Magic's Reluctant Bride (closed for maurader13

[marauder13]

While Lentharian was focused on other matters, he was aware of Melisandra's movements around the campsite. The maintenance of her blade, the practice sword work and the tending the camp fire. But when he heard her moving away, that caught his curiosity. He opened his eyes, staring at the stars. He wondered if he should check on her or not.

He quietly got up, and moved in the direction she had gone. He quickly realized that she went to the pool. A sly smile crossed his face at the thought of seeing her unclad, but that would not be polite of him to do. But he thought of something else. A lesson in safety.

He found her clothes, and waited for her to be distracted. He quickly gathered the clothing and sword, and carried it all back to her bed roll, just dumping it all there. He took a seat near the fire, with his back to her bedroll.

"Rosh reesth poip pop pop craahk rehf." The flames rose, flattening out showing a dark room, with a large table, chairs and an equally large figure resting in one of the chairs.

"Wake up, old friend."

The figure snorted and pulled himself upright. He leant forward, rubbing his eyes while staring back into the fire. "Len?"

"Yes. I'm letting you know that I might have some company when I arrive, and you might know of this person. If you do, keep your mouth shut. I may also be about a day later than I first thought. So, be more sober than not, ok."

"Sure, Sir. I'll stop hitting the hard stuff a day before you get here."

"Good. Seeeeth!" The flames returned to normal. He sat still, smiling waiting for Melisandra's reaction to finding herself naked, and unarmed.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra had sank under the water to rinse her hair when Len took the chance to make off with her clothes and sword. Once she surfaced and was fully rinsed off, he was already gone. Turning around Melisandra noticed instantly that her sword was not where she left it and once she was on shore, she saw that her clothes were gone as well. Anyone else would have assumed the worst, but thieves wouldn't have made off with her clothing and the only other thing of value she had on her t the moment besides her sword was her locket. That meant Len had woken up and found her gone.

For someone who wanted to make this a pleasant trip, he also seemed intent on getting under her skin. Oh she was mad, there was no doubt about it. The princess however was not about to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered and her feather ruffled. Instead she took her time, wiping the water down from her body and them wringing it from her long hair. Once that was done, Melisandra made her way back to camp, shoulders back and head, naked as the day she was born. Walking right past Len, and not sparing him a glance, she dressed in her discarded clothes.

Once she was dressed she searched around through her saddle bags and withdrew a length of ribbon, and quickly pulled her hair back and tied it out of the way. When she was done, Melisandra rose to her feet once more and gathered her cloak from the branch it hung from.

"Any point you may have tried to make is over shadowed by the fact you too my clothes. Only a letch or someone who enjoys humiliating others for their own sick pleasure, would take someone's clothing. Good night Len." With that she laid down, her head pillowed against her saddle and her cloak thrown over her.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian remained looking at the fire when Melisandra returned and got herself dressed. He didn't even attempt to sneak a peek at her the entire time.

"Any point you may have tried to make is over shadowed by the fact you too my clothes. Only a letch or someone who enjoys humiliating others for their own sick pleasure, would take someone's clothing. Good night Len."

"Good night, my Lady."

Lentharian got up and started moving around. He had enough help with him, and he had no further need to draw on his reserves. He spent the rest of the evening focused on his duty at that time. Keeping watch. He maintained the fire enough to keep it alive through the rest of the night.

He did allow himself a few small indulgences. He found a few plants that cooked very well in a stew, and he had a few other food items that would go well in such a dish. Plus with the water at this place, it would make a very tasty stew. He had everything planned so he could go as soon as Melisandra awoke.

He decided that if Melisandra was going to be too much of a spoilt princess to ignore the lesson, then he wouldn't waste his breath on her. He fed the fire, getting it hot enough to cook with. As soon as Melisandra started to stir, Lentharian sprang into action. He took the pot to the pool, gathering enough water for his stew. He put the meat and vegetables that he had brought with him, along with the plants he picked on the way back.

The aroma from the pot was making Lentharian's mouth start to water by the time Melisandra was fully awake and moving. He tended to the pot, not bothering to look at Melisandra.

"Good morning, My Lady. I hope you slept well last night. I have enough here for two, should you wish to have some.

"Oh, I apologize for trying to educate you last night. I shall not try again in future." He continued stirring the contents of the pot.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"That you like to get your point across by trying to humiliate others? Oh no I got that lesson loud and clear Len." Melisandra stretched and yawned before getting to her feet and continuing to stretch. After than she gathered up her cloak and set it over her shoulder. " Thank you for the offer of breakfast but no thank you. If you need me I will be watering my horse." Walking over she grabbed the stallion's reins and headed for the water. Melisandra made sure to grab her sword at the same time.

