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Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Wed May 09, 2012 9:08 am

To her expression of gratitude he could only reply, "No need to thank me."

And he felt this was so. Why thank him for extending the offer to help her in the endeavor she had spent some great portion of her life, if not all thus far, on? He felt it was right to do so and his mind had not yet explored the root of all this. He had not truly reflected upon the vengeful aspect of it all. As her hand again grazed his face, his expression dissolved and left only a smile. Buried away for now were the insecurities. Breath by breath, this relationship with her continued to venture into territory he was unfamiliar with and here he was vulnerable only, it was not so hard to hide.

She was panicked again soon and wild light in her eyes that was characteristic of it was not a sight he wished to see again. Then, she was resigned to a kind of sad contentment. It was strange. Having not felt the pull she felt, he was clueless as to her reason for these reactions. Perhaps, he thought, she was beginning to reflect upon the fact that the last of the dust was now being spent. This did not bother him as much as it did her, he knew. After all, he would keep the memories while she firmly believed they would slip away from her. In this way, he imagined magic was a sort of cruel thing. How could it be anything other than cruel to rip away memories?

"Anything for you, Kaitlynn."

Then came the last kiss in all its perfection and he hadn't hesitated to gather her into his arms. The moment was all the more sad and glorious. It was quite so perfect, Merek could only think the end would come soon. Soon this place would be little more than memories beyond a locked door. He had only to kneel and peer through the keyhole, remembering what lay beyond the door as he remained before it with no key. But it was not the dream world which mattered so much for unlocking, the memories were more important. These were what he would be desperate for. This time, his eyes were opened to see it all pass away. She was pulled from him, becoming fixed to the image of the meadow as it shrank away, a swirling mess of color until there was nothing left.

In the dark, hints of blue sparked around, interrupting dark shapes. Then an orange flame snapped to life before his eyes. Reality contained the natural darkness of night only illuminated by the campfire she'd produced. Keeping his eyes on the fire, he thought to himself and refused to look at her for the time being. He did not trust himself enough to be certain he wouldn't attempt something stupid. At least, this was his lie to himself. The immediate sight of her would be too much to bear so he thought in silence. She beseeched him to help her remember while reminding him of her edged exterior. It was better to know that such an exterior covered fear though it was literally a contrast to how she actually looked. In present reality she was beautiful and perfect until she would open her mouth and reveal the kind of speech given by someone who lived on guard their entire life. Merek sighed in a worn sort of way. The path ahead, for more reasons than he could count, was going to be maddeningly exacting.

For now, he wouldn't dare even mention the recent dream unless she brought it up. He only remained quiet and tried to will away the thoughts crowding up his mind now. Merek lay near the fire. He well knew he was all but ignoring Kaitlynn now but he could not think of any more proper way to handle the situation. He did not, after all, know if she remembered any of the dream at all and so he thought it best to get to sleep as soon as possible so the next day might approach.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Thu May 10, 2012 2:14 pm

Kaitlynn felt herself slipping away until she found herself gone completely away from the meadow and Merek. She felt herself come back to her own body and her eyes slowly opened. She felt a great heaviness in her heart but was unable to pin point the cause for such a burden inside of her.

The crackle of the fire drew her gaze up. She saw Merek turned away from her and was eerily quiet. She waited for a silent moment expecting him to turn and ask her what she had seen or what had happened to her.

Kaitlynn gave a small gasp as the overwhelming sense of loneliness began to devour at her insides once more. This time Merek was not there to comfort her. She quickly turned from him as she didn't want him to observe her moment of weakness. Everything that had passed between them had melted away from her memory and she knew not of it.

There was only silence between the two. Kaitlynn was a bit perturbed at how quiet Merek was. She figured that perhaps he was merely asleep and he would bother her in the morning with his questions. Even if that were the case, she felt uneasy being so close to him. It wasn't that he bothered her, but that she knew she was missing something. Even without her memories the feelings were still surfacing and it terrified her.

The night was difficult for Kaitlynn. Her mind was full of questions and lonely thoughts. She could remember part of the vision she had had. It scared her more than anything ever had before in her life. To be left entirely alone to die and have no one remember you was a horrific thought.

By the time that the morning rolled around, Kaitlynn had received very little sleep. She moved her stiff body and groaned as it whined at her to sleep more. She stretched her stiff joints. She looked at the dead and cold fire. She covered her face for a moment as she let out a heavy and resigned sigh. As much as she was pained by the truth of her situation, she decided to accept it.

Kaitlynn was determined to kill the man who stole her family away from her. It was her only goal in life and her quest with Merek was only a distraction. As soon as they accomplished the impossible task for Amice, Kaitlynn would leave Merek. The way she felt for him terrified her and she wanted to get away from him as soon as possible.

The air was cool and crisp. Kaitlynn moved to the river and splashed water over her weary and tired face. She stared down at her distorted reflection startled. She didn't remember ever seeing herself look so defeated and sad. She shook her head and looked away. Surely it was only a trick of the light and the ripples in the water. How could she possibly look so destroyed and broken?

Kaitlynn continued to ignore Merek as she had moved to gather up her belongings and strapped on her dry armor. She tightened it and patted it in various places until she was content with how it hung on her body. She tied her hair back once more before pulling her helmet over her head and saddling Goliath up once more. It wasn't until then that she looked to Merek.

"We will need to stop for supplies soon." It was all she said. She refused to look at him because of how afraid she felt. Her mind couldn't handle the strain and stress of all that had happened in the meadow and the vision, but her heart would never cease to long for Merek.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Fri May 11, 2012 11:32 am

To try and push thought about Kaitlynn to the back of his mind because he could not ever hope to shut out the thoughts entirely. But he'd managed to keep silent, to his own. Sleep had been, well, difficult and the night passed restlessly. As he woke, Merek noted how the ground had better him rather than warped would flat board bed at inn. It still was nothing like the the luxuries of the castle but this outdoors thing was growing on him. He sat up, pleased that his body gave little protest. He was physically sated, the fatigue satisfactorily wiped away but he was still left mentally restless, waking up with the same plaguing thoughts he'd fallen asleep with. He stared, unseeing and hesitant, hoping for the impossible, for some sign that she remembered even though he knew full well that this hope was for an impossible thing. Only after a little time, did reality set in. Wherever she was at the moment, silence was fostered between them. There had been no outpouring of expression he'd hoped in vain for. Merek stood and watched the morning light through tree branches, twinkling around the shady leaves.

The young air was cool, almost cold really. Now, he remembered he'd slept without shirt or jacket. Merek began to move about the area, collecting scattered belongings until it all massed in one general spot. Granted, most of it actually belonged to Agnes. The bits of ornate metalwork standing out on the worn leather. Thinking of the animal now, he looked around for her and, at the same time, slipped various items of clothing back on. Fully clothed once again, he found the horse and led her over to her tack. She stood still, nose nudging over weeds in favor of the good blades of grass while Merek placed all the tack back onto her, making sure to let her have the reins for the time being. It might have been busywork but it was mindless with familiarity, an aspect which did not aid his aspiration of trying to keep from thinking about Kaitlynn or even look for her really.

