Something wicked this way comes

[Veryan Lithônion]

He noticed how she looked so intently into his eyes and he smiled it was as if he knew what she was doing, looking at every trait in his face and analyzing every single bit of his persona as if to forge an image to be imprinted in her mind to always remember him by whenever he parted form her presence no matter where she went. Perhaps it was easier for him to remember her since she was so unique in physical traits and the like, but it was curious how some people would tend to remember others, some by the typical smell to that person others by running a hand through the face of that person to remember every contour and bend, others writing stories or sonnets and others doing great crafts.

Veryan?

Well he would simply make a mental picture of her and trusted that his connection with the elements and spirits of the woods would keep on reminding him of his beloved friends, especially Selphia; for if she ever came to the same place as he was, so long as nature was around he would be alerted of her presence just as he usually was whenever someone approached him, no matter if he knew the person or not. But also he was more of a psychological person and would keep in mind the way a friend walked, talked, moved, any typical gesture, smile, laugher and even way to looking at things. It would all make him remember his friends fondly. So long as he kept breath in his lungs they would be in his heart forever.

He wondered if her brother still lived for though he wished to help her it must be hard to be on a strange country without a single member of your family, even if it was a cousin or even a grandparent that was still family and certainly nothing can be more gratifying than those you love ever since you come into this world. Perhaps he would have to be more of a best friend for her and help her get used to this country, culture and traditions perhaps that would also help each other discover who they truly are and why their pasts, pasts they cannot recall, mark their present with such fierceness.

Veryan came to wonder how far Selphia’s power of acknowledging other persons’ feelings and thoughts could go though certainly it was all connected with how much she could take for magic as life itself could not be abused on or else there would be dire consequences like breaking nature’s balance or punished by death itself. It must be a burden as well as a gift in Selphia’s eyes to have such ability for in the wrong hands it could be a lethal weapon, but also a way for her to defend herself from those who wish to cause her harm. He was amazed at how she had managed to stay pure, humble and true to the grace given for others would have certainly sought to gain power and wealth with such ability.

He noticed how his feelings were also transmitted to her as if she could also feel them and he was shocked, what could this all mean? Why were they so close by magical bonds? Why was it so hard to understand? He slowly lifted his left hand and wiped the tear from her eyes as he said, “It is ok Selphia, if I share these my thoughts and emotions it is not for you to suffer, but so that you know who I am.”

He had to be careful now not to bring her harm or pain and perhaps he would have to speak to her mind instead of showing her his thoughts for it would be easier for her to gain information and at the same time reduce the possibility of her being so connected with his feelings so that she was not grieved by what her eyes could see.

It was then when he felt her voice in his mind but she stopped before she fully communicated. What could all this mean? He looked blankly into her eyes and smiled shaking his head, no, it had not been her but it was the power in her gemstone and in a way the power he himself had within. He was still to control it and yet he knew not how it had all come to him for surely if a person was a mage wasn’t it natural for the magic to develop from an early age? Why then did it come to him so late?

“Veryan… do you know what this mark is? I mean the tree I do not know, but the dragons... How did you get this.”

He looked down at his hand as he nodded and said, “It is the emblem of my country, the ash tree; but I know not why it was engraved upon the protection of a dragon.” To her last question he shook his head in frustration and said, “I do not know… I woke up, the very day we were to lave my homeland and I found I had it but then my parents wanted me to urgently park, for we were to leave our home at dawn and they never told me why, but I found this sword by my bedside with a note on it stating I might need to use it in near battles, yet I had to master it first. It is called “harbinger”…”

He then placed his right hand still shinning some on his sword’s hilt and then drew his blade, which shone a crimson red light for a moment though the blade in itself was red as well. His eyes were slowly regaining the bluish color typical of him though there was always that silver light in them.

[Selphia Dek]

There was little reason behind the connection between the pair. It was a simple fact. One that either could understand but would in time that was if they flourished in Camelot or fell. The task at hand was merely whether they would flourish together or apart. Of course Selphia was thankful for friends. The few that she held, she held dearly. There were only a few that she actually spoke to, Merlin being one, and only because he was the head of the guild.

She would have liked him to meet Galeon, her brother. Having mistaken Veryan for him. She had thought him to be her brother because she had felt similar energies. To her surprise Veryan appeared, not Galeon. She smiled at the thought of her brother as she often did. He had sent her here with good reason in mind. Perhaps he foresaw this meeting. Perhaps he set her upon this course in order for someone else to watch over her while he could not. Selphia could not help but feel a little taken back by her thoughts. Galeon had engrained himself within her memory. When she was troubled she could draw his image out, and speak to her. But the last few weeks while in Camelot it was getting harder to shut out other voices. She searched for Galeon that night she awoke at Merlin’s door brandishing a dirk. Troubled she sot comfort, but found nothing but countless voices she did not know.

Would she explain to Veryan that she held images, fragments of thoughts transferred from people. Voices of thoughts unspoken tend to cross as well. For one as young as Selphia, and to have traveled as far as she had, it was a lot to take in and focus upon. If Veryan wished to understand how she came about being. It was a question that even she could not answer. As for her parents, she could not recall their names, just faces. She knew that she loved and cared for them, because the emotions and connections were there. It was simply that the other voices that number in mass amounts push those memories aside. Making it appear as if Selphia had no parents.