Once she was sure the horse would not wander off she returned to the camp, giving Len a brief look. "Personally if all men in Noden are like you then I am better off not marrying the prince. I may have been wrong to leave the camp, because the gods know the forest is so full of life, but you had no right to take my clothing. " She dug through her saddle back with a soft snort, "Princess of Brask, strolling through the dark woods, naked as a babe. Oh yes, excellent fodder for the gossip court cows. Oh wait they already gossip about me as it is. Before noon they'll be falling over themselves speculating where I am and who I am with." Fetching her food she approached the fire, shoulders stiff with tension. Unwrapping the meat she laid two healthy slices upon a flat stone that was nice and hot from the fire and warmed the beef through.

"Do you just prefer to swat flies with a mallet or do you just not know how to get your point across in a less maddening way?"

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian tended to his breakfast, his attempt at a peace offering declined. He knew he had upset Melisandra with what he had done. He couldn't tell her that it was his intent to upset her. That in the process, the lesson he was driving at would actually be retained longer that way. If he taught her in the same manner he had been taught about these things, he would have attacked her while she bathed.

He decided to ignore her continued verbal barrage over his mistake from the previous night. He had come to realize that he had overstepped her boundaries, and would be paying the price for it for some time to come. But it was her last question that broke through his resolve to keep quiet.

"Do you just prefer to swat flies with a mallet or do you just not know how to get your point across in a less maddening way?"

He looked up at her, keeping his facial expression neutral. He removed the pot from the fire, and set in on the ground.

"Fine. I made a gross error in judgment. But what I said earlier is true. I shall not attempt to do it again. Impart a lesson that is. The manner under which I was taught was obviously rather... unique. Radically different from what methods have been used elsewhere. Since I sincerely do not want to offend you, My Lady, I am not going to try and teach you anything, since my methods seem to offensive.

"Even though we have not gotten off to the best of starts, I am looking forward to traveling with you. I really haven't had much time to just talk to someone. I have always dealt with people in a business sense. But I have never been able to stop and get to know someone as a person."

He took the pot back to where his gear was located, and got out a bowl and spoon. He poured out some of his breakfast into the bowl, and started to eat. He never realized just how ingrained some things were. Or how different his upbringing was to other people's. He had always dealt with people either as the Crown Prince, or as a Merchant. Never as himself. Never as a person.

It then struck him that he didn't even know what it was like just to be Lentharian, the person. He stared into the fire as he thought about that... problem?

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra sighed softly. Leave it to him to ruin her bad mood by making her feel bad for him. It was a genuine feeling, because Melisandra had been allowed for quite some time to actually interact with people of all classes as just herself. Plucking her now warm breakfast from the stone she headed back to the bedroll. "The pitfalls of being born high on the ladder. You either know how to actually deal with people and to be who you are and not what your position says who you are or you don't. Pulling a small knife from her bags she began to slice the meat into smaller strips and piling them upon a section of bread.

"We've certainly gotten off to a rough start that much is true. Its a new day so we shall start fresh. What happened last night is in the past, from here forward we start with a clean record with each other. Do we have a deal?" She looked up from her task and over towards him. During the night her long bangs had slipped free from the tie and framed her face lightly. It gave her a look of subtle innocence and hid most of that inner fire of hers.

It was still fairly early in the morning which meant by now they knew she was gone and her father would sending those he could spare in every direction to find his wayward daughter. While she had made plenty of ground yesterday, today she or rather they would have to cover much more to put more distance between them and the main lands of Brask. "And you might as well practice with me on how to learn just to be yourself Len. Otherwise just how do you plan to survive your marriage? You owe it to yourself and her to find out just who you are besides Len the Merchant. You've let your class speak for you, now its time to speak for yourself."

Because she had her eyes on him Melisandra missed the fact that the knife blade was so close to her own skin rather than the meat. Kept exceptionally sharp, she had sliced into her index finger before she knew it. Hissing she dropped the blade and swore. "Nice very nice. I talk to you and I wound myself." Letting out a halfhearted chuckle, she watched the blood well up as she dug through her bag for something to wrap the cut with. "Good thing there are no wolves or bears around."

 

[marauder13]

"We've certainly gotten off to a rough start that much is true. Its a new day so we shall start fresh. What happened last night is in the past, from here forward we start with a clean record with each other. Do we have a deal?"

Lentharian looked up at her, and smiled. "Indeed, we have a deal. The slate has been wiped clean."

"And you might as well practice with me on how to learn just to be yourself Len. Otherwise just how do you plan to survive your marriage? You owe it to yourself and her to find out just who you are besides Len the Merchant. You've let your class speak for you, now its time to speak for yourself."