All of this was beginning to clench at the inside of his chest. Nary a word had passed between them in the quick hours of the morning. He could recall the sensations brought about by gathering the girl into his arms. The disappointing fact was, right now, it was highly likely that she would take a swing at him for even thinking such a thing. Presently, he was absolutely certain Kaitlynn wanted nothing to do with him. The fact was disheartening to say the least but it hardly stopped him from caring about her. The longing to be together without inhibitions was always present and now so bloomed into more since she did not remember. Or, rather, what little? He wondered what she remembered. Because he could not imagine she would forget entirely. Surely she must recall something, some tiny little thread of thought. Moreover, what did she feel? Confusion perhaps though he wondered if she felt anything like the longing burgeoning within him. But he dared not question her about this.

The prince looked around, unwilling eyes finding and resting on her. She was now all hidden away, the low glint of armor covering nearly all of her. He imagined the significant rattling noise if he were to try to shake some sense into her now that she was clad in metal. To do so now would not have been in the way he'd thought of it last time when she was panicking, looking to him for assurance. But then, rattling her would likely either scare her or anger her, distancing them further. He could barely stand the distance now, too add any more would be utterly unbearable. At length she looked, and he swore he saw a bothered expression on her face. It was hard to tell considering how she was avoiding looking at him directly.

With a weighted sigh, Merek hoisted up onto Agnes. The horse shifted her feet, a sign she was as eager to get going as he was. "No matter. We'll find a town along the way. I've no wish to return to Cannore without dire need to do so."

This said, he pulled Agnes around in the direction of the road and set out upon it. Kaitlynn might lag behind or, as he suspected she might, pull ahead of him in order not to have him ahead in her vision-line. It didn't much matter. The road was well-worn and even if space fell between the horses, so long as they kept sight of the road, they would end up in the same place. This place, as it turned out, was called Tesser as the crude sign swinging off the gate specified. It was a small town, just big enough not to be considered a village. It was all wood, dirt, and some stone. A little place one could still consider bustling. The main street held many people drifting from stall to stall where various vendors called about what was for sale that late morning. In all, it wasn't a loud place and rather a slow sort of town, a place not for the poor nor for nobility but rather for the common people.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Sun May 13, 2012 12:06 pm

"There is no need for us to return to Cannore. There is nothing left for us to gather in that town." Kaitlynn said simply. She wasn't too keen on having to return to the thieves town either and so she was grateful that they could press forward without having to look back. She watched as he directed Agnes back to the road before he set out upon it. She felt her stomach lurch slightly to see him pull away from her. She shook her head feeling really silly. It wasn't as though he was going anywhere without her, and why should she care if he moved out of her sight?

Kaitlynn didn't bother to pull ahead of him. The anger and fire that had burned inside of her for so long had been quenched. She didn't understand why it had gone out and was grateful for the silence to sort through her thoughts. All she could think about was Merek and the undeniable burning inside of her heart. It bothered her to no end and she grew frustrated more than once. She glowered at his back as he was a good distance in front of her on the road. What gave him the right to wiggle into her heart when she despised him so much?

Did she despise him?

Kaitlynn sighed after a while. She looked to the trees they were passing and watched how the breeze danced with the shivering leaves. Her mind drifted away from Merek and back to the vision she had experienced with the last of the dream dust. She recalled all the faces of the people she could've known in her short life. Her entire being was wrought with a heavy sense of loneliness. It was almost unbearable and she wished that the empty pain would go away. She regretted having been so absorbed and focused on one task for her life. She had never thought about building relationships with other people until now.

Was that it? Was that the answer to her feelings for Merek? He was the only person she had ever traveled with. Perhaps she didn't have feelings for him, but rather she had gone so long without any relationship that her loneliness was projected upon him.

Kaitlynn felt a small smile cross her face and felt the tension in her shoulders leave. She was relieved as she realized that she didn't have true feelings for Merek. She only felt that way because he was the only one around. This made complete sense in her mind and it left her feeling lighter inside. Merek was so self-centered and such a bother that she could never love such a man.

When they arrived to the small village of Tesser, Kaitlynn dismounted Goliath and approached Merek. The guard she had placed up was gone now that she believed she understood why she felt the way she did. She no longer felt threatened by him and even found herself offering him a smile. It wasn't his fault that she felt this way for him. It would be wrong for her to be cold to him all because she had feelings for him. It wasn't as if he returned them.

"You should ask around if anyone knows much about the mountain peak we are traveling to. They live in its dark shadow and might have knowledge of how to acquire the dragon's tears. I'll go get the supplies." She said. It wasn't as harshly spoken as other words she had exchanged with him. She didn't want to be unnecessarily rude to him when he had truly done nothing to her to merit it.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:41 pm

As it seemed, the girl was making her utmost attempt to confuse him. Proud as he might be, Merek had not the sense to readily cover up his astonishment. Rather, his eyes were on her and brows knit as he observed. The little smile perched on her lips, the ease of her stance. Somehow they were not at odds as before and the turn around was quite so quick, he almost wondered if it had been magically influence. That was doubtful, of course, but he couldn't reason at any better explanation. It was even less likely that she remembered detail about him. Whatever it was, he resigned to be cautious as he had before. Cautious and civil.

Finally remembering to dismount, he did so and held the horse's reins loose in one hand. Still confused but not questioning, he silently agreed and expressed nothing more than quiet words of departure for the time, "Fare thee well."

Beyond this, there was no more to say as she had specified short assignments for the both of them in this little town. She would likely browse the streets like the other folks out now; he didn't remain to confirm this. Merek headed in past the gate of the village, Agnes lumbering behind. The prince kept his eyes mostly down, only glancing up to be sure he was headed in the right direction. He did manage to catch the faded letters painted above the windows, naming the place: The Dying Priest. Though, sight of it was not so necessary.

As he ventured, the sounds of yells and laughter met his ears. Easy mens' guffaws and womens' startled giggles. There too was the scraping and thunk of wood against wood and somewhere in there the tiny, overwhelmed notes of a lute. The sounds were loud yet bearable while the smell was less so, all stale ale and sweat. Merek was not a stranger to taverns but he was sure the one in his city was not clouded with such strong odors. Despite it all, he tied Agnes up nearby and stepped through the threshold, past the half-open door. While it was true he could have decided upon a different destination, he did not imagine there was another place where people would speak freely. Ale had a way of loosening even the tightest of lips.

Being that his gaze was still low, he had little way of noticing the eyes on him as he entered. No one had decided to call out the stranger yet but he had certainly been noticed. Merek did his best to slip in quietly and chose a seat at the far end of the bar.

"Ale, yeah?"

Raising his gaze from the dark wood of the bar, Merek noted the woman standing there. Her hair was tied up, clothing faded and stained. The lines near her eyes and mouth suggested some age. There was not time to observe more than this at the time because she sighed heavily and disappeared away into the tavern. Merek assumed she had deserted him for another so-called customer but she soon reappeared, setting a wooden flagon before him with a weighty thump. He noted the strong smell of it before even taking the handle to tilt the thing toward him. How long had it been since he'd had alcohol? He couldn't remember. As he took a drink, he smiled a little to himself. The bitter taste was welcome and familiar.

"Lady," he voiced and did catch the server-woman's attention before she again departed. "What do you know of the mountain?"

Seeing the question as an opportunity to ignore other duties, the woman leaned against the counter from her side, engaging the prince more fully. And Merek could see it. The resistance, likely from the fact that he was a stranger in this village, was wearing away. She wasn't opposed to him now, he was used to this.

"Well, there's a dragon up there. No one comes back from venturing up, but we see the beast from time to time."