She tilted her head to the side, only to turn about with a rather surprised expression when Veryan’s hand brushes the tear away. The empathy that she felt from him was unlike anyone she had ever come in contact with. She could not help but smile at the understanding. Not having to explain in great detail why she could do what she could. She was in the midst of training to understand it herself. Warmth seeped deep within her chest, that her left hand moved across her heart and covered it. Her fingers trembled, as she took a small breath. The space between them seemed small at that moment.

~ It is ok Selphia, if I share these my thoughts and emotions it is not for you to suffer, but so that you know who I am. ~

She nodded and drew back her head just a little, her attention so taken with that back of his hand once he revealed it. She was curious to learn more about him. What to ask him? Surely, she could not ask for the entire history of his life thus far. Her gaze flickered, from the little blue to the pale frosty white that often looked. Thoughts were at work within her mind. Trying to figure what the emblem meant.

~The Ash tree was for his home. That much he said already. The second, the dragons, what could that mean? ~

Her thoughts were not guarded, for she was lost in her thinking that she did not think that she blocked Veryan from hearing her, nor did she think to focus upon not placing the thoughts in his head. She tapped a slender finger to her lip as she looked upon the marking. She knew the reason for the dragons for no one else, human that was held such a mark unless he was in fact chosen.

Was it possible for her to know anything of Veryan’s life up until this point? The voices about Veryan were strong and powerful, old possibly ancient. Her breathing increased as she studied the emblem closely. She could not withstand not touching the mark, but she knew if she did that it might hurt Veryan, or herself. The connection between the pair was through that marking. She could feel it. She could hear it. The whispers becoming almost unbearable as she lingered before the mark, her fingers inching toward it.

Her gaze turned up and looked into Veryan’s blue eyes when he spoke about his parents fleeing without reason, then the mention of a sword and note. Strange, she thought. But there was really no reason to speculate upon the need to run away; she was very familiar with the reasons behind that. They were escaping something that wanted their son. Something out there was looking for Veryan.

It was in that moment that Selphia straightened up and stepped back looking from Veryan’s face to his side. “Harbinger?” she said looking to the sword that he drew. The crimson blade shone as he lifted it. Casting its blood red light upon Selphia’s pale complexion. It was at this time that she took yet another step back. Her hand curled quickly to her chest as she felt the strange energy coarse through the sword. A light glow from the soulstone in her chest seemed to react to the sword. She swallowed hard as she felt the influx of this new force. Her free hand jetted out behind her to find something to steady herself. “Veryan…. your sword is properly name. Have you any idea as to what it means?” She asked, trying to catch her breath and regain her focus. The passing images came quick as did the words being repeated over and over in her head. Her knees buckled and she sunk to the ground. The soft crunch of twigs beneath her echoed as she fought of the nauseating feeling again. If he rushed to her side she would quickly raise her hand, explaining that’s he was fine. Her eyes locked upon the ground at her feet. Her gown and cloak circled about her as she gathered herself. Wondering if she should explain what she knows. That was if she can make sense of the chanting.

[Veryan Lithônion]

OOC: Not my best post I'm afraid, sorry!

IC:

He was glad he had the ability of making her smile and feel content in his presence for that was one good trait in a friend, especially one who had seen so much sorrow and peril. In a way both had seem to have found each other just in time, when they needed support and there, in the middle of the woods they came across each other. He smiled at the thought of the spirits of the woods guiding him to her and vice verse, well now they would have to go through the hardest bits of such path and their pasts were some of them but together they would fight and succeed, he wasn’t a hundred percent certain but he knew that their strength would at least give them security in this battle.

She was a most silent person and though at times it was hard to know what could be going on in her mind sometimes he wished she would speak more so that he could know, he was no mentalist nor could read anyone’s thoughts and so her silence meant she was thinking and he wanted to know what it could be for whatever his scar meant it could not be something bad, or was it?

She listened to him speak still examining his scar yet not daring to touch it and it seemed to him she knew something but was not telling him, what could this all mean? For one both knew they could not touch their sources of connection or else it would bring pain to them both for her eyes were shocked and somewhat curious could it be she knew of his scar? Could it be she was somehow par t of it?

He dismissed the thought and then looked at her once again, at that moment the spirits of the woods caressed his senses and somehow sent him to peace and tranquility even though he was somehow eager to reveal it all to this girl standing before him, perhaps it would relieve him but also grant him a person worthy of trust and one to confide in him as well.

His eyes felt hers and for a moment he could not control his curiosity, “Do you know? –For I perceive there is something you are keeping from me fair Selphia and I need to know if I am to fight my unknown enemy.” But then she looked din a trance and though he wished to help her something deep within himself told him to stand there, away form her and allow her some room to recover and in a way figure things out if possible for whatever she could see and sense would be crucial for Veryan to understand his fate and that of Selphia.

“Veryan, your sword is properly name. Have you any idea as to what it means?”

He stared blankly at her as he placed his sword back on its black leather cover, which hung on his belt and said plainly, “The name of the sword means prophetical fate, the omen of something to happen. IT is a sign of things to come at times responsible for major decisions which have altered the course of both.” He was well aware of the meaning of his sword in fact it shocked him so much he merely whispered, “a prophesy…” as he looked back into her eyes hoping that whatever she had to tell him were no news of doom and despair.