"I was thinking just the same thing myself. I am not sure who Len the person is. Education, training and just doing my work have been my life to date. This is the first time in my life where I am free to be me. And I will take you up on your offer, because I doubt that I can do this completely on my own."

Lentharian was focused on his own thoughts and looking at Melisandra's face that he too missed the knife closing on her finger. When he saw the blood well up, he put his bowl down and went to his saddle bags. He found a medium sized, black leather pouch with sliver thread stitching. He walked over to where she was rummaging and squatted down beside her.

"Here, let me." He took her hand and turned it so the wound was pointing up. He opened the pouch, and took out a pinch of what looked like dirt. He sprinkled the dirt over her finger. Where the dirt struck her blood, it soaked up some of the blood, making a dark brown mud. When the wound was covered in the mud, he put the rest on the dirt back into the pouch and closed it up. By the time that was done, the mud had dried. Len pulled it off her finger, leaving it completely healed, as if she had not been cut initially.

"There, all fixed." He stood up and walked back to his saddle bags and breakfast.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra looked from her finger to Len and then back again, "That's a handy trick to know. Thank you." It really shouldn't have been that much of a surprise after all he was from Brask. As far as she knew everyone from there had some talent one way or another, why would a merchant be any different?" She set about finishing what she was doing before sitting back with her impromptu sandwich and digging in. As the sun continued to rise higher in the sky the golden rays broke through the forest canopy, making the red in her hair stand out more against the blond. Now and then as she at the light would bounce off her locket, sending tiny splashes of rainbows upon the scenery.

Licking her lips she began to hum softly as she ate, her right foot barely moving, keeping pace with the beat of her small tune. Behind them her horse came back from the river, and began to graze on the surrounding grass. Eventually her breakfast was finished and Melisandra was busy backing her things back up for when they broke camp. As she moved her humming became soft singing, it wasn't the most appropriate of songs for a princess to be signing, but it didn't sink to the level of a truly bawdy love song.


Sweet noble heart, I am forbidden
to ever see you again
your fair sweet face
which put me on the path of love;
but truly I do not know
how I can expect
not to have to die soon.
And if I must abstain
to give you pleasure,
or else be untrue to you,
then I would rather keep my loyalty
and according to your will
die, if your heart wishes it,
than against your will
to receive complete joy
by viewing your beauty.

For I love you so much, truly,
that one could could sooner dry up
the deep sea
and hold back its waves
than I could constrain myself
from loving you,
without falsehood; for my thoughts
my memories, my pleasures
and my desires are perpetually
of you, whom I cannot leave or even briefly forget.

ooc: lyrics taken from two actual medieval love songs.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian continued eating his breakfast. Though it was the most minor of wounds, it showed Melisandra that he was willing to help her. It also showed that not everyone from Noden were bad.

"That's a handy trick to know. Thank you."

He looked up from his bowl, trying to figure out exactly what she meant by that. "Not a trick. It's specially prepared dust. Made by one of the magic users of the Realm. One doesn't need to know magic to use it." Again, every word was true. The dust could be used by anyone. It had been prepared by one magic user in the Realm - him. No one else could do it.

He continued eating his breakfast, relishing the quite that existed between them at that time. He found himself to be hungrier than he thought, and managed to eat almost the rest of the stew he cooked. He took his cooking utensils to the water's edge, and cleaned them. He sat at the water's edge, opening up his soul to the place, to mark it within him, so that if needed, he could return to the place again.

As he walked back, he heard Melisandra singing. He had never heard that song before, though it was not something he expected to hear a Princess sing. The beat and style were not courtly enough. But her voice was good, and he just stood listening to her singing. He didn't want to walk back into camp and disturb her, or make her stop. When she finished, he continued back into camp.

"You have a good voice for songs, My Lady. If you don't want to sell horses, become a bard or minstrel. Many places will delight at the sound of your voice." Lentharian started to break camp as well, very quickly stowing all of his gear and soon was ready to join Melisandra on the next day of travel.

"Before we get to much further, My Lady, how shall I refer to you from here on? What title, or name, should I use with you when we are with other folk? I dare not use either of those that belong to you, as the title is unique, and your name is rare."

He got onto his horse, waiting for her to do the same, and they continued their ride. The forest was cool enough to be comfortable with bring a chill. Being on the move seemed to help both of their moods too. For Lentharian, it was taking him away from a place where he made a major mistake.

