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Ariana Lenoir · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:55 pm Post subject: Not Only Ants Can Ruin a Picnic

[Warning: Story might be inappropriate for younger/sensitive readers]

Her feet lightly padded across the imported marble flooring of the bath. The low light reflected off its polished surface, refracting brilliantly on the crystalline powder that dusted her naked skin. She paused in her steps and turned and looked towards the antique mirror. The glass surface was fogged from the steam emanating from the heated bath behind her. She stepped forward and brushed her hand against its surface, revealing the reflective surface beneath. There was no sense of vanity in her eyes, only a quiet studious look as she turned studying her reflection. The memories of the question Phyrra had asked that night at the Den seeped into her consciousness. She turned and looked over her shoulder at her back.

She could still see the lines and ridges as the tapered towards the small of her back despite how masterfully they were worked into the mural of color that splashed across her skin. The artists had done an excellent job of hiding the scars, but she always knew where each damned one was. Some of the scars were covered in a translucent sheen of skin and others caused her skin to curve slightly in raised portions. The scar tissue was hidden so well in the design that the effects they gave would appear to the casual glance of being intended by an artist of superior expertise. The artist had painfully embedded very tiny crystals into key points in her skin to help camouflage the damage even more by drawing the eyes away to other points. A truly observant individual, someone who knew what they were looking for or someone who had extensive time to study the design and touch it might be able to see beyond the mask of artwork to the horror it covered.

She gave a slight shake of her head as if she were clearing her thoughts and turned back around. She moved forward, stepping slowly into the hot bath water. She sinked slowly into it as the waterfall pushed tiny ripples across her bare skin. Her flesh turned pink in response to the heat as she hissed slightly as the water moved across her breasts. She closed her eyes letting the penetrating heat sink into her, taking several deep breaths. Her chest rose slightly above the water line with each breath, kissing the surface of her skin with painful touches. Slowly, the pain sinked further into her muscles dwindling in intensity as she relaxed into its enveloping embrace. As her heart rate and breathing slowed she let her mind fall into memories that were more painful that the scalding water that supported her.

She was sixteen and it was late summer. She had returned from court to visit her family for a month while the court transitioned from the summer palace to the winter palace. The previous years she had joined the Queen's entourage moving through villages and small towns, but this year she had wanted to come home. She had sent the request the previous spring to her parents after getting the Queen's blessing.

Their approval was not due to the heaps that Ariana had poured into the letter about missing them, but due to Lord Balthroy's oldest son who had taken a keen interest in her. Lord Balthroy was a baron of a small piece of land at the ass-end of the kingdom. He and his son were as loathsome and foul as the swamps surrounding his lands. He had his eye on using his son to secure a better piece of the territorial pie and Duke Lenoir's oldest daughter seemed like his ideal ticket. The son however could have cared less as with many boys his age. He took notice of all the young ladies with a bold eye on their curves and ample bosoms. Some of the court whispered that he watched them -too- closely and it would only be a matter of time before he pushed the lines of decency and some young girl gave into his ravenous indiscretions. Her parents agreed to her coming home in hopes the man would find some other pound of flesh to catch his eye in the time Ariana was away and seal his fate despite his father's selfish wants.

Ariana had both the good and bad fortune of having a family that was favored highly by the royal family. On one hand, it would mean she would marry only the best suited and while that decision of whom was at her father's discretion, she could be reassured by the fact he wouldn't have his finances as a sole incentive in the arrangement. Whether her husband was young or old, she would abide by her father's decision when the time came. Until then, she would preserve her honor and purity and always act in the proper way befitting a young lady and not give into the men who flowered her with praises of her wit and beauty.

Only a week back at the manor, she, the twins and their governess, Shiori decided to take a trip to the river with a picnic lunch. The late summer sun warmed their skin as they traveled on horseback along the meadows and thin forests toward the edge of the estate. Although being only eight years old, Phaidra appeared quite natural and adept at riding. Shiori had ahold of the reins of Takai's horse as he shivered slightly on the back of the chestnut mare. Ariana looked back at them, studying the twins as they rode quietly. Although their differences were more pronounced now than when they were younger, they were more akin to being opposites than alike. Phaidra was physically quite strong and dexterous, excelling in swordplay, riding and any physical games. Takai was more fragile and preferred word games and studying. Where she was outspoken and opinionated, he was quiet and reserved. Despite their differences however and the arguments that ensued between them due to them, there was a silent bond so strong that someone might envision them more as two halves of the same person separated at birth than truly two individuals.

