Tree of Ravens

[dark_swordsman]

ooc : This is a closed thread for myself and serving_girl_r

By all means read and enjoy.

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Sebastian dol Mor sat comfortably in the largest chair in the house. As smoke from the many tables gathered around the flickering chandeliers, he took a long draught from his tankard, and resumed his watch on the tavern door.

Keeping a look over his shoulder was a habit picked up after many a bloody season as a mercenary, and he could ill-afford to meet up unexpectedly with some of his less gentlemanly rivals.

Toying with the knife on the table, his eyes began to close as the door swung open, and the wind rushed in…

 

[serving_girl_r]

Opening the tavern door, a thin figure wrapped against the cold of the night walks up to the bar keep who smiles indulgently at his latest guest.

The price of a nights stay, food and ale discussed and agreed upon the figure pulled out a full looking purse and quickly paid for the rooms. All the time speaking in a voice barely above a whisper.

Cursing slightly as she had almost caused the cloak to fall back from her shoulders as she took her tankard of ale to the furthest back table she could find, in the deepest of shadow bar a single candle was lit which she put the tankard in front of to cast herself into the shadows and out of anyone's attention...

 

[dark_swordsman]

Sebastian’s attention was immediately caught. The figure at the bar had made such an effort to remain inconspicuous that they had stood out at once. Either the young traveller was very naïve, rich, had something to hide… or, Sebastian mused, all three.

Deciding to investigate, he sheathed his knife, picked up his tankard, and made his way towards the newcomer’s table. The cloaked figure immediately tensed, but Sebastian coolly passed the table at the last moment, to seat himself by the fire.

“So…” he muttered to himself, “you do have something to hide…”

After a few minutes of tension which he inwardly enjoyed, the tall fighter decided to stop playing with his catch and strike up a conversation. Moving to sit himself down opposite the stranger, his eyes met with two deep, worried orbs of green…

“A bit late for a young lady to be out in these parts, wouldn’t you say?” he chuckled, noticing the other’s startled reaction…

 

[serving_girl_r]

Gulping down a sudden desire to run besides she couldnt as the table was in front of her as well as the seat the warrior had taken.
"H.. how did you know!" She gasped glancing around her to see if anyone else had noticed the man's comment. No one else met her gaze and she settled back against her seat relaxing a little though curious as to why this man should want to speak to her, there were enough barmaids around...
Blushing at her own train of thought she staired at him, taking in his face, his features wondering at his profession and what had brought him there.
Biting her lip, reminding herself that the man had asked her a question she shook her head.
"I cannot say, Sir, really i cant" she said her eyes widening in fear as she saw a shadow move over his shoulder....

 

[dark_swordsman]

Noticing the young woman's gaze, Sebastian turned to see another figure enter the tavern from the rain. He was tall and thin, with a greying beard and a long blade at his side. Shaking off the rain from his cloak, his clothes underneath bore the mark of a retainer of some family or institution.

Sebastian watched as he seated himself in an alcove, and without so much as sipping his drink, started to scan the occupants of the room.

His experienced senses surging, Sebastian grasped the woman’s wrist and squeezed it tightly. “Tell me now – do you know that man who just came in?” he growled, and squeezing a little tighter, added “Do not dare lie to me, girl”.

 

[serving_girl_r]

Blanching even whiter than before the girl shivered slightly nodding as the grip tightened uncomfortably yet she did not even try move her hand away.

"Sir, please, that man is known to me!" She gasped trying to move back into the shadows. "I think that I should go to my room! If I am seen I am dead!" She whispered staring at the man holding her, teeth clenched so tightly that what she said was hardly inteligble.

She moved her hand backwards and revealed a line of bruises on her pale flesh that disappeared up into the sleeve. Her eyes downcast she pulled her sleeve down and then met his gaze for a moment, her gaze telling him of the sufferering she had experinaced far more than mere words ever could.

She looked once again in the direction of the one who had scared her and saw that he was talking to one of the barmaids and she made as if to get up but still her hand was held by the warrior before her...

"Let me go, Sir!" She pleaded.....

 

[dark_swordsman]

"Go to your room now, and I will follow" he replied, standing and pushing her gently towards the stairwell. As she left the table, he dropped his tankard on the floor, the pewter vessel ringing out on the floor, ale pooling on the floor.

