The Jewel of Al Khazan

[intriguess]

"Are you sure this will work?" she asked her father for the zillioneth time.

"It must work, it is forbidden to lie about the Jewel, but I refuse to hand it over."

Malora looked at her father and sighed, she lifted her heavy tresses off her neck so he could place an ornate necklace upon her. The silver and gold strands intertwined in an intricate pattern and a large perfectly cut ruby rested between her breasts. The red gem was set off by her pale skin and echoed her reddish hair. The bodice of her dress was tighter than normal to keep her lush breasts in place and keep her shoulders bare. The blood red silk had been wrapped around her, it was tough to believe it was a single piece of fabric.

She stood up slowly, "Does this stranger wish to possess the Jewel or merely wish to see it?" They had gone through this charade many times, as one historian/explorer/buyer or another had sought out the "Jewel of Al Khazan." It was rumored to be prized beyond all wealth, the most precious thing a man could dream of owning, and to have mystical powers. Rumors had surged of late as signs had pointed to the Jewel's emergence into the world of man again.

Little did anyone outside the line of Al Khazan know that the Jewel was not a jewel at all. In truth, Malora was the jewel, from her fiery tresses, pale skin, lavender eyes, keen intelligence, and of course she had the gift to see possible futures. Such a child, always a female, was born to the Khazan line once every 4 generations or approximately 100 years. One could not directly lie about the jewel, and so elaborate deceptions came into play.

Such as the necklace she wore, so that when anyone asked about jewel they would merely point at her and say 'There it is.' It had worked many times in the past decade and Malora was tired of the facade. "If you told them the truth they would stop bothering us," she reminded him.

"Look more closely at that future path, don't you see they would take you away?"

She closed her eyes and focused. Malora bit her lip and nodded, "You know it is not easy for me to see things directly in the path of my life."

He sighed heavily, "I should have arranged a match for you a long time ago."

She smiled back, "Not that I would agree to such a thing, but I understand the thought. I'm only 25, and I have a long life ahead of me. Let's go greet this latest treasure hunter and be done with him."

He nodded tired and offered her his arm and escorted her to dinner.

 

[Logan2]

En Sabah Nur took another look at himself in the huge mirror that was placed in one wall in the antechamber to the main room in the palace of Al Khazan. He made sure that his ornate blue robes that where decorated with gold sigils where clean and that his overall presentation was that of a man of his stand. The journey here had taken him four weeks and had cost more money than he was willing to admit just because he had brought all those finerys and made sure that he would look his best here.

He had taken another week just to prepare himself for this meeting but all that was nothing compared to the time he and his ancestors had invest into research regarding the jewel. For more then 20 generations his family had collected everything that had remotly to do with the jewel and written everything down. His great grandfather had come here to get the jewel and the power that was promised with it but he had failed to purcure it. The Legend had said that you couldn't take the jewel, the jewel had to take you (most of the sages still debate on the right translation of the prophecy for that part). What every one would agree on was that the jewel would bring great power and that the family of Al Khazan couldn't lie about the jewel.

En Sabah Nur desperatly needed that power, no matter how it would manifest. The Kingdoms where in uproar and rumors about war where growing louder each day. The only hope for peace was one strong man who could force all kings under his rule and he was certain that he could be that man.

He looked again in the mirror and made sure his turban sat right on his medium length dark hair. His steel grey eyes looked back at him out of a face that looked much younger then the 46 year of age he was. His right hand rose to his beard to smoth it over in a geasture that was more of a reflex.

I'm really wondering what is taking that long he tought.

 

[intriguess]

Malora Khazan

She listened to her father ramble on about being polite to their guest and so on. Malora in turn reminded her father, "The Jewel can not be taken by force, for violence only begets violence. You did tell him it's not for sale?"

"Yes, and he said he merely wanted to bask in the presence of its power or some such drivel." Her father sighed heavily.

He appeared troubled as he swept back the heavy curtain of fabric and amid fanfare they were announced. She smiled and everyone smiled with her, Malora was beloved of her people for she used her ability to the betterment of all. Their family line had prospered in such dark times and she only wished they hadn't attributed it all to the Jewel. It only brought trouble to their door, and this current man was no different. He was wealthy, but obviously it had not done him much good if he was here after the Jewel. She looked at him and between one heartbeat and the next saw the strife in his life. She also saw his desire for power, she was unsure of whether his intentions were good or evil as she only saw the results of actions, not the mentality behind them.

