The Fall of Marigill (closed for Poprockz)

[draco519]

Orson hadn’t seen tears in Senni’s eyes. Not ever. Whatever this darkness was? However strong Naymeera was becoming and the Glacivyr resurfacing after all this time? It had her genuinely afraid. His thumbs came up, wiping her tears and he tried to think of what to say. What could he promise her that he knew he could keep?

He couldn’t father sons if he drank, but if he drank after…? Yet, his sons would know him as a creature of the night. And he wanted to avoid that at all costs. He needed to be a mortal to raise a mortal man. “Then give me the blood in a phial.”

Yes. This he could do. He could compromise this far. “Something sturdy that you’ve enchanted to not break or spill. On the strongest cording you have so I never lose it. That, once I put it on? It cannot be removed until I drink.”

If it would put Senni at ease? He could lay, nearly dead on a battlefield, drink, and be gone. Or pretend to be dead until he could crawl out of his grave, fix it, and vanish to the White Peaks.

“Do this for me, Y’Sennia… and we need not lose one another.”

 

[Poprockz]

That was good enough for her- it had been what she wanted from the start, for him to drink when he was on the brink of death. She would not have him abandon his life for her, but she refused to let death have him afterwards. She didn't care if he married the princess and made a family with her, nor did she care if he didn't love her right now, as things could change when one had more time. All she wanted was to have him by her side.

"I can accept that," she nodded, satisfied. "And what better way to ensure the strength of your people than to watch over them as their protection in the shadows?"

The vampress kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. After a moment, she pulled back and whispered, "once your life is done, we can finally be together- nothing to come between us." Her lips crushed against his, Y'Sennia flicking her tongue against his lips as an indication that she wanted to trade the heat of their breaths. Her body pressed close to his, the thought of having him all to herself making her all but giddy.

 

[draco519]

Orson was relieved that idea had worked. He didn’t know what else to do. He couldn’t join her right now; he had so much left to do for his people. And he’d continue to do, quietly, from the shadows after his mortal life had ended; so it seemed. But he was cut off from his train of thought as she came for his kiss.

And she was hungry. His arms going around her as she whispered to him. His hand reached down, gripping her ass he knew he’d left just a little red the night before. And her scent and taste filled his nose. And he squeezed even harder.

He eventually needed a breath.. And another. If he didn’t stop now? He was going to want to fuck her. Hard. He bit his tongue to try to clear his mind. “The things you do to me..” He cleared his throat, shaking his head a bit. It was hot in here, his armor heavy, his furs itchy. With a clear of his throat, he slowly got his composure back.

“Thank you.” He felt it needed said, because no one else said such to Y’Sennia for all she did. “For swearing to look after Dremara. It meant a lot to me.” But.. speaking of Dremara? “The Glacivyr.. Kauvric? How do we do this?”

 

[Poprockz]

"Only for you," she had murmured before hearing his question.

She pulled her body away from him so he could 'breathe' so to speak, as she knew that their heated exchange had likely made him hunger for more. Now was not the time for sex though- after the battle would be more appropriate.

"In regards to that, I suggest we wed you to the princess and then have her bless your weapons and armor. I have little doubt that she can infuse the light into them so that you bear the power of the sun down upon the giant. With that boost to your already deadly might, hopefully none of your men will meet their ancestors. Then, when you get back, the now Queen will have to cleanse the lake. A celebration will be in order, and while everyone is focused on your victory and wedding, I will secretly return the bodies of your ancestors to their resting place." She tapped her chin for a moment.

"Oh, and if it appeases your conscience, I will make a sacrifice to Ursui to show my gratitude for the support I received from them."

 

[draco519]

Orson continued to come down, his blood still thumping in his ears. He started to decree she wasn’t allowed to kiss him so without being ready to at least use her mouth. But there were more important things. They were moving on to the battle.

“Then we will wield the power of the sun.” It sounded difficult, but they could do it. “Shall we go get me married, then? Did you have a room in mind?”

