Albion and Vuronia (OPEN)

[Elissa of Vuronia]

OOC: I am sorry




A sea of darkness overwhelmed the sky bringing a coming of night and the end of light. Stars began to appear as though the night was encrusted with sparkling gemstones that pierced the blackness of the night with its shining gaze. Surrounded by the beauty of nightfall laid the ever-lasting ocean of the world, the colour of the sea was blocked by the everlasting blanket of darkness. Riding across the distant sea stood a large wooden ship that was guided by the wind of the sails, a flag waved the banners and colours of Vuronia.

The flag had a sword pointing its tip towards the northeast. Around the sword was a sea blue colour flame and the background itself was pure white, on board this giant ship its crew mates were busy at work. The only thing used to see threw the darkness were lit torches, down into the cargo holds laid a small stable. Inside stood the white stallion Amity; a beautiful pure snow white coloured horse that stood anxiously within a small stable area.

However a large blue light encompassed the room with its eerie glow. Sitting down on some bundles of hay was a young girl of about nineteen years of age, she stood gazing at a sword that was unlike any other, and the sword glowed a brightly blue colour. And it began to resonate in rhythm, Elissa stared hard into the blade of Gonturan itself and sighed while saying" Gonturan..." The sword happily glowed showing its masters blue light, however the princess soon heard the anxious cries of her friend Amity.

Quickly she lunged towards him and stood gently next to him. It was his first time on a ship but it was also Elissa's first time as well, as softly as she could her hand stroked Amity's nose like a tiny soft feather and said" SHHH! Its ok Amity don't worry its my first time to". Just then the door to the cargo hold opened revealing the darkness outside and knight of Vuronia appeared, standing in full plate armour he bowed in respect to Elissa and said" My lady we will shortly approach the Kingdom of Mercia". With a gentle bow the knight left Elissa alone once again with Amity and the magic sword Gonturan.

With a sigh she immediately grabbed the hilt of the blue sword and placed it back into its magical scabbard with concealed the blue glow. The time had come for Vuronia to step onto the lands of Albion for the first time in centuries. Giving Amity a gentle kiss on his neck Elissa quickly took her full length cloak, threw it around her shoulders and opened the cargo door and stepped out onto the deck of the ship as the Kingdom of Mercia stood proudly in the distance.

A smile of amazement appeared on Elissa's face as she gazed upon the lands that were just in a short reach away. Several days later and out on the Kings road towards Camelot the princess of Vuronia gently strolled down the pathway while holding on the reins of the now calm and collected Amity. Her long cloak gently flowed with each step she took as she admired the scenery around her "Its so beautiful here Amity".

The horse gently neighed a little bit as he trotted beside Elissa. As she marched forwards she soon had to stop in her tracks as a group of thugs approached her, one of them who seemed to the be the leader smirked and said" Where do ya think your going? You have to pay a toll if ya want to reach Camelot!” Elissa simply sighed and shook her head refusing to pay the thieves.

But the leader soon spotted the sword and said" Hey whets a girl doing with a sword! If you like you can give me that sword and we will let you pass". Elissa soon had an idea and simply smirked at the crooks, brushing open her full length cloak Elissa untied the scabbard of her sword and said" Oh please don't hurt me. Here take it if you can". She said with a smirk and simply threw the sword containing Gonturan towards the leader.

Just as soon as he tried to catch it his eyes looked stunned as the scabbard immediately fell to the ground with a large thud! The leader looked confused but smirked slightly and said" Well now that was strange! Still a sword will come in handy against those knights". But his overconfidence was his own doing as he placed one hand on the scabbard and tried to lift it up, but strangely he couldn't.

He struggled with all his might but he couldn't lift the sword. His followers watched in amazement as their fearless leader struggled to pick up a sword, but no matter what he tried Gonturan refused to be picked up. Elissa smiled happily and said" What’s wrong to heavy for you here let me". The thugs stepped back as she slowly walked towards the sword and instantly she picked up in her hand as if it was just like a normal sword.

The leader looked stunned and said" What is that thing! Come on boys lets scram!” The thugs ran for their very lives towards the east section of the Kings road, Gonturan glowed happily in its master’s hands as Elissa looked at her sword and smiled. Soon she tied the scabbard back down the side of her waist and gently closed her long cloak around her body and once again assumed her journey towards Camelot.