She was properly introduced and she noticed the way he looked at the massive ruby that gleamed against her pale skin. She forgot his name as soon as it was spoken, but was unable to escape his questioning gaze. She sat down on a cushion, her bare feet tucked out of sight as she accepted a glass of wine.

He acted as if she should be impressed with his extravagence and she politely attempted to answer his questions about the jewel. She sensed his desire to touch the gleaming stone and deflected his questions from the truth the best she could.

 

[Logan2]

There it was, the jewel of Al Khazan. He could see the ruby on this women, this beautifull woman and finaly it was so near to him. He forced his gaze away from the stone and took in the whole body on which the jewel rested. This Malora was more then beautifull, she was like an fiery angel come down to earth and cast in a womans body. And what body that was. The red silk that enhanced the lines of her body was shimmering like living flames and her red tresses framed her face like a bonefire. He felt emotions stirr within him that he long thought dead. His life was so centered on discovering the truth about the jewel that he hadn't had a woman in years, he simply didn't care for mundane pleasures anymore, or did he?

He shook his head slightly, what was happening? He was here to get the jewel and save the crumbeling nations from chaos. He was here to use it's power for the good of all mankind and to force the kings to follow his lead. He was here to become the most powerfull man in all the lands to bring back light to a world that slowly was plunging into darkness. Yet somehow he felt attracted to this young woman. But for now he surpressed this feelings and started to ask his questions.

Most sages suggested that it was best to not ask those obvisious questions but En Sabah Nur knew better. It was those small questions that could give him some hints as what to do. So he started to ask:

"Where is the jewel?"

They pointed to the woman who carried the ruby.

"Can I take it?"

No, it has to choose you.

"What are it's power?"

It can bring wealth and power to the owner.

And so on, and so on.

He felt that they where keeping something from him. They knew the truth, they knew how he could possess the jewel but they where protecting it, as was their duty.

After a while he grew tired. All his exploration, his readings and the writings of his ancectors couldn't help him, at least for now. He was commited to get the jewel but he had used nearly his entire life in pursuite of it, another day wouldn't make that much a difference. Perhaps it was time to try a different approach.

"I grow tired of asking questiongs." he said. "I would like to forget about the jewel for a moment and just enjoy the moment and the beautifull company for a moment." With that he looked at Malora. If she didn't answer his questions perhaps she would let something slip if the simply engaged in smalltalk. Besides she really was gorgerous and he didn't mind talking to her at all.

He looked at her father. "Perhaps you could provide some music? I would like to dance."

 

[intriguess]

Malora sensed his frustration, and wished as she always did that she could just tell him that he could not possess the Jewel because it was not a thing to be possessed. She spoke the carefully worded answers and played the avoidance of truth game. She ate lightly as the dress was fairly tight already, and she wasn't all that hungry anyway.

He asked about music and as she turned to her father she suddenly saw what the future would be like for her father if she were to leave. Her father saw that faraway look that indicated she was having a vision and clapped his hands to bring musicians into the foreground. Their melodic tune usually soothing, seemed troubling this night. Malora blinked a few times, shook her head carefully at her father implying that her vision was not of the immediate importance.

"How do you intend to create a lasting peace without an heir apparent?" she suddenly asked.

 

[Logan2]

He was just about to ask Malora for a dance when she asked him the question.

"How do you intend to create a lasting peace without an heir apparent?"

"A heir." He laught. "You see, that is something I have thought about very long and then I have decided to not think about it at all." My primary goal is to unite the kingdoms and to bring peace NOW. I think so many others have failed in that regard because they tought about amasing power and creating a lasting empire and that is the reason the world is slowly sinking into chaos." His right hand stroked his beared.

"You see, I have been studying everything that had to to with the Jewel and I think I know more about it than every other man, with very few exceptions of course," he nodded at her father. "There are the old Chronics of Haldor, that are writen in an ancient dialect and very hard to translate. They talk about the jewel 'giving' an heir, but I still think that is some kind of metaphor or some fluke in the translation. The more recent Stonelegends of Whichidan mention something about 'everlasting live' but even them are very inacurate."

