying open at some point in the middle, groups of similar topics gathered together.
"Truthfully, I am rather sick of reading at the moment," she told him. "We can just say you stole me away from it for a while. It won't hurt anything, and it will all still be here when I get back."
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Post by Max452 on Mar 17, 2012 0:41:25 GMT -5
OOC: Tismri tongue tied at the moment still, eh? lol
Romulus gave Tenal Ka a playful grin. "I prefer to say that I borrowed you away. I doubt your guards outside would appreciate the idea of me stealing you away." His mouth twitched downward into a frown. It was too easy to recall the vicious way that he had attacked her. He still had trouble forgiving himself about his actions during the period that Sidhion had forcefully used him. "Are you sure that it wouldn't be inappropriate?" He asked her, making sure that she had the time to spare for him. "Again, I know that your time is precious; I would hate to distrubt your duties..." He told her, "but, I must admit, I find your presence more aimable than others, and have become quite selfish in spending time with you." He added, finding some embarrassment in admitting his desire.
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Post by Tismri on Mar 17, 2012 0:56:21 GMT -5
OOC: Yep...still trying to adjust to Jay's sudden presence. Perhaps you could post something for Sidhion to get me going again...mleh.
Tenel Ka gave a slight laugh at Rom's playful statement, but then noticed his sudden sad expression. She could see so many emotions being played out on his features; they had become more open and honest with each other than they really had with anyone else before.
She sighed in frustration when he started fretting about what was appropriate and not. She stood up, pulling on his hand to bring him up as well.
"You know what? At the moment I really don't care what's appropriate or not. I've been forced to follow impossible rules my entire life in an attempt to be the perfect princess--and now queen--that everyone wants. At this moment, I want to just leave all that behind and just be a human being for a while. And...well, you're the only one I feel I can act like that around. You bring a level of comfort to my actions." Her face reddened slightly as she realized that--in her strange way of speaking--she had admitted the same thing Rom had just admitted to her.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 17, 2012 1:15:11 GMT -5
OOC: I suppose...I was hoping just to ignore the barrier breaking...but I guess I have to acknowledge that something happened. Very well...lol
As comfortable as they had become with one another, Romulus easily allowed himself to be pulled to a stand with Tenal Ka. His disappointment changed quickly to mirth at Tenal Ka's declaration. "I am glad that you feel comfortable around me, Tenal Ka. I do hope that you will always feel so. I, uh, hope you know that no matter what title you bear, you will always be a friend to me." He confessed to her. "So," His playful nature returned, "what does Tenal Ka want to do?" He asked her, stressing her name rather than title or position, as he encouraged her to be herself around him.
***
Sidhion heard a familiar voice of Jaygon, but continued to ignore him and everyone else. He really did not wish to speak to anyone else and a part of him, wished that Tismri would get distracted by the old comrade so that his defenses would stop lowering around her. The barrier that had been attacked, crackled, appearing to have broken apart, but it quickly sparkled like lightening as it streaked around the field in a circle around Sidhion and Tismri, showing the massive barrier for a moment. The spell that had been used to keep Sidhion was indeed powerful, and Sidhion half expected that Trinn or Tismri had used an Emerald or two to create it. Escape would be nigh impossible, which, again, led the Ancient Rider to wonder why he was being kept alive. "I have answered your question, Tismri, and you have yet to answer the first question that I have poised to you when I had awaken in this place." Sidhion opened his eyes again. "Why are you keeping me alive?" He kept his emotions in check this time, hoping that his eyes were unreadable.
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Post by Tismri on Mar 17, 2012 1:31:59 GMT -5
The young queen smiled as Rom spoke, but it wasn't as bright as it might have been.
"A friend...yes, I will always be that, at the very least," she said. Was that actually all he thought of her? A friend? Of course, why should either of them dare hope for more? She was a queen, and he seemed to have little station in Alagaesia, and even less standing in Ismalia. It was silly of her to dare hope for more, but the thought still hurt.
She returned to her former level of playfulness as Rom asked what she wanted to do. She thought for a moment.
