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Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

*5-6 years ago, Sosarian time table*

The wagon wheels rolled on, stopping at night to entertain and to garner the gold. Gypsy life could be hard, but rewarding. And for Laramie, it was all she had ever known. Tucked up with her sewing kits and her ingots she stayed out of sight and out of mind. The daughter of gypsies, she was born on the road and stability only existed in the music and the mud it drifted over.

Content to remain hidden, her auburn hair bent over the latest piece of needlework, she jumped as Nedera rounded the corner.

"We can'no do this wit'out ya, Lara. Saylle 'as te sickness." Deep blue eyes stared at her as if some duty, some well worn title were falling to her. The tightening of the knot in her stomach assured her that was the case.

"I... I... can't. I'm no good at.. at.. at.. that." backing up and off the stool she headed for the nearest corner as if the predatory gaze of Nedera would ease up.

"Yea' ya can girl. And you will! Yur clan needs ya."

"It's been years though."

"Jus' like moldin' te clay." Nedera was insistent, her hand outstretched now with 7 multi-colored veils. "Take it girl."

Sighing tightly, Laramie grabbed the silken material and headed to change. Goddess help her.

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

Korin wandered into the Gypsy camp. Looking for two things a drink and a fight. It had been over a month since Ciara had told him she would not marry him. It had been just as long since he had been sober. Korin was hell bent on a self destructive path.

As Korin was enjoying the food and drink the gypsy's openly offered him he sized up the group looking for the strongest and meanest, to pick a fight with.

Most of the lanterns were shuttered and Candles were placed out in a clearing. Korin turned to see what was going on next. The music started the melody was soft but with a strong beat. Korin watched as a woman dressed in multi colored shear fabric stood at the edge of the clearing. Korin watched as someone pushed her out into the clearing. She began to dance, reluctantly at first. It was not her dancing at first that grabbed Korin's attention it was her eyes. for that was all that was not covered by the fabric.

As the dance went on slowly piece by piece the veils came off. Korin was bewitched. Her movements were fluid and graceful. Each serving a purpose in the dance. Korin watched as all but the last veil was dropped. It did little to hide her body under it.

Korin sat perfectly still. He watched her every move, He watched as her body told one story, yet her eyes told a different one. There was something in the way she moved. She seemed to float across the ground as she danced as if thousand of fireflies held her suspended.

As the music stopped and the young woman ran from the clearing clutching the one thin veil that covered her. Korin had one thought in his head. Jumping up he tried to keep his eyes on her as he circled around the camp. when he saw where she went He waited. An hour later she amerged from the tent dress completely.

Korin walked up to her and with a deep bow "That was beautiful."

Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

Her heart slammed into her ribs at the sound. Had it not been for his words, with her head down she would have run right into him.

“Th... Th.. thank you.” She tried to push past him but he grabbed a light hold on her arm and spun her round. He released her as she settled refacing him.

“For someone who normally does not dance that, you did really well.” A tinge of amusement lit up his blue eyes and she felt herself staring into the limitless orbs. Snapping back she got a grip on herself, or tried to.

“How d.. do you know I don't do that n.. n.. normally?” Her hands holding fastidiously to a smith's hammer she had pulled from a chest for her next round of work, twisted and clutched tighter.

“Your reluctance to enter the clearing.” Soft and casual his tone glided over her as if trying to ease her nerves even the slightest.

“I'm n... not very good at it.”

“I just said you did beautifully. Seems to me beautiful would be very good.” His mouth upturned then spreading across his face.

She wasn't used to compliments. And she wasn't used to that dazzling smile that seemed to come so naturally to him. Drifting towards him as if caught in some line of moving grass she stared. Her eyes remained locked on his. She should have minded the forcefulness of turning her back round. She should have minded someone knowing who she was outside of those veils. But she didn't.

Instead she found herself stock still and locked within a foot of the handsome stranger.

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

Korin looks deeply into those deep brown eyes. For what seems like hours they just stood. Their eyes locked on each other, Korin finally broke the silence between them.

“You are beautiful, what I meant to say is that the dance was beautiful.” Korin felt as if his tongue had tied itself into knots. He smiled at her again “I will see you around brown eyes.” With that he walked back to the gathering taking a seat amongst the others. He kept stealing glaces back to where she was.

Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

Evenings chill set in far too quickly that evening. She'd tried to keep her distance from the fire and from him. But every passing moment only succeeded in the opposite. The crisp scent of night's embrace filtered through her nostrils. Intoxicating and sweet it only enraged the natural itch in her palms after sunset. The Ingrained fibers of nocturnal musings helping to kick the door of her inhibitions down.

