The body of Kityana waits, leaning to the tavern side on the brink of losing her patience. “Are you almost finished?” as another bite from the fresh market meat runs down her lips and chin. Casavir emerges from the dark alley allowing her to notice the dampened spot to his breeches, Casavir looks upon her with a feeling of defeat “Well that wasn`t as easy as it looks…and do you have to be a pig as you eat with my body”. Glaring to the meat spice stains spackled to her chin and the stain rings around her mouth”
Kityana waves the meat like a point stick “First of all I’m devilishly hungry so there`s no time for proper educate” wiping her mouth with the satin lace to her fine tailored dress “Second…did you pee on yourself, haven’t you ever seen me do it?”
“That`s gross why would I watch”
“Comm`on not even a peek?”
Casavir glares to her “I was already done when this happened”, Kityana concedes the comment “Ah yes the formidable dripping…it can`t be helped”
“Great and oh I don`t care” he walks past her, she follows as they head to the rim of the city on the word of the border guard captain claiming he saw Brynn leaving the city south gate.
Told by the gate guard Brynn had existed only a quarter day ahead of them, they move on foot casual, the chance he has a heading of destination is slim. In addition, even slimmer is his ability to navigate as good of the couple on his trail, as the foliage and wildlife fill around them leaving the city to only a dim fuzzy view Kityana gets a whiff of something foul.
“Damn what the hell is that?” sniffing around as Casavir stops, he grows a grin and her body takes to a dog snorting act. She suddenly turns and holds a grotesque look to Casavir “That`s you!”
“Actually it`s you…the rest of the town folk just cover it up, when you’re out here your sent is not masked and moulded by other bad smelly people.
“Well have a damn bath then will ya” Casavir looks to her and smiling she moves on passed him, “Trust me Casavir, I’m grooming your body on a constant…you just smell like this”
“Sorry about that, I’ll try to fixed it” catching to his side.
Rounding the bend of yet another pathway Casavir`s feet stoop at the sight of a big clearing “ok this will have to do”. Kityana`s form meets his and looks around in puzzlement, “Do for what?”
“Time to turn into Dragon form”, Kityana laughs but the straight face on Casavir drains the chuckle “Are you serious, Kit I can`t do that”
“Time to learn”
“Forget it, I recall the issues you had told me during your time with Lalandra, it won`t work”
“Casavir, Brynn has a head start, he may have with him items to hasten the distance between us and him, he`s being hunted by a force we don`t know and lastly were body switched…we need an edge” Kityana houses a grumpy look “What do I have to do”.
Fast-paced does Brynn take light on his heels running; heavy stomping tracks give him chase. (Huffing) “Thought Orcs were dealing type of brutes” Brynn escapes from his thinning breath desperately trying to keep distance from the Orcs numbering seven. Swerving and slaloming through trees and brush, Brynn clears the lightwoods bolting into the hilly grasslands. A spear hits the dirt to his left, then his right, left again. He pushes with a racing heartbeat; blood pumping fast, a small whirling sound comes to the air low to him then his feet hug together as one. Brynn`s weight tumbles forward having his face pound to the grass staining his skin, he takes to a quick spin eyeballing the seven slowing their pace closing in on the artifact master: Brynn fights to be free. As if death itself is coming to collect does the ground lose its light around him, casting over his body and the land, Orcs take sight to the sky.
Brynn watches their eyes fill with panic as their feet again take speed added is the sound of thunderous flapping wings which draws his own eyes to the sky, his body freezes and his mind is in awe. Arcing down fast Brynn ponders as the red Dragon looks to have an uncontrolled decent and follows through with certainty as Kityana draconic form slams into the ground like a meteor rock, collapsing on top of the band of Orcs. Casavir`s form comes racing from a distance overlooking the devastation, “I told you a gradual desent Casavir, you bent all the trees from your east approach. Rock and dirt roll draining off and away from the Dragon`s face, Casavir shakes his massive head and hairpins his neck to view his crater size hole, lifting his body Casavir forms discomfort to his face as his underbelly feels wet looking down to the spatter shots of blood under him.
“Wow you weight a lot”
Kityana glares to herself “Dragons are supposed to have that mass” she gritted with heat
“I think it’s time to lighten up on the cattle Kit, your ass is getting bigger”
“It`s called maturing you dumbfounded dick”
“Oh yeah name calling, you’re really mature” snapping back with his new deepened voice, “I swear when were normal again… (Brynn cracks a chuckle) and you, what have you done to us”
“I didn`t honestly think it would work, my master is amazing” Casavir stomps over gripping Brynn by the cuff of his caller lifting him off his feet by Casavir`s fighter strength, “you`ll be joining him shortly”
“You said you weren’t evil”
“You made a liar out of me”, “Kityana!”
