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“Miss… do you not think it a bit cold out to be attending your usual fare? And at this hour no less?” Spoke a deep, stern voice of a fairly sizable Rhino to a much smaller figure several paces ahead who hid behind a hooded robe, exposing nothing to the cool elements, as opposed to her large manservant who wore an insulated suit with exposed head and hands. However, he was not a standard manservant, as he bore a large battleaxe strapped to his back, and the suit was more casualwear than anything.
A voice that held deep wisdom and depth to it came from the smaller figure, but in spite of the seriousness of the tone, it still did not sound like that of an adult. “Bruun… you are my vassal. And as such, I would expect you not to question my authority.” The large rhino, an impressive six foot eight inches tall, winced a bit at her calling him by name. And that tone, of all things would send a chill to the very bone. But he immediately nodded in response, “Of… of course, Mistress… I only-“
“You only what, exactly? Were you, perhaps, concerned for my well-being?” Her tone was more venomous now as she turned to face him, the snow falling heavily around them and whiting their attire. Behind the darkness of the hood, a red smoky haze erupted from where the smaller figures eyes would be and the rhino turned nearly as white as the snow around them, shaking his head in violent denial. “N-N-N-No, Mistress! I… I was merely thinking… I mean to say… what I meant was…”
“SHUT. UP!” She commanded him angrily, lifting a hand and waving it through the air at the large rhino, who winced hard in fear as a fierce blast of air, sharp and strong enough to be visible to the naked eye, sliced right through his horn, shaving off even more than had already been missing. It fell to the ground and disappeared in the snow covering the ground around them. The air blade even blasted at his forehead, causing a small gash there, blood trickling down into his eyes. “I’d say you get another two of those before it’s all gone. Then… it’s that ugly head of yours.”, replied the girl with venom in her voice, arm lowering back to her side as she turned and began walking once more. The rhino’s eyes began to well with tears at what had transpired, as well as from the moderate pain now in his forehead, shaking lightly in fear of future screw-ups. It was a good ten seconds later before he finally realized she was moving on without him and hurried after, so as not to receive more reprimanding.
The two were traveling the white streets of Diomundus, Star of the North, and walking past the vast structures of crystal and magestone, mana swirling through the air visibly due to the density of it in the large mage capital city. It was late, however, and not many others traveled as they did, which made them stand out some. Or it would have, were a moderate blizzard not been passing through the city at that time. Something the smaller figure, Faline Moorbright, had been counting on, in truth. She was a well-known summoner, which would have been a thing of praise if it weren’t for her harsh demeanor and favoritism to the energies of darkness. Ever since the incident that had transpired in Pluvia some ten years ago, many had decided to no longer trust the dark magicks. It was a dangerous school of the tree, and always seemed to tie into trouble, especially in the hands of those with dark hearts. Needless to say, this made Faline quite unpopular with the city’s denizens.
Faline had lived in this city when her parents were yet alive, but after they passed, she inherited their estate. It was not long after that she brushed up on her magickal arts, an entire library’s worth of books on the subject littering many parts of her family home. At first, it just seemed a simple hobby, or interesting tale here and there. But as she put the spells into practice, she found she had a knack for it, namely the school of darkness. As the villagers found out about this, they, as well as the elder council, agreed to have her ejected from the city for good. Some had wanted her dead, but her clout kept the vote from leaning that way. Instead, her home was sold off and demolished, destroying any trace of it, and she was sent to a city near the base of the Wintershear Mountains and given a far smaller home with what was sold from the home she was raised in. She kept a few of her favorite magickal tomes, as well as one she found that was apparently to be a gift to her from her parents when she came of age, as a momento: one she keeps on her person at all times, concealing it within her robes.
Though the small child is only eight years of age, she seems far wiser than your standard mage, perhaps even rivaling that of one of the elder council. Even so, her skills would never be accepted due to her study of the dark magicks. Had anyone known it was her in the streets, she’d have surely been ejected once more, perhaps a bit more forcibly than the last time. However, her intentions here on this day were purely harmless; for the time being, at the very least. She had been seeking a particular ingredient that had been eluding her for the past few months, and it turned out that someone in the city had located it and sent her a secure, private message to inform her of it and to invite her back during this stormy day to retrieve it in person. Of course she’d considered the possibility of danger in accepting such an offer, and even heard the warning of her handful of vassals, such as poor Bruun at her back. Some were summoned creatures, but Bruun was the brother of her parents’ keeper. Bruun’s brother had perished along with the parents during a rather intense fight, the details of which were never revealed to Faline OR Bruun, but Bruun felt a responsibility to look after the young girl. Of course, he had never imagined taking on such a job would hold such… risk.
