Searching Out Strangers (Isrydia, Brenton)

[Harbor]

As shocked as Rella was to see the name of the city he wanted her to travel to, she rolled her eyes as well: she’d always known there was something not quite fully normal about him. If all elves were prone to fits of such ridiculousness as unprecedented proposals she wouldn’t know, but apparently she was about to find out.



Her companions back in Carvala all bemoaned the loss of her distracting ability to be able to catch the attention of anyone she wanted for only as long as she wanted—she was an excellent person to have along to do nothing more than to keep the guards busy—but none of them was especially surprised to hear she was leaving. In fact, some of them remarked that they were surprised she’d waited so long to tell them. Rella’s was the type of demeanor, one of them told her, that gave everyone around her the constant impression that she was on the verge of disappearing forever. That unnerved Rella, since she was apparently off to be married to a near stranger, but since the impression was new to her, she didn’t let it worry her overmuch.



The trip from Carvala took five weeks walking and was uneventful, as Rella was skilled in the ways of going unnoticed and seeming unworthy of notice, and that she’d painstakingly decided to wear trousers for the majority of the trip, few men who passed her on the road took a second look in her direction. Navigating her way through the impressive and at times terrifying forest of Du Weldenvarden was troublesome, mostly on account of how Ellesmera could not be found on any of the maps she had consulted, and once she began to see signs of civilization again, even she could not shake off the baffled and curious stares of so many elves who likely thought that Rella was just a human who had gotten very, very lost and would find her way out again soon enough. Probably.



Finally Rella sat down with the last of her foraged food, on a bench shaped from the roots of a living tree, and wondered if her strange fellow would turn up and present himself. She could hardly ask for him—she didn’t even know his name. This was awkward.

[Brenton]

My lord, a human woman wanders the forest as if looking for someone who she was told to find. The messenger was breathless as he conveyed the information to King Brenton who had just finished making a simple quiver for Celia who he swore would have a weapon. Quickly the half elf looked up and a smile touched his lips right before he buckled on Undbitr and Argetadurna. He put his riding cloak on and thought about removing his crown but it was who he was. Slowly the king walked to the door and mounted Frost Fire before riding off towards Carvahall. He knew Rella would be near that direction so he rode until he came to a bench. My beautiful lady, it is a pleasure to speak to you once more. Brenton dismounted and took her hand in his, brushing his lips against it. Welcome to the domain of one of the only documented half elf kings, Brenton Bromsson. He flashed a warm smile at the girl.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia was sat in the main room of her smallish but comfortable temporary house in Ellesmera. Her mind was totally focused on her work, which was for once not in any way to do with fighting. To anyone else, rubbing sand against glass lenses would not look exciting. To Isrydia, peering through them at some measuring tape pinned to the wall and measuring the size of the graduations when she looked through a lens of a different shape, it was incredibly interesting. She was writing down her results as she went. Before she had not been so precise to wear the lenses down with sand, and the graph she had drawn up suggested some relationship. She hoped to make some sort of equation for the curve of the lenses in relation to their magnification from what she was doing now, so that she might combine that with her work spacing lenses out to create the most powerful telescope she knew of to study the stars with. So far it looked promising.

"Brenton's showing off again," a voice in her head tore her concentration away. Her dragon, Arlyn, had just flown over Brenton meeting with Rella. He sent her a mental image.

"Poor girl. She's human, too. Must be new to this place," the other girl didn't know what she was in for with Brenton's persistence. At least it meant he would stop going after her, or so she hoped.

"You can't just go back to working! You need a break. Come on, I'm getting bored," he complained. He shared her interest in pursuing knowledge, but hadn't been bothered to spend ages recording tiny changes in lens shape or whatever she was doing.

With a sigh Isrydia resigned herself to the dragon's wishes and fixed the lens back in position so that couldn't introduce an error in her experimentation, then headed outside. As she walked towards the place Arlyn pointed to, the dragon appeared in the air above her. He led her towards Rella and the king, where she stood for a moment before stepping forwards and clearing her throat.