"Are we there yet?" Phaidra whined, clucking to her horse to bring it alongside Ariana's.

"Almost... be patient." Ariana responded quietly.

"Being quiet is for folks that don't have anything to say, "the young girl retorted with a determined pout. Ariana shook her head, but didn't correct her.

Twenty minutes later, they had reached the picnic spot. The cold river came against the meadow before pushing southward. The meadow followed it down, dipping into the vale beyond as trees sprouted in thick stands along its edges. Atop the crest, they could look east into many of the different estates ruled by the neighboring families. Directly south following the river belonged to no one except the royal family which used the deep forests and sunny meadows for the Great Hunts during fall when the stags would be at their most spectacular and give the greatest chase.

After the horses were tethered, Shiori began unpacking the lunch of fragrant cheese, flat breads, smoked venison and apple pie. To quench their thirst she had brought along green tea kept warm in a thick earthen jar and several flasks of cold water. The horses grazed nearby on the hearty summer grass on long tethers as the twins began to explore. Phaidra started stalking a bullfrog as Takai quietly turned his attention to the native medicinal plants growing along the water's edge. The afternoon passed quickly and the shadows grew longer as the sun crested and began to descend slowly towards the horizon.

Shiroi and Ariana were sitting and talking on a blanket as they watched the twins chase after butterflies and grasshoppers in the longer grass. Ariana turned her head scanning the vale below and grew silent and still. Deep into the vale below them was a band of riders, moving quickly across the grass in their direction. Shiori followed Ariana's eyes and grew silent as both scanned the approaching band for any banners or crests. There were none.

"We mus' go. Now." Ariana said, not pulling her eyes from the riders as they pressed closer. "Phaidra! Takai! Come. Now." Ariana shouted at the twins. They started to protest, but Arirana yelled sharply at them, "Get o'er 'ere now!" Ariana turned and took another glance down into the vale and judged the riders would be upon them in only a few minutes if they continued their breakneck speed. She turned around and saw Shiori trying to gather up the picnic in a hurry. "There is nay time Shiori-san!, " she shouted as she grabbed the woman's hand and yanked her towards the tethered horses.

She quickly helped Shiori onto the back of one of the horses as Phaidra scrambled onto the back of another. "What is wrong?" Phaidra shouted.

"Jus' do as I tell ye! Ye turn an' ride ferthe manor as fast as ye can. Ye donnae' look back, just go as fast as ye can... I'll be right behind ye!" Ariana shouted as she quickly tightened the girth strap on Shiori's mare. "Go Phaidra!" she yelled and with a final look back, Phaidra turned and spurred her horse into a gallop. Ariana then hoisted Takai in front of Shiori and grabbed the horse's reins and tossed them over its head and into Shiori's waiting hands. "Keep them safe, Shiori-san. Do nay stop nay matter wha until ye reach the manor." Ariana gave the horse a sharp nudge of her shoulder and slapped it as hard as she could on its rear. The horse reared slightly and then took off sharply in pursuit of Phaidra's horse.

Ariana grabbed one of the last two horses and quickly hoisted herself up on its back. The gelding pranced nervously as Ariana gathered its reins and turned it in a circle sharply to bring it under control. As she turned, she saw the riders crest the hill and turn their horses towards her. She kicked hard against the horse's sides as she drove him into flight. The sound of several bowstrings being pulled and released reached her ears. She let out one final yell as loud as she could, "GO!!" before her horse crumpled to the ground with a loud whinny and sent her flying through the air.

She hit the ground hard, knocking the air out of her lungs with a choking gasp. Her sides felt as if they were on fire as she struggled to breathe. She wheezed for several moments, gulping for air before grabbing her sides and attempting to stumble to her feet. She shot a look behind her as she could see the horsemen approaching now at a walk as if sensing their quarry was crippled. She lurched through the grass, half-running and half-walking with the awkwardness of the gait.

She looked back and saw three archers preparing to notch their bows and fire on the fleeing forms of the others. She grabbed her reagents from a small pouch and screamed the power words into the dry air. The reagents dissolved in her hand as their essence was pulled into her body for the spell. With another cry, she thrust her hand far out ahead as a long line fire erupted from the ground in the middle of the dry grass between the fleeing riders and the invaders. Catching immediately on the summer-dried grass, black smoke bellowed into the sky blocking the line of sight of the archers.