[Selphia Dek]

She did not want him to think she was at all telling him the destiny surrounding his birth. For that knowledge was unknown to her. She was a telepath. From time to time she was able to get glimpses of future events. She sat upon an uneven rock, looking at the ground, no studying the ground rather intently. Fingers of her right hand moved across the back of her left. Her eyes closing just a little as she gave thought to Veryan’s mark. Slowly she traced the shape of his marking upon the back of her hand, softly speaking to herself. She did not mean for it to look, as though she was ignoring him, she wasn’t. In fact she was concentrating really hard on him. He might hand even felt a slight pressure in his chest, like he was trying to catch his breath. It was nothing to become alarmed about, being this close to him might cause such an effect.

Her words would be hard to understand as she often fell back into old Latin when she was in a trace. It was a comfort thing for her, though as of late it was becoming a little more frequent and more fluent, as if she had lived in such times or places. But her memory seemed devoid of any memories of such things and places. Perhaps Galeon knew, she was not sure, she would have to ask him when she saw him next, if she saw him.

What emotions he kept to himself she felt ripple off him. It caused her to flinch as she sat there, like a sharp pain in her head. She winced but continued. He wanted to know what she knew, if it was at all anything. She would stretch the expense of her mind to see if there was anything that would speak to her, anything in the deep recesses of her mind. She felt a tug from time to time. Her fingers continued to move across the back of her hand as she gave thought to answers.

It was at this time her eyes opened and she looked directly at Veryan. “These markings are with purpose. These dragons, they are not just for show. I know as to what they mean as for what they mean to you…that part is cloudy.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “The old ones, these dragons lived many years, if not centuries ago. There are legends, stories of few that live, hidden, waiting for someone to bring them out of darkness.”

She would paused and look directly at him. Blinking a few times before she was looking at him, and not through him.

[Veryan Lithônion]

He silently looked at her as she sat for a moment and closed her eyes deep in meditation it was as if he was watching one of the old wise ones, the very deities that inhabited the world before the coming of men but said nothing, they kept their secrets to themselves and then, when least expected there came someone bold enough to demand an answer and then they locked into themselves neglecting him of such daring information for though he had challenged them he still was much too young to know or needed to earn their trust.

He untied the laces that attached his leather canteen from his belt and then opened the lid in order to drink some water, perhaps that would clear his head a little and grant him some peace, which was needed in order to allow Selphia to think deeply on the matter. Feeling the fresh and cool liquid enter his throat he closed his eyes for a moment and then placed the lid once again and tied the laces for it to hang on his belt once again, he ran his hands through his face removing remains of the water and feeling somewhat revitalized for water had such gratifying effect upon on.

It was then when she began talking in a language he knew not or at least didn’t think he had heard before. He wondered what this all could mean, was it she had inner abilities yet to notice? Or was it she could communicate with the spirits of the woods? She was in such a trance he feared that waking her up would be a terrible thing to do and so he waited patiently… at least as calmly as he could though he was truly desperate to know what had been hiding form his very eyes for the past eighteen years of his life.

She slowly closed her eyes and moved her hands as she kept on talking to herself and his curiosity grew even more for how could someone posses such great powers? Could it be she had a different nature or origins form the rest of people? Sure, Veryan was different as well for how long did you find someone with elemental abilities and a strange scar in his hand ever since he was born? – But he still looked human enough, well... with the exception of his strange blue eyes with silver-light in them, which would turn to silver whenever he used his abilities but he still was much curious about Selphia.

He noticed she winced in pain and though he felt he would rather walk away than to cause her harm he did his best to keep his mind in a blank state not to harm her now. He looked down at her as she did her best to concentrate and he wondered what kind of information could she bring him that enabled him to decipher his mysterious fate?

”These markings are with purpose. These dragons, they are not just for show. I know as to what they mean as for what they mean to you, that part is cloudy… The old ones, these dragons lived many years, if not centuries ago. There are legends, stories of few that live, hidden, waiting for someone to bring them out of darkness.”

He was truly shocked for he did not expect in all honesty to suddenly be told this future of his dealt with dragons, he was told they were myths, creatures to be fought against and prevent them form harming the world so how could this be any good to him? He then asked to her words, “What could it mean in general? You said you knew what it could mean without directly knowing how it was connected to me…” As she finished talking he then said, “Hidden? Is it a dragon is looking for me then?” that did make sense for then it could mean he was the one creature he had to fight, the enemy he had been told to run away from and the sword, harbinger, with such special qualities, perhaps was the one destined to kill this dragon but then, her last words made him hesitate… “Bring them out of darkness? Aren’t all dragons supposed to be a man’s enemy?”

[Selphia Dek]

Selphia remained seated before Veryan. Her one hand rubbing the back of her hand as she slowly came back to focusing upon Veryan. She blinked a couple times before actually seeing him. Her pale gaze drinking him in.

Her body trembled as she moved to stand. She did not want to sit any more. She needed to move, needed to be doing something. Veryan's thoughts and emotions ever so close to the surface that she could feel them. He was confused by her actions. Wondering why she wasn't telling him anything that he needed, no wanted to know. Truth of the matter was that she didn't fully understand it herself. Her legs were shaky at best that when she stood she almost fell forward. She would quickly regain her composure and turn her full attention to Veryan.

