Author: maffleet, Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:46 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Jewel
Ruffian, that's quite an unpleasant thing to call someone who just introduced them self. Then again Jake had come out of nowhere; well no he came from somewhere it's just a rather strange place to come from. It appeared that the bard had startled the woman with his rather strange entrance. What with her hiding behind a tree and all, it just sort of left the threat of action against Jake to ring hollow. Either way he decided not to test fate and instead of walking towards the woman he gave her a wide berth. Besides he needed to retrieve his stuff anyway. Now where did was that tree, it should hopefully be nearby. As Jake did recognize this area as this is where he'd caught his dinner yesterday. Other than retrieving his equipment Jake also had to deal with his wet clothes.
While Jake's first solution would be to strip down naked and start a fire to dry his clothes it soon became apparent that this wasn't an option. As the woman began shouting at him about his lack of clothing, come now all he was missing was his shirt. Oh well best not to frazzle her anymore lest she have a heart attack. "
Terribly sorry about my lack of a shirt, I just didn't expect to meet anyone here. What with the just swimming off a waterfall and all". Jake quickly untied his shirt from around his arm and threw it over himself. Unsurprisingly it was drenched, it was probably a pound heavier than when he'd taken it off. An empress doing all the way out here, now that Jake thought about it were there even any empires still alive and kicking.
Truly a puzzling concept, it'd probably just be best to ask her about it. "
Excuse me your grace, but I wasn't aware that there were any empires left on Revaliir". Bowing after saying your grace, even if she was lying probably still best to show the proper courtesies to someone of such stature. "
I'm going to go retrieve my equipment from a nearby tree, I am fully clothed now. Also just so you're aware I mean you no harm I'm simply a travelling bard making his way in the world" Jake wandered down the shore a bit before finding the tree. Just to make sure he didn't forget the bard had carved in X into it before he had set off.
After retrieving his stuff Jake began walking back up the shoreline. Closer to the trees this time so as to be able to collect kindling for a fire. Because by the gods Jake was gonna dry his clothes one way or the other. As Jake got closer to his destination he moved back towards the water. Continuing his policy of giving the frightened woman a wide distance so as not to startle her. Upon arriving back Jake began to build his fire only to find that the one thing he'd forgotten to put his tinderbox with the rest of his stuff. Jake sighed and pulled out his lute. After tuning it for a moment the bard began playing a tune. As he played errant sparks began to circle around him before gathering into a thin line of flames that shot itself into the fire. Which soon after started roaring, there nice and toasty. And all it had cost was Jake feinting from the strain put on his body.
Author: Nikkalyn, Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:01 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Jewel
The Empress gazed up at the branches above as they gently rocked in the wind. Birds playfully hopped through the leafs while chirping a merry melody. So this was the outside world? Shame it wasn’t her homeland, Airstarlys. Now, far from home, Nikkalyn never realised how she had never been well acquainted with the world she ruled. Never did she come to know what their birds looked like, how they built their nests, how their songs sounded, it was those little things she would never be able to describe. Nikkalyn begun questioning if she’d ever be able to see Airstarlys again, and if she did, what would be left? Being birthed to protect the land, that was her only purpose in life, and now with her absence, who will be their Guardian, who will protect the people and strike down their enemies? No one. The guilt begun to eat away at her, it was her duty to rule the nation and keep it safe, and instead she lay in a patch of grass in a far off world, doing nothing at all.
Nikkalyn sat up and sighed softly to herself.
“I am dreadful, truly dreadful. It is my duty to be their guardian, their shining light once the Darkness rose, yet I allowed myself to be convinced to flee. Father would know nothing but shame for me, his heir is nothing more than a simple coward," she paused and sadly sighted her surroundings in defeat.
“I live, in this strange world, while those I knew are probably perishing, the sounds of their screams echoing through the palace we all called home, it’s my fault, all my fault,” her words were choked by her tears as they begun to stream down her face. Her tears persisted for a few minutes, but they were quickly disrupted. From out of no where she heard a voice break the chorus of nature, and send a swarm of fear to radiate throughout her body.
Instantly she perked her head up, seeing a man emerge from the water, partially clothed and soaked. Gasping in shock she was quick to scurry away, hiding behind a tree, ensuring a reasonable about of distance between the two.
“T-T-That’s far enough ruffian. Do not approach any closer otherwise I will- I will, be required to take action, and I certainly can assure you that you would wish you had stayed away,” her voiced, shaken and entwined with fear clearly revealing her discomfort of the situation. Shyly ducking behind the tree, the Empress had to devise a plan if this individual became hostile. Oh why did she hide behind knights instead of fighting her own battles?
Peaking from behind the trunk she saw his choice of clothing, or lack of clothing, very disrespectful. Never had she witness to a man not properly clothed, especially in her presence. One might have been struck down on the spot if her guards were around, subjecting an empress to such sights was definitely a crime not taken lightly. Clearing her throat once finishing the re-evaluating his lack of attire she looked at him with disapproval.
“What uncouth individual approaches a lady while partially in garb? It is certainly disgraceful and I will request that you cover yourself while in my presence, otherwise I will not even consider you nothing but a foul commoner with little manners.” Nikkalyn huffed, completely forgetting about that fact he was a stranger who could possibly harm her.