All eyes turned on him, as the young woman made her way upstairs. "Maid, a cloth if you please" he called, and half-heartedly attempted to clear the mess away before she did it herself.

When the room had returned to conversation, Sebastian made his way quickly upstairs, and started to look for the room of the young escapee.

 

[serving_girl_r]

Her breath comming fast, her heart thumping painfully in her chest she made for her room looking for the matching number hastily scribbled on the soiled worn tab she carried. She found the door and struggled with the latch her haste making her clumsy.

Once inside she looked around the room and found that everything was ok.
Quickly blowing out the candle that had been left there by her host. Shivering in the darkness pricking up her ears for any sound that might mean her discovery.

She smiled as she heard laughter comming from the room next door and shook her head, drawing her dagger,her only weapon, putting it on the small pallet that was barely a bed. She crouched in the shadows of the moon that was comming in the window. Her heart in her mouth, her nerves jangling at every little sound.

Footfalls outside the room, brought her to her feet clutching the long dagger she moved closer to the door.....

 

[dark_swordsman]

Tapping gently on a door to his left, and getting no reply, Sebastian tried the door opposite, and heard an intake of breath.

"Girl, it's me", he whispered, and the door opened an inch to show her slight figure cowering behind the frame, knife drawn. "Put that thing away, girl, or you'll do yourself an injury" he snapped, pushing her arm down from in front of him.

He pacing to the window and closed the shutters, plunging the room into darkness save for the single candle. Ignoring her for a few minutes, he proceeded to secure the door with the worn washstand, and loosened his sword-belt, laying it on a chest top.

Turning to face her, he made himself comfy on a stool, and met her gaze.

"I think", he said bluntly, "that you'd better tell me what the hell is going on..."

 

[serving_girl_r]

"It would be better if I told you my name, Sir, it will explain much." She said sighing shaking her head knowing that she had no choice.
"I am Lady Tameria Dol Farion, eldest daughter of Lord Elmere Dol Farion..."

She said and looked at the warrior sitting on the stool meeting his even gaze then dropping it to the floor. She paced the room clutching her hands...
"As to why I am here...My father wants me to marry, i dont. Especially not the Lord that Father wants me to!" The girl shivered and held herself with her arms.

"Look what he did and more when we only had one evening together!" She said baring her arm for him. Her arm bore even more bruises that looked painful even in the weak candles light.

She shook her head slowly rubbing her bruises her head bowed for a second then she raised her gaze to meet his once again.
"And I would rather die than go back there Sir!" She said grimly....

 

[dark_swordsman]

Sebastian was stunned. To say that he had heard of the House of Farion was an understatement. The House was one of the oldest and most powerful Houses in the country, with links, it was whispered, to the royal family itself.

Standing and moving towards the door, Sebastian sighed. "Lady, I can not ...I will not become involved in your family disputes. I just do not have the power to help you against your own father. My life would be forfeit; you will be a countess when you are married!"

He took his belt and put it on, removing the stand from the door, and rested his hand on the latch.

"I will send a message for a carriage for you myself. I will escort you home too, if you wish it. But I can not help you, My Lady."

He opened the door, and started to leave. A desperate hand on his arm stopped him.

 

[serving_girl_r]

Tears were in the girl's eyes, tears of desperation as she put a hand on his arm.

"Please, Sir... then there will be no wedding... I meant what I said about it would mean my death one way or another... I know that you would be risking yours.. I beg of you Sir!" She cried as he pulled away. "What would I have to do to get your help?"

He shook her off his arm and she fell to her knees where she knelt sobbing her head bowed her hands cupping her face...

 

[dark_swordsman]

None of Sebastian's worldly experience had prepared him for this. If it were not so serious, he would have laughed - here he was, a cut-throat and a fighter, a trickster and a wanderer, in a bedroom in a run-down tavern with no less than the heiress to the House of Farion...

Though whatever sins he was guilty of, he was a good man at heart. Sitting on his haunches to bring his face level with hers, he cupped her two tiny hands in his, and let out an exasperated sigh. This, he told himself, is not happening...

"If I do help you, then you must do as I say. I must talk to some friends and see what they know". He stood, and looked down at the sobbing figure at his feet.

"I will not be put in danger by any idiotic antics from you - Dol Farion or not" he said plainly.

"Do I make myself clear?"