She knew what she had told him for it was still in her head. her pale eyes altered a little in their coloring, an effect that occurred only a few timed before. The edge of her eyes remained white while the iris had taken on a more blue hue to them. It might look a little strange to most but Veryan had been in her company for some time now that he might now notice.

His thoughts touched her mind. Bringing about a slight panic in his way of thinking. Sure it was natural for one to think that dragons were all and brought nothing but destruction to the world. She knew this to be false. As to where she got her information, it seemed to be locked within her thoughts. old memories seemed to come forth through the fog of memory.

"We find ourselves in a strange place at a strange time. I do not think you are meant to fight anyone." she told him, She stepped passed him. It was apparent that her thoughts were weighing heavily upon her mind. "I can safely say that I think you are to find this dragon, as he is to find you."

Her words would be taken any way.

"Veryan, this isn't a battle to decide what your future is to be. It is part of your future. i am sure of it." She said as she paced, she would paused and turn to face him. "Do you know anything else?"

She was certain if he did he would have told her. As she looked at him, she continued to rub the back of her hand,

[Veryan Lithônion]

He was taken aback by her strange magical abilities but, by this time he was growing used to them and knew that in order to recover al she needed was some space especially as he was a magical being as well and though he was yet to learn the nature of his powers and abilities it seemed to be much affecting so he stayed where he was until she no longer use her magic and recovered fully, having her collapse unconsciously was the last thing he wanted, clearly. So he silently watched her as her eyes focused on him once again

She slowly stood up and her numb body shook lightly as she did though he could tell she needed to move around now in order to recover entirely. He could tell she was moving and thinking at the same time and so he felt rather guilty for all this he simply said, “Forgive me Lady Selphia, I am perhaps pushing you abilities to the extreme, but I have never trusted this and therefore was rather eager to have someone help me understand. But who would ever believe me? That was until you came along.”

He slowly removed the snow on a dry log and sat there, looking at the snow as it moved lightly with the weight of the log and his own and then smiled, watching snow fall was he most curious of things whenever the weather allowed it though it seemed to be plenty in this great island, it did not bother him, he was used to snow but he also knew that there were some who suffered through this, especially those with no shelter and it did make him think that perhaps wars and arguments should be discharged in consideration with more important matters such as those he was thinking upon at present.

"We find ourselves in a strange place at a strange time. I do not think you are meant to fight anyone… I can safely say that I think you are to find this dragon, as he is to find you."

He was truly bewildered, why was it that he of all people was to face a dragon? But she said he was not to fight him then what could come to pass if they met? Was he to be sacrificed over an old offence of some kind? That sometimes happened when Divinities revenged upon mortals for their daring or offences against them. He then sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he then placed his fingers upon a small bunch of white snow and then immersed his fingers within it feeling its cold touch, “Even if I am to fight him not I am sure you understand one cannot stop oneself from feeling uneasy about t but how often does one come across a powerful being as a dragon? In fact many believe them to be tales or myths though… I come from a land they are rather common to be seen.”

"Veryan, this isn't a battle to decide what your future is to be. It is part of your future. i am sure of it… Do you know anything else?"

He sighed and then said, “I feel as if the dreams I have been having for years were premonitions of what you spoke of but I thought t unwise to hare them about yet do you think they could be connected?”

[Selphia Dek]

It was not Veryan that was troubling her. It was simply the amount of energy that seemed to flow about them. Also, when people’s thoughts entered her head in waves, without her preparing to receive them, it tends to overwhelm her. Causing discomfort that leads to headaches, and the occasional bouts of nausea. She was starting to find that this was simply due to nerves and that stopped all together. She paused and turned to face Veryan a look of regret upon her pale features. She had not intention to rattle him with what she had to say, nor what she thought he needed to know. She did not want him to think she was setting a path at his feet and telling him he had to walk upon it.

The true was she was glad for his company. The more that she was in it the more she felt at ease. The thoughts that entered her mind seemed to remain at bay when she looked at him, only whispers, and very faint ones at that. A smile came to her lips at this realization. Her left hand curled about her waist. “There is nothing you need forgiving for. I was not prepared to encounter someone…. such as you…” She spoke, in doing so her gaze locked with his eyes then turned away. She would busy herself with the edge of her robe. It was hard to figure out what it was about Veryan that made her feel complete. There had only been a few people that she had felt that way with, two were dead, or believed dead, the other somewhere beyond Camelot’s borders. How was it possible that she would find someone else? It was strange, at least to her it was.

He trusted her with his secret, a secret that he could not understand. Perhaps she would be able to enlighten him if she knew more. If she concentrated more she would be able to get into his head. That was if he allowed her. She pondered the thought then decided that she would wait for him to ask her. She had already forced herself in there already. It was not fair to subject him to it any further. She knew what it did to her, therefore she did not think to kindly on doing it to Veryan. The last of his words called a light hardly noticeable flush to come into her cheeks. The back of her left hand rose to her cheeks noting the slight change in temperature before she resumed pausing upon the small area of path that she had been trudging upon.

She glanced sidelong at Veryan, and then came to a halt before him. She could sense that he was troubled by what she had said. Whether he spoke it or felt it. It came from him in ripples. “I did not mean to sound so cryptic in my wording. It is just what I pick up from you. Plus, " She paused, looking down at the snow collected at his feet, then back up at his face. “What I hear.” She had not explained to him how she knew things, or why she knew things. Half the time she didn’t know how the answers came about.

