|
|
Post by Quetzal on Jan 1, 2014 18:26:57 GMT -5
So far, Brenton and Rella appeared to be getting along just fine. Perhaps it was the fact that she was becoming third wheels that made Isrydia and Arlyn feel more sarcastic today, the dragon more so than the human. She at least could appreciate what was going on here and feel happy for the two.
Rella was walking towards Arlyn with arms outstretched. The dragon was caught by surprise and allowed himself to be hugged, frozen in shock before he batted her gently with a paw. "Maybe you should keep your sarcastic comments to yourself in future, eh?" Isrydia was laughing. Arlyn smiled sheepishly. He knew when he was beaten. He hurriedly tried to change the subject. "Who's Celia?" he asked Brenton. They'd met Shaelren before. The young boy had unknowingly killed his own uncle and become a lord. That had been an odd day. |
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 1, 2014 18:59:49 GMT -5
Rella only shrugged to Brenton’s comments. ”I tried. Perhaps I’ll beat some sense into you someday.” Perhaps. She’d had a good influence on a few of her flightier friends in the city. And a few of them had been a poor influence on her. ”Who’s Shaelren?” she asked curiously. She just hoped he wasn’t someone Isilee wouldn’t want around her children. But by what little Rella knew about Celia, she thought the girl would be all right.
After planting a chaste kiss on the scowling dragon’s snout and being subsequently shifted carefully aside, Rella grinned. ”No, don’t do that. Where will I have my fun if you hold your tongue?” She allowed Arlyn his space and replied, ”Celia is one of milady Isilee’s daughters. She’s ten, I believe.”
Rella spun to face Brenton, reaching behind him to the bench for her small pack of belongings, slinging it over her shoulders and holding it there just in case the silly king thought he had the right to relieve her of its small burden. ”I hate to be presumptuous and assume I’m allowed to eat, but is there anywhere to sit and have something to drink? I’ve been walking for days.” Weeks. Five of them, more or less. She’d love a bath, but since she had been able to bathe in streams on the way here she wasn’t stinking quite yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 1, 2014 19:14:51 GMT -5
Shaelren is your typical thirteen year old miscreant boy except he is lord of Naelrathe and is full elf. As for eating... Brenton picked Rella up and took off running for Ellesmera with her in his arms. In a couple minutes they were in the city next to the palace. That's only allowed in my home where you won't be hurt or have other elves reciting poetry. Brenton opened the door and took Rella's hand in his as he walked inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by Quetzal on Jan 2, 2014 12:38:57 GMT -5
Isilee was the lady Rella had served, Isrydia gathered. She might be protective over this Celia then. She raised an eyebrow at Brenton when he called Shaelren 'your typical thirteen year old'. That was hardly the case. The boy killed without remorse like it was nothing, she'd seen him. He blocked out all guilt at taking lives better than a soldier, and regardless of all his titles he was still a child. It was unnerving to see a child kill like that.
Just like that, Brenton took Rella in his arms and ran off. Since becoming a Rider Isrydia had found her speed had improved, but she wasn't as fast as the elven people yet and didn't take up the chase. Arlyn looked after them, then turned to his Rider. "We'll let them have some time to themselves, I think," she told him. He agreed.
((So I guess that's Isrydia and Arlyn out?)) |
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 2, 2014 12:59:12 GMT -5
Rella yelped in surprise as she suddenly found herself whisked up and away. "Was that really necessary?" she asked, breathless more from the surprise than anything else. Her eyes widened at his promise of who she could avoid here. "Is it likely that I'll be killed by poetry or otherwise?" she asked with concern. Bleeding was a bad idea for her. Even the monthly bleedings left her exhausted, which was the only part of herself that Rella outright hated. Vulnerability made her lose her respect with herself, and therefore left her with a starchy, resentful attitude for the few days a month she was virtually confined to whatever dwelling she called hers. Hopefully Brenton would be away on some vacation during those times. He didn't seem the type to not go overboard if she suddenly holed up in her room and wouldn't explain why. Well, he was a man; he didn't want to know why and he didn't even know it. "This is your house?" she asked, staring up at it, astonished.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 10:53:56 GMT -5
More or less, I live here at least but to be a home I would have to return here often. This is where the royal family conducts matters of importance and where some people live. Unfortunately Undbitr requires my seeking out enemies to quench her thirst. Often times I return here just long enough to get some sleep and then I'm gone again. As for death by poetry, it's possible but not likely. You just shouldn't be forced to endure long hours of my brethren singing to you. Brenton smiled and took Rella's hand as he opened the door and walked in with her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 3, 2014 11:24:21 GMT -5
"Where do you go?" she asked curiously. "When you leave?" She let him have her hand, since he had been intent so far to hold onto at least a part of her as soon as he'd found she'd arrived, and because his hand was warm. Having arrived, and no longer walking as briskly as she'd been to get here, she'd begun growing cold. Rella switched the hand he was holding to her other hand, then, and ducked underneath his arm, doubting he'd mind. But if she told him she was cold he'd probably burn this pretty palace down just to make absolutely sure she wasn't anymore. And that was just a waste. "So were you going to feed me or just show me pretty places?" she teased. "I've been battling the wilderness for weeks; I'll waste away soon, just blow away into the sun."
