Annisthyrienne
Drive-by mischief maker
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Posts
- 11,435
Nara's gentle song was like a soothing balm for Xia's troubled soul. She let her grief and anguish over what she'd done to her own kind flow from her with each tear she shed, until at last they flowed no more. Still she clung to Nara, taking selfish comfort in her Bonded One's arms. Her body quaked as she took a deep shuddering breath. She could hear the words Lenaria spoke to her, and finally looked up, lifting her head from Nara's shoulder to look at the other Sub-Commander. The softly whispered words she longed to hear from Nara's lips warmed her heart. Her eyes locked with Nara's as she listened to Lenaria. She held Nara's hands in hers, trembling with pent up need and emotional energy.
Isendryll looked on with sympathy and a hint of dismay at the public display of Xia's lack of self control over her emotions. It was unseemly for a Drow Princess to behave that way. Isendryll understood the reason well enough, but still a bit of self control was expected. She wondered if these elves had placed a spell on her liege. Even as the thought crossed her mind, the elvish Sub-Commander was admitting to the atrocities they had committed in war. That both sides had done horrible things to their enemies was not lost on her.
Xia snapped her gaze to Lenaria upon mention of Nara's sins. She knew on an intellectual level that Nara was a soldier, and of course had to do things in the name of war, under orders, that would no doubt shock her if she knew of them. Xia could scarcely imagine the kind of things that were done in war. Her experience of it was only in dealing with the aftermath of battle, healing the injured and preparing the dead for their funereal rites.
But now she was Bonded to this one, bloody blade or not. The past would have to remain in the past. She reached out to Lenaria and Nara, placing a hand on each of their shoulders in a simple gesture of reassurance. Just then Ri'ven began to speak as well. Xia listened to his words, nodding in silent agreement. Her glance fell upon Isendryll, and she noted the curious stare the younger priestess held for her. Xia's thoughts were still too distracted to allow her to focus on reaching out to her Sister Priestess' mind. But it could not be helped. Isendryll would either have to trust her or not, but it would be her decision to make.
Ri'ven's mention of a civil war among the elves disturbed her. It was the second time in the last few minutes that the possibility had been spoken of. She had no idea how she would stop one war, let alone another. She held no influence among elves; no one would listen to her entreaties for peace there. The dark skinned princess was about to respond to Ri'ven's words when Mekil spouted his mocking venom yet again. His laugh seemed to confirm the perverse joy he seemed to get from sowing discord and doubt. But the point he made was valid. Even if the elves were willing to stop fighting, how could she influence the Drow who blindly followed the High Priestess. Xia didn't believe her mother wanted the war to go on incessantly, but she knew that Callandryl pulled the strings of her mother's judgment. And the High Priestess seemed to share more in common with Mekil and his type than with those who valued peace.
Xia opened her mouth to reply when Mekil's words choked off suddenly. At first she didn't realize what was happening. But then she noticed the intense concentration on Xantaric's face and realized that he was the source. The wizard echoed the sentiments of the others, and to her surprise, pointed out that the Bonding had not yet been consummated. How did he know, she wondered. But she was finding it hard to think, as if her mind was partially clouded, muddled somehow. Her attention was drawn to Isendryll as the younger priestess gasped in shock at Xantaric's words.
Isendryll had been listening to the sentiments echoed by elf and drow alike, but her mind was working on the puzzle of the princess' behavior. How could one so strong have forsaken all self control of her feelings? And then Xantaric revealed that the unlikely Bonding had not yet been consummated. Isendryll gasped in shock and astonishment. No wonder! The princess was battling the effects of the Bonding, without the comfort and stability that consummation would bring! Isendryll looked upon her leader with newfound wonder. That Xia was able to stand and converse coherently at all was nothing short of amazing! It was a testament to the sheer strength of will of the dusky skinned princess, and a new level of respect and admiration blossomed within Isendryll for her princess and friend.
"I am sorry, your Highness! I did not realize that we were keeping you here under such duress! Please allow me to help. I will keep watch over you and your Bonded One so that you may be together in safety and peace." She bowed low to Xia and Nara, then placed a kind, dark skinned hand on each of their shoulders, guiding them away from the circle. It was the first time she'd touched an elf in gentle kindness.
Xia let herself be guided to the small antechamber off the main mine tunnel that she and Nara has slipped away to before. Isendryll went in with them, and quickly searched the area to make sure it was safe. She came back to where the unlikely couple was standing, arm in arm, and carefully spread a couple blankets for them. Before Xia could protest, Isendryll began to undress her princess, removing the elvish clothes that Nara had loaned her. She glanced up at Nara, who was looking at her with a mixture of astonishment and aggravation, wondering who this impertinent young drow was that she seemed so intent on helping in this matter.
Isendryll spoke, somewhat pointedly, "Well? What are you waiting for elf? Get undressed! My Princess needs your touch! It is time to consummate the Bond and become One with her. Must I strip you too?"