Bruun was not the timid creature he appeared now back when he met Faline, but she used him for her experiments and magickal trials, and punished him for some of the smallest things. The proud, strong rhino had been broken by the little girl in only a week’s time. Even her own summoned creatures would feel her wrath from time to time, and often far worse than what Bruun got. She cared not even if she killed one of her summoned creatures, as she could simply re-summon them. That having been said, however, she had a small familiar that she had summoned while still in her early stages practicing at home, one who never disappointed or disobeyed, and who was as a true friend to the girl. For this, the small, dark fey creature earned a spot on her shoulder or beneath her hood. Faline called her Sofia. The dark fairy was the only one that Faline ever truly confided in and showed even the smallest weakness around. But, even then, she was still stern and serious far more often than not.
The small fairy tapped at Faline’s shoulder gently, “Ummm… if I may…. Why would you go straight into a trap like this? I mean… you and I BOTH know it IS one…”
Faline spoke quietly back to the fairy so as not to allow Bruun to hear, “Because… they claim to have information on the sapphire lotus we need. It’s the first I’ve heard on it at all. So, even if it’s all just to draw me out into the open and is a total lie, then it’ll still be worth investigating. If they’re lying, then it’ll be one less person, or group for that matter, in my way… and, if it IS the truth… well… you know how we could benefit from that.” She said with a dark snicker, which the fairy smiled at. It was always nice seeing her mistress in good humor, even if her best humor would still count to most as irritated.
After a bit more walking, they reached the small mansion, a three story from the looks. The home was in one of the farther districts from the capital hall, but the massive structure was still clear enough to see from such a distance. There were not many other houses around, and those that were held some distance from this one. It had begun to feel more and more like a trap all the time. She approached the door and knocked on it, Bruun standing at the ready now, apparently having collected himself after a bit of weeping, his hand on the long shaft of his battleaxe just in case.
The door merely creaked open, exposing a dimly-lit inside. A voice called out from within, “Come on in, Miss Moorbright. I am merely in the kitchen preparing something to eat.”
Faline looked to Bruun with a harsh gaze and spoke deeply, “Go. Lead. I will be behind.” Bruun nodded without hesitation and stepped inside ahead of her, drawing the large weapon just in case and leading the way to the kitchen. The journey to it was simple enough, and they did not see so much as another soul in the home, though Faline knew better than to fully let her guard down, and made it quite aware to Bruun she did not expect him to either.
“Ah~ There you are~ And a brute with you, mm?” Asked the lesser noble-looking man on the other side of the counter that consumed the middle of the room. “Well, I suppose one can never be too safe at these things, hmm?” His voice carried nothing but condescending superiority that left a bitter taste in Faline’s mouth, but she merely grimaced and replied in her usual deep, dark tone, “Indeed. And there are those who wish me dead in this city. I cannot be sure you’re not of them. At least not until our transaction has come to a close.”
The man snickered, “Of course! I pegged you for the un-trusting sort. I mean… the council DID sell off your family home and raze it to the ground. Not to mention you know so little of me, and yet… I know you’re after the sapphire lotus. But then… even the council knows you’re after it; even if they cannot figure out why.” He merely grinned, as if he had his own ideas of why she might have need of such a flower.
Faline’s expression did not change. She merely stared at him in frustration, speaking softly, keeping her mood toned down for now, “You speak as if you DO know why I need it… am I wrong…?”
“I do… but I do not have the lotus here. Your job shall be acquiring it on your own… not an easy feat, I assure you; even for someone of your… talents.” He said with another of his annoying snickers.
She had expected an ambush, not a catch, but this was almost preferable to a fight. She never much cared for dirtying her hands if it could be managed, and merely looked to him with a gaze of intrigue, gesturing for Bruun to ease a bit after such news, “I’m not worried for danger… I’ve thralls for that. I don’t care what stands in the way. Just tell me what I need to do.”