The young Rider was a human like Rella, glad to see another human in Ellesmera. She and Seril were the only ones until now. Arlyn landed next to her, tucking in his near-white wings as he regarded the stranger with his deep sapphire eyes. He was nearly as big as Frost Fire, ice blue scales dappled with the green light that filtered down through the trees. "Moved on at last, have you, Brenton?" she asked jokingly. To Rella, she introduced herself, "I'm Isrydia, and this is my dragon Arlyn. I hope Brenton hasn't shown off too much." she didn't bother the other girl with any titles. She was a Rider and a knight, but it was pretty obvious she was a Rider and her knighthood didn't matter much right now.

[Harbor]

At the sight of the magnificent white horse trotting toward her, the modestly dressed man atop it, whose face she recognized if nothing else, and the circlet of gold about his brow, and her mouth dropped open enough that someone could have stuck their finger in it. She watched in an exaggerated horror, but no less real, as he rode up before her and thumped down to his feet, taking her hand. ”Bloody hell,” she couldn’t stop herself from saying, weakly, ”you could have spoken a bit more thoroughly about yourself the last time, don’t you think, love?”

But that smile. He did have a splendid smile, that man. Elf. Both. At this point who cared? In for the worm, in for the hook. She was going to be lost if she didn’t get a firm hold on that hook and make sure it didn’t sink in too far, or in a place that would hurt. It was no good letting people get a hold on your emotions, it was terrifying, and oh nine hells….had he been serious? He couldn’t be. Once he heard about her mother he’d rethink and there would hopefully not be a riot out for her blood because a half-elven king had decided to marry a whore’s brat, even if said brat was all grown up now.

But then another person showed up and Rella’s horror ebbed. ”Is he liable to show off frequently?” She stood to greet the woman, remembering now that she had legs, and was doubly relieved to find the woman human. ”Hallelujah, a human woman. You’ve got all your senses about you, I hope? I have questions about this one.” She lifted a brow in Brenton’s direction.

[Brenton]

Grazael circled overhead when Isrydia and Arlyn walked up to Brenton calmly and he could see that his rider was not so calm. He isn't showing off for just any human. Brenton proposed to this one in Carvahall a month ago. The words were spoken to Isrydia and Arlyn but the king still blushed. Finally he stood and looked at Isrydia with something akin to horror in his gaze. If I remember correctly you broke my heart a few times. Of course I moved on Isrydia-finiarel. Brenton turned and looked at Rella lovingly. Are you still true to your word on marrying me? Oh and I don't believe in a king acting better than others just because of his blood. Please, please marry me... The king had sunk to one knee on the first please and looked at Rella.

[Quetzal]

Brenton had... what? Grazael wouldn't lie to them and Brenton was prone to recklessness, but proposing? He must have only just met this woman too, he'd been too fixated on her and had never mentioned anyone else. She laughed when he mentioned her breaking his heart. The amount of times he'd confessed his 'undying love' for her... but that only made it worse for Rella. If all it had taken to make him move on from her was a pretty woman, would he not do the same for Rella?

"It depends who he's around, but yes, he'll show off. I can answer questions since know him pretty well. His eyes were for me until you came along, but as he said, I turned him down," she replied. Arlyn could remember how annoyed it had made her and how sad she had been to hurt him. Yet she had not reciprocated his feelings so wouldn't lie. "Better you ask him, though."

Brenton was down on one knee now. Arlyn would have raised his eyebrows if he had any. "Shouldn't you wait and get to know her first? You might like her now, but you can't have known each other that long. Get to know each other well and you might find that real love grows, or you might find you can't stand each other's prolonged company. Marriage is a big commitment," he tried to be the voice of reason, speaking to everyone present. This didn't look like it would end well. Rella or Brenton would eventually grow tired of each other, unless they knew each other well enough to be certain that wouldn't happen.

[Harbor]

This encounter was not proving encouraging. The king didn’t seem the sort to be able to properly commit his heart the way people were supposed to. Rella had both hands on her hips by now, to steady herself against the shock of all this madness, and looked between the three people before her—since, if dragons could speak, this blue-white one must be included in her definition of personage—with no small amount of concern. And then that modest, frivolous king found himself before her on his knee, in a position Rella had never expected anybody to direct toward her, and she was caught.

