Quest for Life

[Dea Artia]

This tale is told with careful words. To speak his name would mean certain death to the story teller, but for your sake I will devulge this treat. His name is Drakkhen, and it is said that to drink his blood would mean eternal life. Many a man has ventured out into the world, seeking out this dragon, but so few have returned. Those who do, come back more empty handed than when they left, and for none the wiser. I take you now to the Village of Dulla, where we meet a girl about to go on the adventure of her life.

IC: Cera lived in a small village with her father. Her mother died in childbirth, leaving Cera with no motherly influences in her life. Her father tried his best, but working as the kings head blacksmith all day left him tired at night, so Cera was left to her own devices. As Cera grew, so did her adventerous nature. She competed with the boys in the contests the villagers had, often winning a ribbon or two. It wasn't until Cera was 18 that her father realized what she had become. Standing at 5'7'', Cera could run like the wind, out fight anyone with her sword and out think even the village elders. She wore her long raven hair in a smiple braid down her back and her aquamarine eyes sparkled when she smiled. She wasn't the most beautiful girl in the village, but what she lacked in beauty she made up with wit and charisma.

It was bright summer day as Cera made her way towards the village. She could smell the excitement in the air and as she neared the church, she could see a group of villagers gathered around the doors. Upon the door a parchment was tacked. She read:

-------
The king has put forth a proclomation and is in need of men to aid in the quest to capture, kill and return with the dragons blood. Come before Captain Yruddry by sunset.
-------

Cera couldn't believe it. Here was her chance of a life time. As she ran towards the castle gates, she couldn't help but think that this was the adventure she was waiting for.

OOC:

Characters Needed:

Men to go on the quest (about 4)
People to meet on the way (men and women)
An inn keeper at each village
Anyone else you can think of

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-24-2001 at 08:41 AM]

 

[dragonmld]

Character of Drakkhen

Drakkhen is a Young Dragon by Draconic standards, only being alive for 5,000 of what man called years,but which nature and those such as Drakkhen who were in tune with nature called a cycle.
Unlike most other Dragons he enjoyed dealing with humans for their ways and ideas were vastly differant than those of any other creatures he knew and spoke to. Though some of what man did scared and angered all the other creatures of nature, Drakkhen saw in them a spark of hope. With each passing generation he believed that by helping humans and showing them the error of their ways he could bring them back to nature and restore tha balance. But as he soon learned humans ran in terror and sometimes attempted to harm him just because of the way he looked. After studying them from affar he learned to use his magic to change his form to look like theirs, as well as learning their languages.
After spending a few years speaking with and learning more about humans The legends began to pop up of how Dragons were killing humans and that Knights were hunting them down to end the scurge they represented. Knowing how some of his Bretheren felt about humans he wondered if some of them were true, but he soon learned it was nothing more than mankinds myths and legends to bolster their own egos and to justify some of their more petty interests.

OOC: On the otherside of the kingdom we see Drakkhen in Dragon form sunning himself on the ledge of a large mountain which allows him to see for miles, you see him talking as if to himself until you look closer and see a small glimmer sitting on the tip of his nose.

IC: ...........I dont care what you say Ailinn you just cannot do it. It's physically impossible you are just way too small.
Ailinn replies "I can to and I'll prove it!" And with that dissapears in a flash of fluttering wings.
Drakkhen lets out a sigh and lays his head on a large flat rock and begins to doze off.

[Edited by dragonmld on 03-20-2001 at 05:13 PM]

 

[captainb]

character of Yruddry

Captain Yruddry traced a gloved finger over the ancient map. The kingdom's borders had been redrawn on it several times, and blots with spidery houses nearby showed where new towns and villages had sprung up. But the underlying ink and paint was old and faded; the green of the eastern forest had turned muddy centuries before he had walked the earth, and the parchment had cracked in several places when it was unrolled. Yruddry had ordered the map brought up from the archives when he received the king's orders, and now he frowned at the cartoon-like mountains drawn far to the east. Few had ventured into those regions for ages, and with good reason. Only a fool went knowingly against a dragon, no matter what the reward. He shook his head. The world had plenty of fools, and now he was to find out just how many.

He passed a hand over his eyes and sipped from the mug of water. At forty-two, he'd outlived many of his friends. He stood tall at six foot, dark brown hair peppered with grey yet still thick and wavy. His face was square with high cheekbones, highlighted by what he considered a noble nose above a long drooping mustache, his only conscious point of vanity. He was still strong enough to best the younger men in the monthly wrestling tourny, their only chance to ever test themselves against their superiors. But his eyes were tired from staring at the map, and he looked out the window and watched the gray clouds scuttle by.