"The song you sang before... have you ever been in love? I have no idea what love feels like, though I know that it is a fine feeling to have." Lentharian wondered if he could ever find someone who would love him. He doubted that Melisandra would love him, but he held out hope for at least friendship. Anything that would make their lives together easier when they became husband and wife.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra through while she finished packing and saddling her horse. Once she was mounted, both she and Len continued on their way, "You may call me Mel when we are around each other. My mother is probably turning in her grave to hear my name shortened as such, but its only temporary." While the morning was still rather cool in the shade of the many trees, it wasn't cool enough to warrant wearing her cloak so it was packed away for the time being. Len's next question caught her off guard and she had to think carefully before she answered.

"Not so much in love, but infatuated and in love with the idea of being in love I suppose. The song I picked up from one of our grooms, he was madly in love with one of the maids and would serenade her every change he got, but he also sang when he was grooming the horses. He used to say that seeing her put the song in his heart and that there would never be plain words, suitable enough to express that love. As for being in love myself," Melisandra shrugged, "one of the older knights had caught my eye for a while. He was...perfect. At least in the eyes of a child he was. Always had time for an awkward pigtailed child who would sneak away from her lessons to watch the men spare."

The memory brought a soft smile to her face, "Jeral was much too old for me and even had I been of age I doubt he would have ever seen me as more than the child who was always wanting to be taught how to handle a sword. He was kind, patient, and one of the best story tellers I knew. I think I was more in love with the ideal of what he was. A strong and true knight, willing to lay his life down for his lady. I was nine when I asked him to marry me." She laughed softly, "Of course being a child, things like what was proper and class and rank meant nothing to me. Jeral was very gentle in his let down of me. He said that if he was meant for one such as I, he would have been born as something more than a mere knight. My future husband he said was someone very special, someone who would appreciate my sharp mind and quick wit." Melisandra looked over towards Len with a smirk,"As you can imagine I was devastated that my handsome knight had said no, but I still had my friend in the end and that was all that mattered."

Melisandra shook her head softly, "I am sure Jeral is somewhere between spitting mad and roaring with laughter right now. Upset that I would do something like this, but also amused that I managed to leave without being seen. He taught me too well I believe." They rode a bit more before she continued, "But no I have never really been in love, but I have seen it in those around me. From listening to my father speak of my mother to watching the servants and the people of Brask. I've seen it make someone's horrible day all the better and I have seen it rip the heart from someone's chest when it turns sour or is crushed beneath one's boot heel. And to think I still wish to marry for love, I must be the most foolish noblewoman every born."

 

[marauder13]

"You may call me Mel when we are around each other."

"Thank you, Melisandra. I will use that name when we are in the company of others, to reduce the discomfort to your Mother's spirit." Len bowed his head at the reference to Melisandra's mother.

Len rode in silence for a while, first listening to her answering his question before pondering which of his questions he would ask. She had relaxed in his presence, which would allow him to learn more of his fiance, but he didn't want to push too hard.

"What kind of man would win your heart? I have been thinking about if I could choose my wife... what would I like her to have, or be." He glanced over Melisandra before looking ahead again. "I would like a woman who is smart. Someone I could talk with. A woman with her own thoughts. I have seen to many women think that to be attractive, they must have not thoughts of their own, and barely hold a conversation." Lentharian shuddered at that thought. "My wife to be sounds like one of those women. Quiet, looking forward to marriage. That is kind of good, but it might mean that she has no real will of her own. Nothing to look forward to but what her husband tells her." He looked back at Melisandra again. "Sorry. I didn't mean to talk like that.

"Well, if I may ask, what kind of man would win your heart?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

"I suppose I would want someone like Jeral. Strong, kind, generous. Obviously someone who likes a woman with a strong, will and personality. Someone who would be willing to explore all that life has to offer. Someone," she hesitated slightly, "someone who wanted a partner and not just a warm body in their bed and mother to their heirs. I want someone who will love me for me, not my title, not my kingdom, me." Melisandra let out a sigh,"That is of course if this plan of mine doesn't fail and I end up as nothing more than queen in the joined kingdom and mother to the future rulers of said kingdom." As confident as she was Melisandra did have her doubts of just how long her freedom would last.

Eventually the traveling pair lapsed into a calm silence. Though Melisandra didn't let that last long and was soon singing again. As before it was a fairly inappropriate song for a woman of her status and more suited to the atmosphere of a tavern. The tune was bawdy and spoke maids and knights cavorting about in the fields. There was the faintest of blushes upon her skin as she sang. Though it was due more to the fact Melisandra was not all that used to signing in front of other people and not the subject matter of the song. Female minstrels and bards while not unheard of were not all the common either.

When Melisandra did take notice of Len again she ducked her head. "I'll have to beg your pardon, Len. Sometimes I forget that not all of the tunes I have picked up from the servants are truly proper for someone such as I to know let alone sing herself. I doubt my intended would find it entertaining or proper."