[Hyacinthe mab Necthana]

I like the forest more. Cillian whined.

Well, that's because you'd have hares to harass. Hyacinthe pointed out.

There was also the fact that Cillian didn't need to hide as he had now. Unfortunately for the wolf, he had to keep to the treeline that flanked that king's road and stay hidden. Yet, after Hyacinthe had made note of Cillian's displeasure, he had told the wolf to head off on his own and enjoy the day as it was. The wolf, for whatever reason, had said no and kept to shadowing Hyacinthe as he sat astride the Bastard, a red speckled stallion tossing his particolored mane and stamping his hooves; begging to be let loose. Hyacinthe kept the surefooted, long legged beast checked though, and continued to urge him on along the road.

It was strange to have been relieved of his position in the forest of Balor. He had grown accustomed to practically...well, living there. If he had no responsibility over Adara then Hyacinthe would have certainly indulged and lived forever in the wild, abandoning his position as a scout for the royal army. Instead, Hyacinthe performed his task to earn coin to bring back to his family; his father who had the gout, and his daughter, Adara, who lived with no knowledge of a mother and lived with her grandfather only...

He shook the thoughts free of his mind.

It's not much further from Camelot now. Cillian said.

Then something...something happened.

Do you smell it too, Hya-- there! Cillian exclaimed.

Yes, Hyacinthe could smell it too. His mind merged with Cillian's own, and Hyacinthe's senses heightened from it. He could smell the trees, the grass and the beaten path underfoot. He could smell the lathered horse between his thighs and the grime on his own sunkissed flesh. He caught the scent of a woman, and there were others as well...strange, truly.

Then....magic.

It's a distinct and rank odor that oft smelled of nature; musk, berries and loam. Most never had the opportunity to know what magic truly smelled like, but Hyacinthe did. More thanks to Cillian's keen nose than his own. Nonetheless, Hyacinthe knew something strange was afoot, especially more so when had rounded the bend and saw men fleeing from a woman. He stared, but Hyacinthe didn't need to ask the question that Cillian answered.

She chased the off. I'm impressed.

"I am too," Hyacinthe said unto the air, the words drifting to Cillian who moved methodically through the underbrush. Yet, what shocked Hyacinthe more, was the fact that she had an air about her that was undoubtedly royalty. After all, all of royal blood tended to have this...way...about them. They moved as if they were the embodiment of what's regal, and truth be told, they were that; after all, they were royalty. Hyacinthe, though, was but a grimy, dirty half-blooded gypsy commoner who had done well for himself in the royal army.

He lifted a hand and brushed his ebon locks behind one ear, baring a silver stud that held a blue gem that gleamed in the light. "Well, I suppose I should check on her..." Hyacinthe murmured. He felt Cillian's assent to that, and soon Hyacinthe spurred the Bastard forward who had eagerly taken his head and exploded with a burst of speed. The staccato thump of his hooves filled the air, but soon enough as he neared the woman, he checked the beast and pulled hard on the reins. He drew near to her, but kept his distance as well, as he called to her.

"My lady! I trust that you are well? I could not help but notice the others," he said with a toss of his head in the direction of where the men had fled. "It's very dangerous on this road, you know. There's a long stretch and so much that can go on unseen by the patrol," he added. There was obvious concern there etched on his face and even in his words. He didn't want o see anyone hurt. Nonetheless, other than that, Hyacinthe smiled...friendly, open and kind.

"Is there anyway that I can be of assistance?" He asked thereafter.

[Elissa of Vuronia]

History had been made as a member of the Vuronia royal family had set foot on the distant lands of Albion. Back home rumours began to spread of the serene beauty that ensnared all of Albion within its tranquil gaze, but wherever there was good there was bound to be evil. As Elissa saw first hand from the thugs that tried to stop her, when she made this journey Elissa knew that there was danger over the horizon as choose to face many challenges ahead in her young life. But she was not afraid, as standing beside her was her good friend Amity, and the mystical sword Gonturan.