"Hmm...Tenel Ka wants to do something she's never had a chance to before...Tenel Ka want Romulus to take her on a hunting trip." She smiled at him. She knew he was an experienced tracker. Even if they didn't kill anything, just going out in the wild for some time would be a refreshing change.
~~~~~
Tismri paid little attention to what was going on outside of the barrier, even as the two men tried to go through it. It was a very special type of barrier, one that had been made using Trinn's blood as well as her own. Because of that, only the two of them could pass through it until such a time as they took it down. Only they held the key. Even Galbatorix or Vrael would not have been able to pass through.
She instead focused her attention of the more pressing matter of Sidhion and his words. She sighed as he posed his question and looked out at the horizon.
"Do you wish to hear the reason I gave to Nasuada and Tenel Ka?" she asked him without looking. Her voice lowered a bit as she continued. "Or do you want the truth?"
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Post by Max452 on Mar 17, 2012 2:03:08 GMT -5
Romulus laughed at Tenal Ka's playfulness. "Well, I'll be happy to take you!" He smiled at her. "I've missed being out in the woods." He admitted to her, his mind lingering on her smile. "Where do you wish to hunt, my dear Tenal Ka?" He asked her, "There are some woods nearby, but those aren't nearly as fun as The Spine or near Kuasta." He told her. "We'll have to fly if you wish to go and hunt some reasonable game, and no doubt, only the challenging game will satisfy you...." He teased her, having already sensed from their conversations that Tenal Ka enjoyed breaking rules and placing herself in situations that caused her adrenaline to rush forth.
***
Sidhion narrowed his eyes at Tismri. She had given the Varden and Ismalian Queens a different reason? What ploy was she concocting? He wished she would look him in the eye as she spoke, if only to try to decipher her emotions from her features. "If it pleases you," He began carefully, "I wish to hear both. The Truth last." He stated, wondering if Tismri would speak the truth at all. Why did his heart feel faster than usual as she spoke low? What Truth was he hoping for?
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Post by Tismri on Mar 17, 2012 2:18:18 GMT -5
Tenel Ka thought over his suggestions. The thought of going to the Spine excited her, as she had heard many things about the mountains. She was a little concerned about the fact that it would take them so far away from the camp, possibly for several days. But so soon after an attack like they'd had a week ago, it was unlikely Galbatorix's troops would strike again. Both sides needed time to rest and recover.
"I think the Spine would be right fun," she said with a grin. "Besides, Caedus would like to spread his wings for a while as well."
OOC: Why is it becoming harder for me to remember to post for my dragons? Blargh...lol
~~~~~
Tismri stayed quiet for a moment or two after Sidhion made his request. She had expected him to want both answers.
"I told Nasuada and Tenel Ka that killing you gives us no advantage, and there is little point to it. I also told them that it is difficult to kill a dragon as large as Locien, and were one of you to die, that would put us in even greater danger from the other. The truth..." she paused for another moment. "The truth is, I have lost so many friends already. They have fallen and died, and few are left. I have no family except Ismrolde. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you if I had the chance to stop it, to keep you alive. Among my friends, you were always one of the closest and dearest, and you are one of the few I have left."
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Post by Max452 on Mar 17, 2012 2:48:58 GMT -5
Romulus smiled, glad that she picked the Spine. He had always enjoyed there, despite many peoples' fears of the mysterious mountain. "Aye, I can only imagine. I do not think I can recall the last time that any of the Riders have just flown with their dragons for fun. I am sure that Caedus will enjoy the Spine; there are challenging game even for a dragon." For a moment he was worried that they would be far from the Varden, but at the same time, he desperately wished to be away from the gossiping soldiers. It pained him to think that some of them thought him an enemy. He stole a glance at Tenal Ka. At least he knew that she did not think ill of him, and that alone caused his heart to beam. "I'll go and retrieve my bow and meet you back here? I suggest we pack some things too, as the Spine is far from here...should you tell Prince Tristan and Lady Teodora that you are leaving? The trip to the Spine and back would take 3 days at least." He informed her, liking the idea of being alone with her for at least that long.