Loosing the targets in the black smoke, the archers shouted in alarm. They all turned their horses to Ariana as she started back-peddling away from them with one arm still clutching her side. She pulled more reagents out of her pouch, coughing from the thickening smoke as the fire began to race through the grass. She fell to her knees as the archers turned their notched bows onto her. A larger man nudged his horse ahead of the group, drew his sword, leaned over and pointed it down at her. "You're coming with us, girl." She mustered all her bravado and spat at him. "Bring her, " he said as he wiped his face and wheeled his horse. Strong hands grabbed her, throwing her across one of the saddles painfully. She began to struggle violently against the hands when she felt something strike the back of her head. A flash of blinding white pain and then absolute darkness
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Ariana Lenoir · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:16 am Post subject:

Ariana awoke to one hell of a headache. The back part of her head throbbed strongly as she reached back gingerly touching it with her fingertips. She felt the significant lump from whatever had struck her, but no sense of wetness or stickiness that would have accompanied an actual laceration of her scalp. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking several times. Her vision was blurred and although the light was dim, it encouraged the throbbing to intensify in protest.

After several minutes, her surroundings slowly came into focus. She was in a small cell. The only light source appeared to be a small torch just outside a set of thick iron bars. Mildew, moss and noxious-smelling slime covered the thick stones on which she lay. She coughed at the smell as she tried to sit up. A wave of dizziness overcame her and she planted her hand in the filth to steady herself. She looked up as the sound of cold laughter came dancing to ears.

There were two guards standing at the bars peering in at her. They laughed as she coughed a few more times, wiping her eyes which watered from the coughing fit.

"Lord Balthroy ought to be here to see this, " said one guard as he peered at her from between the bars.

The other guard elbowed him hard in the side, "Boss said not to mention his name in front of the girl. "

"Like that celestial understands a damn word we say, " he protested with a dirty look to his fellow guard, as he rubbed his side with his hand. He sneered at Ariana as he said, "Ya don't understand a farkin' word I'm saying ya damn ignorant celestial, do ya?." He pulled at the corners of his eyes for a few moments, mocking her, "They don't understand crap. They ain't much smarter than dogs. "

Ariana sat quietly glowering at the men as they continued, "Well, I don't think she's just any slanty-eye, man. I heard the boss saying she was the Duke Lenoir's daughter."

"Are you farkin kidding me? The Duke plowed some celestial? I didn't know that. Hey hey... " he smacked the other guard on the arm, ".. hey, I heard that these celestials are really tight cause they're like runts, right? Think we'll get a chance to test that?" He grinned back at Ariana, his teeth were a sickly yellow and flecked with bits of whatever he'd eaten last. Ariana turned away, swallowing the bile that tickled the back of her throat.

"Ya want to have a piece of that?" the other guard asked in disbelief.

"Hey! We've been stuck on rotation for months with no city-leave. Even celestial would be better than nothing." He looked back at Ariana's shivering body which huddled tighter against the back of the cell. He grabbed his crotch and whistled at her. "Come here ya slanty-eyed slut. Maybe we'll let ya out early for good behavior!"

The other guard laughed, "She'll bite it off, man. Besides, boss says she's hands off til he gets here."

He gyrated his hips in small circles in her direction, "What he doesn't know, won't hurt him, will it?"

The other guard backed away with his hands up, "Hey man, its on your head. If he finds out, he'll farkin kill ya. Lord Balthroy gave strict orders to the boss that she wasn't to be had by any man while under our guard."

The man swore as he ceased his lewd gestures and looked at him, "What the hell is he gonna do with her? He likes some of that celestial snatch huh?" He shook his head in disgust, "Gross."

"Gross? Ya were just gonna go poke it yaself."

"Well, no rubbish. That's out of desperation and the fact it would be free. He paid the boss a lot to get her. Why anyone would pay for one of those damn slanty-eyes I don't know."

"I think its for his son, " the other man remarked.

"What the hell did his son to piss him off?" the man laughed.

"Think about it. She's worth a lot of money, man. She's the eldest of the Lenoir's brats and is line to be Duchess. That mean she gets it all... all of it. "

"The King will let a half-breed take title?" the man asked in shock.

"He'd suck the Duke off himself probably. That man can do no wrong in the King's eyes."

"Huh. Well, I guess we'll be getting paid well enough that I can buy a dozen girls when we get leave."