In the past it was said that Gonturan protected the city of Vuronia from invaders and even magical attacks. Now Gonturan had once fulfilled its duty and had protected Elissa without the use of defence, hence the strategic phrase " A Good Defence is a Good Offence". Although she was nervous but yet excited to see these new lands and their customs Elissa felt abit homesick, she began to miss her older brother, uncle and her home land. But her uncle said that Gonturan would guide her onwards and will aid her against any evil that threatened her quest.

There was a whole New World to discover. New Kingdoms to find and new beauties of nature to behold, animals to admire and structures to gaze upon in complete amazement, all of these things filled Elissa's mind which fuelled her excitement and her determination to push onwards. The white stallion Amity gently trotted beside Elissa as the two friends marched onwards through the Kings Road.

Her heart was pounding like a drum but she slowly sighed while letting herself be calm and focused. If there were bandits like the ones before then there might be more somewhere amongst the distant lands, as they travelled Elissa stopped still for a minute. As she gently opened the right side of her long cloak she gazed down at her sword Gonturan and it gently glowed brightly, the sword sensed Elissa's heart and gave her a direction to go in. But this appeared in her mind as an arrow pointing northwards with its sharp arrow head tip.

With a smile of gratitude she closed the right side of her cloak and continued her journey. It was then that she heard the sound coming towards her, she couldn't regonize the sound but it was drawing closer and closer. She wondered if it was more bandits, still it couldn't hurt to be more alert. As the sound came closer Elissa stood in front of Amity while gently placing a hand near the hilt of her sword but it was covered by the thickness of her cloak.

Her eyes soon caught the glimpse of a man and a wolf running over towards them. It was a beautiful sight to behold though; a wolf usually runs in a pack and doesn’t often trust humans. But this one seemed to trust the man that was with him or her, Elissa trusted her instincts and moved her hand slightly away from the hilt of her sword and gently she guided Amity by the reins towards the stranger.

The man seemed to be wearing some kind of armour. But it was revealed that the man had a kind heart and was of a person with honour, his voice was filled with concern about Elissa even though it was the first time they had met each other. However Amity was not as trusting as Elissa and soon he reared its hoofs upwards in fear of seeing the wolf beside the stranger, Elissa immediately reacted and turned around to calm her best friend" Amity! Easy boy it’s ok! I made a promise to you remember?”

The horse soon calmed himself down and stared into Elissa's eyes. After they formed their unbreakable bond Elissa made a promise to Amity that she will protect him no matter what, Elissa simply smiled at Amity who in his own response gently pushed his head into Elissa's face which made the young princess laugh. With a gentle stroke to his nose Elissa turned back to the stranger and replied as honestly and as politely as she could" I am very well thank you kind stranger. I must first apologise! My friend Amity here is really nervous amongst strangers".

The man seemed to be very polite or he somehow knew she was of royal blood. She soon looked towards the directions of where the bandits ran to and soon said" These lands are really beautiful. But it is a shame that people like them disrespect nature. But yes I appreciate your concern but I am well aware of the dangers ahead". But she spoke with a friendly smile but while she smiled Gonturan her magical sword lied silently underneath her thick cloak and sat ready to defend her as it was created to do so.

But when the stranger asked for assistance Elissa simply smiled in gratitude towards the stranger and said" I would very much appreciate any help you can offer me stranger. I am currently on my way to the Kingdom of Camelot to gather some supplies for my journey". Since the man showed some honour, and kindness Elissa decided to introduce herself" My name is Elissa". She said with a friendly bow of respect.

[Hyacinthe mab Necthana]

It was understandable that the woman's horse would be wary of both Hyacinthe and Cillian; after all, Cillian was still a predator...a wolf. The wolf seemed none too pleased but reared away, hiding behind the Bastard and then making for the underbrush that flanked the road where Hyacinthe had directed him away from them. Hyacinthe stared after the wolf, cursing the beast for daring to show himself to the stranger and the horse both. It was foolish and wild, and could have undoubtedly ended badly if she had had others with her, and if she had drawn for blood for startling her horse. Nonetheless, all was well...for the moment.

Hyacinthe looked down to her, eying her as she spoke.