~Trust given, is trust earned. ~

“I know things because of my abilities, just as you know things. You know how to use your abilities, how to connect with the world about you for that is the gift bestowed upon you. I hear voices….” She paused, perhaps not the best place to give pause, and she thought he was bound to think she was crazy now. “Well…whispers…old, new, present and past. They stay within my thoughts. Always crowding me, but never harming, at least they don’t mean to. Sometimes it cannot be helped. I tell you hat you wish to know because something is telling me that it is true. They are not ghosts, nor spirits, they are voices of ages, timeless and forgotten, until they wish or need to be remembered.” Her head remained bowed, but her frosty white gaze lowered to him.

Glancing over to his hand that held the marking. She studied it, committed it to memory, or to those within her thoughts. The whispering was giving rise to a little more louder talking. The language old, Latin she thought at first, for the whispers were often spoken in Latin, but someone was different. She furrowed her brow and gave a hard and focused thought to what was being said. ~jaci ui wer last di wer urthalrei, though jaci ui wer bwoihj ekess renew astahi. ~

Her eyes closed and gave thought to the words. She did not know the language and yet it slowly came forth as if she had spoken it all her life. She repeated the words in the strange language out loud to Veryan. ~ He is the last of the riders, though he is the first to renew them. ~

~ifpesp douta shishin, seilor douta spirit sva ease, ihk yth re confnir. wer treskri nishka vucot ibahalii huena gocahel ihk douta plight geou soves asta okarthel.~

She slowly opened her eyes once she had finished. She was puzzled as she was sure that Veryan would be having heard an entirely foreign langue seep from her lips as it was simply common chatter. She swallowed hard, a lump had forged in her throat, and quickly she cleared it and excused herself. She was sure Veryan was looking at her as if she had three heads. But this just went to prove that she was telling him the truth as far as the voices speaking to her. She tilted her head to the side. Her hair fell in front, across her left eye. She wanted to hide behind it.

“I think that you were not to fight but befriend.” She told him, her hands pressing into her stomach, as she felt even uneasier now that she revealed more of herself to Veryan. He was going to think as the others had. Crazy girl he will think. He will stand and flee he first chance he gets. It was a mistake to share this. Her thoughts raced through her head as quickly as she thought them. She wanted to flee. Go before she was left in the woods alone. “Your dreams must be connected, I just don’t know how.”

[Veryan Lithônion]

He noticed the sudden regret in her face and decided he would not push his situation any further for surely she knew far less than him about it and hopefully when it came to him he would be ready. Besides it wasn’t Selphia’s problems or path to choose but his and surely she also needed help with her own so wouldn’t it be selfish to simply talk about his situation and try to solve it ignoring hers? So he smiled at her and said, “Why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself? Where you come from, why your brother is not with you, for I would really like to help you as well Lady.”

”There is nothing you need forgiving for. I was not prepared to encounter someone such as you.”

He smiled at her and said, “I confess I have not found anyone I could trust so easily as you, milady, we have just met yet we have opened our arms and revealed our torments which, in the eyes of the world do not exist… and that is an advantage for us clearly. For who would ever expect such things to happen to an apprentice blacksmith? Normally they expect only great Lords and Kings to do the great deeds not the simple people.”

He noticed how she blushed at his words and he only hoped it would not make her feel uncomfortable at all because that was clearly the last thing he wanted; he was befriending her and both were trusting each other their greatest secrets so making fun of someone was the last thing you wanted to do then. He noticed how she seemed to come across the feeling of blushing when someone complimented you, could it be he was the first person to ever tell her that? If so he was truly amazed for she certainly looked different but that did not mean she did not hold her own beauty in body and soul. These were strange lands indeed if people judged you for your looks or where you came from, though strange enough he had not experienced that so far, could it be the fact that he hid his true origins?

” I did not mean to sound so cryptic in my wording. It is just what I pick up from you. Plus… What I hear.”

He smiled as she stood before him and then said, “I am sure there was god reason you should be transferred such revelations Selphia if I was scared or frustrated then it was not because of you but because of this strange path ahead of me I cannot understand and yet I have suffered because of it ever since I was a young boy.”

” I know things because of my abilities, just as you know things. You know how to use your abilities, how to connect with the world about you for that is the gift bestowed upon you. I hear voices… Well ‘whispers’ old, new, present and past. They stay within my thoughts. Always crowding me, but never harming, at least they don’t mean to. Sometimes it cannot be helped. I tell you what you wish to know because something is telling me that it is true. They are not ghosts, nor spirits, they are voices of ages, timeless and forgotten, until they wish or need to be remembered.”

He was truly struck by her words for what kind of gift could she possess that connected her to the voices of the world? She truly had no normal human origins and he was beginning to think that perhaps her fate was somewhat connected to his own and though it made him smile he noticed how she looked rather ashamed of being whom she was and so he looked into her eyes and raised her chin, “There is nothing wrong with the gifts you so posses though if I knew any better I would have taken you for a Nymph of the woods or someone as old as the Earth.” He smiled and then noticed how she looked at his hand as if a revelation was taking place. He was getting used to this for now that he understood it he could know what she did and how to prevent her from being harmed by the voices.

”He is the last of the riders, though he is the first to renew them.”