Y’Sennia brought up sacrificing to Ursui, and he shook his head. “Ursui does not demand sacrifices; they are an anathema to the great bear.” As was using the bones of his fallen followers, but… No. “I do appreciate the offer.” She wasn’t taking their beliefs and laughing at them; it had been done out of necessity.

“My union to Dremara will be offering enough.” It would have to be.

 

[Poprockz]

Her hand waived dissuasively. "It matters not to me where we marry the two of you, a political marriage as it is. You were wise to coax her into the beginnings of feelings I will say though- that will make life easier for you until you can return to me." Though his words had stung before, she was now telling herself that there was no way he would come to love Dremara. She was beautiful, Y'Sennia would give her that, but her reluctance to please him? Her uptight-ways? She was not the sort of woman who could ever satisfy him. Not like herself. No, Dremara was a tool, a toy, a hobby.

"Anyway, to suit her tastes, I was thinking we could do it in the grand hall with my thralls and your men in attendance, and of course I will provide her with the most elegant dress I can find. I could even pull Faagen as a witness if you needed. He has a small tattoo behind his ear that allows me to summon him but once." A sly smirk painted her lips. Faagen wouldn't like it, but it was part of the price she was owed for helping him nurture his potential. Perhaps he would be more understanding given the circumstances though.

 

[draco519]

“Y’Sennia.. I’m incapable of faking what I feel for Dremara.” Orson thought it best to be clear about it. To be honest with her. He was a man incapable of lying. “The same as I cannot fake what you mean to me. She is to be my wife, the mother of my children.. Her wishes are also important to me; they need to be important to us. Two things can be true at once.”

Surely she understood that; had Y’Sennia herself been capable of giving him children? Things might be different. “We, meaning you and I, are going to give her the happiest life we possibly can. She’ll make a wonderful mother and wife and Queen. My people will adore her. And.. one day she will..” Orson had to accept it. “..she will be without me, as you say. I will fall, likely in battle, and she will grieve me, but… My sons will replace me.”

And he’d give up his afterlife for that. So that Dremara felt safe and loved and cherished while she was with him. And he could love her. But he’d never go be with his ancestors; the warmth of Ursui’s gaze turned from him until the end of time. But it was what RimeHaven needed to prosper. His people needed Senni, yes. But they also needed a happy, prospering Dremara.

 

[Poprockz]

An eyebrow raised as he spoke, her eyes critical. "Are Faagon's opinions not important to you? Dagris? Dremara is naught but another of your vassals regardless of whether she bears your children or not. As a husband, it is your duty to make her as happy and comfortable as possible, I understand that, but there is a difference between loving someone and being in love with someone."

She scoffed as though the idea of him falling in love with the princess was ridiculous to her. "Anyway, do you want me to summon Faagen or not?"

 

[draco519]

Orson decided it best not to push his luck. “No.” Best he drop that topic. Likely forever. “I don’t want Faagen to have to make his way back, or wait for us, and RimeHaven be without a steward whilst i’m away.”

 

[Poprockz]

She shrugged, "alright, thralls and party will be attendants then. If we're going to have a wedding, then I had best fetch an appropriate dress and get the hall ready then." With a snap of her fingers, a thrall entered the hall and bowed his head.

"Prepare the reception hall for a wedding. Bring the wedding book, and fetch me the maroon treasure box." The thrall nodded, and turned away quickly, hurrying to get their appointed tasks done.

Y'Sennia turned back to him and smiled, "you have to have rings to marry, so I will give you two of mine for such an occasion. Consider it as my donation and blessing."

 

[draco519]

Orson was genuinely confused by what Y’Sennia told him. “Rings?” For a wedding? He’d never heard of such a thing. “Rings interfere with swords, get caught on axes or tools.. We don’t..” Okay. Rings. Whatever she said. “Thank you, again, Y’Sennia.”

“A wedding?” Roric said as he was shown into the great hall. Unconventional, but… if it’s what Orson wanted, he’d go along with it. The brothers waited, watching as the thralls all but flew about the main hall and prepared for a wedding. One had come to fetch Nettie to help Dremara prepare.