In the expression she brought up to Isrydia, the Rider woman would be able to see that she too knew the problems of what Brenton wanted. ”That’s a fair suggestion, my lord,” she said, the small title slipping out in her uncertainty. ”It’s not fair that being who you are you can’t marry the way other people do, but it’s true enough. My, um, history really isn’t, well, tolerable for most kings.” She rubbed the heel of her hand across her forehead, berating herself for her cavalier acceptance of his inquiry over a month ago. ”I’m rare to break promises, though,” she sighed. This was going to chaos in a teacup faster than anything else she’d ever done, and in her wayward life she had done quite a lot.

[Brenton]

Brenton looked at Arlyn, a silent promise of anger later, and then turned to Rella again so she could see his eyes and know how serious he was. I have been an outcast all my life, forced to do things most would balk at, and have been in the service of men who are worse. Some of my greatest allies are assassins, turncoats, deserters, spies, and street rats. I stand as king among a people who distrusted me and were my enemy for years. Yet I am also a person just like the rest of the world. I can be killed and I can love...you. As for why I love you, most people won't help a random stranger or betray someone in power. You were brave and beautiful just like Isrydia but you didn't turn me away so quickly and actually searched me out.

Grazael swooped down and landed behind Arlyn with his wings spread. You foolish dragon. If you knew the things Brenton went through then you would be understanding. He just walked into enemy territory and rode out with the Duke's family after nearly dying for this human. Tread carefully, brother.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia frowned as she heard what Brenton had to say. That all had little to do with however well he might get along with Rella. She knew it all to be true but that didn't make it relevant. Love at first sight was not something she believed in. Sure, you could like someone a lot and in a similar way as soon as you saw them, but was was more infatuation than real love that accepted and knew every aspect of a person and would never die. One look at Rella told her that wasn't how the girl felt, at least not yet. Even if it was real love, Brenton couldn't know that without testing it.

Arlyn turned around to look At Grazael. "Whatever he went through is irrelevant to how well he actually knows her. How can he be certain he'll still love her like this in fifty year's time? Have they ever even had a real conversation? She looked very surprised to me to see Brenton was the king, so I'd guess she barely knows him at all. He nearly died for Isrydia many times and went off her quickly enough, what makes you think he wouldn't do the same for this woman? I'm just trying to think rationally here about their happiness in the future," he didn't mean to rain on Brenton's parade. Concern was his motive here, more for Rella than Brenton. Unless they knew each other well enough to be certain they wouldn't lose interest in one another, making such a strong commitment was foolish. He tried to express that to the other dragon in pictures and feelings.

[Harbor]

”Well, me too,” she said, hesitating, shifting her weight. ”Why do you think I helped you kidnap the lady Isilee? I’m a turncoat too.” She felt like she was standing under the thumb of the three great people before her, and she hated it. Usually she was the one making other people uncomfortable. The turnaround didn’t suit her.

And then there was another dragon, and the pressure greatened. She loosened the well-worn shawl keeping her neck and shoulders warm, feeling rather far too warm by now. Something about the way the two dragons looked at each other made her think they were speaking to each other, and she wasn’t sure she was glad about that. But after a moment, she decided that she was. Everything all of them had said so far had only served to get her rarely ruffled feathers almost permanently bent, and she could feel her lifelong habits already prompting her to turn tail and run.

But. She’d promised. Rella spent so much of her time lying to people that whenever it was in her power to follow a promise, she did so. Whether or not she wanted to. Her own independence didn’t appreciate this particular sentiment, but too bad. She’d promised. ”How about making sure neither one of us will end up killing each other on a whim, first?” she suggested finally. ”And if we both survive we give it a try?”