So it really was true. Merek tried not to become absorbed with the idea of the great scaly thing. He took another drink.

"How far?"

"The beast is at the peak, a day's journey from here," she trailed quietly now, almost curious. "What do you seek going that way? Must be something if you're willing to risk life for it."

"Dragon's tears."

"Ha!" Her laughter was horribly loud and Merek began to doubt. But, she continued. "Not but last winter, a great troop passed the night here. At least a hundred men. They were after the same as you say. Said the tears were magic or some such thing. Not one came back."

"Then the dragon had them."

"Must have," she shrugged. "The beast's likely to melt you to a heap before you can even think of it. I don't see how all of you think you can make it cry."

And that was precisely the problem. Dragon's tears. It was impossible was it not? That was the thing about crazy, magic people, they always had to be mysterious and not speak plainly. The conversation ended soon enough and the woman left him to his drink. The men on either side of him at the bar spoke up in time but all they could comment on were the same scant details the woman had given. There was a dragon. It was bronze apparently and so-called by the villagers: Dusk. Because, that was the time of day the beast had first been spotted in the skies. Other than that, no one knew about any tears. Well, everyone seemed to know about them, just not in which way they might be obtained. After many questions and being laughed at for a time, Merek left the oddly-named tavern.

Untying Agnes, he set out up the dirty stone street in the direction he'd first come. There was not much information gathered. The only matter which he'd succeeded in was finishing off a couple drinks. Hadn't been the finest quality stuff he'd had, naturally, but it had him feeling warm just the same as any proper alcohol did though he was, by no means, under any heavy influence. In fact, he bothered to weave through town long enough to fall prey to a hawker with clothing to sell. In a matter of minutes, he'd been sold and redressed. Now, the only sign of his status was his skin: the fact that it was paler than the common person's because he didn't spend quite as much time under the sun. A white shirt, grey pants, black boots up to the knee. The sales people seemed to be in on the fact that Merek was an easy sale. For, in addition to the new "commoner" attire, the prince was persuaded into a leather vest, scabbard and glinting sword. When they pushed him for a shield of sorts, he figured out their game and escaped without the necessary accessory.

Some hours later, Merek stood just outside the village gate where he had parted from Kaitlynn. He'd let Agnes had her own lead and she was stepping slowly, tearing grass up from the ground effortlessly. It was early evening now. The sun hung lower in the sky, yet still above the trees which were in patches along the horizon. Hopefully his traveling companion had been much more successful in her endeavors than he had been in his own.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:53 pm

Kaitlynn watched him turn away to gather information as best he could with the local villagers. She felt a pull inside of her and her doubts from before returned. She could feel an ominous stirring inside of her. She didn't understand the emotions and knew that it wouldn't be long before they bubbled to the surface and were out of her control.

The small square at the center of the town held much more than Kaitlynn would've hoped for. They were quite low on a few necessary items, but they also had items that she wouldn't think such a small place would carry. She purchased a couple healing potions along with magical powders and dusts that could aid them in their journey. She wasn't sure what to expect in the mountain but she was determined to prepare as best she could.

Kaitlynn was browsing some wares when her eye caught sight of a dainty but beautiful necklace. She felt herself gravitate towards it as if she had no control. It was a silver chain with a simple pendant hanging from it. She was mesmerized and stared at it with a longing she had long locked away.

She had turned away from all things feminine when she took her oath as a knight. She had never felt the need to wear jewelry or finery before, but now she ached inside that she wasn't able to be open about herself.

"It suits you," a matronly voice said from the stand.

"Excuse me?" Kaitlynn jolted from her trance and retracted her hand. She hadn't realized she was reaching for the necklace.

"I think you would wear it well." The woman pressed.

"Ma'am, I believe you are mistaken." Kaitlynn felt the panic writhe in her.

"I have seven daughters, your suit of armor does not fool me like it does for the rest of them." She smiled gently.

Kaitlynn's ears flushed red and she glanced around in hopes no one had heard. Everyone continued to bustle about with their shopping and price haggling. Kaitlynn took a moment of relief and turned back to the woman who had lifted the piece of jewelry and extended it to her.

"I'm sure he would be taken to see such a beautiful piece around your throat," she offered it.

"I don't know what you mean." Kaitlynn felt a different panic rise in her as the woman knew more that Kaitlynn even admitted to herself.

"You're a woman in love," the woman laughed. "Anyone who isn't fooled by your apparel can see that. It would do you good to wear this." She said.

Kaitlynn was hesitant but finally held the piece. The panic melted away and she felt herself feel suddenly lighter. It was as if the necklace assured her that there was still a woman buried underneath the armor and filth of travel.

"How much?" Kaitlynn finally drew her gaze back to the vendor.

"Only a promise," the middle-aged woman began, "that you do not put off telling him you love him. Life is too short, and love is too precious to let go. I don't care how complicated your circumstance is, or you believe it to be. True love should never be wasted." The woman spoke. "If you ever doubt yourself, then let the pendant guide your heart."

Kaitlynn opened her mouth and meant to ask, but she was pushed aside as a new customer arrived and Kaitlynn was forgotten.

The confusion Kaitlynn now felt was more than she was expecting. She had gone to a quiet corner and stared at the pendant in her hand. It was a beautiful white stone that seemed to glow and it was wrapped in thin silver wire that swooped over the smooth face of the stone.

Kaitlynn clasped it around her neck before tucking it beneath the chain mail and armor she wore. She suddenly felt warmth spread through her body and could feel the gentle lick of magic from the stone around her neck.

It was a puzzling thing and it was quickly pushed aside as she realized that it was getting later in the day. She retrieved Goliath from where she had left him tied to a post before guiding him back to the outskirt of the town.

When they came to stand just outside the gate of the town, she felt her heart skip a beat as she looked upon Merek. He was hardly recognizable in his simple attire but she felt it suited him much better than his royal apparel.

Kaitlynn felt the words catch in her throat and she quickly cleared it away as she approached to where he stood with Agnes grazing on the blades of grass. She could feel the air around them shift and change. She didn't understand why it did but had a suspicion it had something to do with her new piece of jewelry.

"I hope you had success," her voice was oddly stiff and formal as she tried to sound indifferent to him.

The yearning inside of her and the desperation she felt had only increased now that she was back in his presence. Kaitlynn knew now that without a doubt she had forgotten something very important and she had an inkling that Merek knew exactly what it was.

Why hadn't he told her? Did he know she couldn't remember what she had forgotten? Was it horrendous? Had Kaitlynn done something to him he was too ashamed to speak of or was trying to spare her from suffering embarrassment?

The uncertainty she felt was starting to make her feel sick. She gripped Goliath's reins tightly until her knuckles turned white. She could hardly handle everything she felt now. She gritted her teeth and kept her back straight as the pressure seemed to fall heavy behind her eyes.

Goliath felt the distress rolling off of Kaitlynn in waves and it in turn made him begin to shift his feet uneasily. He began to snort and tossed his head lightly to show how uncomfortable he felt. Kaitlynn frowned as she realized Goliath could sense her emotional state and attempted to calm herself before Merek noticed anything out of place.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:25 pm

When his gaze found the young knights, Merek was a little pleased to note that she'd been looking at him before he'd caught sight of her. A silly, simple thing to take pleasure in but he did so though with care not to go about smiling like a fool. Odd though, that she didn't seem to know what to say. Even through his arrogance, the prince was aware that his new appearance couldn't be the reason for her lack of speech. It was a nice thought however. What was it then? Only now did he notice the air around them. There was an unseen ripple. As if assuming she had done something to have caused it, Merek eyed Kaitlynn briefly. Outwardly, she was no different than she had been before: still clad entirely in all that terrible armor. It was terrible in how successfully it hid away such a lovely girl anyway.