Possibly more to come on this one before I conclude the verse, just be aware. o3o
Characters and Story ©
setzan
A voice that held deep wisdom and depth to it came from the smaller figure, but in spite of the seriousness of the tone, it still did not sound like that of an adult. “Bruun… you are my vassal. And as such, I would expect you not to question my authority.” The large rhino, an impressive six foot eight inches tall, winced a bit at her calling him by name. And that tone, of all things would send a chill to the very bone. But he immediately nodded in response, “Of… of course, Mistress… I only-“
“You only what, exactly? Were you, perhaps, concerned for my well-being?” Her tone was more venomous now as she turned to face him, the snow falling heavily around them and whiting their attire. Behind the darkness of the hood, a red smoky haze erupted from where the smaller figures eyes would be and the rhino turned nearly as white as the snow around them, shaking his head in violent denial. “N-N-N-No, Mistress! I… I was merely thinking… I mean to say… what I meant was…”
“SHUT. UP!” She commanded him angrily, lifting a hand and waving it through the air at the large rhino, who winced hard in fear as a fierce blast of air, sharp and strong enough to be visible to the naked eye, sliced right through his horn, shaving off even more than had already been missing. It fell to the ground and disappeared in the snow covering the ground around them. The air blade even blasted at his forehead, causing a small gash there, blood trickling down into his eyes. “I’d say you get another two of those before it’s all gone. Then… it’s that ugly head of yours.”, replied the girl with venom in her voice, arm lowering back to her side as she turned and began walking once more. The rhino’s eyes began to well with tears at what had transpired, as well as from the moderate pain now in his forehead, shaking lightly in fear of future screw-ups. It was a good ten seconds later before he finally realized she was moving on without him and hurried after, so as not to receive more reprimanding.
The two were traveling the white streets of Diomundus, Star of the North, and walking past the vast structures of crystal and magestone, mana swirling through the air visibly due to the density of it in the large mage capital city. It was late, however, and not many others traveled as they did, which made them stand out some. Or it would have, were a moderate blizzard not been passing through the city at that time. Something the smaller figure, Faline Moorbright, had been counting on, in truth. She was a well-known summoner, which would have been a thing of praise if it weren’t for her harsh demeanor and favoritism to the energies of darkness. Ever since the incident that had transpired in Pluvia some ten years ago, many had decided to no longer trust the dark magicks. It was a dangerous school of the tree, and always seemed to tie into trouble, especially in the hands of those with dark hearts. Needless to say, this made Faline quite unpopular with the city’s denizens.
Faline had lived in this city when her parents were yet alive, but after they passed, she inherited their estate. It was not long after that she brushed up on her magickal arts, an entire library’s worth of books on the subject littering many parts of her family home. At first, it just seemed a simple hobby, or interesting tale here and there. But as she put the spells into practice, she found she had a knack for it, namely the school of darkness. As the villagers found out about this, they, as well as the elder council, agreed to have her ejected from the city for good. Some had wanted her dead, but her clout kept the vote from leaning that way. Instead, her home was sold off and demolished, destroying any trace of it, and she was sent to a city near the base of the Wintershear Mountains and given a far smaller home with what was sold from the home she was raised in. She kept a few of her favorite magickal tomes, as well as one she found that was apparently to be a gift to her from her parents when she came of age, as a momento: one she keeps on her person at all times, concealing it within her robes.
Though the small child is only eight years of age, she seems far wiser than your standard mage, perhaps even rivaling that of one of the elder council. Even so, her skills would never be accepted due to her study of the dark magicks. Had anyone known it was her in the streets, she’d have surely been ejected once more, perhaps a bit more forcibly than the last time. However, her intentions here on this day were purely harmless; for the time being, at the very least. She had been seeking a particular ingredient that had been eluding her for the past few months, and it turned out that someone in the city had located it and sent her a secure, private message to inform her of it and to invite her back during this stormy day to retrieve it in person. Of course she’d considered the possibility of danger in accepting such an offer, and even heard the warning of her handful of vassals, such as poor Bruun at her back. Some were summoned creatures, but Bruun was the brother of her parents’ keeper. Bruun’s brother had perished along with the parents during a rather intense fight, the details of which were never revealed to Faline OR Bruun, but Bruun felt a responsibility to look after the young girl. Of course, he had never imagined taking on such a job would hold such… risk.