Do you know what you're doing? Chiding herself she bickered internally. No, but I can't seem to stop it either.

From across the fire blue eyes stole glances in her direction as they had been all night. Locking and holding her own deep brown in their clasp he tilted his head to the seat next to him, now empty as it's occupant went off with a very inebriated Nedera. A slow smile crept across her face as she accepted.

As a rule, Laramie ran from men. A product of the gypsy life, the last thing she wanted was to put herself in the position where history would repeat itself. And yet here she was. The low throb of her pulse in her throat made her acutely aware of the bare inch between them.

In that small space of time, Laramie was sure of three things. She was sure that whatever he asked her for right now he would get. She was sure there was an equal amount of pull for her on his side. And she was sure that all hell was about to break loose.

He didn't have to say a word. A fact alone that sent her reeling. He was just as glad she had come over to him as she was. Blue on Brown, the eyes said it all.

Grazing his considerably colder hand across the top of her warm one, all three of those assumptions were proven right. Fire met ice as their hands joined.

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

As blue eyes and brown eyes remained locked, no words where spoken. There did not seem to be a need. Everything that needed saying was said wordlesslly.

As Korin brushed her hand with his. He felt a warmpth like never before. It was not a burning that radiated up his arm and into his chest. But a warm tingle.

Looking deep into those brown eyes Korin knew that she was his for the taking, all he had to do was ask. But as much as her dance had stirred that fire in him. Korin did not want to spoil the moment. So they spent most of the night sitting by the dying fire talking a little but mostly staring deeply into each others eye's.

As the first light of dawn started to creep up over the mountians, and the fire was just a pile of glowing coals. Korin stretched, stood took her by the hand. He led her over to a log closer to the fire. Korin sat down with his back to the log. Putting his arm around her as she sat they snuggled down to watch the last of the fire dye out.

Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

Her hair smelled of oak and ash. His arm tight around her, crossing from her shoulder to hip, she leaned her head back against his chest. The top of her head rested at the very bottom of the crook of his neck and her hand gripped lightly on his wrist. The simple gesture of just sitting in each others arms ran deeper than anything she could have imagined.

There was a quiet strength by his side. It was a peace that Laramie had never felt before. Placing a hand on his leg she pushed herself up. Letting her calloused feet stroke the heated remains of the fire she drew pictures in the ash. Toes light and graceful, it was a movement she had done many many times when no one was looking but had never done in front of an audience.

Korin's hand remained on the small of her back as she continued to sway too and fro, her feet pushing and pulling at the ash. Finally her movements became still and her head lifted up to return her brown eyes to his blue.

Her voice soft she broke the silence. “Would you like to see the rest of camp?”

The lazy smile that had etched itself across his face all night crept up again as he answered. “Yes. I would.”

A small nod of her head in response was all that was needed. He took her hand in his threading his fingers through hers. Gently and with purpose he let her direct. There was no jockey for control of the conversation, and there was no power struggle. It was an easy give and take as one by one the sights and sounds of her people were outlined and fleshed out into more than just names.

By mid afternoon he knew that this was not the first time her people had been through this particular part of Ilshenar. She had divulged it as being the third such trip when she introduced him to -her- tree. A gigantic sycamore that stood alone in a clearing, she loving referred to him as Terscal. His eyes remained on her as she reached out to touch the bark, her own brown being half covered by her pale lids. His hand still wrapped with hers the energy pulsed through them both then, a tingling shockwave of nature.

Reopening her eyes she turned just in time to catch the slightest glimpse of awe on his face and she felt herself blush, the heat rising through her cheeks. So many things she dared never show another living soul, she was showing to him with no discernible reason as to why. Only that it felt right.

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

Even sitting under the shade of her tree it got warm. As they passed the day talking back and forth about first her people then his. Korin had removed his robe and at some point removed his chest piece. She had given him a lecture on wearing a padded shirt under the metal to keep it from rubbing. She had told him she would make him one when he had told her that his had worn out.

Korin lay on his back his hands behind his head listening to her talk. He watched her mouth as it moved. She was kneeling beside him her back side resting on her heels. She reached out and touched the brands on Korins chest her eyes questioning. Korin explained to her that he had had that done to himself. Causing ones self pain seemed a strange concept to her.

Korin was in the middle of telling her about the ways of his people, when out of the blue she leaned down and kissed him. Warm lips against cold ones. The contact between them was very brief but the sparks it ignited between them, would last.

Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

Soft. That's what he was with her. Tender and gentle she felt his hand reach up and brush the hair off her face as she pulled back from their kiss. For a warrior such as he was, it amazed her the level of compassion he showed her. Compassion that he had failed to show himself, proof of which she let her fingers trace on his chest. She didn't know if it was that contrast that had urged her forward or the way he looked at her but slowly and surely she laid down against the tree, her head in the crook and her arm around him.

Stonegate. That was the name of his home. A valley of warriors set in the middle of snow. He spoke of the people there with a gleam in his eye. A gleam he would now occasionally turn her way as he planted small kisses on her forehead.

Before they knew it the sun had begun to fade lazily behind the hills. Soft laughter, smiles and ease had her inviting him back to her tent. She had promised new armor and she was going to deliver. Not once since she had set down on that log had he stopped touching in some form, be it a hand or his lips, and the walk back to the light blue of her tent was no exception.

Quietly they entered and she finally let go long enough to light the candles, the light illuminating both her costume from the night before as it hung to the left and her equipment scattered on the right. Nervously she ran her hands through her skirts and reached to pick up the tools.

“I.. I..I'm sorry. I wasn't going to be having..c...c...company.” Stuttering once more she closed her eyes and silently chided herself. She hadn't done that all day. The words had flown easily and unhindered. He had seen her clan, her camp and her tree. Why was this a big deal? It was only her workspace!

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

Korin watched her as she moved around the tent trying unsuccessfully to tidy up. Korin smiled as she apologized for the mess. In his mind he was thinking this place is clean compared to my house. As she came close to him and bend to pick something up Korin gently took her arm. As she looked up at him, and their eyes locked. Korin pulled her to a standing position.

Looking deeply into her eyes he smiled as he spoke. "Its really not that messy." He leaned in closer to her. Slipping his arm around her waist he pulled her closer to him. As they stood staring into each others eyes, Korin reached back and pulled the flap of the tent closed.

In the early morning hours, as light was just breaking the crest of the mountains. Korin removed himself from the entangle of arms and legs and blankets. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. A smile crept across her face. Korin slipped on his robe and eased out of the tent.

Korin walked a short ways into the forest. finding a small pool of clear water. Dipping his hand into it the cold water bringing almost instant relief. He slipped out of his robe and stepped into the pool, He sang down up to his chin in the cold water.

As he sat in the pool soaking up the cold water, his mind replayed the invents of the past few days. A smile crossed his face, He reliezed that for the first time in a long time he was truely happy. But as he sat in the water, thoughts entered his mind. How would she fit in, in Stonegate? She was not a warrior. How would she handle the cold? Could he honestly say he would not make the same mistake he had made with Ciara?

Korin stayed in the pool until his mind hurt. He had absorbed all the cold the pool would provide for him. He dressed in his robe and headed back to her tent. She stirred as he was getting dressed.

Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

It had been awhile since Laramie had slept in. Normally there was just too much to do. Her head still on the pillow with her dark auburn hair fanned out around her she turned from her position on her stomach to look at him. He pulled on his boots and stared down at her. Leaning in he put his knuckles on the tangle of covers and kissed her cheek softly.

Sitting down beside her he ran a hand through his wet hair exposing his pointed ears. Clutching the blankets to her she sat up and let her fingers play across the pale blue point. It was a sweet gesture, curious and exploring.

Smiling she pulled back gently and as best she could she shifted the blankets with her in an upward motion heading for her own clothes. She felt her skin flush as she layered the fabric for he didn't take his eyes off her once.

"You had never..." He let his words trail off.

"No. I hadn't." She answered quietly, confirming his suspicion. She saw the weight of her innocence settle fully on his shoulders and the way the light in his eyes seemed to dim. A gift, she thought. Mine to do with as I wish.

She could have sworn he whispered, Why me. And whether he actually had uttered the words or not, she answered. "It was right."

He must have been satisfied because he gave a polite nod and let the matter drop.

Dressing complete, she smoothed the peach blouse into the tan skirt and pinned her auburn hair back into a ponytail.

"I promised you some new padding and armor." And once again their eyes locked. They had done that so many times since meeting. And every time a jolt ran through her knocking the breath out of her and leaving her dazed and forgetting whatever subject she was on.

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

Korin sat beside her, running his fingers thur his wet hair. His eyes could not leave her when he was in her presence. Her beauty was even more so this morning as she struggled with covering herself with the blankets as she sat up. When she reached up and caressed his ear, Korin could feel the warmpth of her touch against his skin.