 

[Poprockz]

“Rings are part of the princess’s customs, though I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you took it off in battle or had it tattooed onto your finger instead. I’m sure you can understand the symbolism of each of you belonging to the other person? The Kota have similar tokens, do they not?” Y’Sennia commented before whisking herself away to prepare, not waiting for an answer on that.

...

The thrall led the two women to a large dressing room, and soon Y'Sennia was coming through the door to help them. She showed Dremarra the dresses that she herself would recommend, as well as the ones that may have been formal enough for the princess but didn't match her image (in Y'Sennia's opinion). Nettie had simply politely given her opinion on each dress, though eventually she too was roped into dressing up for the occasion.

Eventually, Dremara was situated into a lovely white and gold dress, while Nettie was fitted into a cute pink dress that Y'Sennia wasn't entirely sure how it had found itself into her wardrobe in the first place. The princess was given a white, gossamer veil to match her dress, a gold tiara helping to affix it o her head. One would think they were done, but no. Nettie had started to mention that she should get her make-up pouch to do the princess's make-up, but she was unfortunately denied and forced to undergo what she herself had done many times. Remarkably, the thralls she had called excelled at this, and soon the two were properly ready.

The hall was abuzz with thralls that were single-mindedly decorating with fir wreaths, enchanted icicles that glowed but never thawed, sparkling bubbles that floated near the ceiling, ceremonial weapons, furs, and more. If this was Y'Sennia's day, she would have made it downright gothic, but she respected that Orson and Dremara had different styles and tried her best to make it welcoming and opulent.

Eventually, it was decided that since Nettie was the closest person Dremara had to family, she would be the one walking her down the aisle, to which she gladly accepted.

 

[draco519]

Orson had been considering what he’d promised Senni whilst he stood there at the altar. The halls looked rather festive. Y’Sennia had outdone herself to put this together so quickly. But he’d done the right thing; as far as his decision to carry a vial of Y’Sennia’s blood. No matter the cost; his people would flourish. And he’d be the very best husband and father he could be in his mortal life. It was more than anyone could ever ask of him.

Orson himself wasn’t dressed for a wedding; he’d need to go to battle this Kauvric when this was over. They also needed Dremara to look at Y’Sennia’s mirror. The man who writes Orson hadn’t completely forgotten about that. Idiot that he is. Regardless, Orson looked over to Roric; the brothers forming a semi-circle to bear witness.

“She’ll make a fine wife.” Roric nodded to Orson. “It’s up to you to make her a Queen.”

“Aye.” Fionn agreed. “We’ll be beside you when you conquer these lands, Orson! The first King of the Iron Vale.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Dagris smiled. “Nor would I miss your wedding. It’s truly a happy day; may we cherish this memory. Always.”

“And the battles to come!” Brannock smirked, nudging Dagris. “I’ll cherish those memories; today.. I finish what our fathers started!”

Orson looked to the quiet Cillian.

“I don’t fancy it, to be honest.” Cillian shrugged. “You lousy boy-lovers will run in, waving your sharp sticks, then i’ll just kill it with an arrow and you’ll all claim the glory.”

The men laughed.. But when the music started? Cillian looked back to see Nettie.. And.. and she.. Oh. His face flushed.

They both looked like goddesses! Fionn felt himself shift in place.

Roric was stoic, but appreciative, a certain warmth in his eyes as he remembered his own wedding.

Dagris, and the rest of the men, parted to bow to their Queen as she stepped forward.

Orson had been stunned. He hadn’t expected such a transformation of Dremara. His shining, golden Queen. A goddess to light the way to a brighter future for the Iron Vale. For generations to come; they would tell tales of her. And his own name may be lost to time; and he was okay with that.

Then, he reached out to join hands with Dremara at the altar, and he had to think of something to say. For all he could do was stare in that moment. Words, Orson. Form them. Say.. something.

“..Damn.”