Bruun was not the timid creature he appeared now back when he met Faline, but she used him for her experiments and magickal trials, and punished him for some of the smallest things. The proud, strong rhino had been broken by the little girl in only a week’s time. Even her own summoned creatures would feel her wrath from time to time, and often far worse than what Bruun got. She cared not even if she killed one of her summoned creatures, as she could simply re-summon them. That having been said, however, she had a small familiar that she had summoned while still in her early stages practicing at home, one who never disappointed or disobeyed, and who was as a true friend to the girl. For this, the small, dark fey creature earned a spot on her shoulder or beneath her hood. Faline called her Sofia. The dark fairy was the only one that Faline ever truly confided in and showed even the smallest weakness around. But, even then, she was still stern and serious far more often than not.
The small fairy tapped at Faline’s shoulder gently, “Ummm… if I may…. Why would you go straight into a trap like this? I mean… you and I BOTH know it IS one…”
Faline spoke quietly back to the fairy so as not to allow Bruun to hear, “Because… they claim to have information on the sapphire lotus we need. It’s the first I’ve heard on it at all. So, even if it’s all just to draw me out into the open and is a total lie, then it’ll still be worth investigating. If they’re lying, then it’ll be one less person, or group for that matter, in my way… and, if it IS the truth… well… you know how we could benefit from that.” She said with a dark snicker, which the fairy smiled at. It was always nice seeing her mistress in good humor, even if her best humor would still count to most as irritated.
After a bit more walking, they reached the small mansion, a three story from the looks. The home was in one of the farther districts from the capital hall, but the massive structure was still clear enough to see from such a distance. There were not many other houses around, and those that were held some distance from this one. It had begun to feel more and more like a trap all the time. She approached the door and knocked on it, Bruun standing at the ready now, apparently having collected himself after a bit of weeping, his hand on the long shaft of his battleaxe just in case.
The door merely creaked open, exposing a dimly-lit inside. A voice called out from within, “Come on in, Miss Moorbright. I am merely in the kitchen preparing something to eat.”
Faline looked to Bruun with a harsh gaze and spoke deeply, “Go. Lead. I will be behind.” Bruun nodded without hesitation and stepped inside ahead of her, drawing the large weapon just in case and leading the way to the kitchen. The journey to it was simple enough, and they did not see so much as another soul in the home, though Faline knew better than to fully let her guard down, and made it quite aware to Bruun she did not expect him to either.
“Ah~ There you are~ And a brute with you, mm?” Asked the lesser noble-looking man on the other side of the counter that consumed the middle of the room. “Well, I suppose one can never be too safe at these things, hmm?” His voice carried nothing but condescending superiority that left a bitter taste in Faline’s mouth, but she merely grimaced and replied in her usual deep, dark tone, “Indeed. And there are those who wish me dead in this city. I cannot be sure you’re not of them. At least not until our transaction has come to a close.”
The man snickered, “Of course! I pegged you for the un-trusting sort. I mean… the council DID sell off your family home and raze it to the ground. Not to mention you know so little of me, and yet… I know you’re after the sapphire lotus. But then… even the council knows you’re after it; even if they cannot figure out why.” He merely grinned, as if he had his own ideas of why she might have need of such a flower.
Faline’s expression did not change. She merely stared at him in frustration, speaking softly, keeping her mood toned down for now, “You speak as if you DO know why I need it… am I wrong…?”
“I do… but I do not have the lotus here. Your job shall be acquiring it on your own… not an easy feat, I assure you; even for someone of your… talents.” He said with another of his annoying snickers.
She had expected an ambush, not a catch, but this was almost preferable to a fight. She never much cared for dirtying her hands if it could be managed, and merely looked to him with a gaze of intrigue, gesturing for Bruun to ease a bit after such news, “I’m not worried for danger… I’ve thralls for that. I don’t care what stands in the way. Just tell me what I need to do.”
Possibly more to come on this one before I conclude the verse, just be aware. o3o
Characters and Story ©
setzan
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 218 x 87px
File Size 2.3 kB
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