As he turned to stare into those brown eyes yet again. Korin saw something there that had not been before. As he studied her face he noticed a certain glow to her complextion.

As she stood and wrapped herself in the blanket, Korin could not take his eyes from her. With her back to him she let the blanket fall and began to dress.

Before he had even thought of what he was asking korin spoke in a soft voice "you have never....." He let the rest of the sentence trail off when she turned around. He had not thought that statement completely through.

"No I haven't" came her reply softly.

Korin tried so very hard to block any emotions from his face. But inside Korin felt as if he had just been hit with a hammer.

He felt like a child who had just cut the prefect rose off his mothers rose bush. And knew what he had done could never be replaced.

She must have read it in his eyes for not a word crossed his lips but his mind was asking "Why me?"

with a smile she said "it was right."

Korin closed his eyes and nodded his head he was affraid to speak.

Korin d'Rue · Journeyman Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 166

The Two weeks Korin had spent with Laramie had him running on a high. but the last two days Korin had come to relize something. Even though they could not get enough of each other. They spent almost all awake moments together. There was going to come a time when things would go wrong.

Korin was getting restless in the Gypsy camp, it was warm there and Korins late night swims where not helping much anymore. He found himself pulling at anything near to get the cold energy he needed for his body.

He sat on the ground, his back resting against Laramie's legs. They were listening to a story teller tell the same story she had told three nights ago. Korin marveled at how the little kids gathered around her and listened intently. They owww and ahhhed in the right spots and even where friengthed at the right time. Even though he was sure they had heard that same story countless times.

A small tug of his hair brought him back to what was going on around him. Laramie probally bored with the story she had heard many times before sat behind him quietly braiding a small section of Korins hair. Korin turned as best he could and shot her a smile.

As much as he had tried to hide his feelings from her he could sense that she knew something was wrong. As the night wore on and people in small family groups or couples started to make their way to tents. Korin turned and raised up on his knees he looked up into Laramie's eyes and smiled. Then he placed his head in her lap. a single tear ran down his cheek as she sat and ran her fingers through his hair. At last they themselves returned to her tent and closed the flap. Blew out the candle.

It had only been two or three hours since she had fallen asleep. Korin dressed as quietly as he could. He leaned down and placed a letter on his pillow then pulled his dagger and reached up. He cut the thin braid out of his hair and laid it on the note. With a tear in his eye he leaned over and kissed laramie's cheek. He slipped from the tent in the middle of the night looking back only once as he made his way out of camp.

"Good bye Brown eyes." He whispered as he turned and faded into the darkness on the outskirts of the camp.

The Note read as follows
(The note has some water spots on it and some of the ink is smeared in places)

My Dearest Brown eyes,
It is with heavy heart that I write this. The past days with you have been wonderful. And I truely have fallen in love with you. But we both know that we come from different parts of this land.

It would not be fair of me to ask you to move to a place which I know you would not enjoy. Just as it would not of you to ask me to stay. I have given thought to taking you away someplace else and starting a new life with you just you and I. But atlast I can not abandom my family like that. You are the sweetest woman I have ever met. I would not want to be the one to cause you to change that. If you were to move with me that is what would happen to you.

I guess what I am saying that in order to protect you mainly from me. I am leaving while I still can. This is one of the hardest choices I have had to make. I feel that in time you will get over the hurt I caused you and you will have a great life.

Brown eyes I have left you with a piece of my hair so in years to come you can look back on it and remember me.

Love always
Korin d'Rue

Laramie Royce · Adventurer Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 28

Right where he had left it, the letter and the braid sat. They had been moved only once when she had picked them up simultaneously to read the note. Silent and heavy the tears fell. She sat at the stone table letting the emotional curtain rain silently. His blue eyes had been dim the last few days and, even more so, dark the last few days. She -knew- this was coming.

Somehow knowing that didn't make the actual happening any easier.

"You are the sweetest woman I have ever met. I would not want to be the one to cause you to change that. If you were to move with me that is what would happen to you. "

He had changed her, in the best possible way. He had brought her to life. Korin had given her confidence, faith in herself, and faith in others. All of which were almost impossible to come by in the life she had grown up in.

"I guess what I am saying is that in order to protect you mainly from me."

Those words echoed most of all. He left to protect her heart from the one thing it had realized it wanted. Carefully and quietly she folded the braid into the letter and placed it within her pocket. With a heavy sigh Laramie wiped the tears with the back of her hand and got up. Opening the tent flap she felt the May Breeze caress her face, sending the few tendrils of red that had escaped to billow upward slightly.

Three months later protecting her from him would be impossible.