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 11:39:46 GMT -5
Oh no you won't. In this room is food just sit down with me. As he said that, Brenton wrapped his arms around Rella and sat down in front of four platters filled with different fruits, cheeses, bread, and vegetables. He wished absent-mindedly that the elves weren't so against eating meat since even he enjoyed a nice steak or piece of venison on occasion. Still food was food and so Brenton sat there and let Rella eat while wine was poured into crystal goblets for them. Well here in a few weeks I'm leaving for the Northern lands to find my brother, Eragon. It just depends on what needs done at that moment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 3, 2014 12:13:40 GMT -5
Brenton wound his arms around her and drew her into his lap as he sat. Nope, he clearly didn't mind. Rella brushed her hands off on her skirt even though she knew the dirt stains on her knuckles would only come out with water and scrubbing, and tore herself a strip of bread, taking care not to drag her sleeve in the rest of the food. Brenton made a comfortable seat for someone who wasn't cushioned with fat. She draped the arm she wasn't using over the backs of his shoulders and leaned into him, strangely glad not to have to do all of the work for once. "Do you see him much, your brother?" Oftentimes Rella wished she could know her siblings, as she was sure she had some somewhere, but as reluctant as she was to let other people care too much about her, just as frequently she was glad that they were strangers to one another. It just made everything easier. "How long do you usually get to stay before you have to leave again?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 12:27:57 GMT -5
Brenton looked away sadly as he realized Eragon had probably never even heard of him much less called him brother. I never saw, Eragon since my father left before I was born and didn't visit or mention my brother. If he did not carry Brom's name then I would never know who he was. Brenton blinked and smiled at Rella as she asked questions. I never have to leave unless there is war or a diplomatic matter requires my attention. Usually I go because there is little else to do when your people have no complaints. Brenton picked up a small apple and bit into it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 3, 2014 12:39:41 GMT -5
Rella nodded, hooking one finger into her hair and pushing it out of her face. "My mam worked in a brothel. Chances are I've got a fair number of siblings by my father that I've never met." His smile then made her smile, and she lightly touched the corner of his mouth with one finger to see if she could get the smile to grow, guessing already that she could. "You know my people will always have complaints. They could live in paradise and still complain about something." She shifted so she could rest her cheek against the top of his head. "How are your people going to think of you courting a prostitute's daughter?" she wanted to know, still picking at her bread. It was softer and sweeter than any other bread she'd ever had.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 12:52:11 GMT -5
Brenton's smile grew slightly as he thought about the question proposed to him by Rella. About the same thing they think of a king who is a halfling and former Empire servant. My people like the thought of perfection but many of them know I am not normal and that I see good in people. After all, most of the elven nation respects me and my decisions. Brenton kissed Rella softly as he wrapped his arms around her and smiled. Besides, I love you and will court you even if Grazael doesn't like it. Which he does...he likes you because I love you and you stayed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 3, 2014 13:00:59 GMT -5
He certainly didn't have a history of doing or being what was expected of kings, Rella realized as he listed his 'faults'. That made her feel better about the gaps between them and what she was supposed to be as a king's love interest. "Well I wasn't going to walk five weeks to get here just to see you and walk five weeks back. My poor feet would be worn down to nubs." She bent so she could give the kiss back, since his lips were so soft. She could make a new hobby out of kissing them. "What will I do to keep from keeling over of boredom when you're gone?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 13:17:41 GMT -5
If it's a diplomatic reason then I'm sure people would want you there but if you chose to stay we have materials for art and writing as well as horses to ride. You could practice weapons skill or start a hobby of some sort. Yet, you aren't agreeing to marry me yet so why do you worry about what you would do? Brenton felt warm as Rella kissed him and he grinned wide. I'll propose again so you have a reason to worry about boredom if you want. He brushed his fingers over Rella's cheek lovingly with a twinkle in his eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 3, 2014 13:33:50 GMT -5