Yruddry had ordered the sergeant to bring any volunteers before him as soon as they arrived. No sense giving them time to rethink what they were up against. He grimaced at the thought. He'd be damn lucky to live to see his pension. One of the percs of being in the king's army was the luxury of being an automatic volunteer. Well, he decided with surprise, he wouldn't just take anyone who applied for the mission. He had a sworn duty to protect the land and its people. And if that meant pissing off some hot-headed youth with a death wish, so be it. "If we're to survive," he muttered, "I'll need something more than cannon fodder." He stared out the window, over the village to the distant forest, and beyond that to where the jagged blue line of those damned mountains peered over the horizon.

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera slowed down her pace as she neared the castle's entrance. She had only walked through these gates once before, with her father when she was very young. They had looked huge, and omnimus, as they appeared to be now. Cera made her way to the guard at the entrance, announced who she was and that she was here to see the Captain. The guard looked her up and down and laughed.

"And just what do you want to see the Captain for? He's a busy man."

"Indeed he must be" she replied, looking at the guard in the same demeaning manner. "I shall not have to ask you again. I want to see Captain Yruddry."

The guard gave Cera a smirk, and let her pass. She walked carefully through the gates, with her head held high. She wasn't about to let some lowly Gate Keeper bring her spirits down. At first she couldn't see the Captain, then, from beyond a crowd of men she saw him. His tall stature and rough looks only added to his inner strengths. She'd never actually spoken to him, but he was a well known figure among the villagers. Cera joined the group of men, trying to push in front.

When she finally got to see the Captain, he looked a little tired, perhaps somewhat disapointed. Cera stood straight and tall and tried to get his attention.

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-24-2001 at 08:42 AM]

 

[captainb]

Yruddry

OOC: Thanks Dea. I think this will be a lot of fun. But Yow! Where did you come up with such a hard-to-pronounce name like Yruddry?

IC: Yruddry looked sourly at the group of men that rustled before him. On the surface they certainly seemed a sorry lot. The southern war of several years back had stripped the land of its finest. Those able-bodied enough to return home were none too eager to risk their lives again, and it looked like most had stayed on their farms. What he saw were mostly young boys and old men, a few missing a body part or two. There were a some that looked strong enough, farm-bred and probably not too well educated. Also some that looked like mercenaries, but the fact that they weren't already in the king's service warned of possible attitude problems.

He turned to the sergeant to point out a few that looked interesting enough to talk to. The sergeant nodded briefly, but then glared over Yruddry's shoulder in sudden annoyance. The captain turned around, not immediately seeing what had caught the man's gaze. The sergeant stepped forward and pointed. "Hey lassie, we'll have no need of your kind until we get back. Now take yer little arse back to the stables."

Yruddry glanced at the sergeant, then back to the girl again as the men began to laugh. Despite the sergeant's words, she didn't look like a harlot and seemed to be ignoring the men around her. In fact, she was looking straight at him! He raised an eyebrow as she pushed forward through the men, her jaw clenched. She didn't have the grace of even a serving-maid, but there was an ease to her movements that caused most of the men, still chuckling, to fall back. But a short dark fellow reached for her waist as she passed by. "Don' worry darlin'," he leered. "Jawarzi'll be back fer yer after we kills the dragin'."

The men roared with laughter, but Yruddry's eyes narrowed.

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera stopped short as the man beside her reached out to take a hold of her waist, but before he could get a strong enough grip, she turned around to face his back. Reaching down inside her boot, she pulled out her dagger and flicked it up to his neck, using her other arm to hold him against her chest. She glared at the other men watching her. She knew what they were thinking. But she wasn't what they thought she was.

"Care to repeat that sir?" she asked. She could smell the sweat coming off his body. She had no desire to fight anyone today, but if someone were to provoct her, she would defend herself.

The man responded with a careful no. "I didn't think so". Cera released the man, put her dagger back in her boot and continued on her path until she was standing in front of the captain.

"I came to see you about sighing up for the dragon hunt" she said.

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-21-2001 at 07:04 PM]

 

[captainb]

Yruddry

Yruddry stared at her. She'd handled the lout well enough, but he'd probably been hung-over. She was attractive in a rough sort of way, with a firm jaw and clear skin tanned from the fields, and black hair pulled back into a thick braid. He was sure she worked on a farm; her hands were large for a woman and she had tossed the man aside easily. Now she was standing before him with hands on hips and...asking to go on the dragon hunt?

He shook his head. "No, miss. This hunt will be a dangerous thing. You'd be better off tending to your family," he said politely. "The sergeant misspoke himself, but we need men that can handle themselves in a deadly fight. You defended your honor well just now, but we'll be facing far worse creatures than the likes of him, and there'll be no time for running to a maiden's rescue."