She calms herself from the empty threat “The next time we give you warning, take the advice. You were almost killed”
“Yeah by your flying horse”, Kityana pulls him closer “Excuse me, did you just call me a horse” as Casavir snaps his reptilian head to defence “Hey! It`s not like I can steer this flesh barn”
“Flesh Barn!”
“No offence Kit, Brynn we are not your enemy and what you encountered just now wasn`t it either, real evil is after you and we need to find them first to know what were up against, we need you cooperation and trust”
“You’re a pathetic bitch with no future if a good plan to you is finding killers, you go jump into the fire of death if you don`t care about your life, I don`t either”. Casavir arcs his head in close and his eyes go narrow with aggression “Care young one, understand we don`t actually need you to find who wants you gone”
Brynn hangs to his face gulping, hard swallowing with fear lining his soul “Ok I’d concede the assumption to you I made might have been off” Kityana thrusts him down hard to his feet. “Good! Now put us normal again” Brynn grins with embarrassment, “Slight problem there, I didn`t actually make the item that did this, my master did… (Kityana grows heated) But that doesn`t mean I can`t, I need to go back to the lab…I’m sure it’s there”
“How do you do something like that being what you are?” questioned Casavir
“I just grabbed a transmuted potion from the table he had” pulling a stone from his pocket “This stone is the key to the transmutation but I need to experiment for the reversal”
“Then we go back” states Casavir as he lowers himself for the two to climb aboard, Brynn grows worried “Umm maybe we should just walk”, Kityana nods “I agree”.
With the light still time away from showing does the day of the blacksmith get underway, the fire roosted hot, steam seeps from the door front as Ilaya`s first day of training began. It was as if she had done the art for years, consoling the fire pit, grinding the core stone and fold flipping the metal learnt in just a short few failed attempts.
Ason was going to keep the lesson novice; she pushed to put the test to her mind and skill learning as much as most take months to get under technique. Ason kept to the forge, completely amazed at her endurance, pace and lack of concern she had for her image. Her hair put to a tight bun, and on casual glances, Ason sees the gather of soot to her skin and clothing.
The pinging of the hammer brought Ilaya`s eyes to the tight cut build of Ason`s hardened arms, returned was a look from Ason, to her rear as it flexed tight as she applied more coal to the flames. Blades numbering five marks the halfway point to the day, the duet take for a much-deserved break.
“So how does a mid-meal work for a forger,” Ilaya asked, Ason said nothing. Walking past her to his living quarters that connected to the building, he returned in short with a slab of boar meat taken from his cooling cellar, Ason tossed it on the fire pit Ilaya just feed.
He spun and turned the meat to a cooked state in minutes and with a pitch fork placed it sizzling to a wood chopping block, as if she was a male in a women’s body Ilaya caught on to the pattern. “I`ll get you a cloth for serving”
Ilaya eyed up the juicy meat as her stomach growled from hunger, she gripped a dagger for cutting coal bags and carved out a chunk. “No need” as she took it to a seat she had gotten for rest she put it to her lap ripping and gorging like she hadn`t eaten in days.
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“Ilaya that will stain your clothing, I’ll get you a plate”
“You don`t have one, I’ll be fine…I`m hungry” she replied with a mouthful, “you doing well” he told her and with a smile she continued to eat.
“You sound surprized” she added “just don`t treat me as I am… a lady of court” Ason was conflicted “But you are a lady, Milady” and she gestured at the remark just made. “That`s what I`m talking about, I`m so tired of speeches of caution, not too close Ilaya and do touch that you`ll get dirty. Ason I`m having so much fun” Ason raised his brows “Wow work fun, that`s a new one”
“Better than sitting around getting fat and board” licking her fingers as she finishes the last of her meat cut, Ason offers her a water goblet and she downs it followed by a belch of meal satisfaction.
“Excuse me” she speaks soft, embarrassed.
Short time passed and back to it they went; initiated by her taking a short leave to replenish the coal bags she used up. At the application of water to a thick iron bowl Ason placed to it a blade tip red hot from the start of edge trimming work, he pulls it up as the water is brought to a blade cooling boil passing judgement to his work. More was needed as he placed it again to the hot embers softening the metal, and with a flat edged hammer chisels to form a magnificent blade. Ilaya returns with a crate full of coal bags, gathered from the shelter Ason made for storage.
Ason sees her grip her neck after putting down the small crate Ason knew held surprizing weight. Sweat was beading down her neck and front; Ason grew guilt at the sight of her high prised gown she wore not made for work now ruined. She flapped it`s front trying to put air to her skin, breathing slow but showing no success. Ason saw her hands gripping the midst of it and averted his face as she pulled it off her body in cooling desperation…at first.