Rella snorted. "Are you kidding me? I'm not diplomatic. I convince people I'll do what they want and go behind their backs and do what I want anyway. Finding out who you are has put a crimp in my usual habit of saying what I mean, exactly as I feel it, but I might learn that part eventually." She kicked her heels lightly back against the bench. "And I don't have to marry you to miss you. If I did we'd never get married." She closed her eyes to the feeling of his fingertips so light on her cheek she barely felt them, but they burst open again as a mischievous thought returned to her. "Speaking of weapons skill, would you spar with me? It's no fun doing it with the people I know so well that I know how to trick them. You look like you'd be a fun challenge, considering I don't think I could beat you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 13:48:31 GMT -5
Brenton grinned and raised an eyebrow slightly as he adopted a more serious tone as he spoke the next words. Now why would you want to spar if you doubt you can win? That sounds a bit suicidal to me if I must say so myself. Yet sure I'll spar with you. Brenton stood up with Rella in in his arms and kissed her before drawing Argetadurna and stepping back into the center of the room which was large enough for a battle. He swung the sword experimentally and crouched in a ready position, his eyes following every movement of Rella and calculating the best attack.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 3, 2014 14:03:56 GMT -5
Rella smiled, satisfied that he wasn't one of the stuck-up morons who thought men oughtn't fight women. "Because it's a challenge. And it's how I get to know people." She let him kiss her once more before she spun away and brought out one of her knives, preferring to keep one hand free to grab things with. A knife in her hand meant that that hand could only deflect, it couldn't push or yank or twist without shedding blood. It was a nuisance unless she was trying to kill her opponent. Brenton though she didn't want to kill. She just wanted to see what she could learn from fighting with someone so much quicker and stronger than she was capable of being. And she didn't have much opportunity to practice against swordsmen--it would be a learning experience. So she let her smile ease into a grin, spun the knife once in hand, and ran for him, wondering how she would get inside the guard of such a long weapon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 3, 2014 14:34:08 GMT -5
Brenton saw the knife spin and muscles tense in Rella's legs just before she charged him hoping to get through his defenses. It was a blinding motion and flash of color as Brenton sprung over the woman and slashed the flat of his blade toward her back while spinning into a roundhouse kick to the legs. If she avoided that maneuver then he would have to actually think about his next approach. Yet as half elf with his father being a rider and he himself a rider, Brenton was as fast as an elf and just as lethal. Luckily those attacks were to stun not kill.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harbor on Jan 5, 2014 14:19:52 GMT -5
He evaded her. She'd known he would, but she hadn't expected him to leap over her. That was a delightful twist she'd never before had to deal with. A challenge--finally! She felt the flat of his sword lightly rap across her back when he landed almost soundlessly and was twisting to face him when his leg lashed out. Truly she wasn't fast enough to have avoided the leg, but spinning as quickly as she had cause the foot carrying the majority if her weight to slip, and as she dropped to her hands his foot flew over her head. Since his momentum would probably now carry him farther than he'd expected it to she threw herself at him again, hoping to land on his back and drag him down.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brenton on Jan 5, 2014 15:05:57 GMT -5
Brenton spun halfway through the kick and dropped to the ground, under the leaping Rella, while he pushed his arms under him and back flipped onto his feet. Not even stopping, Brenton ran forward and slid on his lower legs like a child in the dirt with his feet aimed at the woman's knees and a binding spell already passing his lips to keep her motionless. The king may be a just ruler but he had been trained in underhanded trickery to get the goal you wished. Added to that was the fact that he had to know what Rella was capable of in a world of magic and death.
|
|