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian rode along listening to what would make a good man for Melisandra. He wondered if he truly had any of those qualities. He thought he did, and not just because they were good qualities to have, but because he honestly thought he did have most of those. He liked her personality and will, and that she stood up for herself. He wanted someone to share his life with, not just his bed. That thought took him down a different path all together. He stopped it, and made sure he could come back to it later.

"That is of course if this plan of mine doesn't fail and I end up as nothing more than queen in the joined kingdom and mother to the future rulers of said kingdom."

"If I may again ask, if you are forced to marry the Prince of Noden, would it ease your burdens if he had any of those qualities you mentioned?" He paused for a moment. "And if it does turn out you marry him, I'll be close by. I do live close to the Throne. My rooms are a stones throw from the outer walls. I can look out my windows and see the outer face of the western walls."

Melisandra started to sing again, and Lentharian relaxed and enjoyed her voice until the tune started mentioning some rather bawdy activities. He turned his head to stare at Melisandra as she sang, blissfully ignorant of his presence. His eyes widened, and the eyebrows went up as he was further surprised at the song she sang. By the end, he was also smiling a little.

Melisandra sat back, basking in the feelings of relaxation the song brought her. She then turned to look at Lentharian, when she brought her head down momentarily.

"I'll have to beg your pardon, Len. Sometimes I forget that not all of the tunes I have picked up from the servants are truly proper for someone such as I to know let alone sing herself. I doubt my intended would find it entertaining or proper."

He tried as hard as he could, but it was too much. He burst out laughing. A deep belly laugh that threatened to unhorse him. He eventually brought it under control, but when he looked at her again, the laughter got the better of him again.

"I am... I am so sorry," Lentharian spoke between heavy gasps. "I... I just had an image of the Royal family's expressions if they heard you sing that. I can't speak for His Royal Highness, but I found it entertaining. I think you would be a breath of fresh air for the Royal Family of Noden."

He took a look in the sky, gauging the location of the Sun in the sky. "I think we should ride a little faster for a while, if you would like to delay your family reunion. We are still two days ride from the border of Frelu. At least it will make it more difficult for your Father to take you back."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra managed to keep the slight blush from fully overtaking her face as she returned her eyes to the path, "Thank you for your kind words, Len. As for my intended, I suppose it would make things easier if he had some of those qualities." It would certainly make sleeping in the same bed easier, she thought silently to herself. "And as for you living close by, if both our intendeds wouldn't get their feather ruffled over such a friendship, it would be pleasant at least to have a friendly face near by."

She looked above them and nodded, "You are right though about picking the pace up." With a soft nudge the princess pushed her horse ahead, Len keeping pace with her. Along the way they kept to light small talk, mostly about their varied childhoods and just life in general. Late in the afternoon they stopped to let the horses to rest and to fill their stomachs. Since there was little point in starting a fire, Melisandra split her own rations between them and they polished off the wineskin the pair had started in on last night.

"So tell me Len, what if your future wife is a typical high born lady? From what I know of you already I know you wouldn't be so petty as to cast her aside in shame, but how would you handle someone with, let's face it nothing but the wind between her ears and a pretty face?"

Women of the court like that was part of the reason why Melisandra had forged such close bonds with the servants, knights and guards of the castle. They were hard working, but also intelligent. They had doted on her, but they also have never denied the princess when she was younger anything by way of the quest to learn. Oh she had the usual court tutors but one could only learn so much from them. They taught her about royal and court affairs but the servants taught her about the world she lived in and the people she was to one day rule over.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian listened to her response about the Prince of Noden having those very qualities she sought in a husband. He felt a little better about the future when she became his wife.

As they rode to put more distance between themselves and the King of Brask, the just spoke about various matters. Nothing substantial, serious or having major consequences. Lentharian had never done anything like it before, talking as something to do, to help pass time. He found it to be incredibly relaxing, and couldn't wait to do it again.

"So tell me Len, what if your future wife is a typical high born lady? From what I know of you already I know you wouldn't be so petty as to cast her aside in shame, but how would you handle someone with, let's face it nothing but the wind between her ears and a pretty face?"

Lentharian sat back, thinking of the noble women he had met from Noden as well as other neighbouring Kindgoms. There were a few that had pretty faces, though not that many. There had been a few that had more than wind between their ears, but they were rarer than the beauties. Just the short times he had to deal with them irritated him enormously. But a lifetime? He shuddered at the thought.

"I doubt that I would do well. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about marrying a typical high born woman."

He smiled wanly and continued to eat the food that Melisandra kindly shared with him. "Thank you for sharing you food with me. It was not necessary, but it was a kind act." Lentharian looked around where they sat, just taking in the scenery. "I think I'm liking the person I am. What small part of him I have managed to find. Thank you for that. I'm sure that my intended will be grateful for the help you've been."

