Moonlite

[Selphia Dek]

The day had been the first day marking warmer weather to come. Or so Selphia had hoped. Temperatures had reached an unseasonable high. Warm sunlight had was what she had woken to, and now she sat in the midst of the forest bathed in pale moonlight glow. Even though the cold held no effects upon her form, Selphia was still glad for the brightness of the sun. It seemed to aid her mood when she felt her spirits waning. The sound of the river seemed to calm her even more as she knelt upon the side of the riverbed. She had found a small clearing close to the lip of the riverbed. The current was not all strong here, nor was it deep. Her gaze lifted to the dotted sky above her. She took a deep breath as the moon hung low in the sky, full, and brilliant in it s radiance. Selphia loved to sit beneath it and offer what prayers she might to those that might be listening.

These days it was nice to offer her own prayers then to here the constant chanting of those in need. These nights seemed to be the only time she felt truly at peace. Was it the moon? The water? Or was it just the forest itself. She had been within the woods on a number of occasions. She had thought this the best time to try and reach her final task of becoming a mage. But she had been so taken with the way he moon struck the water that she could not ignore it. She would take a swim. Sure it was cold, but that did not bother Selphia in the least.
She would disrobe at the river’s edge. Her clothing piled neatly upon a tuff of newly grown grass. Oh the signs of spring were all around her. She could not help but smile. She kept a pale chemise upon her form, for she was a rather modest person, and at most times shy, even when she was alone. She would make her way to the water, and then slowly wade in. She could feel the water pool about her legs then up her thighs as she continued on. She would quickly become submerged when she dove forward.

Pulling her legs under herself, allowing them to settle in the soft mud under the water. Her pale form seemed to glisten under the moonlight. Lost in the twillight she was at peace for the time being. Her left hand moved across her chest to the gem that lay beneath the soaking wet chemise. A troubling thought soon arose and she turned to riverbed thinking she heard something. She had become paranoid to the sounds of the night. havign one too many times been upon the end of a double edge sword more times then she cared to count.

Her pale locks cascvaded down and over her shoulders as she stood. the water at chest level as she turned her attention back to the moon and all its glory.

[Caellach Baratheon]

There are few things one expects to find within the midst of night, and especially moreso within a heavily wooded forest at such time. There are songs, though, sung of such moments of noble men who had come across the most lovely of creatures; nymphs, even. Caellach, then and there, allowed himself to believe that he had been Godtouched as his worn mount came to a steady halt at the sound of the river being disturbed, and his eyes fell upon something rather uenxpected. The truth was, was that he wouldn't have been so awestricken at the sight. Yet, he didn't know the truth of the matter. At least not then.

Mayhap he had been worn by the sun and beaten by the faint chill seeping beneath his burnoose? He certainly hadn't been dressed properly for Camelot's weather. The hood had been stifling and lay at his back and the turburn, meant to shade his grizzled face from the heat, lay undone upon his neck. It's enough to bare the more proper tunic beneath and the subtle of Baratheon proper. Nonetheless, that nearly mattered little within the midst of night.

He smells of horse though. He smells of fine soil and sweat. He smells of the heat of day and smells of the open road as whole; of the forest and moss. He smells of man and himself entirely as he drew closer to the river upon horseback and circumnavigates the tightly knit trees; pressing through until he was nigh within sight as the moonlight falls upon his short-cropped hair and the faint stubble covering his cheeks; those blue eyes of his flitting over her.

Truly, was he mad then and there? He was unsure to be truthful. Yet, he felt the sudden quake deep within his core and stirring within his loins at the sight of her. She's undoubtedly beautiful and mayhap but a figment of his mind and naught else. He catches his breath then and there as his mount shuffles; stamping one hoof and then the other upon the soft forest floor underfoot.

"*Dryade," Caellach utters suddenly within that timbre of his; thick and husky, and filled with a weariness belonging to a man who was worn. He still looks upon her nigh wide eyed with both uncertainty and curiosity both. He draws closer then until hooves were settling within the eb and flow of the river properly. His mount stamps briefly and huffs a heavy breath.

"Do my eyes deceive me, nymph?"

*dryade - wood nymph

[Selphia Dek]

The water moved softly against her pale flesh, as she stood submerged within it. Her hands gently floated at her sides so that her fingers were just at the surface. Her mane of pale locks slicked back against her scalp and down her back. A few strands clinging to her shoulders, then traveled down into the water. Floating about her as she knelt within the water. Her attention had been averted to the heavens. The moon brilliantly hung there, casting its light upon the river. Streams of silver light seemed to make its way to where she knelt. Basking her in its glowing light. Slender she was, meek to those that did not know her.

It is a strange sound that gains her full attention. She whipped about still below the water looking about the tree line. Darkness was all that looked at her. Was there someone there? She didn’t know for certain. She would remain silent and deathly still as she allowed her thoughts to extend out ward. It took great control for Selphia to allow her focus to slip. For in these moments she was able to sense those around her. She would have to be careful when she relinquished her focus. The voices seemed to bombard her, slowly whispering to her. It was in the midst of listening that her attention turned back to the riverbed. It was there that she saw them, a man upon the back of a horse, staring at her.