Slowly his head turns back; he notices a secondary layer to her outfit. A tight wrap looking skirt to her waistline and a similar look to her upper torso, he breaks with relief. Ilaya coated her hands in water putting the coolness to her neck; Ason halted his work at her scene. His eyes narrowed, focused to her exposed toned stomach that from the heat and sweat shown like a honey glazed ham. Ilaya let out a soothing sound of relief and Ason fought to contain his composer. Shaking his thoughts back to work at hand, he went again to the carving of the metal, putting the blade to the water it steamed up thick to the air, allowing Ason cover to again peak at Ilaya. She glances back catching him staring then to focus to another scene “Ason your making a puddle”, Ason looks down then quickly pulls out the sword.
“Damn” as his dazed eyes see the leak to the bowl made by the sword point, using his foot Ason tilts the bowl to halt the free flow leaking, Ilaya laughs. “Well at least we know the blade is sharp”, Ason smirked as his mind schedules a patch job for tomorrow. Putting the sharpened blade to a table rest Ason leans over the grip the bowl, applying strength with a grunt Ason goes to lift it when a sharp striking pain hits at his gut.
“Ason!” sparked Ilaya seeing his duress came fast to his aid, “It`s nothing I’ll be fine” Ason rubs off but the pain grows, Ilaya ignores his speech wishing to take the bowl from his grasp. He normally would allow it to happen but with such hurt Ason releases it to her control, Ilaya stumbles from the heavy weight of the water bowl falling forward collapsing onto Ason knocking them both to the ground.
“Ason I’m sorry, are you hurt” shifting the bowl spilling the water, she lifts his shirt to see the severity when it shows dark and clear. Bruising covered his ribs and chest and at its sight, Ilaya holds a look for Ason to explain, Ason says nothing, Ilaya closes her eyes.
“They did this to you didn`t they” Ilaya concluded, she thought she saw him favor his stomach at the party but didn`t wish to wreck the mood. “I’m ashamed to be part of that family”
“Ah everyone got family they don`t like”
“I Don`t like any of mine, they`re heartless and cruel and care only about themselves and personal advancement, I`ll go get some ice for that”
“No point it won`t last in here, too much heat” Ason says looking deep at her, she looks the same to him, inching closer to his face.
“Too much heat indeed” came a voice from the doorway and both snap sight to see Tristan, “Captain!”…”Uncle!”. Ilaya scrambles to her feet, “Ason was hurt” she escapes in defence.
“At his lips?” replies Tristan with a grin, Ilaya blushes as an awkward silence come upon her. “Actually I’m here for you Ilaya, when you didn`t show for combat training the Captain ordered an all-out search for you…he`s worried”
Ilaya spins around glaring at Ason, “See what I have to live by, it sucks”
“You had another engagement Ilaya; you told me you cleared your schedule” Ason spoke slowly rising to his feet.
“I did…I just didn`t clear clearing it with my guard Captain”, Tristan spots her folded gown to the bench and taking it comes to her offering it out. “Ilaya Knorrinton is a good man, let’s not keep him worried” she looks at Tristan with a nod, Tristan`s hand guides her out to his horse. Tristan returns inside to see Ason firing his hammer to a wall side.
“Ason!” Ason looks at him hard “She lied to me, why did she lie…I’m as good as dead now”
“You`ll be fine Ason but maybe now you see what I do, her feelings to you”, Ason walks over and picks up his forge hammer “Sorry baby, I won`t let her see me again, she causes too much trouble to her own life”
“Ason she desires freedom from the slave like lifestyle she has, watching you has given her hope, you have shown her hope and she wants to feel was it`s like”
“Then maybe she should get beaten once in a while like those we beat and spit on me!” Ason shot out in blinding heat and looking past the ranger Ason saw Ilaya at the door, tears rolled to her face. Ason shoved Tristan aside heading to the side door, Ilaya bolts to him gripping his arm.
“Please! Do walk out from my life, I wish I could be hit; at least I would know I was still alive rather than living the life of a ghost. I`ll end the visits, go on with my life, stop suspicion from their minds, I heard you the other night Ason. You do think your worthy well you’re wrong, very wrong…Like Tristan said I love what you represent and in so doing I’ve fallen for you…I love you Ason. I hate how you are treated, but if I can stop it I will, I will play along with their side until we can meet again” and at Tristan`s side they leave out the door, leaving Ason angry and confused.
With the site of the Elven city to their eyes, Brynn sees smoke bellowing up from buildings near his workshop. The three bolt into the city racing down the streets till flames greet their eyes, Brynn home was engulfed in the fire. “Master! No!” Brynn yelled and Kityana tackled him down at risk to any heroism. “I need to get in there, my master’s items…his work”
“You’re his work Brynn, his knowledge is in you, that`s what they want to destroy”
“But I don`t even know this enemy, I haven’t caused anyone harm…not to merit this” Casavir runs out again, “Casavir!”