When they finished eating, they mounted their horses and got themselves closer to the border with Frelu. Lentharian was quiet during the ride, his mind running through all the possibilities of what could happen. He knew that at any moment he could stop Melisandra's flight, some more subtly than others. But more importantly was winning her over before that happened. But he had until they reached Kraala. Beyond that, her path could take her anywhere, and that would make life more difficult for him.

Lentharian slowed his mount and started looking about for a good camp site. "Since it's getting close to nightfall, I think we should make camp soon. If we are lucky, we should be able to cross the border before nightfall tomorrow. How does that sound?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Sounds like a good plan is any," They pushed the horses for another hours before finding another clearing to settle down in for the night. They fed and watered the horses once before before setting up camp. While Len was unpacking his bedroll Melisandra got the fire going. There was more than enough fallen wood about to last them through the night and into the morning for breakfast. Once she had coaxed a significant amount of flame, the princess went and set up her own bed. As she moved she yawned softly and stretched. They had ridden for a good amount of time and admittedly some areas were becoming a bit saddle sore.

Making herself comfortable on bed roll, Melisandra sighed softly, "We covered a good bit of ground today. Depending on when they noticed I was missing we might still have a good amount of distance between them and us." Turning her head Mel gave the merchant a soft smile, "I know you'll probably get taken to task for helping me, "escape" and everything, but thank you for the company. It gets old rather fast, talking to one's horse. They do poorly with carrying the conversations and such."

They may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but the pair were finding their balance and she meant what she said. Having Len around if for no other reason than to talk was welcome.

 

[marauder13]

They managed to find a decent campsite. After dealing with their mounts, Melisandra got the campfire going while Lentharian got his bed prepared. He was pleased that his intended was so different to what had been presented to him. She would be someone he could talk to, share ideas with. She would tell him where he was going wrong, and follow it with now to make it right. She was more worldly than he was, more in touch with the low born where he was only exposed to the high born.

Added to that, she was a very good looking woman, with a confidence and self assurance that added to it. Of course, the manner in which she had dressed herself made it easy to guess what her figure would be like. She would be a woman that he would not tire of looking at, nor would he be loath to spend time with her.

He watched her settle on her bedroll, recounting the day's efforts. But when she turned to look at him, he was gifted with a smile from her. It seemed to soften her face, and brought it a quality to it that made her more attractive.

"I know you'll probably get taken to task for helping me, 'escape' and everything, but thank you for the company. It gets old rather fast, talking to one's horse. They do poorly with carrying the conversations and such."

"Well, I hope I get off that lightly," he smiled back. "Who am I to not give aid to a Princess in need. And for having someone to talk to, I also gain the same benefits.

"Seeing that you have settled yourself, Melisandra, I'll take watch." He sat still and waited for Melisandra to settle and fall asleep. Once he was confident that she was indeed asleep, Lentharian settled into a meditative position and rested while his Air Elemental kept a watch out. While not as good as true sleep, it would keep Lentharian more rested than if he had been fully awake.

Just prior to the proper time, Lentharian called his Air Elemental to him.

'Yes, my Master.'

'Once more aid my companion as she guards our camp site as you did the previous night. While we travel together, you will aid her as you would aid me while she guards the camp as I sleep. Do you understand?'

'Yes, my Master. It is understood.'

Lentharian stretched as he stood, and wandered over to Melisandra. He gently placed a hand on where her shoulder was, giving her a gentle nudge.

"Your turn on watch, Melisandra. Not a sign of anything remotely dangerous. I hope your watch is as boring as mine was." He headed to his bed roll, and was quickly asleep.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra yawned and stretched as Len bedded down for the night. Once she had shaken off the fog of sleep, she grabbed her sword and started her watch. Two hours passed with her practicing her sword skills. At the same time, her gaze trailed towards her sleeping companion. In truth she really didn't know what to make of him. Even though they had only spent such a short time together, the merchant, still managed to evade any real decision on him. For the moment, he had earned her trust back and she was inclined to let him keep it.

Her mind went back to her earlier words came back to the princess. What would happen to Len at the end of all this? For all his kindness, if her fiance or his family were so inclined the young man could be charged with treason for his involvement in her escape, minor part or not. With a sigh Melisandra piled more wood onto the fire and continued her watch.