 

[Poprockz]

Dremara's heart had fluttered in excitement when she entered the hall, her hand on Nettie's arm. While Orson may not have been in finer clothes or a fancy armor, he was still handsome just the way he was with his bear furs and braided hair. Her hands felt small in his, and his were rough but very warm.

Her cheeks flushed at his comment. It wasn't an eloquent one, but his tone of voice and the look in his eye told her all she needed to know: he thought she was beautiful. Through her veil, her lips curved in a pleased way. "Thank you," she replied softly.

Nettie went to join the half-circle that was gathered, standing near the outside on the other side of Roric. She could have stood near Cillian, but she as feeling a bit shy at the moment. Hopefully he didn't think that the make-up was too much. As far as she was aware, most women of the Kota didn't wear make-up, so it may have looked a bit odd.

"We are gathered here today to bear witness to the union of these two people: Chieftain Orson of the Kota, and Princess Dremara of the Golden City. Today, the two of them will join hands, exchange rings, make their vows, and be lawfully wed." Y'Sennia started, taking her own place before them at the alter.

"This marriage will see the joining of two cultures. It will instate Orson's rightful claim as King, as well as honor the soon-to-be Queen's commitment to peace by honoring the pact her father signed. Please bring the rings." The vampress gestured at one of the thralls who brought two gold rings on a pillow and offered it to them. "Each of you will pick up the opposite ring, state your vows, and place it upon your partner's finger."

 

[draco519]

Orson smiled at Dremara, then looked over to the rings as the well dressed thrall brought them forward. He didn’t know anything about wedding rings; and he hadn’t even been on his hunt for Dremara yet. He had no furs, meat, or wood to present her with. He hadn’t built a bassinet. He felt just a slight pang of guilt about last night in that instant; and what he’d taken from her.

Picking up her ring, he held it in his hand and examined it. “Such a small thing…” Words, Orson. He cleared his throat. “Such a small thing signifies such a large promise. A vow, a solemn one I take in the eyes of my ancestors, with clear eyes and full heart. Dagris?”

Dagris approached, bowing to the Queen and Lady Y’sennia before he waved his hand over the ring, whispering in the words of Ursui as the runes shimmered across it. Their amber glow compliments the gold perfectly.

Orson turned back to Dremara, sliding the ring onto… the finger she indicated. “This vow is my halving of your sorrows, Dremara. The doubling of your joys. Of taking you into my house, naming you of the Kota, Queen of the Iron Vale, and under Ursui’s protection forevermore.”

But it was more than that. “I promise to love you, Dremara of Marigill. To cherish you. To fight with the entirety of my heart to keep tears from your eyes. I shall know the fury of Ursui’s claws if I ever think of forsaking you or dishonoring you. This ring symbolizes all that such a vow encompasses. Until my dying day."

 

[Poprockz]

Dremara thought his vows to be quite noble, and eloquent to boot. She would be lying if she said that it didn't make her heart stir, though she wasn't sure if it was the words he spoke or the weight they carried.

When he was done, she picked up his ring with her graceful fingers, the thrall taking away the pillow and moving away as she held it and spoke her own vows.

"The band of this ring symbolizes the endless care that I will place in making the Iron Vale a safe, flourishing kingdom, and the impact our union will have on it. I make a golden promise, one that is precious and valued above all else."

"I promise to stand by your side in all things, to be your most ardent supporter. I vow that you and I will accomplish great things, and that I will ensure that our sons and daughters are taught to not only be good people, but good leaders. I will be loyal to you, never to let myself stray to another. With these rings, we are bound to one another, forever connected, partners in all things. Until death do us part." Dremara took his hand gently and slipped the ring onto his finger, warm from the runes that had been cast upon it.

Y'Sennia nodded, satisfied. "Are there any objections from the witnesses?" She looked at the people gathered, mostly at Orson's group. Her thralls certainly wouldn't object to such a union.

 

[draco519]

Brannock had been standing there doing the smartest thing he’d ever done; quietly observing. Though he did smile at their vows when they’d exchanged them. He wondered if Josie would… want to.. His head tilted at the thought.