Xia's lips formed a slightly amused smirk at the eager enthusiasm of her young Sister Priestess' determination to help, and at the look of consternation on Nara's face. Already Isendryll had unlaced the low neckline of the tunic Xia wore, and was working the sleeves down her harms, leaving her dusky full breasts bared, covered only by the wispy silk of her ivory colored hair. Xia's gaze met Nara's, and her eyes were filled with desire.
Isendryll looked on with sympathy and a hint of dismay at the public display of Xia's lack of self control over her emotions. It was unseemly for a Drow Princess to behave that way. Isendryll understood the reason well enough, but still a bit of self control was expected. She wondered if these elves had placed a spell on her liege. Even as the thought crossed her mind, the elvish Sub-Commander was admitting to the atrocities they had committed in war. That both sides had done horrible things to their enemies was not lost on her.
Xia snapped her gaze to Lenaria upon mention of Nara's sins. She knew on an intellectual level that Nara was a soldier, and of course had to do things in the name of war, under orders, that would no doubt shock her if she knew of them. Xia could scarcely imagine the kind of things that were done in war. Her experience of it was only in dealing with the aftermath of battle, healing the injured and preparing the dead for their funereal rites.
But now she was Bonded to this one, bloody blade or not. The past would have to remain in the past. She reached out to Lenaria and Nara, placing a hand on each of their shoulders in a simple gesture of reassurance. Just then Ri'ven began to speak as well. Xia listened to his words, nodding in silent agreement. Her glance fell upon Isendryll, and she noted the curious stare the younger priestess held for her. Xia's thoughts were still too distracted to allow her to focus on reaching out to her Sister Priestess' mind. But it could not be helped. Isendryll would either have to trust her or not, but it would be her decision to make.
Ri'ven's mention of a civil war among the elves disturbed her. It was the second time in the last few minutes that the possibility had been spoken of. She had no idea how she would stop one war, let alone another. She held no influence among elves; no one would listen to her entreaties for peace there. The dark skinned princess was about to respond to Ri'ven's words when Mekil spouted his mocking venom yet again. His laugh seemed to confirm the perverse joy he seemed to get from sowing discord and doubt. But the point he made was valid. Even if the elves were willing to stop fighting, how could she influence the Drow who blindly followed the High Priestess. Xia didn't believe her mother wanted the war to go on incessantly, but she knew that Callandryl pulled the strings of her mother's judgment. And the High Priestess seemed to share more in common with Mekil and his type than with those who valued peace.
Xia opened her mouth to reply when Mekil's words choked off suddenly. At first she didn't realize what was happening. But then she noticed the intense concentration on Xantaric's face and realized that he was the source. The wizard echoed the sentiments of the others, and to her surprise, pointed out that the Bonding had not yet been consummated. How did he know, she wondered. But she was finding it hard to think, as if her mind was partially clouded, muddled somehow. Her attention was drawn to Isendryll as the younger priestess gasped in shock at Xantaric's words.
Isendryll had been listening to the sentiments echoed by elf and drow alike, but her mind was working on the puzzle of the princess' behavior. How could one so strong have forsaken all self control of her feelings? And then Xantaric revealed that the unlikely Bonding had not yet been consummated. Isendryll gasped in shock and astonishment. No wonder! The princess was battling the effects of the Bonding, without the comfort and stability that consummation would bring! Isendryll looked upon her leader with newfound wonder. That Xia was able to stand and converse coherently at all was nothing short of amazing! It was a testament to the sheer strength of will of the dusky skinned princess, and a new level of respect and admiration blossomed within Isendryll for her princess and friend.
"I am sorry, your Highness! I did not realize that we were keeping you here under such duress! Please allow me to help. I will keep watch over you and your Bonded One so that you may be together in safety and peace." She bowed low to Xia and Nara, then placed a kind, dark skinned hand on each of their shoulders, guiding them away from the circle. It was the first time she'd touched an elf in gentle kindness.
Xia let herself be guided to the small antechamber off the main mine tunnel that she and Nara has slipped away to before. Isendryll went in with them, and quickly searched the area to make sure it was safe. She came back to where the unlikely couple was standing, arm in arm, and carefully spread a couple blankets for them. Before Xia could protest, Isendryll began to undress her princess, removing the elvish clothes that Nara had loaned her. She glanced up at Nara, who was looking at her with a mixture of astonishment and aggravation, wondering who this impertinent young drow was that she seemed so intent on helping in this matter.
Isendryll spoke, somewhat pointedly, "Well? What are you waiting for elf? Get undressed! My Princess needs your touch! It is time to consummate the Bond and become One with her. Must I strip you too?"
Xia's lips formed a slightly amused smirk at the eager enthusiasm of her young Sister Priestess' determination to help, and at the look of consternation on Nara's face. Already Isendryll had unlaced the low neckline of the tunic Xia wore, and was working the sleeves down her harms, leaving her dusky full breasts bared, covered only by the wispy silk of her ivory colored hair. Xia's gaze met Nara's, and her eyes were filled with desire.