***
"Ah...I see." Sidhion spoke slowly, processing Tismri's words. A close and dear friend. That was it. What else had he had hoped for? He knew, even after all these long years that nothing would ever progress further. He had hoped that she had felt something. Even in his youth, he had tried to make her see that he felt something for her. Since in their youth he had fallen for her, after their first debate together, he would compliment her wisdom and talents. In her, he found someone that had challenged him in his opinions, beside Oromis and whom he found quite beautiful at the same time. Since that moment when she challenged him, he did his best to make her recognize his affection, but they never seemed to work out; his plans would either be foiled by the presence of others or she would mistake his words for something else entirely, or to his shame, his words would come out incoherent. After all that, she only viewed him as a friend. When he realized that nothing more would come of it, he settled to being her friend, and even tried to turn his attention to Trinn, if only to try to disguise his crush for Tismri and to maybe, even, get her to become jealous. But that ploy didn't even work either. He mentally sighed. It appeared he would always be the friend.
Sidhion glanced over at Locien, who was watching the two men as if they were his prey; his eyes unflinching. "You were always soft, Tismri. You should have killed me. You should have killed the wounded animal; he would have suffered less." He spoke quietly and calmly, recalling the majority view of his race.
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Post by Tismri on Mar 17, 2012 3:06:31 GMT -5
Tenel Ka smiled in giddy anticipation as she and Rom made plans for their trip. When was the last time she had done something just for fun? She couldn't remember. Probably not since she had become Queen Mother. She was sure the Ismalian army wasn't going to appreciate her leaving--and with the very man who they thought had tried to kill her--but she knew they would manage. Tristan could leave them well enough in her absence.
"All right, I will let them know and meet you back here, packed and ready to go." She opened the tent to let him out and then made her way over to the next tent where Tristan was still waiting for Teodora.
"Cousin, may I come in?" she asked, knocking on a tent pole.
~~~~~
Tismri stared at Sidhion, trying to comprehend the darkened change in his mood. It was nearly inpercepible, but left her feeling very confused. His statement left her bewildered, but she took a guess at what he meant.
"That's the difference between your race and mine, Sidhion," she told him. She took his hand with one of hers, and with the other touched his face so he had to look at her. "I believe the wounded animal can be healed, if given the proper care."
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Post by Max452 on Mar 17, 2012 3:22:04 GMT -5
Romulus nodded and quickly exited the tent, his excitement evident as he passed by the guards, who were staring at him with dagger eyes. Rushing to his tent, Rom began to pack his supplies, smiling all the while.
***
Hearing a knock on his tent pole, Tristan snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Tenal Ka's voice. "Aye, Cousin, you may come in." He settled himself on the cot, as his dragon was now sitting on his lap, sleeping again. Tristan absently wondered if that was all the dragon did. He gave a small to Tenal Ka. "The Ranger left you be now, did he?" He asked with some humor in his voice.
***
Feeling the warmth of Tismri's hands, Sidhion once again felt his barriers fall as she guided his head to look at her fully. The contact, again, left him hopeful for something more with Tismri. He stared at her, allowing his guard down for once. His eyes were searching hers and filled with emotions ranging from hope, confusion and uncertainty. "And what remedy do you think this wounded animal needs?" He asked, his voice a mere whisper.
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Post by Tismri on Mar 17, 2012 3:40:07 GMT -5
Tenel Ka entered and her eyes momentarily fell upon the golden dragon asleep on Tristan's lap. She couldn't help but smile whenever she saw the small creature with him, and he was glad it had bonded to her.
"You should really find out its gender," she told him. "And give it a name before you start just calling it 'dragon,'" she joked. At his question, she shrugged.
"For the moment. Actually, he and I are going with Caedus on a hunting trip for a few days. I was wondering if you would take care of the troops while I am gone?"
~~~~~
Tismri studied the range of emotions that she could see in the depths of Sidhion's gaze. She wasn't sure what all she saw in there. Confusion that matched hers, for sure. Hesitance...hope...and at least one more that she couldn't identify. She let her hand drop from his face as she stared at him.
"Why don't you tell me?" she asked him. He would know better than she.
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