He looked away from her, scanning the crowd again for a likely recruit.

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera wasn't fazed a bit by what the captain said. She expected something as much, but she didnt think it would sting so bad. She put her hand on his arm, rather forcefully and turned him to face her. What could she tell this guy that would convince him that she was just as good with a sword as he was?

"Captain Yruddry. I know you may think that because I'm a woman I can't fight, but I'll have you know I've been fighting since I was 8. I can fight any of these men with the same determination and skill they have" she said, waving her arm around the crowd. "And I can honestly say I haven't had anything to drink today so I'm not trying to be boastful."

Cera released her grip, and tugged at her vest. Looking up to the sky, she continued. "Ever since I was a child I've thought about going off to fight in a war, protecting my king. They won't let women in the regiment." She glanced at Yruddry, trying to see his reaction to her words. "This time, its not a war and I don't see a reason why I can't go just because I'm a girl. I can hold my own, and I am certainly not afraid to fight to defend myself, nor for the others in the group." She stepped back a few paces and opened her arms, seeming to draw in the men standing around her. "Let me prove to you I can fight. Chose any man you see before you and I'll promise not to hurt him to bad."

 

[captainb]

the challenge

Yruddry blinked. He didn't like being taken by surprise and had not been ready for her response. She felt like proving herself, eh? He allowed his eyes to slowly scan her down and up. She stood straight and tall, feet apart and shoulders high. He lingered for a moment on her vest, noting the way the ties followed her form (no girl this!), then jumped to her eyes. She looked back, eyes wide and blue. There was confidence there, and something else too.

He looked again at the group, wondering which of them could actually take her. The ruffians certainly, but it wouldn't do to get her hurt. And an unskilled fighter, no matter how outwardly confident, could get someone hurt or killed. That wasn't why he was here, and he needed to get this over with quickly. The sergeant was looking at him with a grin, and Yruddry knew he had to take charge. Now.

"All right," he nodded. "You'll have your chance. But I can't trust anyone here to not hurt you in return. Sergeant!"

"Sir?"

"Fetch two quarterstaffs." He looked at her again. "I decide who earns a place with me. Clear a space here!" he shouted as he moved to the center of the courtyard. The sergeant reappeared with the staffs, giving one to the captain and over-politely offering the other to Cera. She took it in her hands, testing its weight. Yruddry was fifteen feet from her, in the center of the men and guards. She saw others on the castle walls pointing, and more were gathering to watch. She looked back at Yruddry. He wasn't smiling.

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Looking at Yruddry, his eyes told Cera she had probably made a mistake in challenging him. But it wasn't he, she was challenging in the first place.

"I didn't plan on fighting you" she called out.

"If you want go dragon hunting, you'll fight me first" he replied.

Cera smirked, and glanced at the gathering crowd. Her smiled faded when she saw someone she recognized. Holding up her hand in Yruddry's direction, she said "wait" and made her way to the edge of the circle. She stood, staring for a moment then smiled when she heard his voice.

"Daughter, what trouble are you getting into now?"

Reaching out, she hugged her father, which was somewhat difficult with a quarterstaff in her hand. "No trouble father" she whispered into his ear. "This is my chance for an adventure. There is a dragon hunt, by the kings request. You always said for me to follow my heart and dreams and I believe this is where they are telling me to go. The captain thinks I'm not worthy, because I'm a girl. I'm going to prove to him that I can fight and that I can take care of my own."

Releasing her hug, her father took both her hands in his and kissed her cheeks. "Foolish daughter. Trying to be something when people tell you that you can't. You're exactly like your mother, and I think she would have been proud. But promise me, if your heart ever tells you to come home, listen to it as you listen to it now."

"I promise father" and after kissing him back, Cera returned to the middle of the circle. Captain Yruddry looked annoyed, like he had something more important to attend to. Well, Cera wouldn't take up any more of his time than she had to. "I'm ready when you are" she said, holding the quarterstaff in front of her."

 

[captainb]

the test

Cera cocked her staff into the ready position. Yruddry looked hard at her father. He stood calmly and faced him back, resignation in his eyes, but also confidence. Yruddry turned away and walked slowly towards her, stopping just out of her weapon's reach. His body visibly relaxed, the staff held almost carelessly in his hands. Hoots and laughs came from the crowd, against a background of amused conversation. Cera wet her lips, then stepped and swung quickly at Yruddry's exposed shoulder. His staff snapped up to block. She swung again at his hip, but again her attack was deflected. She bounded back, dancing from foot to foot. Yruddry had yet to move a step. Someone shouted, "Go get 'im, girl!" and more laughter erupted. She circled to her left, and he shifted, silently watching her. She readied herself, then jabbed the end of her staff straight in at his belly. He moved to block, but at the last second she shifted and the end of her staff whirled under his parry, slicing toward his shin. But from nowhere there was a crack on the staff that made her hands hurt, and her attack bounced harmlessly aside.