The other man patted him on the shoulder, "Who knows, maybe Lord Balthroy will change his mind about wanting her and you'll get your chance before we feed her to the pigs."

The man laughed as he looked back at Ariana's huddled form, "I bet she'd squeal like a pig." The other man laughed as they walked down the hallway leaving Ariana shivering and alone.
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Ariana Lenoir · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Ariana wasn't sure how long she laid curled up. Hours, perhaps a day. She was in a state of shock and the cold dampness of the stone floor did nothing to bring her any comfort. Her mind sluggishly worked over the information the guards had carelessly revealed, but it all seemed too surreal.

"I told you to keep an eye on her! " an angry voice yelled from down the hallway.

"She isn't going anywhere, boss. " one of the guards tried to respond.

"I'm well aware she's still there. Whether or not she's alive, waits to be seen." the voice growled. "If she's dead, so are you two."

Two pairs of footsteps hurried down the hallway in her direction. The third set, which sounded much heavier than the others followed at a more reserved pace.

She heard the guards voice, almost panicked as they whispered into her cell. "Psst.. hey, wake up. Come on ye farkin celestial, get up. " Ariana laid still as death to their vocal provocation. "rubbish. Come on, get up!" the voices spoke more urgently now, although their voices still in strained whispers.

"So are you two farkin morons dead?" the strong man's voice came in cold questioning as his footsteps seemed to stop just outside the cell.

"I... well... we... are sure she isn't dead. We haven't touched her, boss. She was in here moving from a bit ago. It's hard to- " his fearful words were cut short by a choking sound. Ariana shivered against the stones, a mixture of cold and fear sinking into her at the sound.

"Boss! Boss! She's got to be alive! Look, she's shivering. I... Look! See, there!. Come'n boss! Look!" the other guard's voice sounded desperate as if he knew he was next.

The choking sound continued for ten more seconds before the sound of a loud, ringing thud of what sounded like weighted armor hitting the stone floor. Ariana could hear the guard gasping for air and moaning as he tried to fill his burning lungs with oxygen. She felt as if her own lungs were burning at the sounds of his struggle to breathe. She whimpered, shifting and squirming slightly as if she sought escape.

She heard a set of iron keys and then the cell door creaking open. She looked towards the door at the sound, kicking with her feet against the stone as she pressed her back firmly against the back wall. The torchlight came closer, with two figures silhouetted in its flickering glow. The guard who was holding the torch, looked pale and giving glances back to the other guard who still was wheezing outside the cell. The boss crouched next to her as her pale blue eyes looked up at him, doing her best to push the fear down that threatened to flood her.

"Lady Lenoir. " he reached up, tipping his brimmed hat to her. "I'm relieved that's you're alive. It would have made my job near to impossible to complete otherwise. We will be sending word to Duke Lenoir with the demands for your life. "

Ariana slowly sat up to face him, "What demands?"

"Consider it a formal request for an arranged marriage, " he said, still crouched before her.

"Never. My father will never agree to this blackmail and such a marriage will never last the courts. The King will have you all beheaded for this, " she spat at him.

He reached up, casually wiping the spit from his cheek and brought his face in close to hers. "His refusal would be most unfortunate for you."

"My father will never agree. " she glared at him.

"For your sake, I hope you're wrong." he said, his steel gray eyes focused on hers. He stood and left the cell. "She may try and kill herself, so for Hythloth's sake keep a farkin eye on her this time, " he said as he walked down the corridor as the cell door was locked securely behind him.

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Ariana Lenoir · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject:

Ariana shifted in and out of consciousness over the next few days. No food or water was provided and she her thirst grew so great that she resorted to licking the stones like an animal. Her lips became so dry and cracked that she even began pushing them into the noxious slime to self-medicate in order to relieve the pain. The little moisture she did get did little to quench her thirst and only made her nauseous as the reeking smell of decay clung to her bleeding lips.

She thought about committing suicide. It would have been the right thing to do as it would have relieved her father of this difficult decision. Some part of her hoped that she would make it out of this alive. Her father would come for her, or the King. Someone would rescue her soon and she just had to survive until then. As much as she tried to rationalize good reasons to not commit suicide, she knew the real reason was she was scared to ever go through with it. Some selfish part of her refused to believe that this should be the end of her life at only sixteen.

The conversations of different guards drifted into her thoughts and dreams as the real world wavered from exhaustion and dehydration.