Dagris was glad to see this day finally arrive. It was another step towards the times of legend coming to life. Orson could deny it all he wanted; Dagris believed it. And there would be no dissuading him.

Fionn listened to the vows Orson said; and tried to understand their meaning. To double joys and half sorrows? It.. sounded genuinely wonderful. Perhaps he’d meet a girl that.. His eyes drifted to Nettie.

Roric was stoic, but happy. A small smile curling his mouth; but it was bittersweet. His own wife and sons were gone now. Looking down on them; eyes of the ancestors in the night sky.

Cillian stayed silent, stealing glances at Nettie when he was sure he wouldn’t be caught. She looked so.. Sexy. He didn’t know another way to say it. Shit. Had she caught him looking just then?!

If there are no objections…

When none came, Orson lifted Dremara’s veil and leaned down to kiss her. His hands coming to her hips. Their wedding night would be rather interesting, he hoped. If he and his men would be back by then; he wasn’t entirely sure. This one? This one he’d lost himself in. Not sure how long he was supposed to linger.

 

[Poprockz]

Shit! Had Cillian caught her glancing at him?! Nettie had been able to look forward for the majority of the ceremony but had quickly chanced a look, only to find their eyes meeting. Were his senses so keen that it only took him a moment to catch her head turning slightly? Gods, he probably found her strange now. Perhaps she could use her dress as a tent to hide in for the rest of her life.

"By the power vested in me as the Lady of the White Peaks, I now pronounce you husband and wife, legally married. When you walk forward from this place, you walk forward as the King and Queen of the Iron Vale." Y'Sennia declared, choosing to avert her eyes after a few moments of their prolonged kiss.

With this kiss, their marriage was sealed. She was now a wife, and Orson was her husband forevermore. Their union was already consummated, so no one could question the legitimacy of this, and soon her father would hear word that they had officially married. She wondered whether they were mourning the true loss of their princess, or whether they were simply going about their lives as normal. Perhaps they were instructing Avery on royal etiquette. It still stung to think that her father never had intended for her to become Queen; the lack of faith in her was disheartening to say the least.

Regardless of his plans, fate had decreed that she become Queen in spite of him.

Dremara kissed Orson back softly with her hands on his cheeks, closing her eyes and trusting that his vows had been honest. If they were... then perhaps this life would be more fulfilling than the one she would have had at home. No, that wasn't home anymore. RimeHaven was her home now.

 

[draco519]

Orson, in that moment, would have forgotten the battle ahead were he a lesser man. But he was King of the Iron Vale, now. And she is his Queen. And they had a duty to their people. Kauvric needed to die; once and for all. He did allow himself to linger on Dremara’s lips; it was their wedding kiss. A profession of what she would mean to him going forward. And she was perfect. No man could deny it. His hands tightened on her hips, reluctant to release her, but important deeds needed done.

Once it was done, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes…

Dagris began applauding. The rest of the men following suit. Smiles on faces all around.

Save for Cillian, shooting one nervous glance at Nettie before he looked back to the now married Chieftain. King. Orson was a King now… huh. What did this mean for the Kota people going forward?

Orson smiled down at Dremara. “My greatest treasure.” His voice a soft whisper, a hand leaving her hip to touch her cheek. Possessive and affectionate.

He was at a loss, however. He knew what would normally follow a wedding; but this was far from conventional.

 

[Poprockz]

Nettie also clapped for them. It was an emotional sight, seeing her princess become a Queen, and she couldn't help but tear up a little. Thankfully she was able to blink back such tears, but an adoring smile was on her face all the same. She trusted that Orson would be a good husband, a good father, and a good King.

"I suppose we'll have to save our first dance for when we return from this adventure," Dremara murmured, a playful smile on her face. She was still under the impression that he was in love with Y'Sennia, but that didn't matter. His duty as a husband and King came before his heart's desire, so she felt secure in the knowledge that he was bound to herself.