He had only just dismissed Kaitlynn as a suspect when she spoke oddly. Where had the jovial air gone? She'd puzzled him before and more than perplexed him now. Merek couldn't help the sigh which escaped him. He could hardly keep up with these changes. It would be easy to just lay out the details and questions verbally but, like her, he didn't find it necessarily easy to do so.

"I was not quite successful," he admitted, striving to sound at ease unlike her. "I spent some time in the tavern where the locals are always more likely to talk. All the told was of others who sought the same tears we do. They know nothing of how they might be obtained. All I did learn was the dragon's color and name: bronze and Dusk."

Her behavior was grating his patience. Why did she act this way? Nervous. Uncertain. It was frustrating to think how she'd earlier resolved to be on friendly terms with him and now it was as if that had never occurred. He watched. It was all over her. The way she stood, her expression. Even her horse seemed to sense it.

"Kaitlynn," he voiced, having forgotten whether or not he had even gained permission to address her by that name. His tone conveyed his irritation and he took a step in her direction. "What have I done? I can see that something ails you."

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:37 pm

- Accidental post -

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:32 pm

Kaitlynn frowned as he said that he had less success then they were hoping for. At least the little information they had was something to go on. She rubbed some dirt from her armor and felt her stomach drop as he spoke up. She was discomforted but finally looked his way. She felt herself unsettled more at the use of her name. He still hadn't explained to her how he seemed to know so much about her when they hadn't exchanged anything but rough and stilted words.

"You bother me!" she said quite suddenly and her eyes flared up almost angrily. She felt her fists tighten as her emotions were exploding inside of her. "How do you know me?" she demanded as the desperation was evident in her voice. She couldn't handle it any longer. "I've said nothing to you, and you're confusing, and I can't focus on anything when I'm around you." She said frustratedly through gritted teeth.

"I just want to get this over with so I don't have to be around you and feel confused all the time." She kicked at the ground as all of her feelings were taking control over her since her mind had lost the memory of whatever had happened between them. "Why are you hiding it from me? Please, just release me," she said nearly broken as she was ready to face defeat.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:47 pm

Her anger against him was expected. Well, at this point. He heard her declare her confusion though she could have done without the words if she so chose as he'd have figured it out because, the fact was, they were presently doing little more than confusing each other minute by minute. Still, he was aware that her inner turmoil was on a plain higher than his. He was irritated with her seeming mood swings but she was stuggling with a gap in her memory, the latter was undeniably more difficult and this fact held enough persuasion to cause Merek to begin to calm. Besides, there was no point in the both of them being angry; such attitudes might not result in anything better than a screaming match.

Running a hand through his dark hair, the young prince exhaled and allowed the minute action to suggest tension was leaving him. She was so desperate to know and worse, somehow aware that he held the information she sought. What was he to do? He imagined explaining it all only to have her reject it all. Even worse, what if she then insisted they part ways and handle the witch's demands separately. He might never see her again. But was all that irrational? He couldn't think clearly.

"I only kept information from you so as not to distress you," he admitted, the anger from earlier gone. "I was trying to consider the best way to go about telling you." Merek leaned against Agnes when she neared him. His eyes were unseeing on the horizon. "You and I..."

What were they? What was he to tell her? They were more than acquaintances but denied proper opportunity to be quite as much as paramours.

"We met before," was all he could quickly come up with. But his lips kept moving apart from his sensibility, "I made an advance on you. It was some time ago in the city. I was being ignorant and did not, at first, understand that you did not appreciate my brazenness." For good measure he had to add, "I can understand how you would put out such an...event from your memory."

He was looking at her steadily by now, waiting to search her gaze and making his best attempt to look apologetic. Lies were such terrible nets. Of course, if she wanted more details, he would have to make up more untrue specifics. But he felt he'd had no other choice. It was too soon to tell her the truth because he was certain she would not believe him. Selfish though it might be, he didn't want to risk it just yet. He couldn't risk losing her. Later, he swore. He would tell her later. Presently, he could only hope she would somehow accept his flimsy lie and let her mind string things together. Odd as it was, he truly was hoping she would accept the idea that he was a philanderer or sorts and believe they'd met long ago.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:47 pm

"I am distressed!" Kaitlynn responded tartly when he said he had not wanted to upset her. His motive might have been in her best intentions, but it had the opposite effect of what he had been aiming for. Kaitlynn was bothered, disturbed, and rolling with her emotions inside. She didn't know how to act, and everything was all so very confusing to her. She didn't understand what her feelings meant, or why he had held information from her.

When he explained it to her she felt uneasy. He was strained, and as she looked over his features, she noticed he seemed a bit uncomfortable. Kaitlynn had a nagging suspicion that he wasn't being honest with her. She hadn't ever revealed herself before to be a woman. Why would he have made advances on her? She set aside the rather disturbing thought. Even if he had, wouldn't she have been sure to remember the prince of the realm coming on to her?

Kaitlynn opened her mouth ready to call him out on the lie, but something held her tongue. She was dumbstruck for a moment as she was trying to understand what had just happened. She continued to scrutinize Merek as she felt a slight impression fall into her thoughts. Trust him and let it go, it was the faintest whisper among her thoughts and it had her speechless. She didn't know what to say in response. Even though she wanted the truth in that moment, she felt the uncertainty wash away a bit. Merek was keeping it hidden from her for a good reason. Perhaps he knew she couldn't handle the truth then.

"We should be off." She snipped and mounted Goliath. It was difficult for her to hold her tongue. Kaitlynn refused to look his way as they turned their horses to the shadow of the mountain. She would trust him for now even though he was covering his tracks with lies.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:24 pm

Why did she look at him that way? It shouldn't be so entirely farfetched of a situation should it? Kaitlynn was a lovely girl. What sort of young man wouldn't have taken notice? So, as logic allowed, it wouldn't be odd for her to have received advances from any man with a decent set of eyes. But there was the annoying pull at his mind. He'd forgotten something. When he vaguely regarded her armor, he remembered. She'd only recently been revealed as a woman, meaning he couldn't really have known it in the past. Gods above. The devil is in the details, as they said. Merek was past uncomfortable with this idea, even more to let her think it, but it couldn't be helped now.

He saw her open her mouth and there was a definition to the air, the kind which brewed up just prior to a fight. He hoped she'd believed the weak lie and yet felt she was about to argue it. But then, whatever she was going to say, she resolve not to. The apprehension tight within him unraveled at once. He'd succeeded in putting her off for now though, he had the certain feeling it couldn't last. Verily, he would have to tell her some time but at the presently, he had to let her believe whatever she was going to believe.

Merek mounted his own horse and soon trailed a short way behind Kaitlynn. For whatever reason, she was irriatated with him, this he knew. But it was best not to pry any more for the situation was still delicate. So, it was left alone.

The travel was through the night. The trees came back, thickening around the worn path up the mountainside as if it were a massive forest. It was quiet, calm even. There were the sounds of the horses' hooves against the dirt and grass, muted scrape of leather against leather, and the occasional clink of Kaitlynn's armor from ahead of Merek. After some time, it became almost rhythmic in the way that music was, slow and continuing. The air was pleasant too and the prince was soon lulled to sleep of the black and dreamless kind.