Jeers and whistles burst from the throng around them. Yruddry rolled his shoulders and brought his staff up across his body. He had noted the comfortable way she held her weapon, and had been watching her feet when she tried the feint. His block had looked easy, but she had nearly slipped past him for a nasty crack on the shin. So, she knew her way around a quarterstaff. He berated himself for a moment. He knew better than to trust appearances, wasn't that what he trained his men? The two began to circle, both now in fighting stances.

Yruddry jabbed at her face. It was a feint, and she snapped her head back as expected. He did it again, and again she dodged. A third jab came in, but now she was ready for it and whipped her staff up to smack his away. He'd been waiting for that. He stepped in and swung the back of his staff, catching her across her unprotected belly. He'd pulled the blow to lessen the damage, but she still doubled over. The other end of the staff dipped behind her leg and snapped up, and Cera flipped backwards and landed flat.

Yruddry turned as the crowd cheered, catching the sergeant's eye. The man was laughing and the captain started to smile when the other's face froze. Yruddry whipped around a moment too late. Cera had rolled out of her fall and bounded to her feet in one fluid motion. She crouched and spun with the staff out straight, her braid arcing behind her. The blow caught Yruddry behind his knees and his back hit the ground hard, feet in the air.

"Yes!" shouted her father. His voice echoed through the sudden stillnesss in the courtyard. Cera breathed deeply, flushed with excitement. She looked around at the crowd. They stared back with open mouths, whispers now starting up. She found her father, and smiled at the pride showing in his eyes. Then she heard the sound of leather on dirt, and looked to see Yruddry slowly getting to his feet, his eyes never leaving hers. Her heart pounded at the look in his eyes.

The captain was furious. Twice in less than a minute he had let his guard down, and now he had paid the price. He had no doubt of her skills with the staff, that was settled. But there was more he needed to make sure of.

"Sergeant," he growled. "Sparring swords."

The sergeant barked an order as the crowd began to mutter again. No jeers now, but an uneasiness flowed through the tangled conversations. Yruddry tossed his staff aside as he stared at Cera and nodded.

"Well enough, but a staff's as good as a rock against a dragon's hide. Against that we'll be using real weapons. Let's see if can you handle a sword."

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera was ready. She was born ready. Her years spent watching the city boys play fight prepared her for the real world. She had known enough to defend herself from men who would try to attack her when they were drunk, wanting more than the kiss they'd ask of her. It was when Cera was 15 that she began to watch the men training the before they were sent to fight in the wars. She had always hoped to be able to go someday, but the fates had decided on a different path, so she concentrated on learning the skills on her own instead. Practicing with broken swords and daggers she carved out of wood, she would spend hours watching the men, soaking in the arm positions, the feet movement and the fighting stances. Then she'd go home and practice, her opponents becoming the old oak tree in the yard, the fence along the property and even her fathers anvil at his shop. The only problems were that her opponents didn't fight back and she didn't have any proper weapons.

On her 17th birthday, after watching her skills improve over 2 years, her father presented her with a long sword he himself had made, and with some money saved, she purchased a dagger. Finding opponents willing to fight a girl didn't come that easy, so she made bets with the men travelling through the city, wagering a copper or two if she could beat them. She lost a lot those first few months, but after putting into practice all that she learned, she started turning a profit.

Now, after having outsmarted the Captain, Cera felt an overwhealming urge to shout out "HURRAH". The Captain had pulled a few tricks on her, but she had remembered a manuver he himself had taught his men. Cera felt confident. Perhaps to confident, for when Yruddry called for a couple of sparring swords, Cera thought nothing could harm her now that she was on top.

 

[captainb]

the test

The sergeant approached and gave Cera one of the swords, peering closely at her. Cera stared levelly back. He moved to Yruddry, glancing back.

"Captain, I recognize this one," he said quietly. "She's been down in the Lower Market, takin' on swordfighters for a few pieces'a jink. Talk is she can hold her own most times."

Yruddry just grunted and walked to the center of the circle. Cera had taken a few practice swings to get used to the feel. The wooden sword was lighter than her own, a little over three feet long and blunted. She readied herself and looked up. Yruddry gave her a swift salute with his sword, and Cera returned the gesture. Then both began to slowly circle as the crowd drew back. Yruddry wasted no time. He quickly leapt to the attack and their swords clashed in midair. They slashed back and forth in quick strokes of cut-thrust-parry, sliding sideways as the audience moved with them. Then they broke off, breathing heavily as the crowd murmured.