And then he realized that he didn't tell her those things because he wanted to get her to reveale some things, he just liked talking to her. It was only natural that his body reacted to this beautifull woman, he told himself, but this was different somehow. She not only was beautifull and was wearing a gown that showed off her firm body in a very positiv way, she also was intelligent and witty.

The smile vanished from his face as he concentrated on the task at hand. He couldn't let this woman confuse him so, he was sure that this was part of her fathers ploy to prevent the jewel from falling into wrong hands. After all those year of studying every legend about the jewel he still didn't fully understand the complex rules and rituales associated with it. Why not simply give it to somebody who would do only good with it?

"But why I'm telling you all this, you certainly know all those legends and storys much better then me and you know the truth behind that as well," he pointed to the stone around her neck.

"I know I can't possess it and I know I can't use it, even if it chooses me, it has to do things be itself, but I really hope it would decide to DO something, it is time for it to choose 'the man that frees it'." He really hoped his quotation of the Stonelegends would prompt some reaction from the stone, the woman or the father.

 

[intriguess]

She smiled at his passion for peace, "You know more than most, yet you know practically nothing. The jewel can indeed provide an heir, but that is not it's main purpose." It felt strange to be dancing with him, his hands were somehow awkward and confident all at once. The way he looked at the jewel and the way he looked at her. His eyes held that same desire, and she broke eye contact as visions of his future clouded her sight. It was unusual for her to have such a strong reaction to anyone especially in seeing all the paths he could travel.

"The jewel is everything you could imagine and more," she paused staring once more into his eyes. "I have to wonder about the intentions of any man who seeks it out so fervently. As well as wonder if you've really considered all your other options."

 

[Logan2]

"Other options," he smiled at her sadly. "All other options basically mean war and suffering." He looked her deep in the eyes and wondered again what made this woman this beautifull. She not only had a goergerous body that was accentuated by her form fitting gown, and firy hair that framed her beatufiull face with eyes that any man would like to drown in, she also had a quick mind and an insight into people that where uncanny.

He felt his eyes more and more drawn to her face then to the stone around her neck. "The world knows enough suffering allready I will not increase it by trying to force everything under my rule and without the jewel and his decision the kings most certainly won't follow me; I'm even certain that some of them will opose me even if I have to support of the jewel.

"I really wonder how a jewel, a mere stone, can give someone an heir, I never heard of a magic that strong." He took another peek at the stone and found that his eyes where not really looking at the jewel but at her cleavage. He looked up at her again and this time his eyes betrayed his rising feelings. "I think I feel strong magic right now." he said before he could hold himself back. His smile returned to downplay his nervousness. What was this woman doing to him?

He tried to change the subject right away. "What do you do besides chasing of greedy people like me with the truth?" he asked. His feelings for her where really obvious to him now and he nearly laught out loud. He had devoted his entire life to the search of all truth behind the jewel and now he was more interested in the woman carrying it? This was ridiculous and at the same time it felt so right.

Shortly before his grandfather died he had made this prophecy to him that he would do the right thing if he came into contact with the jewel. How wrong he had been. He did all the wrong things. He felt his mind wander off, forgetting about a stupid stone and only thinking about the beautifull woman in his arms.

 

[intriguess]

Malora smiled at him, he knew so very little of what he was asking. "You are asking a great deal for my family to part with the jewel." She paused for a moment as she travelled the various other paths and saw that indeed if he wished to avoid blood shed he did require the backing of the Jewel.

She sensed that he was combating his personal desire for her, did he want her for herself or because he thought she could bring the jewel with her? The thought was amusing as she noticed his eyes lingered on her skin rather than the blood red gem. "The Jewel works in mysterious ways, I know you believe it will solve all your problems, but even with the Jewel's powers the path will not be easy."

She wanted to ask him the crucial question, but she feared the answer even more. Malora took a long soft breath and said it anyway, "Travellers are often satisfied by being in the presence of the Jewel. They say just being around such a powerful thing somehow brings them clarity of thought." She paused framing her question so it didn't seem so important. "Would you like to touch it?"