He woke a time later by a quick shiver all over his frame. It seemed the morning was cold which struck him as odd since he could see the sun low in the sky as it was soon to begin its daily arch from one side of the world to the other. And too, there were no clouds. He blinked, eyes working to adjust after having been closed for some time. Now, he noted the wonder of the mountainside at finally seeing it. It spread out, sweeping, all green and growing smaller and smaller in the distance. The little village, Tesser, was only a little brown blot amidst the verdant color. The prince grinned like a silly child. The castle wasn't so tall and he'd never been up so high before. EVerything below looked incredibly small. What a sight to behold.

At length, he turned from this view and looked up the other side. The trees were dense so he had to gaze for some time but, from the glimpses through the thinner sections of the trees, it looked as if there was still a short way to go. The grin from earlier was gone now, replaced with a twisting sensation in the pit of his stomach. Dragons. He must be mad. A man of any sensibility likely wouldn't venture right to a space known to be inhabited by one of the great beasts. There was a reason any man who killed one was marked as a legend. If he survived this, strangling Amice didn't seem like such a terrible idea. Surely the witch knew she'd demanded a material which was only supplied at great risk. Though, now he wondered how the witch had come about the dust if it was so difficultly procured. Perhaps he would inquire about this rather than strangle the old, mad woman.

"The horses will need a break at some point before we get there," Merek voiced ahead, in Kaitlynn's direction, unsure if she would answer. It was mildly possible she'd fallen asleep recently though, it was also possible she was still irritated with him. Still though, he thought they should stop shortly even if it was only for an hour or two to let the horses rest. And, he wished to ask her about tactics. They were about to approach a dragon after all, it might be best to form some sort of plan. "And there is the matter of the dragon."

He'd only just finished the word when a noise shook the air. Even the leaves of the trees trembled in the wake of the roaring sound. The prince's horse reared in fear, ready to bolt, but he was able to calm her. Now, Merek's pulse pounded. It had been so loud. They were undoubtedly close. The air was oddly still now and there were no little sounds, the chittering of small animals or occasional rustle of leaves. It was as if all living things had submissively quieted down at being reminded that a dragon was not far off. But, being that nothing had been set on fire just yet, the two were still, somehow, a safe distance from the scaly beast.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:41 pm

Kaitlynn embraced the silence as Merek mounted Agnes behind her and stayed a few paces at her back. She could feel the emotions twist in her stomach into an impossible knot. The words of the woman from Tesser rang through her mind like a dull but ever present echo. The woman told Kaitlynn to give way and tell Merek how she felt about him no matter the repercussions.

How could the woman possibly be right? Merek held no such feelings for Kaitlynn. Why should she put herself out there to be hurt by him? Why was love so important to declare? Could she just keep it quiet and silent inside of herself?

Kaitlynn could feel the urge swell slowly inside of her the longer their journey continued in its silence. Some invisible force was pulling on her and wanting her to turn her head and confess to Merek the deep seated emotions lodged in her heart. It was insane and Kaitlynn was in a foul mood as she rode Goliath.

Tesser quickly was lost in the distance as the sun began to set. Kaitlynn kept the lead and didn't look over her shoulder until the moon had begun to rise. She saw Agnes following after Goliath obediently and saw that Merek's head was bobbing slightly.

It wasn't too difficult to see that Merek had fallen asleep. Kaitlynn was a little irritated with him when they were supposedly heading to dragon country. At the same time, she felt deep inside that she wouldn't dare let herself fall asleep. The darkness that surrounded her and the distant howling of wolves produced disturbing images in her mind and she couldn't bear to sleep any of the night away.

The night became frightening quickly for Kaitlynn. She had never been afraid of the dark, or of traveling alone. She had spent so much time living her life by her own rules that having responsibility for another had her uneasy. Every snap of a twig and rustle in the leaves sent her senses into hyper drive as nightmarish shadow creatures sprung into her mind's eye.

As morning began to roll around, she sat rigidly and stiffly. She ached from being vigilant the whole night and only relaxed when she heard Merek stirring. She sighed and felt the despair wash over her. Never before had her mind been so occupied and wrapped around one person before. What hurt the most was that he couldn't possibly return her feelings. Why should he? Kaitlynn had been rude, rough, and accusing towards him. What was there for him to like about her?

When Merek spoke, Kaitlynn inclined her head towards him but refused to give him her full attention. She nodded her head in agreement as she was still angry that he had lied to her. They would need to rest the horses, especially if they had to make a quick escape from the dragon.

At mention of the dragon, Kaitlynn felt her stomach tighten, and when the air was split with a mighty roar she felt her heart clench painfully. To hear such a mighty sound instilled both pure terror and the utmost respect. Dragon's were not to be trifled with. They were dangerous, destructive, and highly territorial. Kaitlynn felt the hairs on her neck prickle at the thought of facing such a terrible creature.

"You do not have any hopes of facing the creature," Kaitlynn's words were cool and indifferent. Even though she was giving him the cold shoulder, her entire mind was full of keeping him safe. "Your little experience will do nothing against the dragon. If it attacks, I want you to get away. You are the heir to this kingdom, and I am merely but a knight." She was stiff. She had never faced a dragon before and she was terrified to do so.

Goliath was uneasy by hearing such a awe inspiring sound, but he kept moving forward for Kaitlynn. Kaitlynn was tense as they moved more slowly into the beast's territory. She knew that at any moment it could fall from the sky or crash through the trees in a surprise attack. She had heard that dragon's had a high intelligence beyond that of any other animal. She wondered what that even meant.

It wasn't too long before the faint sound of rushing water reached her ears. She let out a heavy breath glad that they could take a short break before they had to track the dragon down and get it to cry. How could they draw tears from such a mighty beast? How could they even capture them and still live on to tell the tale?

Kaitlynn was overcome suddenly by a sense of ending. What if this was her last day to live? What if the dragon took her life?

She looked over her shoulder and stared at Merek for a long moment. There was no doubt left in her mind that she had fallen in love with him. Kaitlynn didn't know how she had, or why she had, but that he had mysteriously stolen her heart from her. It bothered her to no end that he had and she had no recollection of the events, but she was unable to deny it.

"We'll let the horses drink and rest for a bit before we search for the beast." She said as she urged Goliath in the direction of the water. "Are you prepared for this?" she asked in a more gentle tone. Kaitlynn could feel the fear start to clutch at her sanity as she wondered if this was truly the last time she would be with Merek. If that were the case, shouldn't she at least say something
to him?

Kaitlynn frowned as she remembered her thoughts from the night before. What was the use in telling him her feelings if he didn't reciprocate them? If she died defending him today, was it even worth telling him she was doing it because she loved him and not because he was supposed to take the crown?

Kaitlynn sighed and bowed her head in a brief moment of sadness. She wasn't going to tell him. There was no purpose in telling him but for her own selfish reasons to feel relieved. It might only burden him down and he might take it the wrong way if she did confess. No, it was best if she didn't say a word.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:03 pm

The moment after the noise felt drawn out. In the absence of noise, there was a sort of suspension as if the breath of lay was stayed until some being, ignorant or forgetful, made a noise. And so it must have happened this way, for the trees moved in the breeze, their leaves in a rustling dance. The animals gradually moved around and in the distance and the tension was soon gone altogether. Though, the knowledge of a dragon's presence must be in the mind of all.