Rider?

Rider of what?!

Suddenly she spoke in a language he had never heard before nor could collect spoken in any of the lands he had visited, how could this be? And she did this to help him? She was truly grateful though he hoped she did not undergo any kind of pain or excessive sacrifice t do so and though he knew she was rather shy of this her gift he then said, “Selphia please do not feel embarrassed anymore nor shy about it, if we are to help each other we must remember that none of our gifts can be too great for the other to tolerate. Surely you have helped me discover something no one else has and surely it has to do with the dragon.”

”Think that you were not to fight but befriend… Your dreams must be connected, I just don’t know how.

He smiled at her and said, “I think I am having an idea of how it could all be connected.” But then there were rusty movements in the woods and he knew it meant commotion and the spirits of the woods seemed to warn him about it and though he did not wish to alarm Selphia there was something in the midst rather unpleasant and it wasn’t the gypsies for he was friends with them. It was many of them and he knew not if they looked for either of them or if they were mainly thieves, he turned to look at Selphia and said, “Lace your gown once again and tighten your cloak, hide the gem for I know there are footsteps approaching in haste.”

[Selphia Dek]

There was little that Selphia could explain of what she told Veryan. She had told him what she could, even if she didn’t entirely know what it meant herself. Fragments seemed to come to her. Old emotions surfaced but whom did they belong to. The words were old, and they were surrounded with such peace that it moved her to the core. Such wisdom seemed to caress her, to ease her trembling hands. She would look to Veryan and try to ease a smile to her lips. To help him understand that she was not here to inflict more trouble for him, or more stress to his otherwise stressful life. If someone was after him it was not what Selphia told him of.

She felt the lump in her throat come again as he asked her to speak of herself. She was never good at talking about herself. But trust…. it was always about building trust. The simple task of telling him more about herself did not seem so troubling, but she could not help but blush, or at least she didn’t know she was blushing each time he called her lady. The compliment was welcomed, now making her blush fully. She tucked her head toward her chest, acknowledging his words, and moving beyond them. He wished to learn more about her. What was there to tell that she could recall as a memory. Her brother, yes he was the constant star to her life. Forever in her thoughts as he often was. As if he stood directly before her, and yet he was miles abroad from where she currently was. As to his precise location she was unsure, and did not think to hear from him for sometime. Or those were his words. Galeon had a way of saying one thing, only to mean another.

She took on a more personal approach to her speech. This more then likely meant that she was easing into her friendship with Veryan. Trusting him enough to reveal the small quirks to her personality, to her demeanor to her particular ways should he notice. Her hand rose to brush back a few stands of pale pieces of hair. Her head was still bowed, that only her eyes rose to greet Veryan’s silvery blue ones. “I come from across the waters, Northeastern direction to be exact. As to the name of the town, it is old. So old that no one really knows its true name. I have often referred to as the Constant star, for that is where my brother is. Or that I think he still is.” She started to explain; she felt the tug in her chest that usually had her pacing at this time. When she spoke of home or what she felt was home she paced, always. “Galeon is there. Though I am not entirely sure for I do not feel his presence at times.”

To explain the reason behind her being unable to sense him to Veryan would mean explaining the reasoning. Galeon was more then likely hiding. Which actually made her expression alter just slightly. She did not wish to alert Veryan to what she might be feeling. A soft smile briefly came to her lips as she turned to look Veryan directly in the face once again. Collecting herself, acknowledging that she was in his presence. Sometimes her mind shifted, and the thoughts would come. She did not obtain anything from Galeon, which she felt to be odd. She quickly smiled again realizing that Veryan might be able to read her feelings, since he had briefly before. “As to why I am here. Galeon felt that I was safer in the lands of Camelot. I am unfamiliar with these lands, but Galeon seemed to trust them, which makes me think he knows these lands. He would not send me here if they were not.”

It is now that she starts to gently pace. Her hands curling under her arms as she took a few steps from him and turned about to face him, continuing to pace the small path. She paused, tilting her head and smiling at him. A soft side to Selphia revealed itself though short it was true. “I do not mean to ask forgiveness. I just feel that at times I have been a burden to my brother, and I wish not to become one to another I come across.” She said before studying his face and continuing to pace. His words found an open mind in Selphia. She would acknowledge his words with a polite nod, before stopping in mid step. He spoke wisdom of ages. A happiness rushed through her as she realized in that moment that Veryan would turn out to be, so far her most trusted confident, even for only just meeting.

She quirked her brow a little when she noted him staring at her. He seemed to ponder something but she did not slip into his thoughts to learn of it. The right corner of her lip rose up into a slight smirk. Her left hand rose, curling her knuckles under as she pressed them to her cheeks. She could feel the heat in them. But she would not hide herself. She simple brushed it off. Never before had anyone paid that closed attention to her. Veryan seemed to study, and try and figure something out, was it about her or her abilities. His questions were simply put in regards to her brother and herself. Perhaps that he took a more personal line of question, which caused her to color so. She did not know for certain, but it was refreshing, then the usual stares and harsh comments. “I am no Nymph.” She stated and started to make her way around a nearby tree. Her hand extending to a low hanging branch to aid her as she stepped free from the path toward a denser part of the trail she had recently been on. She glanced behind herself to Veryan. “And if I were older then time? What then?” she teased, this was missing from her life. The simple and carefree way of simply talking to someone and not being so guarded.