Yruddry was impressed, despite his initial misgivings. She had evaded his lunges and slashes skillfully, and the attacks she had pressed, though few, were well planned. He was sweating and saw that her face and shirt were wet too, and the ties on her vest were loosening. She gazed levelly back at him from behind loose strands of black hair. The corner of her mouth crooked in a smile.

It really wasn't fair. Yruddry was a trainer in the king's academy, and had studied battle tactics his whole life. He attacked again, driving Cera back as the crowd frantically parted to make room. She countered his moves as well as she could, but his sword was a blur. Her feet staggered backward, then his sword actually seemed to wrap around hers and in an instant it was flying over her head. She tripped and sprawled backwards and then the captain leapt and crouched on top of her, foot and bent knee straddling her chest and the point of his sword against her throat. For a moment they panted at each others face, eyes wide and staring at the other as sweat dripped down his nose. Then Yruddry realized his position, and looked at her heaving chest rising between his spread legs. He jumped up quickly and looked around. The men were cheering, maybe a little half-heartedly but happy nonetheless that their leader had won. All but her father, who was standing with clasped hands, looking sadly at his daughter on the ground.

The captain looked down at her again and held out his hand. She grasped it and he hauled her to her feet. Still holding her hand he softly asked, "What is your name?"

"I am Cera," she replied as she tossed her braid back.

Yruddry placed his hand on her shoulder and turned to the crowd. "This is Cera!" he shouted above the din. "And if fortune is with us, she will be by my side when we kill the dragon!"

Cheers erupted again, and her father leaped into the air with a whoop. Yruddry looked back at her, and for the first time she saw him smile. "Tonight you will dine with us."

[Edited by captainb on 03-24-2001 at 11:54 AM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera stood in amazement as the Captain walked away, talking loudly and gesturing with his arms to the Sergent. The crowd seemed to swallow her up and just as quickly as it began, it was over. It was sometime before Cera's father found her and he wrapped her up in one of his big bear hugs.

"By the Fates, I would never have thought he'd let you go. He's not such a bad guy, this captain."

Cera smiled weakly. Her right arm hurt where Yruddry's sword had struck her and a blister was starting to show. She looked down and saw dirt mixed with sweat on her clothing. It was then that she finally noticed her ties had come loose and her breasts were nearly fully exposed. She pulled on the strings as she walked along the market with her father. People were congradulating her and Cera nodded politely, but her thoughts were not on being able to go on the hunt despite having lost. Her thoughts were on Captain Yruddry, and how he had looked at her while he pinned her to the ground. Cera felt the heat from his body mesh with her own, and for a brief moment she had been excited by the thought of him.

Cera pushed these thoughts aside and tried to think of what Yruddry had told her. She was going to eat with them, with the men. Glancing over herself once again, Cera realized she couldn't arrive looking the way she did. Telling her father she needed to get home quickly, she kissed him goodbye and waved as she ran down the street.

 

[captainb]

Yruddry

Yruddry watched Cera as she walked away with her father, her braid swinging in time with her hips. They vanished behind a wall of bodies as the crowd dissipated. He turned around to find the sergeant looking at him.

"You sure about this, sir? Havin' a woman in the ranks, and on a mission like this, well, I don't know how the others will like it."

The captain stared back for a moment. Then he smiled grimly. "They don't have to like it. Maybe she'll keep them on their toes." The two began to walk back to the platform in the center of the courtyard. Yruddry went to the water barrel for a drink, but his mind was on the other's words. He knew what the sergeant meant. The others probably would like it, maybe too much. She was gong to be another distraction on an already dangerous mission. He had no doubt that she could defend herself, but there was still the underlying instinct to protect the weaker sex (so to speak). That could cause someone to take an uneccessary risk, and maybe get himself killed, or worse. He thought of Cera's face again, and the look of surprise and joy that washed over it when he announced her name. Her eyes had caught the sunlight then, sparkling with a deep aquamarine.
http://geocities.com/kilgor25/images/caeyes3t.jpg
And then they became the eyes he had stared into on the ground, smoldering at him fearful and yet defiant, skin shiny with sweat, her pale half-bared breasts straining against the thin laces of her vest as they heaved between his spread legs, the pressure of his thighs bulging them up and out on her chest...

He gasped and plunged his head into the barrel, letting it soak in the cold water. He pulled up and wiped his hair back. Blast, and he was worried about the effect she'd have on the others! He cupped and readjusted his crotch, then turned back to the platform. He looked out at the loose crowd of volunteers, trying to focus on the task at hand. "All right, who's next?"