"Should we get her something to eat and drink? She doesn't look too good"
"She's a court-raised. Boss says time without food or drink might make her more agreeable. "

"You still alive, slanty-eyes?" as small pebbles landed hard on the back.

"Boss says Lord Balthroy said not to damage her in a way his son would be unable to take her to his bed."
"How's he gonna manage that?"
"Who knows, but I wouldn't want to be in her shoes when he does. Remember, what happened to Willks? I still have nightmares about it."

"Look, she's licking the stones!"
Laughter followed by, "Told you them celestials aren't no smarter than dogs."

"Hey, Bill! Just heard a rider came in with word from the Duke."
"Any word on what the response was?"
"Well the rider was staked to his saddle and didn't have a head..."

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Ariana Lenoir · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject:

[[OOC: This next part is written from Phaidra's perspective and is what was happening at the same time as Ariana's memories so far. A bit confusing, but I figure be easier to just do them both at the same time to help match up what happened when for chronological order. For the sake of simplicity, it will just be a random memory for Phaidra. Any questions, please PM. Sorry for the confusion. ]]

Phaidra wheeled the mare suddenly to turn and look behind her. Shiori was coming up on her fast, slapping the reigns against the horse's neck as Takai held on tightly against her chest. Phaidra turned the horse in a tight circle to keep it from bolting as Shiori and her twin brother raced past her towards home. She looked beyond the field and saw Ariana just as the horde came over the crest of the hill. Ariana straightened her horse, giving it full rein and the scene unfolding in a pinwheel of images as Phaidra kept turning the horse. "Come on... come on, hurry..., " Phaidra whispered, quietly cheering on her older sister as Ariana sped towards her. A movement caught her eyes as the fading light reflected off the barbed oily tips of arrows as a line of archers drew back their compound bows. Ariana screamed as their eyes met, "GO!!" A seconds later, the archers released their grip sending a flurry of arrows towards Ariana. Her horse went down as Ariana flew into the long grass. Phaidra wheeled her horse, sending it into flight trusting the horse to steer itself as she gave a final look back. Her sister was moving, but then she suddenly stopped. A second of silence later and then fire erupted in a line across the meadow as if a dragon had spewed fire upon it. Black smoke poured into the sky, obscuring all sight of her older sister. Phaidra turned her head, leaning into the saddle as the horse continued its frightened pursuit expedited in its urgency by the smell of smoke on the wind.

Phaidra sped into the large courtyard as several of her father's guards raced over to grab the reins of the horse and slow it. Phaidra jumped off as soon as the reins were in their hands, stumbling painfully to the ground and ran towards her father. Her brother was in her mother's arms with Shiori close by looking frightened, but unhurt. Her father was speaking to the Captain Brandon Mendosa and Qui Xu as the stable boys quickly saddled the warhorses in preparation. Hey father turned to her as he saw her, "Phaidra, thank the Gods!" He knelt as she threw herself into his arms, clinging to him tightly. "Where is Ariana?" Phaidra pulled back and shook her head, her eyes beginning to well with tears.

"What did you see?" her father asked urgently. Phaidra repeated all she had seen of her sister those last moments. He put her down and stood, looking to Shiori, "There were no crests o' flags o' any kind?"

"None, my Duke. They seemed purposed in their pursuit as if they knew exactly where we were going to be, " Shiori replied, dropping her eyes to the ground as if in reverence of him.

He frowned and turned to Phaidra, placing his hand on her back and pushing her gently towards the three. "Go, Phaidra."

"I want to ride with you, Father. "she argued.

"No Phaidra!" he snapped and then softened his voice as he saw the pain in her eyes at the sharpness of his tongue, "I need ye'ta watch o'er the family. Ye mus' protect them while I am gone."

She nodded with a serious expression, "Yes, father, " and went obediently over to them. She stood in front of them, her chin lifted high as she watched the readied warhorses being led into the courtyard.. She watched her father mount his favorite roan stallion as a stable boy held the reins as the captain and a dozen other men did the same with their nervous steeds. He pulled back on the reins sharply, causing the stallion to rear and kick its front feet, raking the sky as the last dim rays of light fled the darkening sky.

"Move out! " he yelled and with a forward thrust of his arm he charged out of the courtyard with the men close behind him. Qui Xu was yelling at his own small group of men, "Kinasai! Isoginasai!" They quickly followed him to the stable to get the messenger's horses ready to take flight to the other nearby estates to give warning. While Shiori was a nursemaid and managed the family's home and personal needs, Qui Xu was in charge of the day to day tasks outside of the home. He handled over three dozen of the family's workers. She listened to him shout as the horses drew ready and the messenger's mounted and took off. He then started pointing out most of the lower skilled workers, ordering them down to the fields to begin clearing a firebreak in case the grass fire headed the direction.