“If my knights were here you would have been beheaded, one does not simply expose an Empress to such sights! disgraceful, completely disgraceful! Cover up immediately!” she persisted, before taking shelter behind the tree to veil her eyes from such and unholy sight.
Author: maffleet, Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 7:40 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Jewel
Almost there now can't be much farther. It's times like these that Jake almost wished that he invested in maps, almost. Indeed currently the bard was going off memory trying to reach a large waterfall he'd seen while traveling through the area a while back. The roaring falls permeated the area around the waterfall for quite a distance making moving by ear near impossible. Not that that hadn't stopped Jake from trying and walking in circles for well over an hour. Now though he was getting close he could feel it. As he cleared a line of trees he found what he was looking for. Not only had the bard found the waterfall, he'd found the top of the waterfall which was very important for his plan.
A day earlier Jake had stashed his stuff in the roots of a tree at the bottom of the waterfall. Now that his hike was finished he could get to the real fun. Swimming down the waterfall! Now you might think that this plan is crazy, stupid, and likely to get Jake killed. You'd be correct however Jake had never let things like threat of an early grave stop him. So the bard took off his shirt and tied it around his arm and got into the water. Not wanting to be immediately sucked down Jake got in a bit further up river and began swimming towards the falls. As he swam he noticed that he was getting pulled quite quickly. Which was good for Jake as it means he didn't have to do much swimming. Soon after that the speed at which the water was pulling Jake rose again. Throwing the bard over the waterfall.
The next part was rather unpleasant as Jake was pulled towards the lake by not only a giant torrent of water but by gravity. Having not thought about holding his breath the bard was now flailing around in a waterfall with a mouth full of water. This made for quite possibly the worst experience in his life. Which most people with a lick of common sense would be able to realize before going over. But Jake was not most people; and what he lacked in common sense he made up for in dumb luck. As such the bard survived his watery descent though it was one of the most unenjoyable couple of minutes of his life. Upon arriving at the bottom of the waterfall Jake thought he'd be able to just swim ashore. However the leftover strength of the falls left him still unable to effectively swim. Luckily after a minute or so of drifting Jake arrived at the shore. That part of the shore was already occupied by a woman. Not willing to be rude Jake got up and said "
Hi my names Jake, Waterfalls are painful."
Author: Nikkalyn, Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:59 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Jewel
The jewel; our radiant light, they wished to extinguish you, I cannot allow our Empress to meet her demise this way, Forgive me Seraphyn but you must leave. Be strong, your highness.
The last memories of her homeland, the sky falling in rains for fire. Demon kings rode their chariots of human remains, infernos trailing behind them, their hellish stallion’s howling and screeching could be heard echoing all over the city. The palace gates had succumbed to the attack, the army of darkness ravaged the courtyard, slaughtering all those she knew and loved. Fleeing seemed like a cowardly response to the attack, especially since everyone went to the front lines to barricade the entrance from those foul fiends. Up in the highest tower she had one last glimpse of her beautiful city of Illysanoor, engulfed in flames, the screams of the residents would forever haunt in her memory. She failed them. If not for the heroic deeds of her court Mage, she too would have had her head on a pike, but fate seemed to carry her from her war torn land to another, strange, yet just as terrifying world.
It had been hours since she had fallen from the portal, her face laid nestled in foliage of the forest floor. Nikkalyn had been unconscious for some time, the memories of her past traumas repeating in her mind. With a sudden gasp for air she awoke. Opening her eyes the empress looked around at her surroundings, unsure if she should be comforted or frightened by this silent serenity. Slowly she brought herself up to a seated position, giving herself a few moments to adjust to her body. Something seemed off, she felt different. Lifting her hands, she ran her finger along her arms, the sensation of her own touch fascinated her, but that fascination turned to fear once she realised. “Oh no, I am mortal!” She shrieked. These emotions, this fear, anxiety, this was all new, and there wasn’t someone around to explain to her what was going on, or even where she was.
The Empress dove deeper into her shock of what had happened, her heart rate pulsing through out her body, and her breathing quickening. What did this all mean? Never had she left the palace before, even as an immortal she did not feel comfortable to venture anywhere alone, but now that’s all she was- alone. While it was not appropriate for an empress to show vulnerability she begun to cry, clutching her chest, her heart feeling like it was going to race right from her chest. Attempting to compose herself, she closed her eyes, trying to let the breeze’s whistling soothe her nerves. The wind did not simply carry it’s own melody but the sounds of running water.
Budding her lips together she hadn’t realised how parched she was until the sound of running water whispered in her ears. Gently she rose, her legs wobbled a bit, again another symptom of her mortality. She took baby steps, not exalting herself or risking taking a tumble. Persistently, Nikkalyn took her time but made it to a gushing waterfall. Standing in awe, she simply watched the water tumbling down, and array of hues reflected from the water as the light struck it. “Beautiful,” she softly exhaled. Once she had taken in the beauty, she made her way to the waters edge. Kneeing down gracefully she dipped her dainty hand in the water, cupping a small amount of water, and then brought it to her lips. Once she had quenched her thirst, the Empress laid down in a bed of grass, and just gathered her thoughts.
Everything she knew, everyone she loved, gone in an instant, and now where was she?