It was not that she wished to leave him questioning what she had said. She was at times someone that could not stand still. Some mistake for nervous, but she was just unease at times when she stood still for lengths of time. Perhaps her own thoughts plagued her, as she was certain they plagued Veryan that had not been her intention. She paused as she stepped behind a nearby tree, pausing and peering back out at him. “You wish to help me? It is a generous offer, but is it one that you can follow through on?” She asked bowing her head for a moment and then bringing her attention back to him before he answered.

She returned his smile as he stated that it was possible that he understood what she was trying to explain. Her attention was drawn to Veryan, as he seemed distracted by something beyond them. She would turn in the very direction that Veryan had. She quickly heeds his words and did as he told her. She felt something rippled through her, but as to what it had been she was at a loss. A look of understanding came to her pale features. Lacing her robe closed, and drawing her hood back over her head so that it’s edging hung down across her brow, hiding her face as best she could. Her hands drew her robe closed in front of her. She would move herself back to his side, feeling it would be saver closer to him. Her left hand rose toward the gem within her chest. A ripple of her energy was set off her, namely due to her anxiety. She swallowed hard as she moved behind Veryan, awaiting his order.

[Veryan Lithônion]

OOC: Feel free to NPC some of the thieves persecuting Selphia or kidnapping her or anything you wish, I will have Veryan reach her as soon as possible

IC:

It was funny how Selphia eventually knew more about him and his past than he did in all the years he had lived. She had basically told him everything, if not all concerning the reasons his family fled the island, changed of customs and hid it all from young Veryan at that time and though now he was more worried about that silence and uneasiness than he had been when much younger there was little he could do and he wasn’t just about to yell at his family because of that no matter what he knew they had good reasons for having done so and spared his childhood from such dark knowledge.

Surely they had fled form someone, someone who either wanted to kill him or use him for his own selfish ends for once he applied for Merlin’s academy he realized the real burden of his abilities and gifts. True they were a great help in many ways, but he also had to be careful with how he used them and he certainly had to control the sooner or later or else they would be more of a heavy weigh on his shoulders.

He smiled at the sight of how she blushed shyly whenever he complimented her and hid her face on the hood of her cloak she now placed to hide her face from anyone who could be approaching, she was so fragile and gentle and it moved his heart to tenderness and so he felt responsible as if he was meant to protect her with is life like a knight to his Lady.

“I come from across the waters, Northeastern direction to be exact. As to the name of the town, it is old. So old that no one really knows its true name. I have often referred to as the Constant star, for that is where my brother is. Or that I think he still is… Galeon is there. Though I am not entirely sure for I do not feel his presence at times.”

He nodded to her it seemed both had similar origins, they came form lands which were not related to Angliaterra and it made him wonder if it was then meant for them to find each other here and fight alongside each other their mutual enemies. He then said, “I am sorry to hear your brother is not here with you, for it must worry you not knowing about him for so long.” He surely could never be that far from home so he could understand her frustration at such matters.

“I do not mean to ask forgiveness. I just feel that at times I have been a burden to my brother, and I wish not to become one to another I come across.”

He smiled at her words and then said, “We will carry each other’s burdens for do you not realize that my path is also cloudy and rather dangerous? In fact just making you my confident places you in the greatest of dangers for a whole nation is looking for me.” He chuckled at the irony of life and then sighed as he shook his boots lightly to make them not get too cold and then said, “Perhaps you would like to meet the gypsies, they are most welcoming people and would tend to your horse nicely.”


“I am no Nymph… And if I were older than time? What then?

He smiled and then admitted, “Then you would be a fair Goddess who took pity on this mortal before you and decided to descend and grace his unworthy being with her presence.” He looked for a thin and light stone he could use to make a campfire and then smiled saying, “Nothing else could be the answer for the beauty in you is far greater than I have ever seen before.”

“You wish to help me? It is a generous offer, but is it one that you can follow through on?”

He noticed how she seemed not to trust him and it did hurt him but perhaps they had just met and she wasn’t sure his loyalty was genuine he still approached her and holding her hand which had been placed on the trunk of a tree he said honestly, “My loyalty to those I befriend is for life milady.”

Perhaps the time to use his abilities had come and he would protect her with his life form this moment on, maybe this was a test and with this she could trust him fully? He then quickly turned toward the voices and the steadfast steps approaching them and placed himself in front of Selphia to protect her more easily.

He then whispered for only her to hear, “Do not fear… I’m here.” He let go of her hand and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword as the steps got faster and the moment an arrow flew in his direction he closed his eyes as if to feel the whispers of the woods and moving a hand the wind gently changed the course of the arrow and it slammed on the snow less than a meter away from Veryan’s boots.

He could hear laughter, cruel eyes upon him to be certain but still it did not make him fear them as two of the thieves approached Veryan and Selphia from their hideout, one of them said, ”Finally we have found you Selphia though I have come up with various uses we could all have for you just before we kill you and take that delightful gem of yours.” The men laughed loudly this time and Veryan finally opened his eyes knowing how many of them there were and where they hid through his elemental powers and his connections with them.
He frowned at the man’s words knowing what he could mean and then stated simply, “The Lady is going no where in your company, now avast you ruffians!”