"Phaidra. We need to go inside... " her mother whispered. Phaidra looked up at her mother's ashen face, opened her mouth to protest, but reluctantly nodded. She retrieved her kryss from her bedroom, donned her chainmail and joined the rest of the family. Although her armor was custom made for her eight year old stature, it provided little comfort as Phaidra paced anxiously. The family spent the night together near the hearth. Its warmth did little to calm the cold-blooded fear coursing through their hearts as the night passed without word of the Duke or Ariana.

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Dawn brought more of the same silence. Phaidra hadn't slept and her lack of sleep was evident in her slight stumbles and zombie-like stare as she continued her slow, faithful paces. Takai was asleep on the floor near the fireplace and mother was dozing in one of the reading chair, a look of discomfort, marring the beauty of her face even in slumber. Shiori looked up at her, breaking her eyes from the needlepoint that had born her attention for the last hour. "Phaidra.. come to the kitchen. I will make you something to eat, "Shiori said quietly.

"I... can't." her jaw stiffened as she tried to hide the yawn that crept up. "Father said to guard you and I won't disobey his order."

"You can not keep us safe if you do not eat. Without energy, your body can not act and without acting you can not defend us, " the older woman said. "Is there not truth in what I say?" Phaidra paused in her steps and looked at her nani'. Shiori saw the battle in the young girl's eyes and quickly followed up with, "I will go and bring it back to you if you will eat it, youngling." Phaidra nodded at the solution as she once more began to pace, periodically stopping by the curtains and peering outside into the bustling courtyard.

Shiori returned from the kitchen a short while later with a bowl of sticky rice, fried eggs, onions and forest mushrooms. Phaidra ate as she paced, fearing should she stop moving that her body would fall into slumber.

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Morning gave way until early afternoon when a ruckus of shouts and commotion arose from outside the home. Phaidra was the first to the window, "Father!" she cried out as she saw him in the courtyard. Her mother came to stand next to her as they both scanned the faces for Ariana to no avail. Phaidra turned to race out towards the front door when her mother's voice stopped her. "Shiori. Take Phaidra and Takai to their rooms while I speak with the Duke. " Shiori bowed and began to usher the twins upstairs much to Phaidra's loud protests. She left Phaidra in her room as she took Takai to his chambers. Phaidra sneaked back out and made her way to the banister She hid her eavesdropping silhouette behind one of the large posts and watched.

His armor had been already removed and sweat and grime laced his jerkin and trousers from the night's travels. "Ariana?" asked her mother quietly as she approached him with hands clasped. Her father shook his head. Her mother began to cry into her palms as her father put his arm around her. "We dinnae find any trace o' her where we think the fire began. Nay bones or body. We found the hoof prints o' the men Shiori spoke of an' we believe they took her. We followed the tracks most o' the night an' they led us t'Baron Anelbraesh's holdings. We sent a rider to secure passage through t'continue our pursuit an' were denied." His free hand clenched in anger, "He refused to yield t'my request, claiming th't he must 'ave His Majesty's personal approval on my pursuit. He knows I hold the King's favor an' yet he seeks t'delay me in retrieving my daughter t'what purpose I do nay know. I 'ave dispatched a rider t'the Winter Court immediately an' another t'the path they normally take if'n they 'ave nay arrived yet. Soon as we 'ave his seal on this matter we shall continue an' I will make sure t'at the Baron pays harshly for this." He turned and walked to the hearth, his arms shaking with an inner rage.

"At least there is still hope that she remains alive, " her mother spoke softly as she quietly approached him.

"Wouldn't th'at she were. She should 'ave killed herself for the amount o' trouble an' hardship th't this will cost us in her return, " he snapped angrily, pounding the large stones of the hearth once with his fist.

A harsh whisper bit at Phaidra's ear, “Phaidra!” Phaidra turned and looked into Shiori's eyes and at her insistent finger pointing to her room. She scowled, but went obediently to her room where the door was shut behind her and quickly locked.

Unseen and unheard by Phaidra, the scene continued to play out. “Cameron.., “ her mother choked out before her body began to crumble to the ground as tears streamed down her pale cheeks.