[Edited by captainb on 03-27-2001 at 06:45 AM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera seemed to fly home. It took no time at all to reach her front door and as she walked in she decided she needed a bath and proceded to heat some water over the fire. Once her bath was ready, she poured some lavender into the water, striped off her boots and clothes and sank into the warmth and comfort.

After undoing her braid, she began to relax, letting the hot water carress her sore muscles. It had been a challenge trying to keep up with Yruddry and her body wasn't used to so much force. Thinking of Yruddry made Cera remember his smile when he announced his decision to let her go with him on the hunt. She coulnd't help but notice that when he smiled the creases around his eyes and mouth added to his handsome features. She had felt his eyes on her from the moment they first met and she couldn't help but wonder what he looked like under his clothes. Without even realizing it, Cera had begun to massage her chest, holding into the familiaer softness of her breasts. Her nipples began to grow larger as Cera pinched and rubbed them between her fingers. She imagined Yruddry with his dark hair falling between his eyes as he looked at her and his arms wraped around her waist, pulling her to him. She pictured his lips pressed against hers, his tongue roaming her mouth.

Cera became widly excited and she began to move her hands down her stomach and between her legs. Spreading them apart a little her fingers found what they had been searching for and she continued to pleasure herself. Her fingers slid in and out, rubing up against her clit, causing a moan to escape from her lips. Cera lifted her bottom out of the water, trying to meet her fingers as they moved around inside of her. A scream caught in her throat as she came, and she thought of Yruddry lying in the bathtub with her. After a few moments Cera calmed down, washed and dried herself then stood in front of the mirror that leaned against her bedroom wall, her hands now resting at her sides.

She couldn't help but think what she had done had somehow been wrong. What if someone had caught her? It was over and done with now, and Cera vowed to herself she wouldn't let her feelings get in the way again. She carefully braided her hair and dressed in a pair of suede pants, a white cotton shirt and a brown overcoat. She put on her boots, sliped her sword into her sheaphe and grabed her bag. Cera took one last glanc at the mirror and headed out the door. She didn't want to be late.

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-31-2001 at 10:33 PM]

 

[captainb]

Yruddry

The sunset was lost behind a bank of dark gray clouds. Yruddry walked towards the doorway of the inner keep, shielding his eyes from the grit blown up by the sudden gusts of wind. The smell of rain was in the air. "Lookin' to be a big storm tonight, sir," said the guard as he passed.

"Keep yourself warm, soldier," he replied and walked inside.
http://geocities.com/kilgor25/images/castle2.jpg
He walked down the long wide hallway and looked into the dining hall. The great fireplace was not yet lit, and the room was dark despite the high windows. He made out the dim shape of the long tables under the king's banners, and his stomach growled. He turned away and trudged up the wide curving stairs to the officer's quarters. Banners from past campaigns lined the walls, with crossed swords and shields of ancient noble houses. It was an impressive scene of past glories, but he had seen it too many times to notice now. He opened the heavy oak door to his room. The sky was dark outside of the window, but the chambermaid had done her job well and the large candle by the bed was lit, throwing stark shadows against the walls. He began stripping off his gear as he walked towards his bed. The leather armor and bracings were part of his uniform, but that didn't mean they were comfortable. With a sigh he pulled off his boots and flexed his toes, then grimaced as he rubbed the back of his knees. A nice bruise was developing there. He smiled ruefully, able to look at the fight with some humor now that the heat of battle was past. He stood and walked naked into the washroom to relieve himself. Another perc of office, a private loo was one he appreciated. He stood over the bucket and sighed as he urinated, the deep splashing going on for a long time. He watched as he finished and shook himself and, unbidden, the image of Cera's face again appeared as he looked down. He continued to slowly shake the last drops as he remembered how she had looked up at him, and imagined his fingers stroking the curve of her breasts instead of his cock. She was so ripe, so full of energy, so young and yet so much a woman. A drop of sweat that had dripped off his nose had fallen onto her nearly-bared breast and had rolled into her cleavage. He thought of his tongue following that droplet, sliding deep to nestle between those soft mounds.

His cock hardened as he slowly stroked. It felt good after such a long day and he knew he would cum quickly, but then a stray thought intruded. This was one of his "men." She would be depending on his leadership to survive. How could he lead her safely if he thought of her this way? But she was a woman and had looked at him with such...but she was part of his troop now and needed to be treated the same as...but by gods she was beautiful, not classical but those eyes and half-open lips...but her skin looked soft like Elissa's...aarrrgh dammit dammit. He tossed his cock away from his hand and walked back to the bed, still bobbing half-erect. He pushed the thought of Elissa away, back deep into that dark room in his mind and locked its door again. Time for private thoughts had to come later. He needed to get ready for the meal tonight. Hopefully the sergeant would have a few more recruits. Otherwise he'd need to assign men from the castle, and the force here was stretched thin as it was. He looked at the shirts that hung from hooks on his wall. He hadn't worn that red and gold one for a while. Well, it was a special occasion wasn't it? Might as well dress to impress. He cupped his cock again and gently squeezed, giving himself an erotic shiver, then sighed and reached for the shirt.