“Where is he, she going”, Kityana closes her eyes to concentrate. “Casavir where are you”
Whoa what the hell, where are you”
“I have not moved, our minds are linked…when you’re in Dragon form, what are you doing”
“Watch” Casavir ends and moments go by when both and a crowd gathered see the red Dragon appear gripping to a water tower, Casavir tears away the lid dumping the water to the fire putting it out. Brynn and Kityana race to the innards of the shop home.
Cataloging as much as his eyes could from a quick glance, Brynn holds a defeated look. “Nearly half is gone, his work destroyed. How do I move on without such a legacy” Kityana comes to his side “You are the legacy Brynn, his greatest creation and all that is need to move on” Brynn looks to Kityana.
“Never would expect such words from a male”
“Speaking of which, what part of this facility do you need to fix us, I’ll give you aid” she pushed on and Brynn lead her to a side room. In panic from its condition, Brynn runs to the middle looking around, “Oh my god, the vials” Brynn states looking to a multi-colored oozing muck on the stone floor.
“Please tell me not all you needed was in there” Brynn looks back, “No, it was just the key ingredients my tools are still usable but the key was this, things that took my master and me months to gather due to its rarity. The vials must have melted from the high heat and the solutions boiled with them to the floor, there useless now…I`m sorry Kityana but until I get more you`ll be this way for a while”.
Kityana`s hands gripped tight but not was it aimed to him, this was not his doing. “Then now we have two reasons to kill this enemy, Casavir and I will have to learn to use one another until this is over. Gather what may be important Brynn, we need to find out who and what we are dealing with”
“We must be the first group in parchment to go actually looking for ones trying to wipe me off” Kityana looks to him again “Not as dumb of a tactic is you might think”.
Echoing the hall with his fine metallic pace of proper order Captain Knorrinton sees an old face on approach to himself, as the old ranger drew in close Knorrinton unleashes his worries.
“You should`ve reported this sooner where she was”
Tristan cocked at his unwillingness to see plainly “Knorrinton she didn`t wish to be found, all she wanted was a day off from the life she`s bound to”
“She needs to be under guard”
“Knorrinton please, we both know how capable she is and how thorough she thinks events through, well enough to get past your patrols and you even…me as well for a time”
“And that free spirit is what I fear will bring her death, wishing to better the stone carved structure the ruling families govern by” Tristan comes to his side tossing a arm to Knorrinton`s shoulder “Walk with me old friend” and both proceed down the long great hall.
“Staren, you can`t protect her forever and you shouldn`t fear for her, she has more of you in her than anyone”
He smiles “You have not used my front name is a very long time”
“Titles mean nothing, your protection of her will go on” Staren looks to him bringing his trek to a halt, “Those days maybe numbered Tristan, that`s why my fear is so high”
“To what do you mean” Tristan asked and Staren motions to a door they walked to, it wasn`t by fluke they approached this way, Staren wished to show Tristan his concern`s and from a snap order motion the guards unlock and open the great wood doors. To their sight came the council room of the high elven elders, a chamber Tristan rarely stepped in and following the Elvish Captain was the ranger led to the spiral Mithril stairway wrapped around the great chalice of wisdom.
“Always a wonder to rest eyes upon, that this creation by Terashayden herself governs the elves” Staren looks to Tristan “Don`t be so thankful to this thing yet” Tristan holds wonder.
“What is wrong?”
“She has not been told yet Tristan, I havn`t brought myself to know how to tell her”
“Tell who, what?”
“Tristan, Ilaya`s been chosen from the fate pool to be wed to Korbin” Tristan sighs “Oh no”
“It`s worse then you know Captain, with this final union will the four families be completely blood bonded to not have any other families needed for council, this consolidates their power and with it comes an old decree, if the ruling operation has unanimous vote they can extinguish the ruling royal line creating a new one. Tristan as long as I’ve been alive have I seen the marriage unions come to pass and never did I make the connection, this last union will finally be enough to put Lazarus to kingship and on the throne permanently…this can`t happen, it shouldn`t have come this far”
“What are you suggesting Staren? This was an accident”
“I think the fate pool was manipulated somehow forging by request these unions over the years…to this end, but with such slow moving integration at it would no one suspect it to be tampering”
“You don`t think the union with Korbin and Ilaya was right”
“It shouldn`t have come around, they are too different in mind, by the laws of the pool it would never be recognized as a flawless binding, someone put her name in there”
Staren just stares into the pool growing a look of concern “I`m scared Tristan, for her. She won`t know how to change in time to quieten down her voice before she permanently silenced”
“They won`t kill her, they`d do it now if that was the case”
“They need her right now Tristan, her blood tie is the only thing keeping her alive”
“We have to keep this quiet, I’m sorry about Ason and what has been done to him being here in this” Tristan nodded “He`s tough he`ll pull through” then an idea dawns to his mind.
“I might have someone that can help us one this, I`ll meet you at the gullwing tonight” ended Tristan and both take an exit.
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