 

[Logan2]

"Of course," he wanted to shout, but was it the truth? Was that what he wanted? He wasn't so sure anymore. All of his live he had learned about the jewel and what it could do. His family was nearly obsessive about it. It was only recently that he had seen the suffering in the world and since his live was centered around the jewel it seemed natural that it would be the solution. But when he really thought about it all his priotities had changed so long ago and they where changing still.

He stoped their dance and looked her deep into the eyes. "If I thought that touching the jewel would bring an end to suffering I would do it. If it could bring peace to the lands I would do it. If it could force the kings to sit together and talk instead of fight I would do it." His face softend. "If it could bring you happiness I would do it."

"But I don't think a stone can do that all by himself and, what's even more important, I think I alone lack the wisdom of using it right. I still think that the jewel is the best chance for peace and order, but up until now I thought I should be the one who uses the jewel in some way, but perhaps I'm only here to help you do it? In the short time I have known you I found out that you not only are beautifull but allso compassionate and wise, much wiser then your age would indicate."

He took a step back. "My Lady Malora, I put myself and all the resources that are available to me in your service."

 

[intriguess]

To say she was stunned would have been saying a giraffe is merely tall, and a hippo merely big boned. Malora sensed the change in his intentions, and her knees felt weak as she leaned against him.

She finally let go of the breath she'd been holding and spoke so softly it was like a wisp on the wind. "The Jewel is more of a guide than a sword. It is a great responsibility and an honor to have access to it." She was speechless, and her head was spinning as potential futures slipped through her mind like grains of sand through an hourglass.

She had not felt this way since her mother had passed on, when the future had seemed so empty, that the gift had forced the multitudes of possibilities upon her. It indicated a great change was going to happen, and while she could not see how her actions would alter the paths. She knew it was all tied in to the man in front of her and his mission to restore peace to a land that knew war better than its mother. To whom bloodshed was nourishment.

 

[Logan2]

He thought a moment about falling on his knees, but he was nobodys servant. Somehow he knew that only an equal partner could help the jewel bring peace back to the world and that's what he wanted to be, an equal partner, together with the jewel and this beautifull woman infront of him. Together they would bring the lands together and bring light into the darkness.

"A guide is much more needed then a sword in these dark times," he said. "A sword can only increase the suffering and bloodshed, a guide can leed the world back into the light, into prosperity for everyone."

He took a step back towards her to look her deep into the eyes. "If you want to we can do this together, we can let the jewel be a guide for us, let it show us how we can lead the lands out of the chaos they have plunged into."

He realized that his body, which he had controlled for so long, was craving so much more things they could do together, but he forced himself to be calm. He wouldn't let his growing passion for the beautifull bearer of the jewel get in the way of his goal...but he desperatly hoped that his goal and his emotions could find a way to both be satisfied.

 

[intriguess]

Malora

"I believe your goals are honorable." She sensed potential and something she could not clearly define when she looked into his eyes. "Possessing the power and secrets of the Jewel is not something to take lightly. Would you devote your life to protecting it? above and beyond your own safety?"

She knew it sounded silly as how could someone possibly harm a Jewel? She was navigating unknown territory, and while she wished she could consult her father, she knew that the decision was hers to make, and hers alone.

 

[Logan2]

Devote your life to the jewel? sure he was willing to do that, it would bring peace and this was his goal, wasn't it. devote my life to protect it? Why did a jewel need protection? Thiefs? Very unlikly, he had seen the precaution the family of Al Khazan had taken to protect themself. Nobody could possibly steal the jewel and get away with it. And he allready decided that the jewel needed to stay here. Was he willing to devote himself to protect the jewel? Yes, he was, he thought, it didn't matter if that really made sense or not.

He put one hand on his heart.

"Yes, I, En Sabah Nur, pledge my life to the jewel of Al Khazan, I swear hereby an solem oath to protect it and honor it with my life."

He felt it now, he was so close to his goal but it allready started to feel empty. The jewel somehow had become not as important as beeing near to Malora. This was the main reason why he allready had decided to stay her even if he somehow got the jewel, to be near Malora.

"And I will do the same for you." He added and hoped he hadn't gone to far.

 

[intriguess]

Malora was somehow surprised by his declaration of devotion to her personally. She felt rather unsteady and leaned heavily against him. "We have much to discuss, perhaps somewhere with less eyes upon us?" she suggested, her mind suddenly encompassing all the other various guests and servants who were more or less watching every move she made. "There is a lovely private garden adjacent to my chambers." She whispered in his ear, glancing down as she realized how the suggestion sounded. She was also aware of his entourage and how they were also watching very carefully, seeing how they eyed the jewel around her neck.