[Edited by captainb on 03-27-2001 at 06:47 AM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera made her way to the inner keep, pasing men who leared at her, challenging her with their eyes. She glared back at them and scowled, warning them to keep their distance. She stoped by her fathers smithy to say goodnight and that she had left some pork and some bread for his supper. He thanked her, wished her luck and told her she was a brave girl. She left him standing under the eaves, grinning like a banchie.

When she arrived at her destination she paused at the door. She wasn't sure what to expect once she got inside. A warm welcome or a hateful coldness? She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened the door, stepping into the warmth. Opening her eyes brought a smile to Cera's lips. It looked exactly as she had pictured it. A great fireplace was filled with wood and the fire leapt at the bricks of the chimney. Candles where placed all around the room and the light reflected off the high windows casting dancing shadows on the beamed ceiling. Banners hung from the beams, depicting battles and triumphs of past kings and knights. She hoped someday she too would be part of a banner.

As Cera made her way to one of the long tables that filled the room, the men who were sitting around chatting began to whisper, obviously talking about Cera and giving her dirty looks. Cera's face turned red and her eyes narrowed, but she told herself this was not a good time to loose her temper. She sat down and a timid servant girl brought her a plate with food and a mug of hot cider.

"I didn't think you'd be wanting mead" she whispered to Cera.

Cera nodded her thanks and picked up a fork. She kept her eyes down, concentrating on eating and ignoring the conversations around her.

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-28-2001 at 12:50 PM]

 

[captainb]

the feast

Yruddry woke with a start. The candle had burned down another half-inch, and he felt rested and hungry. He pulled on his boots and left his room. Walking down the stairs, he heard the typical growing noise from the dining hall. He nodded to the hall guards and entered the room. Those who noticed him raised their mugs in greeting, but the rest were too consumed with eating and drinking and general socializing. Serving maids moved among them, constantly setting down full platters and pitchers and trying to clear away the empties so too much wouldn't get broken. Several dogs moved under the tables, gathering up fallen scraps. He moved along the wall where it was easier to walk, scanning the crowd. Then he spotted Cera. She was walking slowly, looking a little bit lost. She stopped to glare at someone's remark, and the captain stopped too. But then a shout cut through the room.

"The captain! The dragonslayer!" The sergeant was standing at the head table and pointing with his mug, and a raucous cheer broke out. Yruddry tried to look displeased as he continued forward, but the overwhelming good mood in the room got the better of him, and he grinned as he reached the head table. He noticed that Cera had found an empty seat and as he raised his hand for calm, the room quieted a bit.

"No one is a dragonslayer yet. None that have ever lived to talk about it." The room grew silent. "I'm under no illusion about the danger ahead. Those of you who are joining me on the quest should realize this too." His eyes found Cera's, and her head lifted in acknowledgement. His gaze swept the rest of the room. "But we are the best in the land, and we have the strength and the steel, and if fortune shines on us, we shall return with the blood of the beast dripping out of its head!" The room erupted in cheers and shouts, and Yruddry looked again to Cera. She was cheering too and holding up a mug, and one of the men near her was clapping her on the back. He sat and leaned to the sergeant, speaking above the din. "Have the rest of the volunteers meet me in the tower office after the meal."

The sergeant made a face. "Aye sir, I'll escort up what few there are."

As Yruddry ate, he looked again in Cera's direction. She was the only woman in the room sitting at a table, but she seemed to be getting along with those near her. She glanced his way, and smiled (nervously? he wasn't sure.) He nodded and raised a chicken leg in salute, then took a big bite out of it with a smile. He didn't see the sergeant watching the shared look between them, nor the troubled expression on his face.

 

[captainb]

The sergeant walked back up the hall readjusting his belt. He'd only had two mugs of ale, but it had shot right through him. He passed under a window and belched at a flash of lightening, then broke stride as the building rumbled and boomed with thunder. This'll last all night, he thought. If it's stormy tommorow too, the quest would be delayed in starting. Well, they could use the chance for more volunteers. Might as well wait to see what the storm blows in. He walked on, back to the dining hall.