The men laughed at Veryan’s words but faster than their laugh could continue he took out an arrow and shot one of the two men standing before them and he stopped laughing and fell on the ground dead. He then said as the laughing suddenly stop, “Let this be a warning if you dare to move.” But that time he was pointing two arrows at the other man before him and one he knew was hiding behind a nearby tree.

He then allowed Selphia to listen to his thoughts as he spoke to her mind gently, “Get on the horse and ride at full gallop toward the center of the woods the gypsies will protect you if you give them my name and state I am your protector. I will reach you when I can.” Some men began to come out of their hideout as the other leader looked at him with rage and spite, “And how, may I ask are you planning to beat us all? Being one of you and many of us?”

[Selphia Dek]

Selphia was starting to warm to the idea of befriending Veryan. Sure she had her doubts but then who didn’t. She was sure that he held some sort of doubt within his being, didn’t he? Was he that positive a person that he did not think that possibly he was making a mistake in telling her or allowing her to glimpse pieces of his life. Trust was just a fickle thing. Galeon’s voice was always in her thoughts, though she did not feel his presence his words lingered. ~Trust and be trusted~ It was simple, plain as the sun that hung like a gem in the heavens. A gem that was what this was all about. Well for her it was. Those that wished her harm wanted what she valued though they knew nothing of the truth. Even if they knew the truth they would still cut it from her chest. An absent-minded thought caused her hand to move toward the center of her chest once more. A finger stroked the stone situated there. Her hooded form looked to Veryan. Taking a deep breath she nodded to him, her eyes light, a soft smile to her pale features.

“I trust you Veryan.” She uttered, her head bowing just a bit to him. “I think Galeon would be pleased that I found someone such as yourself to befriend.” The compliment was a simple and polite one. Hoping to show that she did in fact trust him. There was little reason not to. “Burdens…yes…it is good to have someone to confide in.” she said, a soft look coming to her face, then it lit up at the mention of meeting the gypsies. “That would be marvelous.”

Her cheeks burned with every compliment that he gave her. She turned her head to the side and looked in the direction of the woods. “You are too free with your words Veryan.” She said as she took a step toward the trail. He had mentioned others within the wood. Were they coming toward them? Did he know who they were? She was starting to become unsettled, but was it that or Veryan’s compliments, she was puzzled at the question as it became to her thoughts. It was his movements that gained her attention next. Her pale eyes darted about the area and to the trees overhead and then about the area again. “Veryan…?” there was concern in her tone as he stepped in front of her, much like what Galeon would have done. She glanced over his shoulder to get a view of what was coming.

Gasping when the arrow struck the snow at Veryan’s feet. She had not even noticed Veryan’s abilities when he altered the path of the arrow. She had figured they were poor shots. She stepped closer to Veryan’s back. Her left hand gripping his arm firmly, wondering if she should pull him back from another arrow that might hit him. “Veryan…” She whispered. His voice was steady and his tone calm when he spoke.

Laughter broke through the dense part of the forest they found themselves in. She too could feel eyes upon them, coming from all directions. She stepped back along Veryan’s side toward the tree. To make sure that she had some cover from behind should someone aim another arrow, though she was unsure if she could stop it like Veryan had. Then a voice came. She froze where she stood. It couldn’t be. They found her. Panic raced through her core. She couldn’t move another step as she looked quickly to the direction that the voice had come. Her hand slipped over the stone in her chest. She had wondered why Galeon showed mercy upon this man the last time the last they meet. A lump forged in her throat as she reached toward Veryan’s forearm, hoping to draw him back. They could run, yes that they could very well do. Veryan knew these woods.

“Veryan, please….” She ushered her words with the utmost importance. “There are too many of them.” It wasn’t that she had no faith in any skill Veryan possessed. She was just fearful of what would happen to him and herself should things get out of hand. Running was the best solution. She looked down at his hand as it moved to the hilt of his sword upon his hip. “Veryan…no…please…”

She gasped and jumped back when Veryan quickly dispatched one of the men. She stumbled back toward the tree. Tripping along side of it, that she braced her right hand against it when she caught herself. Her elbow scraped along the rough bark. She quickly pushed herself back and up against it to steady herself once again. Veryan’s words were far darker then she had though they could be. It was in that moment that his thoughts sprung open and everything flooded into her’s. Perhaps it was not the best thing to do, but she heard him, along with other voices. The heel of her palm pressed against her temple. She managed, but barely to get a handle on the thoughts racing about in her head. Pin pointing Veryan’s voice.

~ Get on the horse and ride at full gallop toward the center of the woods the gypsies will protect you if you give them my name and state I am your protector. I will reach you when I can. ~

She turned herself about to look for the horse. It was grazing off to the side as if nothing was happening about it. She took two steps before she realized he was not coming with her. His words had been to tell the gypsies he was her protector. She whipped about and looked at him.

Her thoughts transpired to his. ~They will kill you if you stay, Veryan. ~ There was something in the way that he had ordered her to leave that told her that she could not stay here. There was nothing she could do. Veryan would be better off protecting himself then protecting her. She turned and bolted toward the horse. Grabbing the reins as she climbed upon the animals back. Her heels jeered up and into the underside of the horse’s flanks. Jolting the animal alert to the danger about it. She pulled back upon the reins and headed down the trail away from Veryan.

But just where were the gypsies?

(The rest of the post is writen under the Druid Camp.)