 

[Logan2]

The whispered invitation to the gardens beside her quarters took him by surprise but he caught her glancing down so he knew she just wanted to talk to him and nothing more. Strangly that hurt him a bit, but beeing with her alone made the thought interesting again. He glanced around for his personal servant Ozima and waved him to them.

"Ozima, I will walk with Lady Malora a bit, we don't want to be distrubed." he said to him.

Ozima just nodded and walked away again. He was the only person he really trusted. All others in his company where there to get their hand on the jewel but he wouldn't allow that. He knew that most of them where spies or agent from the various kings but if he got rid of one another would step up so he simply had stoped caring about them. He trusted only his family and Ozima....and perhaps now Malora.

He took Maloras hand. "lead the way Mylady." One last look around told him that all those spies and agents where seething, the had expected that he would get the stone and be gone, or perhaps even hand it to one of them, but of course he wouldn't do that.

He followed Malora throught the palace.

 

[intriguess]

She took the long route, mainly to confuse any who might consider following them. Malora knew her staff would take care of any lurkers either way. She was quiet for the most part and she felt his hand drop from her back. For a moment she felt rather lost, until her own hand brushed against his. She glanced up at him, noticing how the full moon softened the lines on his face.

Malora smiled and took his hand and walked into what looked like a wall, but actually was draped silk that divided her private gardens from the rest. Even in daylight it would be difficult to find and she slowly let go of his hand and gestured around. "Sometimes I think the gardeners really are magical." The path to her sleeping chambers was clear and her heart beat faster at the thought. Formality was not everything, merely taking him to her bed would be an announcement of their engagement.

She was unsure of how to broach both the truth and her own thoughts on, she blushed at that particular thought. Malora was not oblivious to the ways of men and women, but it was not something she'd had the chance to personally pursue.

 

[Logan2]

En Sabah wondered where she was taking him since they seemed to move in a rather winded way around the palace. As they reached the curtain and the garden beyond he looked around in wonder.

"Yes, your gardeners seem to be magicians."

He still hold her hand and walked slowly around the garden looking in wonder at all the flowers, orchids, trees and bushes. There was a rose so red that it nearly looked like dried blood, some white orchid with such an inticate blossom your eyes started to hurt if you tried to follow all the leaves, trees with red leaves that seem to shine in the darkness and bushes with some kind of fruit that shimmered in all colors.

"This is beautifull..." he turned around, took her other hand in his and held her at arms length. "...but the most beautifull flower is standing right infront of me." All thoughts about the jewel where suddently gone, he only wanted to be near this woman, to hold her, caress her, make ...

He forced his thought away from the place they where going. She had invited him here to talk and he certainly would NOT take advantage of them beeing alone. He was confused, what was this woman doing to him?

"Lady Malora, not only your gardeners seem to be magicians, but you as well. Beeing around you is like drinking the red wine of Al-Holuma, I know I still in control but I feel things I'm not supposed to feel. I never heard about the jewel having powers to control anybody directly so I'm sure it had to be you." he smiled at her gently, indicating that he was joking, at least a bit.

"But you wanted to discuss something?" he asked.

 

[intriguess]

She sighed softly as he mentioned the Jewel again, she wondered if it would always be in his thoughts and how he would react. Her vision of her own future was cloudy, as she was unable to use it to make her own choices. She could at best only see how her decision might affect someone else's life.

She sat down by one of the fountains and spoke with conviction. "There are those who can sense the Jewel's presence, I hope you are one of them." She choose her words carefully, wanting to tell him everything and afraid of doing so all wrapped up in one very complicated feeling. "There is much more to the Jewel than meets the eye." She always felt wierd about talking about herself in the third person, but it had become a necessary ruse and so she had accepted the ruse.

Dare she admit that the jewel lay not around her neck but was herself? Beyond that dare she admit how lonely being the Jewel was? how guarded her life had been?