[Brenton]

It would take an extremely lucky blow to kill me but don't worry...I agree. We should make sure that we won't hate each other. At least...please...will you go on a date with me. I'll explain as much as I can. Brenton stood up and moved slightly toward Grazael but found the dragon behind him already. First, this is Grazael and he did a lot of work getting the kids out after I confronted the Duke. He's my partner and best friend. These two are former students of mine from when I first met Isrydia. She's right in saying I like to show off but I also like to know more about people. Brenton smiled at Rella and removed his crown even though he was in Ellesmera. Also I'm not a king around you but instead I'm a friend and companion.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia could see Rella was feeling uncomfortable, but there wasn't a lot she could do about that. It was a relief to hear Rella had the sense to make their engagement last long enough to ensure they did not hate one another. She knew Brenton would accept. Rella might not have realised it yet by the look on her face that suggested she felt out of her depth, but she was probably in complete control over the elven king. From experience, she knew Brenton would do just about anything for the person he loved. Anything Rella said, chances were he'd do as she said to please her. She wasn't going to tell her that, though.

Brenton's words after the introductions were more along the right tracks. Admitting he could show off sometimes, trying to make Rella feel more at ease by insisting he wasn't to be thought of as king, that was more like the sort of behavior she'd hope to see in someone who was more serious. No nonsense about love or whatever, just respect and honesty. Isrydia smiled, she and Arlyn both feeling more relaxed about Brenton's judgement but no less surprised by the sudden event. "I know Brenton, but what about you? Who are you, and how did you two meet each other?" she kept a friendly tone so Rella wouldn't think she was demanding information out of her. Arlyn flicked his tail. The love of people was weird. He understood the love between himself and Isrydia, but not this sort of love.

[Harbor]

Rella grinned at his declaration. Hard to kill was always a plus in men she actually liked. ”What weaponry do you use, then?” Since he made it sound as though it couldn’t possibly be just the sword he had learned. He being part-elf, therefore spectacularly outmatching her, would be fun to fight with, sparring as friends of course. But Rella couldn’t fully enjoy someone whom she couldn’t fight with. The vigorous activity enthralled and delighted her in a sparkling, devious sort of way that nothing else did. Perhaps that could be their first date, if he was willing. The higher born men were the more fastidious they tended to be regarding who they fought with. They never seemed to understand that she wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t think she could both handle herself and trust him not to maim her. Just so long as she didn’t start to bleed anywhere, even if the blood didn’t show, sparring would be fun. ”So long as you don’t bore me,” she said, ”I’d be honored.”

She returned her attention to Isrydia when the woman spoke, still smiling her amusement at the image of herself and a half-elven king tumbling on the ground with knives. Since she hadn’t remembered, in her shock, to do so before, she curtseyed to the blue dragon and offered her hand to the Rider. ”Rella no last name, previously the assistant of a blacksmith, and most recently previously an unknown social deviant and degenerate pickpocket.” Hallelujah, she thought to herself, for being able to quickly pick up the glittery language of the nobility, if only the words. She could mimic tones, vocabularies and voices so cannily that even a loving husband could mistake Rella’s voice for that of his wife, but unfortunately that wasn’t a talent she had the opportunity to use very often. ”Brenton snuck up on milady Isilee while she was on one of her infrequent walks, then I distracted her guards so they could have a talk, Brenton offed the guards, I took Isilee away, I vanished, Brenton chased me down and told me to come with him and I told him off. And that’s about it.”

[Brenton]

Archery, swordfighting, and magic are my main forms of weapons but I did acquire a fancy warhammer I have been practicing with. Most of the time people are to confused to fight properly. Brenton looked at Isrydia and smirked slightly at all of her questions. She left out the part where I asked her repeatedly to come with me, kissed her, nearly died from her refusal, and proposed right after killing a group of guards. Really I went to a lot of trouble just to be turned down again. He looked at Rella and grinned. But I would go through Hell for you.

[Quetzal]

Arlyn was pleased by the curtsey and Isrydia shook the hand, but there really wasn't much need. "You and I share the lack of a last name," she remarked. The daughter of a candle-maker, she had been a common storyteller before being apprenticed to a knight, and even then she hadn't been anyone of any significance until Arlyn had hatched for her. Having spent eighteen years a commoner and a few months a Rider, she still considered herself to be like anyone else. She'd never felt the need to take a last name, but supposed she might one day if she did a deed good enough.