"Speaking of adventures..." Y'Sennia chimed in, "as enjoyable as this brief but lovely wedding has been, we ought to have the blessings done so that Kauvric can be defeated. We should have all the weapons on display to make sure that they are imbued."

 

[draco519]

Orson smiled down at Dremara, stepping away to join his semi-circle of men and reached down for his rune-etched longsword and his round shield. Looking to his men, he nodded they do the same. The stormweave band on his wrist humming with distant energy.

Roric stepped forward, drawing his wolf-headed longsword and his kite-shield with the Ursui symbol on it.

Brannock was next, with his greataxe resting on his shoulder.

Cillian reached up, pulling his bow and quiver of arrows off of his back, offering them forward. He wasn’t sure what else he needed, but he rested the strap of his arrows over a finger of his bow hand, and drew his shortsword as well.

Fionn stepped forward with his spear, turning his back to reveal the throwing javelins strapped to his back. One over either shoulder.

Dagris stepped forward. He carried no weapons but his antler topped staff of a very ancient wood; a crystalline orb tucked into the gnarled wood tightly at the top.

 

[Poprockz]

"Alright..." Y'Sennia nodded with satisfaction before once again standing behind Dremara. This time though, one of her thralls came forward with a cloak as black as night. It seemed to suck in the light around it, whips of darkness misting from it at times. The lady donned this cloak, pulling the hood down so that none of her body was exposed. She had learned from the last time how unwise it was to guide Dremara in her powers while being unprotected from her light. The last thing she wanted was to feel that sting again.

"Now Princess... Well, Queen now, actually. We're going to do something very similar to what we did before. A guided exercise, if you will. Look at the weapons around you, at the faces of your warriors."

Dremara did so, taking stock of what each of them were carrying. She then looked up each one of them, meeting their eyes.

"Now think of them dying. Fionn, runs into the cave first, and he is the first to fall. A club comes down and breaks his body before his war cry can end. Roric rushes in to try to repel the giant, but it grabs him and throws him into Dagris, the two men falling off the cliff's ledge and tumbling down to be impaled upon the mountainside. Brannock-"

"What does this accomplish?!" The Queen interrupted her, her heart beating quickly from the fear that was now going through her. "I do not want to imagine such awful things!"

There was a pause from the vampress before she asked, "do you want to do this on your own or do you want me to help you? I haven't failed you yet, so I suggest you place some trust in me."

Reluctantly, Dremara nodded. "Fine. Please continue."

"Brannock manages to bury his great axe in the thing's ankle, but he soon gets picked up as well. He is ripped apart and tossed aside. Cillian and Orson come in last, and though Cillian is quick, but he eventually gets flung against the cave wall and breaks his back. He watches as Orson tries to defeat the thing. All of the warriors valiantly tried, but in the end, Orson joined his brothers as a dagger of ice pierces his chest. Now... what do you feel?"

"Fear... horror... I don't want anything like that to happen to them," Dremara whispered, clearly distressed.

"Of course not," was the answer she received. "But you can change this injustice. You have the power to protect them. Now, imagine each of them in a moment you've shared with them, a moment that brought your heart fondness."

The golden-haired woman closed her eyes and pictured it: Fionn being teased with the stew, Brannock fighting with him in the tent... Roric's hearty laugh and Dagris taking the time to check on her during their ship's voyage. Cillian stealing glances at Nettie and Nettie herself blushing as she danced with him. Orson... she imagined the look in his eyes and the feeling of his lips, and the promises he had made to her.

"Alright, now touch the light inside you, and imagine it as your own will. You don't want that horrible fate to happen to them, you won't let it happen. You will wrap them in light and set their weapons ablaze. See your warriors in your mind and let the light flow to them, wrap it around them."

Dremara started to glow once more, and this time the light more easily filled her body. With the fear of losing them, the will to protect, and the love she had for each man present, she reached out to them. Tendrils of golden light snaked through the air to find their weapons, flowing into them until they shined with radiant light. Even the daggers or forgotten weapons that the men might have been carrying had a tendril seek and imbue them. More tendrils came out to the men themselves, wrapping around them like glittering vines. The magic war warm- it did not burn their skin as it lingered upon them.