Verily, it was now in Merek's. The young man had all but tried to put out the beast from his thoughts as long as possible. Perhaps it might have been better though, it overcome the shock of it. Now, it was numbing him, spreading through his limbs as he sat, no more moving than a cargo pack, on Agnes's back. He heard Kaitlynn's words, cutting as they were. Compared to hers, his ability was nothing, especially in the face of dragon. Still, it was not as if it was all too pleasant for his pride. But now wasn't the time for arrogance. No soul could stand before a great beast without fear. All Merek could imagine was a great gaping maw open to display rows and rows of faded, pear-hued teeth. Yes, apparently he'd been reading too much. If he survived this, he didn't suppose he'd be reading about dragons quite so often anymore.

What she said struck a cord however. "I suppose," was all he said in response to the plan she gave him dryly. He didn't want to admit her words were true, she was more experienced. She might fare better than him against the beast. Dusk, was it? But what resonated was the word heir. He was, in fact, Rishing's heir though he never gave it much thought. Even now, he didn't. Instead of considering the idea that she was going to do her part to further the kingdom, he wondered at her memory. Did she remember a little about them? Perhaps some little feeling at come back. He waited in silence as if doing so might cause her to answer this question in his mind. But she didn't. The journey continued a short way until the sound of moving water was clear on the air.

His eyes found Kaitlynn's when she glanced back at him. How fortunate would it be to possess the magic to know another's mind. It was said some could. What was she thinking? Merek sighed. For that moment, he could let it all melt away. The aprehension. The outright fear. The stung pride. All the tumult of thought. Confused as she seemed to be about him as of late, he loved her. Through his lies, it was much less likely that she realized this. Let the story not end here, was his silent, deseperate wish to whatever gods above that cared to hear it. They had to go beyond this day. He promised he'd help her remember. He had to be around for her.

Yet the moment ended, as all moments do, and Merek dismounted his horse, tossing the reins over her neck so they would not inhibit her. The animal, of course, smartly made her way right to the water and dipped in her nose. At the young woman's question, he sighed and the noise was soon followed by a wry smile. She didn't sound so angry but he knew the reason. Impending doom had a way of forcing an automatic truce regardless of the circumstances.

"I am not," he admitted to her. It was hard not to stare at her; he managed to keep from it but still stole glances at her several times. If there was any time for significant words, it was the present. But when she looked down, he felt as if the time was slipping away. "Kaitlynn..." But he fell quiet. Even now, it was not the time to tell her any more than what would sound like casual conversation.

He left the words unsaid and moved about, looking around the area. Spread out was a large clearing, trees along half of one side and a rock wall curving around the other half. The source of a water was a tall waterfall in the cleft of a rock wall. It's blue water was clearer than any eye had seen and spilled quickly over the rocks. But one large rock, a boulder even, jutted so far out of the middle of the water, the liquid parted and rushed around it. Light moisture in the air drifted around the section of stone like fog. The great rock was curiously misshapen and overgrown with bright moss and bramble. But through the little foliage in the center of the rock, water filtered slowly through two minute holes.

Merek looked at the odd formation in the waterfall. Beyond being odd, it didn't really seem significant. Still though, he couldn't take his eyes off of it for some reason. "Kaitlynn," he voiced to get her attention, "The stone there. What does that look like to you?"

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:02 pm

It was nice for a change to have him agree with her and not end up in an argument with him. She watched as he dismounted and she did the same. Both horses were glad for the break and easily dipped their heads to the water. She stretched her sore muscles. She froze as he spoke her name. She looked over at him, hopeful, and felt the desire for him to say anything more to her.

It felt as though he had more to say. The way he said her name was unlike anyone else. She watched him and yearned in desperation that he felt the same way and was going to admit it to her. When he turned away she kicked herself and scolded herself mentally. She was being idiotic. She had never felt more like a childish girl than she did then as he moved about the small clearing.

She felt her hopes fall and be crushed. She turned her back to him so as to hide the hurt that was starting to cross her face. She was angry with herself for feeling so weak. She had never let her emotions govern her before. Why was it so difficult to contain them now?

He spoke her name again, but it didn't hold everything unsaid between them as it had before. She walked over to him before she looked up at the face of the waterfall. She squinted her eyes and tilted her head slightly before a gasp rushed from her mouth. She stood straight and felt as though a veil had been lifted from her eyes. It was plain as day to her. Beyond the water and the foliage there was something more.

"A dragon," she whispered. Without hesitation or thought she stepped forward and into the water. It rose up with every step until it was mid-chest. She felt the pressure of the water upon her armor and wished she had stripped it off before submerging herself.

She stared at the natural formation and realized it was impossible to mistake. Two spots high on the face of the rock were leaking a silvery substance that gave it the appearance of crying. She reached forward to touch it and felt the necklace around her throat begin to hum in response to the magic that was steadily dripping from the rock. She brought the substance closer to her face to examine.

The single drop on her finger shimmered and shone as the light was caught within it's crystal heart. She felt her anxiety melt away as if her very soul were being purified. Her mind became clear and her problems no longer seemed insurmountable.

"This is it." She said loud enough for him to hear. There was no doubt in her words and no doubt in her mind. The dragon tears they had been tasked with fetching weren't even from a living and breathing dragon. Had Amice known this when she had sent them on the dangerous quest?

"Do you have anything to put them in?" she turned and asked as the single drop fell and disappeared into the water. It was then that she noticed it.

Kaitlynn looked down into the water and widened her eyes. Beneath her lay a floor of what seemed to be shimmering stars in the water. The dirt at the bottom was black as coal, and it seemed that the tears were drawn about with the current of the waterfall until they settled upon the floor.

Tiny fish darted about and Kaitlynn couldn't help but think of shooting stars. The ripples from the waterfall disturbed the surface of the water, but not enough to tarnish the beauty. She stared for a long moment before she looked back at Merek. The pull was impossible to ignore now. She would have to tell him.

The magic from the rock seemed to dust upon everything in the immediate surrounding. Now that her eyes had been opened, she could see that this place was special and beautiful. She wondered briefly if Dusk, the dragon, was the protecter of such a sanctuary. Kaitlynn's heart ached at the thought of the place being polluted by greedy men.

If Kaitlynn ever made it out alive and past the fierce protecter, she vowed to never tell a soul what she had witnessed. The beauty was too precious to mention. She could see how delicate it was and felt as though she were ink upon a white garment as she stood in the crystal water laden down with heavy armor. Such apparel felt wrong in a pure place.

Kaitlynn looked back down to the beautiful reflection of the night sky and wondered if this was the place where dreams had been born. If the dream dust was made from the tears of the dragon, then it didn't seem so far fetched that all dreams had begun in such a beautiful and pure place.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:57 pm

At the mention of a dragon, Merek had not resisted the impulse to glance around. Of course, there was no sign of Dusk. He discovered what she spoke of only after his eyes returned to the waterfall, gazing at the odd stone for some time. After Kaitlynn voiced it, there it was. The stone was, undoubtedly, curved and wrought in the shape of a great dragon's head. So curious how real it looked under the overgrowth. The jaw hung just the slightest open, allowing for a peek at the sort of teeth Merek had been envisioning before. But Kaitlynn seemed not afraid, he noticed, watching her move into the waterfall. He had the fleeting thought to warn her about her armor but the floor of the pool must not be so deep for she stood.