“Sakura!” he exclaimed as he rushed to kneel next to her, his strong arms pulling her against him. “I am sorry... ye know I dinnae' mean it. I am jus' angry right now.. I love Ari.. I do.” He kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair with one hand. “Shh... I dinnae' mean it... I'll do everythin' I can t'get 'er back nay matter w'at... I promise ye... I promise ye... Shh...” Time seemed to stand still as the two clung to one another in their shared grief as her soft weeping filled the room.

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Several days passed by without any word from Ariana's kidnappers. The riders sent to find the King were not expected back for another couple days. The tension in the home palatable and even the horses seemed to partake in it as they reared and stamped their hooves anxiously in their stalls.

On the fourth afternoon since the abduction, a rider appeared and the tower guards shouted out his approach. He stopped just outside of arrow range and waved a white cloth in slow, billowing arcs above his head. The duke shouted to give him safe passage into the courtyard and the message was passed on. He nudged his horse forward, a half dozen archers keeping their arrow points trained on him in unwavering dedication. The Duke was waiting for him as he came in, fully dressed in his formal armor and his vorpal kryss, “Leech” hung at his side. His chiseled features were emotionless and the very image of power as he waited for the messenger.

The man was dirty and unkempt, resembling a brigand rather than one who was part of an army. His armor and mount spoke volumes in contrast. The mare was tone and well-fed with a fine calvary saddle and bridle on her. His armor was studded leather, tanned and dyed to match the dark, foreboding clouds that loomed on the horizon as a storm approached from the north. His attire and equipment weren't what a brigand might carry, but rather what might have been bestowed by some wealthy noble to his guards. His lack of cleanliness and grooming, told the Duke he was hired by one and not a man who found his regular employ in such a structured atmosphere as a soldier.

The man dismounted his horse and approached the Duke, with only a single nervous glance to the large circle of guards standing with cold, hateful expressions. He stopped about five paces away and swept into a formal, but clumsy bow. “Duke Lenoir. I bear a message and the confirmation that your daughter still lives.”

The Duke's face remained emotionless and the lack of emotion in his voice only emphasized that further, “Speak.”

The messenger righted himself and spoke, “Your daughter remains alive and relatively unharmed at the moment. You are to send your written permission with the king's seal indicating his agreement as well for the marriage of Lady Lenoir to Lord Balthroy's oldest son. The document must be witnessed by three other nobles whom hold titles and land to insure it will remain valid after the ceremony. Included in the document shall be the affirmation that she will remain your heir and any offspring from the holy union will be accepted as of the House Lenoir and entitled to all rank, privilege and financial support thereof. A gift of 1/6 of your land will be given to House Balthroy as a gesture of good faith and support of the marriage.”

“An' if'n I do nay agree t'this blackmail by Lord Balthroy?” he said, still looking unmoved.

“I was instructed to tell you that should such an unfortunate choice be made, that further encouragement will be sent to help persuade you in making the right decision. Lord Balthroy has only instructed that your daughter must remain alive although what condition she does so... is left at our personal discretion, “ he said as a cold, thin smile crossed his lips.

“I will need a moment to consider, “ the Duke said. He turned without waiting on a response, unconcerned. He walked a short distance away with the captain and several other high-ranking officials. His wife and children remained out of the negotiations as they watched behind curtains from inside the home. The group of men spoke in hushed tones, their faces unreadable as they kept their backs to the messenger.

Captain Mendosa said, “You can not allow this my liege. Agreement to this would not only undermine your own power, but those of the King in the eyes of the other Lords. Blackmail must never be given quarter.”

“Other thoughts, “ the Duke said, his eyes kept on the ground as he listened.

Lieutenant Gaiden spoke, “She is your eldest daughter, but we all must make sacrifices for the greater good. Blackmail and evilness can not be allowed to dictate our actions or that of our King. We should seek to get her back, by force if needed, but we should not give into the demands.”

The other men nodded in agreement, each of their faces solemn as if they knew the grave decision that lay in the Duke's hands. The Duke nodded and turned back around. His face the picture of strength and pride as he strode toward the waiting messenger. With only a slight nod, several men rushed forward, grabbing the messenger and forcing him to his knees.

The man struggled as he looked up at the Duke. He murmured somewhat, “You promised safe passage. You will dishonor yourself with your own words.”

The Duke leaned over, “I guaranteed ye safe passage int'the courtyard an' ne'er said t'would be extended while ye were in it or at yer leaving.”