"I'm certain that the company of a wolf does not help overly much," Hyacinthe pointed out to her and smiled. She continued to speak though, and when she spoke of the lands and the bandits both, Hyacinthe could only nod. "Well, my lady...unfortunate as it may sound, this tends to be the norm in most lands, and as for here, the bandits take advantage of the distance between cities and check points," he pointed out. Unfortunately for Hyacinthe, if he hadn't been kind, he could have easily been marked off as a bandit as well for he looked unkempt, sweat damp and dirty, and the shirt that clung to his flesh was damaged and frayed underneath his leather jerkin. Nonetheless, Hyacinthe's hands crossed upon the pommel of his saddle as he listened, the Bastard stamping a hoof in impatience.

"Well, my lady, Camelot's not so far off and it's where I am heading," he admitted. "So, if you'd allow me, I'd love to accompany you so that I may know you arrive safely and in one piece," he added, bowing over the Bastard's particolored mane. Then she offered her name and he felt his flesh warm; ah, what a lovely name.

"Elissa," he uttered it. "I am Hyacinthe mab Necthana, and I swear on my honor as a scout of the royal army that I will see you safely to Camelot," he said. "Now, I do not have much to offer now, but I do have water if you want for some, and I do have cheese and bread to break until we reach Camelot," he offered. Then he looked thoughtful as he realized she had been walking. "Ah...Elissa...I must ask, are you walking or...well, or are you riding to Camelot?"

It was truly a legitimate question, and although Hyacinthe didn't mind walking, he preferred to ride and Camelot was still somewhat of a ways off. Nonetheless, if that was what she wanted...well, Hyacinthe wouldn't tell her no. In fact, he'd join her, although the Bastard and Cillian would undoubtedly make complaints over that. After all, Hyacinthe already felt the Bastard's urging to be free from their stationary position settle over his mind. Hyacinthe pressed back with his mind to soothe him.

"It's entirely up to you, my lady..." He added, as he reached beside his panniers to untangle a waterskin. He uncorked it and squeezed it with one hand as the other directed the stream of cold water into his mouth. Hyacinthe hissed with satisfaction, making the water look...well, splendid and satisfying. He wiped his mouth with the back of his head, smiling as his oh, so blue eyes were squinted, shielded by ebon brows as his tongue smoothed over his lower lip.

Are you looking for a reward...? Cillian asked.

No. I'm just making sure she's safe is all. I can't live with such a guilt.

Well, I can see why you saved me... Cillian replied.

Mind your tongue wolf. Hyacinthe replied firmly.

Why shouldn't Hyacinthe help her...? He saw no reason not to; after all, he had taken an oath to help anyone in need, although that was up to the person in question to help if they so wished. Hyacinthe himself was a different sort of being and what he did was up to him and no one else.

[Elissa of Vuronia]

The princess of the far off kingdom Vuronia could see the fear within Amity's eyes. She had not seen that look for a long time; it was at the very same day they first met each other for the first time. Back then Amity was being mistreated by a group of miscreants, thugs and murderers, this gang of evil men and woman plagued villages outside of Vuronia, in response Elissa joined her brother in thwarted the group. It was then that Elissa sat Amity being bullied, beaten and having been shown cruelty, Elissa tried her best to calm him after stopping Amity's torture.

The group was killed in battle but Amity showed signs of fear and distrust. Elissa used all of her heart and soul in order to calm him but Amity was too fearful. Just as one of the group was about to attack Amity Elissa shield her own body to protect the scared Amity, but Alan dispatched the final enemy with a swift blow and watched as Elissa stared into the eyes of Amity. Ever since that day the two had become a brother and sister except for one thing, Amity was a pure snow-white stallion while Elissa was a young human princess of an honourable kingdom known as Vuronia.

Now Amity slightly stood beside Selena but she stood very close to him showing that there was nothing to be afraid of. But she soon continued to comfort her friend while turning her gaze towards the stranger in armour, it was clear that he too shared a bond with a beautiful animal. The wolf had always been known to be cunning and swift, and was an animal filled with pride. As she listened to the wise words of the kind stranger she felt disappointed, it seemed that evil was also in this beautiful yet wondrous land.

But although the stranger looked damp and dirty it was always what was on the inside that counted. Yet he showed more of the purity inside his soul when he offered to travel with her to Camelot just to keep her safe, but she soon learned that the strangers name was in fact Hyacinthe mab Necthana a scout of the royal army. With a smile she happily nodded and said" It is a pleasure to meet you Hyacinthe. I would be honoured". She said lowering her had in respect to a man who had a heart of gold and to someone who had honour.