He remained where he was, observing the detail of the thing. The shape of it was a great wedge in base, coming to points everywhere. The snout was short, curved and hooked in the way a falcon's beak was. From the ends of the jaw and cheeks, spines jutted back. And a pair of thick horns extended from the top of the head, ending in a slight bend toward the tip. Every bit declared dragon and yet the surface was stone and moss. So lifelike and yet undeniably natural-looking. He wondered if someone had shaped it out of stone and if not, how did it get here?

His attention drew to Kaitlynn and he saw her survey her finger with some interest. As he looked, he knew it must be whatever liquid passed through the stone where the ducts of the dragon's eyes were. It was becoming clear now. Then, she finally identified it for him. So this was it. Merek finally drew closer. When prompted, he ventured to Agnes and dug into the pack attached to her saddle. Finding a glass bottle near filled with water, Merek removed it, poured the water out in the grass. Taking the empty thing now with its cap, he moved to Kaitlynn and knelt with the idea of handing it over for she was within reach of the tears. But the sight of the pool caught his eye. It all shimmered. It would have been hard to speak of, for the details burst into his sight with every second he beheld it all. If only he knew the wonderful words the great authors he read used. The water was the clearest he'd even seen and the floor of it was the most curious, black and glittering in the same way as the liquid from the statue. Perhaps the substance of it settled at the bottom where the little fish seemed not to bother it. He felt no need to tell Kaitlynn for she must have determined this as well as he.

He found her eyes and felt she must have been looking at him for a little while before he'd taken notice. Was there anything to say now? The way she looked at him, he might have sworn she remembered all. But he knew better than to believe. He held her gaze only as long as she did his. When it was broken, he was silent a moment more before offering her the empty bottle and cap, "Here."

Such a place. He had no doubts of the magic in the world. There was no other way such a setting could go untouched for so long. It was quiet, beautiful, and perfect. But then, what nature of magic kept it this way, he wondered. Easily, it must be Dusk. Most would have enough fear to stay far from any place known to be frequented by a dragon. He and Kaitlynn were fortunate to have not yet encountered the beast but he must certainly be around. It would be pleasant to remain here but he the worries about the dragon were beginning to overshadow his thoughts.

"Let us go soon," he urged. "The dragon must not be far off." Absently, he noticed Agnes wince as if startled. The horse broke from the pool and remained away a short distance from it. The little fish must have spooked her, he thought. He watched Kaitlynn collect exactly what they had ventured to this place for and offered a hand to help her out of the water, should she need it.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:47 pm

Kaitlynn said nothing as he passed her the bottle and cap. She could feel the natural gravitational pull that wanted to draw her closer to him. She didn't understand it but had decided to give up on making sense of her feelings. She was quite lost enough already, and to fret through her emotions would only succeed in confusing her much more than she already was.

She turned back to the giant face of the rock and held the small bottle up to one of the tear ducts. She watched as the silvery liquid pooled into the glass and swirl around. She withdrew once it was nearly full and placed the cap securely upon it. She stared into the contents and furrowed her brow as the liquid swirled dark and seemed to become sludgy.

Kaitlynn wasn't so sure if that was normal. The dark substance seemed almost toxic, but considering her lack of magical knowledge, she decided they would take it anyway. She nodded her head and followed after him as they moved back to the bank of the pool. She watched as the horses had grown nervous. She failed to take note of the shift happening behind her. She didn't feel the gentle rumble in the ground as the great dragon moved behind her.

Merek outstretched his hand and Kaitlynn reached for it. She grasped it and allowed him to help her up and out of the water. She felt her heart flutter in her chest with the contact and found that it was pleasant to keep her hand in hers. She bit her lip once she was out of the water. She took an instinctive step towards him once their hands had broke apart.

"Merek, I need you to know something," she said hardly above a whisper. She had never felt such fright before in her life. This wasn't fear inspired from a life or death situation, or fear of her own failure, but fear of his rejection. Kaitlynn wasn't sure if she would be able to handle his rejection of her.

"I do not understand it, but I can no longer deny it. Merek," she stopped at his name again. Whatever it was that she had prepared to say to him, it was lost in her mouth as a great and rumbling growl rippled through the air.

Kaitlynn whirled around and saw the dragon standing before her baring his great and mighty teeth. She dropped the small bottle of sludge and paid it no heed as it was left in the soft grass. She reached for her sword and drew it. She felt a new fear instill in her.

Her uncertainty and fright for his rejection seemed like a blade of grass in an open field in comparison to the fear she now felt. She felt nothing for her own safety, but as she glanced over her shoulder at where he stood, her heart ached to save him.

"Get out of here!" she bellowed at him as she stood protectively between him and the dragon. Goliath reared in fright but was cautious to leave Kaitlynn behind. When the bronze beast let out another terrible growl, Goliath bolted away as his instinct overcame his loyalty for Kaitlynn.

Kaitlynn stepped forward and stood on the bank as water droplets rained down upon her head. She didn't know what to do in the face of such a creature. All she knew was that she had to keep it focused upon her so that Merek would be able to make his escape upon Agnes.

Nothing else mattered in the world. She didn't even stop to think if she would live through this. The only thing occupying her mind was the terrible sadness lodged in her heart knowing that Merek would never know how deeply she had come to care for him.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:40 pm

Along with her eyes, Merek's eyes too were on the newly-filled bottle. Once separated from its source, it became dark and more like something one would find soaking into the ground between the cobblestones of a street. Something you would want to avoid stepping in rather than bottling. But neither of them was versed well enough in the magic arts to know if it was common for substances to change like this had. What mattered is, it had been obtained at last. Amice was going to figure out the sludge over dust business. While Kaitlynn continued to look at it however, he looked up. Now the water flow suddenly thinned, rushing to thin streams to trickles before all the water was still in the pool. It was as if the force of the water had ceased at having been routed elsewhere out of sight. In magic silence, stone dragged against stone and the mouth of the statue slowly closed. For a drawn moment, nothing more happened.

He helped Kaitlynn out of the water, staying near her because it seemed right to do so. Matters, he knew, were about to grow serious. The truth of the present was, anything might soon happen. He'd already seen the waterfall change, as if by magic, though he did not tell her. He took it as a sign the dragon would soon come. There was no guarantee that the both of them were going to leave this place. Dragons, as he know allowed himself to remember, were guardians. They protected places like this, destroying all who trespassed or took, and the both of them fell under the latter category of "borrowers". At any moment, he imagined the dragon would come swooping down from the heavens. For now, it seemed there was a moment before and he hoped it was not one of finality.

Their hands had fallen out of grasp with one another but she stepped toward him, driving all the prince's focus upon her. Then she spoke and he was in rapture. Certainly, she might only have spoken a handful of words but now was the present time he felt he'd long been awaiting. At last he might know what and if she remembered him. If she didn't, so be it. He would tell her now if she asked if to. Every true detail and no lies.