It was a flurry of thoughts that gave rise to her emotions and whipped them into a frenzy. She would usher a few simple commands to herself. There was little that Selphia could do at the moment but rush from the water and head toward her things. But her clothing now rests at the edge of the riverbed next to the horse’s hooves. In the moment of discovery she had not even come to realize her stance. Both hand clasped over the center of her chest. In that moment she did not know just what she should do. As the reality of the situation came Selphia quickly tore from the water.

She would fell forward as the length of the chemise impaired her running. She staggered her gait a few times, only to come crashing up against a nearby tree. She would peer out and look at the man. She heard the word ~Dryad~

Did he think she a Dryad? She recalled little about them. All she could recall from memory was the meaning of the word, nothing more. Her memories were hard pressed at this moment. Selphia recalled little attention and yet she held it. Her left hand had remained upon her chest, a single finger running absent-mindedly against the edges of the gem that jetted out of her chest.

She would make her way out of the water and toward the many trees. The hem of her chemise clung to her legs as she traveled quickly to her things. She would hide behind the tall oak for the time being. She was not entirely sure of this man’s intentions. she remained poised behind a tree waiting for him to leave.

[Caellach Baratheon]

Ah, Good God!

Had he been truly blessed then and there? Mayhap. Caellach shivers with excitement whilst astride his trusted steed. What should he do? He wasn't sure, truly. He could chase and capture her, and bind her ankles. That's what the heroes oft did within their own legends, no? Yes, they did.

The thought of claiming her was present within his mind then and there; to establish his own tale. Mayhap, though, he had been underneath the heat of the winter sun for far too long and worn far beyond words could ever say. That his weariness was helping very little then and there, and filling his mind with thoughts that shouldn't be. Ah, what to say and do, truly? He feels his mount shuffle between his thighs as she flees the river to hide herself behind a tree.

"Lady Dryad!" Caellach calls to her with more fervor this time. If there was one thing soldierly men oft believed within, though, that would be tales of legends and that of their beloved God and beings such as her. All the while his mount stamps and sidles around her things, and within moments, his chin tucks toward his chest and his gaze flits downward upon all that lay there.

Mayhap he was wrong?

"Please," he begins. "I mean no harm whatsoever, my lady," he assures her, nymph or not. It's then his hands lift above his head to show that they were empty of any weapon. Yet, his gaze never leaves the oak she hid behind and remained. "Please, come and show yourself," he breathes out.

[Selphia Dek]

Selphia remained hidden behind the tall oak. Her hands pressed into the rough bark in order to steady herself should she need to bolt in any direction. Her eyes staring off to the side as she gave listen to her surroundings. The man was upon a horse, most certainly she could not outrun a horse by any means. Her fingers curled tightly into the tree, preparing herself.

A flicker of thoughts come to her. A lump forges with her throat making her difficult for her to even swallow. Had she hear his thoughts. ~Bind her ankles?~ Those were his thoughts but they were unclear in their reasoning. Not that she wished to remain to learn just what that reasoning might be.

~Lady Dyrad~ Did he think her a forest dweller? Perhaps that was it. It was in that moment that she felt other whispers wash over her, many in fact, all around her. Very old distinct whispers. Her head tilted to the side as she gave listen. The language was not one she knew but it was familiar all the more. The last few days had proved to be tiring for Selphia. Her energies depleted just back having to focus on keeping her thoughts clear and straight for the time she was in Camelot. One of the reasons why she came out here to the forest. The voices were many but they were never cumbersome.

It was then that the Man upon the horse spoke again. This time his voice changed it was soft, or at least she felt that it had. He seemed beyond fatigue, much like herself. Slowly her head peered out from behind the tree. Normally the darkness hide everything, but Selphia did not blend well with shadow. Her paleness stood out like a beacon. Pale flesh wrapped in a soaking wet chemise. Long pale white locks clung to her back and around her shoulders. While a pair of bright pale blue, almost white eyes looked at the man.

She did not speak just stared at he man. Making sure to keep the tree between them, shoulder she need to run.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

*Hours earlier*

Dreamer was dragging his feet as he walked out of Camelot, signaling to the guards a simple hello. He had decided to take a day's leave and find someplace peaceful and quiet, both of which he had not been blessed with for awhile. With his life being wrapped up in entertaining and studying, he had hoped that once he gained the title of mage that life would become simpler.

He was very much mistaken

He was not even a few days into the job and suddenly people were coming to him for help. He had repaired more bones and signed more forms than he could care to remember. He needed a rest, and thats why he was wondering off into a random direction, not caring where he would end up.

Maybe an hour a half of walking, and Dreamer came upon a stream inside a forest. The sound of the pool of water and the wind brushing against the trees grew on Dreamer, and he fell relaxed. After a long drink from the pool, Dreamer went over to a nearby tree and climbed it. Laying down, positioned in between some branches, Dreamer closed his eyes and waited for the night.