Although protection was not necessary especially when you have a sword which is nearly alive beside you. But she welcomed the company but Amity would have to stay by her side especially with the wolf nearby, it seemed strange that it wasn't interested in attacking Amity. But if it did then Gonturan would have to be used, Amity was Elissa's only friend and she wasn't going to lose him. There is not much known about Gonturan, same say it was forged and created by magic while others think that is alive and protects its master.

What the rumours didn't know was they were both right and partly wrong. Yes the sword was created by great magic and that it was designed to protect the royal family of Vuronia but the sword was only partly alive it was simply following its prime directive. Hyacinthe even offered her some food but she had already eaten during her trip and responded" Thank you but I am afraid I have already eaten".

But when he asked about methods of travel towards Camelot she had intended to walk and enjoy the beauty of Natures creations, besides Amity trusted only Elissa and if her new companion Hyacinthe tried to climb on top of Amity then he would be having a wild ride. Looking back towards Amity she smirked slightly and said" I was thinking of enjoying the beauty of this land and walk towards Camelot. Besides Amity doesn't like anyone else apart from me riding him, I sincerely apologise". She said with all her heart of behalf of her friend.

Amity gently snorted while moving his head slightly in response. If it hadn't been for those cruel men and women then Amity would have gladly accepted both Hyacinthe and Elissa on his back. But it was not to be; Elissa gently patted Amity's neck while happily made Amity give out a little neigh. Still Hyacinthe seemed like a person that she can trust, but could she tell him about Gonturan? She decided to hold back just for a little while, as he drank some fresh clean water she said" I wish I can make our travel to Camelot a little easier. But my friend Amity cruelly tortured and beaten. Now he only trusts me, again I apologise".

[Hyacinthe mab Necthana]

"Well then, I'm glad that you have eaten, my lady, for all I have is...well, not much," he admitted and offered a slight smile that faded when she spoke of her horse. He shook his head as he looked down at the Bastard, the horse between his own thighs whom looked rather unenthused by the entire situation; after all, the red speckled horse preferred to have a freehead and to gallop down the road. Instead, it seemed that their venture would be long and set out on foot instead of being ahorse.

"No need for an apology, my lady, and no worries about your Amity for my Bastard would do much the same, and mayhap even worse," Hyacinthe admitted. It wouldn't be the first time the Bastard bit someone or had kicked someone with his powerful rear legs. He done so in battle before and had protected Hyacinthe albeit the stallion had even hated him at one point as he had everyone else. It had been a long courting until the horse had grown fond of him.

He was thoughtful and kept to himself for a mere moment until he heard Elissa's uttered apology once more. He shook his head again and furrowed his brow. "There's no worry over that. We can walk, my lady, if that's what pleases you." He added, even though he felt a hint of dismay from Cillian, whom had wanted to reach Camelot at a better pace than from afoot. Hyacinthe soothed the wolf who had been whining to him through his mind. Fortunately, Hyacinthe was the dominant of the two, and the wolf submitted reluctantly so and hastened off to feed himself. Hyacinthe had been staring off to the treeline for a moment before tossing his head and sweeping off from the saddle, landing square upon his feet.

"Will you tell me of where you're from, my lady...?" Hyacinthe suddenly asked as his hand tangled in the Bastard's lead line. He rounded to the front of his stallion, standing near to Elissa and offering a smile from admist his groomed beard, blue eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity.

"You have a peculiar dialect, but then again...I suppose that I do too," he admitted, laughing. It was a full, hearty laugh; entirely Hyacinthe, truthfully. He looked somewhat amused by that and tossed his head in the direction of Camelot as he had begun to walk. "This way, my lady. Now, why don't you tell me of yourself and your reason for braving the king's road as you have alone."

If Hyacinthe was right, and he tended to be honestly, then she would turn out to be royalty. So, if Elissa was royalty, where had she come from and why was she alone? Then again, mayhap she had stowed away no a ship or simply earned the coin to bring across the sea; after all, there were many possibilities, and many that could be true. Why should he doubt her...? It made him very curious of her and he wanted to know more of the woman who would venture alone. Especially since she was rather comely and young, and once again, alone. If he had been a horrid man, he could have taken her and claimed her deep in the bushes. Yet, he wouldn't and fortunately he had come across her and would see her safely to Camelot.