 

[serving_girl_r]

Her sobs subsiding, she looks up at him almost wincing at his rough words, yet she knew that they were her only hope....
"Yes Sir!" She said, her throat sore from her crying. "I will do anything you say!"

These words were hard for her to say having come from a place where she had servants to do anything she desired so she wouldnt have to. The girl had never said them to anyone before not even her own father...

She looked up at the rogue before her that she had literally put her life in his hands and swallowed realising the enormity of what she had done and was glad that the man that fate had chosen was so bold yet had a noble heart.. a trait that she knew was not easily found even in the so called nobility...

"Thank you Sir.." She whispered grasping his hand in her two small ones and kisses the back of it staring into his eyes...

 

[dark_swordsman]

Sebastian's usually cold and logical heart melted for a moment, as he found himself being embraced by her shivering form. His hands slipped about her shoulders, and he couldn't help but inhale the scent of her perfumed hair. For a moment he felt the gentle press of her breasts against this chest, and he couldn't help but smile inwardly at the irony of her wearing a man's tunic.

Seconds passed, and to his unease Tameria showed no sign of releasing him. He twisted her away gently, and rested his forehead on hers.

"This will be dangerous, girl" he breathed. "And let me make it clear now I am helping you on the understanding that I get payment of some form... there are, for example, the matters of a few Legal Pardons, which..."

His words trailed off as he noticed the girl's red lips, soft and full with luxurious living. She inhaled sharply, before their lips met for the briefest of moments.

Gathering his thoughts again, Sebastian led her by the hand down a flight of stairs to the stable yard at the rear of the tavern. He disappeared inside a stable for a moment, before emerging leading a black mare by the reigns. Without speaking, he irreverently threw the girl over his shoulder and sat her down in the saddle.

“Seeing as you are so keen to dress as a Man, you shall be treated like one” he laughed. Before she could complain, he had mounted behind her, and they were galloping hard down a country road and into the dark, leaving behind the glow of the tavern lights.

 

[serving_girl_r]

The journey across the quiet, nighttime city felt like it lasted for ages as the young lady rarely rode a horse in this manner as she normally had to ride side saddle..

Holding onto the horses mane tightly to prevent herself falling off she willed the horse to move faster to bring the uncomfortable journey to end. Suddnly the horse stopped and his arms either side of her moved down to his sides.

"You can get down now!" The rough voice of the Rogue ordered and Tameria shook her head biting her lip.

"I dont think that I can!" The big man shook his head muttering something under his breath and easily slid of the horses back. He roughly pulled her down and set her somewhat unsteadily on her feet.

He grasped the horses reigns and led the horse down a dark side street where the roofs of the houses nearly touched each other...
Tameria shivered and held onto his arm hoping that he knew where he was going not liking the darkness one little bit....

 

[dark_swordsman]

The horse was left tethered to a rotting doorpost of a building long deserted. They pressed on down the filthy alleyway, the walls seeming to become closer the more they went down it.

After several minutes slow process, Sebastian stopped outside a door slightly less worn than the rest. A pale light flickered through a shutter. Sebastian scratched the door with his boots rather than knocking. Almost at once, the door opened a touch, and a large, red-faced man appeared in the doorway, smiling. His head was shaven, his thick arms knotted with muscles and patterend with many tattoos. It was obvious his nose had been broken a good many times, but at that moment he looked kindly.

“Dol Mor – friend” he whispered, embracing the other man fiercely. "What brings you to these parts?, come in, come in"

 

[serving_girl_r]

The girl nearly hid behind the Rogue as he walked on into the dimly lit chamber.
"Sit down here and drink this!" The Rogue ordered giving her a tankard that had a pungent odour rising from it. She obediantly sat there staring at the two men who muttered together, the heat rising to her face at the fact that they were talking about her yet not including her in the conversation.

She sniffed the drink and put the pewter vessel to her lips and noticing that her hand was shaking put her other hand to it to stop her from spilling it and took a small sip from the liquor.

Nearly choking she dropped the tankard grasping her burning throat she saw a water barrel nearby and drank from her cupped hand. She was not amused, however when her coughing subsided that the men had hardly moved but cast amused glances in her direction

Grumpily she sat back down her arms folded kicking the tankard into the corner...

 

[dark_swordsman]

Tameria's outburst was ignored, and the two men carried on talking in hushed tones. Presently, their host stood and introduced himself as Tobias.