Rella certainly seemed like an interesting person with a varied and colourful life. The story of their meeting was unusual, but she would expect no less from Brenton. The list of weaponry made her think that perhaps she ought to train in something other than sword and shield. Magic she was getting a firmer grip on by the day, but another physical weapon could be useful to learn. The bow and arrow was a strong contender since she could hardly use a sword from Arlyn's back when he grew large enough to ride.

At Brenton's remark of going through Hell, Arlyn snorted. "He's not lying there," Isrydia remarked. Brenton could be strangely devoted to one person, almost crushingly so. "As he's shown already, try not to get in trouble or he might just die to save you," the dragon added. They weren't mocking Brenton, rather meaning it jokily.

[Harbor]

Well, even with Celia’s limited knowledge in weaponry—all she was comfortable with was her pair of daggers—he may prove an engaging opponent to spar with. She would like to try it someday. Returning her hands to their comfortable position on her hips, she scowled lightly at the king. ”I was trying—against all instincts—to make you look a little less ludicrous than you already were,” she informed him tartly. ”And it’s your own bloody fault you let the city guards knock you at as they did. If the lady hadn’t been watching out for you there was nothing I could have done.”

Another fancy person with no last name? ”Well, at least I’m not the only one,” she sighed. As to the king’s declaration of where his loyalties lay, and the dragon’s confirmation of it, she rolled her eyes at him. ”As a king, shouldn’t you ought to have your priorities lined up a little better?” she wanted to know. She of all people knew how often one person could seem worth the world, but the world deserved better than to be placed below one person. His people deserved his attention first.

[Brenton]

As king I am awarded the same freedoms as the rest of my people and they know that should I perish or go missing then they are ruled by Laetri. He is my chosen heir until I can find a way go cure my son of his madness but first I must cure myself of madness driven within my heart. People have said a rose by any other name is but a rose and to have loved and lost is better than to have never loved at all. You are a rose whether people call you such or not and I will love you for I cannot bear it all being for naught. Rella, my people know me not just as king but also as friend and comrade. Brenton took a shuddering breath as he finished his cheesy quotes and sappy speech. Without thinking or, as he would say later, caring he kissed Rella softly.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia liked Rella. She was more down-to-earth and practical in contrast to Brenton's habit of talking about dreams and metaphors. A lot of elves she knew were worse for the poetic speech. It seemed to just be an elvish thing.

The speech was so cheesy she could almost smell it. The bit about the rose and the loved and lost stuff she had heard before, from those stories she used to tell. The whole speech sounded like something from one of them. Brenton had made a habit of going off on long speeches like this. Despite how sappy it all was, she couldn't help but smile. It was good to see Brenton happy. That it wasn't her he was directing this speech at only made it better.

"That was so sickly sweet I think I just threw up a little," Arlyn's voice drifted through her head. She could sense he was happy too in spite of his comments. The dragon did not understand this kind of love at all. Grazael had shown him once or twice how Brenton had once felt for Isrydia, but that didn't mean he could make any sense of all this talking and romance.

[Harbor]

”Hm.” Rella eyed the king oddly for a moment. ”You elves are very strange people, you know that?” And then, the most logical response to her remark was of course for said strange king to step forward and kiss her again. Rella chuckled. Well, perhaps he could still be fun even if she’d have to keep an eye on him for his apparent frivolity. She lightly pinched his nose. ”Lunatic.”

Arlyn’s dry comment made her smile passively, but she popped her eyebrows up as if in surprise. ”I’m sorry darling, did you want some too?” She took a few steps toward him with her arms outstretched, hoping she wasn’t about to be eaten. Perhaps sanity didn’t run too strongly in her family, either.

[Brenton]

Brenton smiled as Rella said he was strange but shook his head quickly before she could continue any further. Afraid not, beautiful. This is just every day behavior for me. I'm not even real good with word play or poetry like some of my other brethren and sisteren. If you want strange then wait until Shaelren meets young Celia. Brenton smirked at the thought of the two kids playing and flirting with each other. The king saw Rella moving toward Arlyn after his smart remarks.