When morning came Melisandra had let her hair back down. The red and gold locks hung about her face giving her a more innocent look. Her sword moved almost silently through the air. Melisandra has also stripped her shirt and boots off, so if Len were to lift his head he would find her in just her stockings, pants and bodice. Even though the morning was cool, there was light sheen of sweat on her body. With her shirt off, one could easily see that her body was toned. Mel was certainly not a princess to rest of her rear.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian slept deeply and soundly. The day's ride was more taxing that he though it was. But as he drifted back to wakefulness, he heard movement. It was not the sounds of fighting, or uncontrolled movement. He opened his eyes, and looked around to find the source of the noise. His eyes widened when he saw what the source was.

Melisandra was doing some sword practice. He recognized the maneuvers, and at least two of the drills, ones he could do with his eyes closed he'd done them that much. But what was intriguing was how she was attired. No boots nor shirt. Her hair was down and it was evident that she had been working for a while. But what he saw of her showed that she was fit, and indeed had a good idea of how to use the weapon in her hand.

When she turned, her concentration was fixed on her drill, and not on what was going on in camp around her. But the way her hair fell around her damp face made her look different to before. He started to imagine her in formal gowns and his imagination conjured up some wonderful images.

He felt himself going a little red looking at his traveling companion in just her bodice. Then he started to laugh to himself at the absurdity of his reaction, because after they married, he would see more of her than she displayed now.

"Good morning to you, Melisandra. You definitely have good form and potential as a swordswoman." Len did his best to keep his eyes on her face, rather than places below.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra didn't stop her movements, but she did turn her head to smiled and nod in his direction, "Thank you. And I know you are being kind. Jeral would be on me about my posture by now, or at least about the fact that I need to practice with my right more." With a sigh she brought her sword down and pushed her hair back, "Thank you once again though Len. Its nice to know that I don't look so bad to someone not myself." She walked around the fire and grabbed her water skin and began to quench her thirst. At the same time, her stomach let out a very loud growl and a blush crept up her face.

"If I was a man I could just hire myself out as a guard I suppose to traveling merchants." Melisandra smiled at Len again and then laid back to stare up at the morning sky," I doubt there is much demand for female guards and even less who would take me seriously enough." She crossed one leg over the other as she turned her head, to watch Len, fully join the world of the awake. She knew she should probably put her shirt back on, but at the moment, the princess was more focused on cooling down than what was proper.

Len awake was very different from Len asleep. In his sleep he seemed more innocent, with less of the weight he seemed to carry around during the day upon his shoulders. He wasn't the handsomest man Melisandra had ever set eyes on, but he was not plain either. The young man wasn't really plain either, he had the sort of male beauty that would refine itself over time. Her fiance was probably some well polished prince who couldn't bother to get dirt under his nails. Someone a bit more down to earth like Len was more her style. Someone who was more than just the clothes on their back. If nothing else, Melisandra could hope he hand a sense of humor.

"What do you think Len, we should reach Krala by tonight? Maybe early tomorrow?" As much as she did have plenty of comforts, Melisandra wanted a very soft bed and a hot meal that didn't include the night sky. A hot bath wouldn't hurt either but she would make do, with cold, stream water for one more day. It wouldn't kill her, that was for sure.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian sat up, stretching a little.

"Thank you. And I know you are being kind. Jeral would be on me about my posture by now, or at least about the fact that I need to practice with my right more. Thank you once again though Len. Its nice to know that I don't look so bad to someone not myself."

"Well," he laughed, "I'll never be a teacher of sword play, but I know enough to be a reasonable judge. But, I think you'd hold yourself well against most opponents. If there was one possible weak point, it would be your strength. Most men would be stronger than you, and if the fight was drawn out too long, that strength would be your downfall."

She his words faded, he heard Melisandra's stomach growl. It also reminded him that he was hungry too.

"This time, I'll share some of my rations with you. My honour will brook no less." He started gathering his utensils and food to make them some breakfast.

"If I was a man I could just hire myself out as a guard I suppose to traveling merchants." He watched her lie down, looking into the sky. He caught himself watching the fall of her chest as she breathed. He was looking forward to having her as his wife. She was more and more the type of woman he would marry if he had a choice. But since the choice was made for him, he saw no need to argue.

"I doubt there is much demand for female guards and even less who would take me seriously enough."

Len stopped and looked over at her. He started to laugh a little. "Yet, you travel with a merchant, who trades in gems no less, and you ponder hiring yourself out as a guard to a merchant.

"And who are you concerned about? The merchants themselves, or those you'd be defending the merchant from? A female guard would be quite a surprise to many a thief, who would expect a man. And this merchant has seen a little of your sword work. I have little doubt of your ability."

"What do you think Len, we should reach Krala by tonight? Maybe early tomorrow?"

"From here... two days. One to reach the border, then another to make Kraala itself."

Lentharian stopped his preparation of breakfast and went back to his bed roll, pulling out his sword and started to loosen up.