 

[BadForm]

Ghast: In The Shadow of Death

The wolf was not a sight to be seen on a full stomach, at least if you wanted to retain what was in the stomach. It's gut was missing, the fur which used to contain it hung loose and trailed across the ground. One eye hung from its orbit, swaying like a slingshot about to be thrown. Its right, hind leg was twisted and shattered. The fact it was padding through the woods near the township as though in perfect health added a greater terror to the cadaverous monstrosity. It, of course, could not move, nor see, nor yet even think; but the soul which now inhabited it could utilise every ability the wolf had in life. It raised its nose to sniff the evening air, following the burnt umber tang of the castle fires.

Only minutes later the wolf approached the castle. The ghast within it considered how to approach. It could easily get in the front way. Although guarded, the guards were as likely to run as fight. Even if they stood their ground, it was not as though they could do anything to hurt it. But that would cause too much of a tumult too soon. The ghast needed to speak to the captain mentioned on the message in town, and it would be better to do so somewhere inside the castle, not outside in the middle of a pitched battle. With another sniff, the ghast scented the brilliant yellow and deep bass odors of spices and blood, indicating a feast taking place. That would be the best place to speak with the captain.

A wolf was not, the ghast reflected, the best form to be in when entering a feast. Especially not one three days dead and partly eaten. It considered its options. There was a dead bird in the bushes nearby, a starling, dead simply of old age. That would be easy to possess, and currently had little damage. Then there was the possibility of possessing a guard. That would be the best form, of course, but possessing the living was so difficult and potentially even dangerous. So, the bird would have to do.

The ghast reached out and slowly moved over to the corpse of the starling. At first, the bird remained flat, unmoving. Then it tenderly raised its sodden head and shook its mud-matted wings. A moment later it was able to hope to its feet and take to the air. Behind it, the wolf corpse lay on the ground, decaying rapidly.

The bird soared over the castle wall and on to the banquet hall, entering through an open window. It scanned the room from a perch high in the ceiling, looking for the captain. It found him soon enough, easily identifying him as the most powerful man in the room - not just externally, but with inner strength to match. The bird soared down towards him and landed just behind his plate on the table, cocking its head and looking intently at him.

I will join your quest for the dragon.

The words were not spoken. It was just that suddenly, the captain could remember them being said - without there being any voice to had say them.

[Edited by BadForm on 03-28-2001 at 11:26 AM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera never felt more proud of herself then how she was feeling at that very moment. It seemed as though she was accepted into the group and she rejoiced with the men in saluting their captain, and the adventure they would share. She saw the man across from her giving her an odd look. She couldn't tell whether it was from disaproval or acceptance. She didn't care. She had proven not only to herself but to everyone here that she could fight, that she could protect herself and that she was totaly willing to put her life on the line for her king.

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-28-2001 at 12:58 PM]

 

[BigBadJohnLeroyBrown]

Virgin

OOC: Leroy is a large dark skinned Celt with a shock of red hair which was braided in a tight knot which extended all the way to his waist.

IC: After the shock of seeing a woman not only entering the dining hall and not as a servant, but her sitting across from him at the table Leroy bent back to his food devouring the food on his plate as if he hadnt eaten in days. listening to the others grumble aloud about how a woman had no place on a dragon hunt, he soon decided that he liked this female. Anyone with the guts to go against not only the what society thought, but standing up to Yruddry had to be worth his respect,Which he gave out very rarely. After the meal was done he joined the others as they went to speak and plan more for the long trek to hunt down this Dragon. Though he had been on many other Dragon hunts, this one he knew would be most interesting, if not for the lovely maiden that joined the party, then for the fact that it was by a kings command for the beasts blood.........

 

[BadForm]

Ghast: A definition

OOC: Dea, no problem in asking. A ghast, is a relatively generic word for an undead creature - as with gheist/hellghast/ghost. Sometimes it is used for things of a physical nature, sometimes things of a purely spiritual nature (depending which game you are playing/book you are reading). I think, with that information, the description of the character makes sense from its actions. Now, that's not to say that the character is undead (ie dead but reanimated by dark magic and/or a need for vengeance), it's story will only be revealed in time. It is a spiritual entity though, and that is why I used the generic title.

 

[captainb]

Yruddry looked in annoyance as the bird landed near his plate. They were common enough in the drafty castle, but this one was pretty ragged and soaked, and was already forming a puddle under its feet. He was about to wave it away when a voice whispered, "I will join your quest for the dragon."

He looked around, but no one was near enough to have whispered to him. He stared back at the bird, and got the oddest sensation that the bird was looking back at him, almost waiting. Yruddry didn't want to look addled by trying to talk to an animal, but still he squinted at the starling and thought, "Did you talk to me?"

[Edited by captainb on 04-13-2001 at 05:43 PM]