"You don't see many women venturing about all alone on the king's road, much less foreign ones as comely as you are," he said, offering a toothy smile. "So, I'm certain you see why I'm so curious as to why you're here and alone...no husband at your side," he murmured. "Only a horse." He eyed her cloak, perking a brow at her. "Mayhap even more beneath."

[Elissa of Vuronia]

Albion seemed much bigger then the rumours back in Vuronia. But the lands were certainly brimming with colours that Nature herself had created, from the lush greenery of the grass and fields to the brown and might of the trees, the rainbow like colours of a variety of flowers to the gaze of the tranquil blue sky. Even Amity enjoyed the view even though he was on a strange land, but he shared the nervousness with Elissa, as for Elissa herself she felt excited, nervous and happy at the same time.

She adored animals of all kinds and respects them very much. And to see man travel with another stallion and a wolf was a joy to see, the horse that was travelling with Hyacinthe looked really beautiful and the wolf seemed really calm. And as for Hyacinthe himself Elissa felt honoured to have met someone who had a good heart and a good sense of honour in this words, with a polite nod she said" Many thanks Hyacinthe I appreciate it". She said and quickly turned her gaze towards Amity who was still looking abit nervous about being near a wolf.

But she gently stroked Amity's nose slightly to try and calm him. However while this was going on Gonturan the legendary sword of Vuronia watched Selena's heart like a hawk, Elissa felt that Hyacinthe needed an explanation as to why she wanted to walk and felt like he deserved one. With a tiny smile she said, " It’s my first time being in the lands of Albion. I like to travel around and enjoy the scenery". She said with a tiny smile, while Amity trotted beside her.

The princess of Vuronia felt abit better now that she explained why she wanted to walk to Camelot. And it was lucky that she did have a bite to eat and a drink during her overseas travels. As the question came to Elissa's mind about where she was from and about how her dialect was different Elissa smile grew slightly bigger and looked back into Hyacinthe's eyes and said" I am from a distant island south of Albion. I am from a place Vuronia, it is a calm and peaceful kingdom filled with many wonders". She said as she remembered the way Vuronia was built and not to mention the festivals and tournaments they had there.

She missed her home greatly but this was her journey chosen out of free will. And now she was determined to see it through until the day she returns to Vuronia, with a sigh of content she continued her explanation" I am on a journey to discover the true beauty of Nature herself. I believe that if I can understand life and nature then I can be a better person". Elissa said while placing her hand on her beating heart, she gazed up into the heavens and also said"That is why I am here Hyacinthe to see what Albion truly is and the lands around Albion itself. I know my path will be filled with many challenges but I know that Gonturan will guide and protect me".

Her words came from her heart and soul and revealed her belief and faith in Gonturan. Still she continued her words and said "I have no desire to marry Hyacinthe, I simply wish to be as free as the wind". She said as she looked around at her surroundings. When Hyacinthe said something about her long cloak Elissa gently smiled and said " Hyacinthe I trust you because you are a good man. Which is why I want to show you something".

Standing still for a moment Elissa sighed slightly and slightly she reached into the right side of her long cloak and untied the scabbard from her weapons belt. Revealing a scabbard encrusted in ancient runes, the scabbard itself was of pure leather, the hilt of the sword had a black hand covering and the side of the hilt glowed within the sunshine. Holding the scabbard the princess of the distant land of Vuronia held the sword horizontally and slowly she grabbed the hilt with her hand and pulled the sword out showing her new companion the sword Gonturan.

The sword didn't have a silver blade. No it had a glowing blue blade, which glowed in a heart beat rhythm, with a smile Elissa said, "This is my families most prized family heirloom.... Gonturan! It’s a sword that protects me from magic and is more sharper then any sword". Then as he held Gonturan she dropped it to the floor in which is landed with a loud bang as it collided on the ground before her, with a smile she said, "If it leaves my hands it will be heavier then no one can pick it up. And even if it was somehow taken from me it will return to my side".

Slowly she picked up the hilt and showed Hyacinthe that it was just like any other sword when she held it in her own hands. Looking towards her companion she said, "This is why the thugs you saw decided to flee".