Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[Xana]

---

Xana sat in the chair that overlooked the beautiful water, the one beside her empty. So often, she and the paladin de Clare sat here together and discussed their days, their travels, their hopes and dreams. But lately the chair has been empty when dusk fell. Granted, at some point through the night she would eventually hear him bathing, perhaps cleaning his armor, or preparing a late meal, before the feel of his body sliding beneath the blankets registered on her sleeping mind. When asleep, those sounds brought comfort to her worried soul, but while waking, Xana did not remember those moments.

Such feelings were creating a sense of despair for her. The world was, to her eyes, becoming a frightful place. Magincia was burning, and there was talk that it might be lost forever. The movements of the numbers out of Dark Cove were the subject of much talk across the lands and that too worried her. Though there was so much animosity on her sister's part, she did worry about her twin, Merrique. If half of what she saw and heard was true, her sister was truly damned. Living in Umbra and running with Drow! What would become of her lost half, if something terrible befell that strangely beautiful, dark city of Necromancy? Xana's mind raced through the triumvirate of worrisome topics over and over as she sat watching the sun move across the water. It was like a strange mental chant: Magincia, Cove, Merrique, Magincia, Cove, Merrique.

How nice it would have been to be close to the sister she was raised to believe to be dead since birth, to have her present at the wedding she and Roger planned. But as is often the case, fate was not to be so kind. Xana chuckled aloud when she saw in stark contrast the differences she and her sister bore. Why, it was almost like that strange little symbol of balance one often saw on the Tokuno Islanders' belongings. One so dark, one so light. Xana pursued a life of goodness and decency, and her sister's decisions were evident to anybody who took so much as a casual glance her way.

Xana's mind latched onto this visual metaphor that seemed to describe her and the lost twin, she could not let it go. Over and over her mind came back to the subject. She thought of the few times in her life that the darkness set in, times of despair and sorrow. Likewise, she wondered if the Umbran ever had moments of goodness and light. A drop of the opposite in the half that makes up the whole...wasn't that the way of that odd little glyph the islanders were so fond of?

As the sun sank across the western horizon to the right field of her vision, Xana wondered how she would fare if somehow she found herself caught up in another's battle. It had happened before, in that place known as Sanctus, and it had nearly taken her life. But, she reminded herself, you were not part of that battle--you simply ran outside to see what the commotion was and took an accidental hit by a poisoned blade. Big difference, that little voice said with force. That little voice also reminded her that if she were not poisoned in Sanctus, she likely would have never realized her dream of being with Roger.

Xana wondered how she would feel if she ever heard of Merrique's demise. Surely, taking Drow as lovers (Drow affiliated with Dark Cove, no less--she had met him!) and running about Umbra like a child in a candy store and a pocket full of gold could have no decent end. Umbra may be beautiful in its own way but anybody knew it was a place full of danger. The Umbran version of the gypsy sisters was, according to nature, her literal other half. Knowing that, told Xana that her sister was as intelligent as she was herself. How could she act so foolish?

As she dozed off in the chair, her thoughts softened along with the worried expression she had been wearing. Thoughts of the man she so adored came to her mind. Though she worried terribly for his safety during these things he got himself involved with and often chose not to tell her of, she reminded herself that was the life he created for himself. She prayed to her gods that they would bring him home again, safely, to her.

At last, when sleep overtook her, she smiled.
_________________
An artist is a creature driven by demons ~Faulkner

[Roger de Clare]

---

The siege of Minoc continued after the first day. Captain Roger de Clare rode out before the barricade several times as most of the defenders did. He thought they acted more like the offense they way they would leave the relative safety of the walls to take the fight to the enemy. Twice Tarothin Armunn himself and Mave Gerhart caught him alone and gave chase, each time overcoming him at the very wall before dashing away.

After the alliance soundly defeated the Dark Order on the first day, Roger felt confident enough to leave Minoc and go home to his beloved. The next two days of fighting were not so clear cut and Roger remained on duty. When the third day dawned he felt he could take a leave of absence.

He cast "holy journey" and stepped off his charger at his own doorstep. He quickly dashed through the first floor and upstairs where he expected to find Xana but she was not there. For once she was not waiting for him and he felt dismayed. He reasoned she has her own interests. It was early morning and she must be out performing her own duties.

Or buying supplies to redecorate the house...he thought as he went downstairs again and saw signs of new construction. She's redoing the pool. He grinned. He was glad to see her busy with her own life while he was away. He worried about her fretting at home during his absences.

Then there she was...whisked by magic to their home. She quietly sat in a chair. He knelt beside her, his arms around her, his head in her lap. "I've missed you so much." She pushed her fingers through his hair.

"I am worried about Merri, " she said. She told him about it. He told her Merri was a big girl and had to make her own choices. He told her some about the siege. She began speaking of concerns about drows and invasions and Merri. They spoke of other things, like redoing the pool.

She asked him if he would return to Minoc today. He said, "No. Today duty gives way to love."

A private moment here. Then she said, "I'll race you upstairs!" He got there first. "And what does the winner get?" he asked. And this is also private...but much longer.