Unbeknownst to the both of them, the dragon changed once more. The stoney eyes brightened, becoming rich and blue like sapphires and were big enough to fill one's hands. Then with a near-silent crack once and again, the great head gave a twist this way and that before suddenly extending out, breaking the brambles which was no louder than the innocent rustle of any other foliage. What once looked like the stone surface fell away into the grass as dirt and silt, revealing gleaming bronze scales. It stepped carefully over the pool and into the grass slowly, leaving a gaping hole in the stone wall. His great scaled jaw shifted, nostrils flaring breifly as he drew in a breath. Under his great eyes, the dragon the people called Dusk surveyed these beings in his presence with masterful silence. Fools. What kept them so into themselves that the slow movement of a dragon had escaped their attention? Then the answer came and the intelligent beast refrained from a laugh. They must be what the people called lovers. Very well. A pair of them always made for quite a display when it came to the inevitable encounter. Not caring to listen to their talk, Dusk thrust his head up higher into the air and let his great jaws fall open with a growl. The noise shook all, the air itself, every leaf and blade of grass, and the beast's throat.

Merek stumbled back somehow managing to keep his footing. The sight before him screamed dragon. Every bellowing, gleaming, twisting detail of it. Still, he couldn't believe it. This was the great image fixed in the minds of many that did not live long to share it. But the image was cut when Kaitlynn stepped before him, placing herself needless between him and the beast who drew closer, tail twisting and sending out tremors into the earth as the scaly appendage beat down toward the grass. Had the mighty thing not wished to toy, he would have simply set the two ablaze. Only a few paces from them, he let loose an even greater bellow. The air trembled and the very frames of the two humans would be wracked.

Making haste, the prince had caught Agnes by the reins before she fled. Even caught, the animal still tried to bolt. She never stopped shifting upon her hooves and her eyes were wide and wild. Merek knew he couldn't hold her for long and it would be cruel to make her stay. He glanced from the panicked animal to Kaitlynn. She looked so small there against the bronze dragon. Before he could think any better of it, he let go of reins and pulled the sword from the horses saddle. Agnes was soon a butterscotch blur amidst the trees. Sword in hand, Merek made his way back to where Kaitlynn stood. Over the shifting and other noise, he yelled at her, "I can't leave you."

Then there was a strange sound. The beast's head turned, sidling slightly back and worth like a snake. His jaws stayed open at a fixed with while he looked down to the humans there. But there was still noise the kind one felt in the chest and resonating in one's head. "Simple creatures." The voice of the beast was not unlike a human's though deep and not so much a sound but something heard in the mind, like the clearest of thoughts weaved into words. "Let go of the weapons and your demise will involve less pain."
Last edited by korr.a on Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby Sirius Baren on Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:15 pm

Kaitlynn turned her head just enough so that she could see Merek flee upon Agnes. When she saw him draw the sword from Agnes' saddle and came over to her, she panicked. She shook her head wildly as he said he couldn't leave her. Seeing him stand so boldly and so bravely in the face of his death pulled at her heart. Merek would be a great king one day, but not if he didn't flee.

"You have too! You have something great laying before you. Get out of here!" she screamed at him and the anger was laced among worry in her tone.

Kaitlynn was struck dumb for a moment and managed to lower the tip of her sword a little as thoughts filled her mind that were not her own. She looked back up to the great creature and found her body frozen in place. She struggled against the terror that had paralyzed her limbs. Facing such a mighty creature as Dusk was tearing at the inside of her very soul.

A sudden image burst forth in her mind and she discovered the use of her limbs once again. The image was brief and only gave her a glimpse of encounters with Merek that had been masked from her. The feelings from the kisses they shared, from the promises he vowed, and to the magic that was riddled in their love, it had given her a strange renewal of courage and strength.

"Fight me!" she shouted at the dragon. "Take my life for what has happened here," she stepped forward with her sword raised above her. She knew she had gone insane as she let out a sudden war cry and rushed forward to distract the dragon long enough for Merek to make his escape.

"Don't be a fool Merek! Leave!" her tone was full of something deadly. If she died there that day, she would haunt him, and if he died too, then she would berate him for the rest of eternity.

Merek had a shining chance to make a difference in their corrupt world if he ever decided to realize his potential. Kaitlynn had nothing to live for but revenge. It seemed that giving up her revenge and life was all right since there was more for Merek to do. She couldn't explain her reasoning or why she firmly believed he'd be a good ruler one day. All Kaitlynn knew was that her very being would be split painfully to see Merek die.

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Re: Their Hearts' Desire {Closed}

Tips: 0.00 INK Postby korr.a on Thu Jun 14, 2012 6:10 pm

Her screams at him might have held more than an ounce of meaning to them had she not been demanding he do exactly what he'd decided not to. Truly, it even followed logical sense for him to have left. His father's health was like a tiny, dying flame which flickered low, taking in last bits of air, but there was the unspoken assurance that it had already been snuffed out. The kingdom would be on his shoulders fully when he returned but this was precisely the matter at question. Merek refused to return without Kaitlynn. The doubts so shadowed him. He could not hope to rule without knowledge that she lived. He could not leave despite her demands.

Transfixed was he by the strange sounds in his ears. Nay. His head. How it was possible, he did not know. But these were the unanswered little details about the great beasts. The reason so little was known about dragons was the simple fact: few survived an encounter with one of the scaly wyrms. But did they all pick at prey as this Dusk did? Merek was sick inside to realize the beast was playing with them. There was a cruelly playful twist in tone at the end of each bit the dragon spoke. It was a mere game to him. He was no guardian but an unmerciful hoarder of magic things. They could not stand against him.

But it was even less for the prince. The way of the sword was too fresh to him. Where a battle-hardened soldier might stand against a dragon for a long enough time that his death might be deemed honorable, Merek could not. Though, if he must die, he did not wish to do so with a sword lose in his grip. He took the heavy piece with both shaking hands and raised it. But it was Kaitlynn who stayed his action. She shouted in a more fearless voice than he had ever heard, be it from man or woman. Her courage looked a kind truly inspired. But from where? It stunned him to see her rush to the beast, words of escape for him still streaming past her lips.

Dusk's attention was drawn by this. There was a ripple which reverberated through all, though it came with curious familiarity and Merek swallowed unconsciously, realizing he was hearing the careless laugh of a dragon. With no more thought, his feet dug into the ground as he rushed. There was nothing he could do, but he couldn't stand there and watch Kaitlynn die. He stopped. It was as if the images before his eyes drew slower by the second. The dragon's head stopped moving and turned, then the great wedge of spines and scales swung sideways into the charging knight. The impact was a jumbled crash, scale against metal. The girl was thrown though with some fortune, her sword hit the beast's neck and left a gash there.

The bronze creature stumbled, nostrils flaring once and again as his breaths came quick for a short moment. And he stretched his jaws open wide, releasing a bellow so much in volume that the earth shook more with every long second of it. Dusk could feel blood bead under his scales and seep past them, slowly beginning to stream down his ruddy neck. This had been partly his fault. The angle had been miscalculated and he had not anticipated the direction the sword would go. Snapping his jaws shut, he lowered his bright eyes back to the scene. The boy still stood and that would not do. His tail swung, nearly missing Merek. But the spiny end caught his side and he was tossed a short way. This done, Dusk's rage returned to the knight. Claws tore at the earth as he went for her, stopping only to loom over her and press one heavy foot at her in attempt to pin her flat against the ground.

Seeing this, Merek pushed past the pain of the punctures in his side and felt frantically in the grass for his sword. The metal tight in his hand, he forced himself up and went again for the dragon. All the toying must be over. The beast must want nothing more than to finish them off at last. But it wasn't going to be an easy thing.
Last edited by korr.a on Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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