*Current time*

Dreamer awoke to the sound of a voice and the stomping of hooves. His first thought was that he had been caught, and maybe he could get away in time. Yet, after close examination of the words and tone, Dreamer became curious. Moving quietly, he hooked his legs around a branch and lowered himself down, to watch.

Dreamer could make out a man on a horse, a soldier type by Dreamer's analysis. Then there was a women hiding behind a tree, not to far from Dreamer's current position. Dreamer looked closely at the women for a moment, she seemed familiar to him. He had only seen her once or twice, but he was certain it was at the Magicians guild. Dreamer's breathing ceased when he saw that she was barely clothes in a wet garment.

Dreamer didn't know the whole story, but he saw the current situation as a bad one. He tried to keep his head cool, not liking what it looked like, but not knowing what was happening. All he knew was that he had to intervene, and quickly.

Dreamer kept his eyes focused on the man as he sang a spell,

Time is all i need,
for it shall set me free
Put me in-between
what it is that Ive seen

Unhooking his legs, Dreamer watched as the spell took effect. Time seemed to slow down around him, and as he landed, he drew a knife from his belt and made his way to stand in front of the tree the woman was standing in front of. To the two of them, it was almost seem as if he just appeared from nowhere.

Dreamer looked at the man, not yet raising his blade, and said "What is going on here?". He stood straight and used as much of a commanding voice as he could create, using his misplaced anger. He saw it as effective in both elder mages and knights as well, when they were talking. Yet, Dreamer had only been a mage for a few days, he was still learning all the tricks.

[Caellach Baratheon]

She uttered not even a word then but she did not need to. Her eyes bore deep into him and his flesh crawls with heat and something else entirely. There was absolutely no fear though. Yet, he couldn't help but find himself still and feeling nearly overwhelmed by her ethereal beauty.

Thoughts flood his mind then of her and no one else. She stands out within the stroke of moonlight. Ah, beautiful, truly! That's something he certainly didn't admit for anyone else but she's certainly different and his mind was elsewhere; settling upon the superstitious and what this could certainly mean for himself. Yet, everything seemed to take a turn for the worst.

It happens within the space between a blink of an eye and passing of a breath.

Then there stood a peculiar man baring a blade; holding such before him like a shield. It wasn't enough to frighten him, yes, but certainly enough to stir his mount toward a defensive stance. Yet, Caellach fought the reins with fist and arm; thighs tightening upon his mount's flanks, even. He curses beneath his breath as Gean's mouth falls open and his bay horse's breath mists within the chill air. All the while hooves stamp and shuffle; thumping out a staccato beat.

Caellach's eyes narrow down at the lad then and there. That uttered query nearly falls upon deaf ears though. Yet, he's soon speaking as Gean's caught underneath his control and he checks the lathered beast between his thighs. His jaw clenches whilst he speaks.

"I'm a passerby," he utters and refuses to say anything else. His gaze flits from the lad and beyond him to the tree and woman both. "I saw her." He says and falls silent.

[Lady Aslinn Draconis]

(Sorry posted with the wrong character...me bad)


There was little else that Selphia could do. She was not dressed properly. Though she was wearing a chemise, it was soaking wet, and heavy due to the water. She would gather handfuls of the fabric and peel it from her legs. If she had to run she didn’t want to get two feet and topple to the ground. She wanted to be able to get away as quickly as she could. Her pale eyes locked upon the man. He didn’t seem imposing, but far be it from her to judge in her situation. She stepped back from the tree, trying to figure out if the man would do anything, as far as dismount and approach.

In that small fleeting moment she was lost in thought when a three person appear. Out of thin air. Her pale gaze blinked several times before she fell backwards to the ground. Quickly she scrabbled to her feet and to a tree behind her. The further she as from these men the better off she felt that she was. At least she had thought so. She looked to the second man that appeared. He looked familiar or so she felt. Her left hand rose to her brow, as she felt tried to regain her focus. A slight ache in her temples caused her to press a hand against the tree she hid behind, her knees buckled. She was really starting to get annoyed with her abilities and the overwhelming emotions and pain that accompanied them.

She glanced from behind the tree to the new arrival. Was he from Camelot? She had seen him but only in passing. Though he was familiar…. at The Guild that must be it. She looked at the knife he held and then to the other man who had yet to brandish his own weapon. Perhaps he didn’t mean harm? Perhaps….that was a good enough thought, but one that Selphia was unsure she should accept.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

I'm a passerby,...I saw her

Dreamer stood there for a moment, and considered putting his knife away as he watched the man. The way he was looking at him, Dreamer didn't know what to expect from the man. Dreamer considered his options before he turned and tossed the blade in front of the tree. It seemed like the best option, it gave the women a weapon just in case, and showed that he meant her no harm.

Turning his head back to the man, Dreamer nodded his head respectfully and smiled, not trying to show his anger now. He had estimated how long it might take the man to either charge him or to grab a weapon to throw, and the numbers seemed fair. By the time the man would be able to mount an offense, Dreamer would have already casted a spell to stop him, or dodged behind the tree with the woman.

"It seems you were here for noble purposes, that was good, but im afraid you have seen enough sir" Dreamer said, "I can take care of the situation from here".