"I have a room for you two gentlemen" he said, taking a lantern and leading them up a steep flight of wooden stairs. It was remarkably clean considering outside, and it reminded Tameria a little of a warehouse. There were boxes and crates along the corridors, with what looked like weapons, but she dare not examine them as they marched upwards and into the warren-like building.

They reached a door and were ushered into a bedroom, with no beds, but blankets and a single straw palette on the floor. “I’ll bid you goodnight, gentlemen” said Tobias, leaving the lantern and closing the door behind him. “Oh”, he remembered, popping his head inside the door again “just leave your tunics outside and I’ll have one of my boys bring up some new ones for the morning.”

“Many thanks, Tobias” , called Sebastian. “The Light keep you”.

He turned to Tameria and started to unbutton his tunic, then dropped it to the floor. The young woman looked terrified, but Sebastian grinned. “Do you want to be discovered as a runaway noblewoman?” he said, nodding to her own clothes.

 

[serving_girl_r]

The girl was terrified remembering that she had only a light shirt on beneath her tunic.. it was perilously thin and it gaulled her to have to take off the protective layer yet she knew that she would look suspicious if she didnt...

Turning away from the Rogue she unbuttoned the dark material of her tunic and with a sigh she bows her head glad that the room is in nearly total darkness. Changing her mind she pulled it closed again and went to the pile of blankets pulled a small one around her then put the tunic on the floor by the Rogues. Meeting his gaze for a moment she then lowering her eyes taking a quick look at his hard body her face flushing as she turned away.

She wrapped the blanket even more around her and without even asking went over to the pallet and lay down closing her eyes yet she wasnt that tired hoping that her companion would do the same and go to sleep...

 

[dark_swordsman]

Without speaking, Sebastian knelt down over the makeshift bed, and pulled the blanket away from her body. With one hand he ripped the expensive chemise from her chest, and snapped his other out to strike the young woman across the cheek. She let out a yelp, and tried to cover both her body and her face; doing neither very well.

“I said to do as you are told… My Lady”, he snarled, pouring scorn over her title.

“One more tantrum like the two you have had thus far, and you will be starting the long walk back home alone and naked”, he growled.

 

[serving_girl_r]

Tears brimming in her eyes, yet remaining unshed she clutched at her ruined shirt with one hand and rubbed her cheek with the other. Her mouth open in shock.

"How dare you!" was on her lips but she swallowed it knowing that it would probably only gain her another slap. She dropped her hand from her cheek using it to help to keep her dignity nodding her head at the man's words...

"I am sorry Sir for my behaviour, it will not happen again Sir!" She whispered bowing her head shivering but not totaly due to the cold... She couldnt quite understand the feelings welling up inside her at this rough treatment.

Sighing in resignation, she waited for his next command, closing her eyes letting her hands drop to her sides...

 

[dark_swordsman]

If he felt a little guilty about his actions, Sebastian didn't show it. He blew out the candle, leaving the two of them in both darkness and silence.

Both settled down into the straw palette, and Sebastian was soon asleep, his bare chest rising and falling steadily in the darkness. Although he couldn't know it, his face moved and his expressions changed as his dreams brought up many an old memory of strife and suffering.

********************

His sleep was interrupted by the sound of sobbing, and for the first time he felt warm skin against his side. Tameria was facing away from him, her back hot to his touch. Rolling over, rubbing his eyes, he turned her gently by the shoulder.

 

[serving_girl_r]

Almost jumping out of her skin at his gentle touch she wiped at her eyes but her effort to stop crying was a feeble one and she burst into tears once again. Her sobs only lessening when he put his arms around her the touch of so much flesh pressed against her burning skin, even through the ruined shirt, caused little shocks to run up and down her spine.

She held her breath, her crying forgotton her sences tingling as he held her aware of his body so close to hers an almost uncontrollable urge to kiss him came over her....

She grasped his arm as he rubbed her shoulder trying to console her. Wondering what was the matter he cupped her chin making her look up at him...

 

[dark_swordsman]

Sebastian looked into the teary eyes, and saw something else; the same thing he had seen when he had stripped her to the waist, but also... excitement, longing. Then it dawned on him. She was excited by his dominance. She was out of her depth, totally at his mercy... and she liked it.

He felt her slight body twitch next to his, and slowly he moved to straddle her legs, looking down on her in the almost total darkness.