"Get yourself ready, Melisandra of Brask. I want to see how good my potential guard is at protecting my interests."

 

[AngelofDeath]

When he offered to make breakfast she didn't argue. Something other than meat and bread, sounded great at the moment and she was more than willing to let him cook.

Melisandra had been laying there listening to Len's responses, close to drifting off until she heard him move back to his bedroll and drew his word. "Are you serious?" As she watched him loosen up, Mel knew he was very serious about sparing. "Well I suppose it would be rude to turn down such an offer." Getting back to her feet, she stretched slowly. If she didn't she would get a cramp or worse. "And yes you are right about my strength versus a man's. That is where speed and a sword built for me and my size comes in handy."

After she pulled her hair back Mel went to join Len in the open space of the camp. Flipping her sword around she smiled, "You don't have to do this you know. Hire me I mean. I've seen you swing that blade Len. Its not like you are completely helpless." Rolling her shoulders though she sized him up, because she had seen so little of his won skill, she could say how they compared to one another.

Switching her blade to her dominant hand Melisandra nodded, "Well let's do this then, shall we?

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian watched Melisandra stand and commence stretching and loosening up. He allowed himself to be distracted a little seeing her body moving as she readied herself. All of his distractions were gone as she pulled her hair back. He readied himself for the contest of skill with the blade.

"You don't have to do this you know. Hire me I mean. I've seen you swing that blade Len. Its not like you are completely helpless."

"Sometimes it is handy to have backup. Not to mention the times when my hands are occupied."

Lentharian continued to warm up as Melisandra joined him in the clear area. He was ready not long after she joined him. He looked at her, seeing her mind shift to make her ready for the 'fight' to come. She finally transferred her sword to what her left hand. It had been a while since he fought a left handed opponent. The thought crossed his mind, since it would be easier to achieve under this circumstance.

"Well let's do this then, shall we?"

Lentharian saluted her, before opening up with a fairly routine attack, one known to just about every swordsman. He pressed his advantage a little while being on the offensive. He was actually having some difficulties against an 'off-handed' opponent. But he found himself enjoying the contest, to the point where he wasn't trying as hard as he should in testing her skill. Even through that, he was watching and observing her footwork, posture and how she handled her blade.

 

[AngelofDeath]

When Len started the spar, Mel, knew she should have tossed her boots back on, but it was too late for that now. The ground was a mix of dirt and grass, so she had to adjust her footing now and the, but overall held her own against him. It was so...fulfilling to be able to spar with someone again. One could imagine all the foes they wanted, but in the end nothing beat, having a flesh and blood person, holding another sword. "Not bad for a merchant," Melisandra smirked as she freighted left but moved right, bumping Len with her shoulder, enough to make him turn and follow.

He wasn't as advanced as the men she was used to sparing with, but he was no rank amateur either. It wouldn't hurt to have him at her back and admittedly it made the idea of being his guard more tempting. Most merchants that were of high enough class couldn't hold a knife to save their lives, let alone a sword properly. Truth was protecting someone who wasn't going to just going to sit back and let you do all the work.

Melisandra gave it her all though. Len wanted to spar and she was going to show him what she could do. It did help that Melisandra preferred to fight til one or the other backed down. As they went on she worked up more of a sweat than before, rivulets ran down over the swells of her breasts.

 

[marauder13]

Even with his mind wandering and fighting an offhanded opponent. Lentharian managed to hold his own enough to stop the initial attempts to get passed his guard.

"Not bad for a merchant." She bumped him with her shoulder, truly catching him off guard. He stumbled a little, narrowing his eyes momentarily as he thought through how he would pay her back for such a move. But he quashed that thought. He wanted her to think he needed her skill. He was confident that he could hold his own against her, but he would test that out some other time.

Melisandra chose that moment to remind him that he asked her to spar. He found himself moving back trying to regain the advantage. He managed to get to the point where he was holding his ground against her, but in the process he was sure that he convinced her that her sword work was better than his.

He gamely rallied, and tried one further series of blows to bypass her defences and when that 'failed', he withdrew from range and signaled his defeat.

He could feel himself starting to sweat, and he noticed how Melisandra was sweating and where some of the sweat was running to. Again, he found his line of sight drawn to the top of her bodice and what was held there. He was glad the fight was over because he could have been run through a few times before he removed his gaze.

He quickly turned and went back to the campfire, and started preparing some food for them both. "You are very good, Melisandra. Definitely good enough to work professionally as a guard. I'll have to make some inquiries when we get to Kraala, but you'll definitely earn a decent rate, based off your skill."

Lentharian busied himself making up another stew, using up the last of the herbs he gathered from their last campsite. He kept his focus on his cooking, not allowing himself the chance of getting distracted yet again.