When it was done, the weapons continued to shine, and the men would find a star glowing on their chests near their necks.

 

[draco519]

Orson’s eyes squinted at the sheer radiance of it. But he’d watched as his Queen. His wife.. He has a wife now… She began to shimmer, then she burned brighter and brighter until her radiance was all he could see. And her warmth bathed over him against the chill of the air that one could never escape. Not even in the warmest rooms of any palace in the Iron Vale.

He felt the magic coursing through him. It was inviting and wonderful. Almost euphoric. It almost brought a tear to his eye. He looked down to the shimmer on his chest as he felt it working its way along his body. To the nearest vessel, perhaps? His stormweave band absorbed the energy, and he felt its pulse throughout his body.

Cillian’s eyes widened as his stormfeather did much the same. Where once hummed with faint power from the stormbird? Now he could feel it with his heartbeat.

Dagris’s crystal orb on his staff, Roric’s pendant, Fionn’s ring, Brannock’s gauntlet. They all followed suit.

And every man in the room found himself awed by the feeling and the sight.

“For RimeHaven.” Roric picked up his sword and shield.

“For our Queen.” Fionn took his spears and javelins and buckler.

“For the Kota.” Dagris rearmed himself with his staff.

“For The White Peaks.” Cillian bowed his thanks to Lady Y’Sennia.”

“Hell..” Brannock grinned, picking up his axe, examining the faint glow, the hum of power on the blade. “For The Song.”

Cillian pulled the quiver of arrows back over his shoulder and adjusted the slack out of the strap and situated it beneath his raven-feathered cloak.

“You ruined it.” Fionn scolded Brannock, adjusting his javelins and pulling his bucker’s strap taut. “We had a whole thing going and…”

“What did you expect?” Roric smirked.

Orson had finished getting his sword and shield situated, and looked down at his band again. He brought his attention to Dremara. “Thank you, My Queen. You are well?”

 

[Poprockz]

The light was beautiful, and Nettie couldn't help but gaze in wonderment once her hand lowered from shielding her eyes. Though... she was a woman on a mission now. He might have thought her odd for glancing at him before, but perhaps he would attribute it to her wanting to give him what she had made.

She approached Cillian and pulled something out of her sleeve. "So um. It's a Dremiri custom to give a token to a knight when they go to battle. I didn't have much warning about the upcoming fight, so it's not very intricate, but I hope it brings you luck." Her hand came up to offer him her gift.

Folded neatly in her palm was a red handkerchief with a black raven sewn into it. Despite the fact that she hadn't had a lot of time to make it, the raven was sewn with the expertise of one who sewed as though it was second nature to her.

Dremara felt weak, that same cold creeping into her veins, but it was less intense than the last time, if only a little. She shivered and nodded, "I feel cold again, but I'm sure the lady will help it pass."

 

[draco519]

Cillian was putting his shortsword away when Nettie approached him. And told him of the Hortensian custom for a Knight to wear a lady’s favors. He didn’t mention that he remembered, during the looting after battles, that many of the Horrey warriors had something similar on them.

Now? Now Nettie was giving one to him. His head tilted down at it as he examined the Raven. “I like it. I’m-” brings you luck..

Cillian was floored for a second. She was giving it to him. He reached up, letting his hands encompass hers over the handkerchief and he ran his thumbs over the back of her hands. Then he looked down into her pretty brown eyes. And he gave a small smile, something shy and fleeting.

“..thank you. I hope I won’t need it.” He swallowed down the lump in his throat. “You look real pretty in your dress.”

Orson heard the retreating footsteps of all of his men but Cillian going to prepare to set out for the cavern. The baleful lake wasn’t far from here. He stepped forward, his hand taking Dremara’s and he kissed her knuckles. “When we return to RimeHaven? We will have a great feast for the wedding.” He swallowed down the lump in his throat.

“..I am.. Sorry if it was not what you envisioned.” His passions had gotten the better of him. “But I will make it up to you.”