“I am only a messenger, Duke Lenoir. Do not take your wrath out on me, “ the man stammered.

“I want ye only t'deliver a message in return t'those holding my daughter captive, “ the duke spoke, his eyes unreadable. He turned around walking back a pace from the man.

“Yes... Yes... I can do that... be happy to... what is the message?” the man quickly asked as he looked down a moment.

The messenger looked back up, his eyes barely having a chance to widen at the glint of metal came streaking down towards him. His head rolled onto the ground, severed by the vorpal blade that was gripped in the Duke's hand. “Stake him firmly to the saddle to insure he... delivers... my message. Place the head on a pike outside the gates t'let the men know t'at blackmail will nay be tolerated... nay matter w'at the cost.”

“Yes, my Duke It will be done, “one guard said as they pulled the messenger's body away, crimson lifeblood spurting onto the dry, dusty ground.

The Duke placed his foot on the severed head as if to brace it as he wiped the blood from his kryss in two quick motions on its hair. Sheathing it at his side and lifting his foot, he spoke to the Captain, “I want one of my shadows t'follow the horse. Nay doubt the messenger was escorted and they will be waiting on his return further down the road. I want the location o' my daughter.”

“The path may take us through Baron Anelbraesh's holdings, my Duke. We have not gotten the King's permission on the pursuit yet, ” Captain Mendosa spoke in a harsh whisper.

“That is why it is one of my shadows an' nay myself. He is t'follow an' report back immediately. Nay action is t'be taken by him nay matter what he witnesses, “ the Duke said.

“Your will be done, my Duke, “ he said as he bowed and began barking orders to the men. The Duke turned in time to see the men hoisting the dead weight of the messenger's body up on the back of wide-eyed horse. Above him, Phaidra sat quietly at the window behind the curtain witnessing what just had happened. The cool breeze from the approaching storm pushing through the tiny opening of the window she had quietly managed to wiggle in an effort to listen. She sat unmoving and emotionless as her father as they drove several metal stakes into the man's body and deep into the thick, hard leather of the bloody saddle.

Sabine Braoin · Visitor Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 12

She slept soundly snuggled deep betwixt the covers. The chill of an unnaturally early fall evening slipping through the cracks of the closed shutters in the room, a gentle fire flickering softly within the rooms hearth. A soft glow cast upon the stone walls as a faint shadow crept across the room.

The keep was silent and minimally occupied as many of it's usual residents had ventured home for the winter season or were traveling with the court. This time of year the keep was mostly vacant and staff and residents were minimal. Many having the option of spending the upcoming season at home, or were traveling with the royal family. Sabine was sent ahead to prepare for the arrival of the royal family and the Winter Court. Since the Winter Court was not yet in session, services were at a minimum. Some of the staff had remained of course, to cover the necessities or in preparation for the royal families arrival.

She woke with a start, a sharp pain radiating from her cheek. Before being able to regain her senses from her slumber her covers were thrown off of her, and her hands held firmly behind her back. A vile odor penetrated her nose as a slimy tongue ran across her cheek. "If you struggle, you die" it spoke, a dark raspy voice growled in her ear, his hot breath sliding eerily across her ear.

She yelped as she was yanked from the bed, her arms and legs quickly bound as a sack was shoved down over her head. Darkness enveloped her as the sack enveloped her entire body, only a modicum of sound could be heard as she felt herself slung over a shoulder and taken from the keep.

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Days of travel, only a moment of rest as she was doused with water in the hopes of keeping her alive. There was no discussion, not chatter as the lone horseman traveled back across the plains to wherever his destination lie.

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An announcement horn was sounded as the rider approached the gates of their destination. With no release from the darkness she felt herself being hefted from the horse to which she had been tied, and dragged across the stony floor. A loud screech of metal and wood before she felt the end of the bag encasing her was released, only a moment before the the screech could be heard again, followed by the footsteps of her captor walking away down the hall.

She inched her way out from the sack only to find a slightly larger arena of captivity. A dimly lit cell with a hefty wooden door. A small plate of what appeared to be food slid just inside the door. Rolling onto her back she slipped her bound feet between her arms bringing them to her front. She ate, hands still bound, and disgusted by the taste, but with the realization that she'll need to keep her strength up for whatever might be to come.

Laying the sack quietly in the corner of the cell, away from the door, she curled up, a single tear running down her cheek as she quickly fell asleep from exhaustion.

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