"Bearing the Jewel is not an easy burden," she weighed her words even as she longed to feel his lips upon hers and tell him to forget about taking the Jewel as she wanted to give it to him freely. She reached up and took off the necklace and with deliberateness tossed it into the fountain. Malora wanted to see his reaction, and while she hated the ruse, she wanted to know his true intentions before baring her heart to him.


OOC being, not beeing (I know it's a minor typo, but I'm sure I've seen you do it twice)

 

[Logan2]

Hi eyes followed the jewel for about a second and then returned to the beautifull woman infront of him. He realized he didn't care what happend to the stone.

It had filled most of his life and he didn't care.

It could bring peace to the lands and he was not interested.

It meant power but he didn't want it.

All he wanted was Malora. She looked breathtaking in her red dress with her firey tresses falling on her shoulders. The torches that burned in the garden only heighend her beauty and the arousal he hed felt earlyer return, only stronger this time.

He slowly steped forward and pulled her closer, looking her deep in they eyes. His head bend down slightly and finaly his lips met hers. At that moment he realized that this was something he wanted to do the moment he had layed eyes on here. He held her close but then broke their kiss to see how she would react, to stunned for words.


OOC Thanks for the correction, but if that's the only mistake I'm glad since english isn't my native language.

 

[intriguess]

When his hand didn't reach out to try and catch the Jewel and his eyes did not follow the path of the red gem. She let out the breath she'd been holding. Malora had been about to speak when his warm soft mouth landed on hers and she was once again breathless.

There was so much to say and she had no idea what to say first, and so she returned the kiss with matching intensity and passion. She had never felt so certain about anything in her life, until meeting him, and once she decided to be with him everything else fell into place. When their lips finally parted so they could breath she rested her hand along the side of his face.

There was one thing that needed to be said first and so with only a slight tremble she whispered, "I am the Jewel of Al Khaxan."

 

[Logan2]

The slight smile vanished from his face to be replaced by a look of utter confusion. "You are..." he stoped and tried to crasp the meaning of thet. The smile returned and faded again his feelings in one big tumble. Suddently the Chronics of Haldor came back to mind, they told about how someone had to join with the jewel to harness it's power fully. The strange thing was that this join had been the exact word that normaly was used for intercourse and so the Chronics had been considerd faulty at best. No one could have intercourse with a stone.

But now everything fell into place, the remarks about the heir, the references to beeing partner to the jewel and everything else.

Malora was the Jewel.

The smile returned and stayed this time. "Yes, you are a jewel." He finaly said. "Now I understand most of the old scriptures and this remark has made me the happiest men alive. Not only can I bring peace to the lands, I also can be with the woman I have come to love in the past few hours." He pulled her close and kissed her again, his tongue gently exploring her mouth, then he pulled back again.

"That is, if you'll have me?"

 

[intriguess]

"We can bring peace," she softly corrected. She doubted he intended to make it sound like he was going to use her, but she wanted to keep him thinking in terms of them as a unified front. She noticed the myriad of emotions tumbling across his face as archaic prophesies and legends suddenly became clear when it was understood that the Jewel was a woman, not a stone.

She stood and headed to her sleeping chambers, she looked back and smiling she tugged the end of her wrap out and let the fabric unwind itself as she moved towards the covered entrance to her bed. "Be with me," she whispered back at him feeling bold and shy.

 

[Logan2]

"Yes of course, we," he looked a little shocked at his error, he certainly had to learn that from now on there was a we and not only an I.

As she wanderd off and the wrap slowly unwind to reveal more of her gorgerous body he really was stunned. What had he done to deserve this? She breathed her "Be with me," and he nearly fainted. She was so beautifull and he just felt cumbersome and suddently old. He was so much older then she but even that difference became pointless as she vanshied behind the curtains.

He hurried to follow her, taking off the top robe and suddently cursed the customs to wear such elaborate robes. It would take ages to get them all off. But then he told himself that they had all the time in the world.

He parted to curtains and caught sight of her again.

 

[intriguess]

She unravelled the red fine silk from her body, leaving only a thin silky bodice against her pale skin. Malora shook out her heavy tresses and glanced back at him smiling coyly as he struggled with his ornate garb. She smiled playfully and moved towards him and begin delicately but swiftly removing the most awkward layers. "It is not a race mon chere, we have all the time in the world." She ran her fingers up his arms to rest on his shoulders before pressing against him for a long overdue passionate kiss.